forsythe-dichotomy

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This reminds me of daemonism

Late night thoughts

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Try daemonism before tulpamancy

*pats the seat next to me* Come here and take a listen real quick.

If you are considering creating a headmate to help with

Loneliness

Depression

Stress

Life issues

Anything else related to support...

You'd be better off finding your daemon. Why? Because daemons are typically built for this; this is their specialty. They exist already as a part of you! They've lived your life, seen your struggles, and understand who you are and where you are coming from. They feel everything you feel, see everything you do, and know everything about you. They know what you need.

Another benefit? They can be their own unique individual while still remaining intrinsically tied to you, your life, and your well-being without the risk of being incompatible or your self-interest not aligning. Daemons are a part of you, so they go with the flow of our life without wanting major control or influence. Two sides to the same coin. A feather attached to the wing...

Another nice thing about daemons is when you aren't interacting they merge right back into you. They continue to exist just as they did prior to separation and will continue to be there until you call again. The less you interact the rustier the connection becomes, but you don't risk losing them. They may come back with new personalities or names if a long enough time has passed (because *everyone* changes with time, daemons are no exception) but they are still your daemon.

They still are there wanting the best for you. Wanting you to succeed, to thrive, to survive. They are our built-in support systems. Before creating and hoping to influence a headmate to be the answer, look into meeting your daemon first. See if they can provide what you need. Besides, it's often a far easier process than creating a fully separate headmate from scratch (in my opinion, at least).

Never heard of daemons? Check out Daemonism 101

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Journal Questions for Dæmons - Day 20

Which skill would you like to cultivate in yourself?

Not in myself, but I miss when my daemian played music. He used to sing, play the piano, the clarinet. I liked that activity even if I wasn't directly participating. For me... I'm not sure. My skills are limited without a physical form. I suppose projection skills. Since learning about the rest of the system I tend to be pushed towards front more easily. Because we practiced it a lot with other alters. I don't like the front. I prefer being projected. Now I'm stuck fighting against the practice those alters did so I can stay in my own form.

Reflect on your preference for consistency versus spontaneity.

A balance is needed. Consistency and routine are safe, comforting, habitual. It allows us to be prepared and to relax. It's familiar. Spontaneity brings new experiences, more excitement. We need to be flexible so we can take advantage of opportunities, serious or fun. It helps dull overthinking as well. I suppose I prefer comfort, but understand the benefits and fun of spontaneity.

If you were to write a book, what subject would it revolve around?

It would talk of daemonism and detail my experiences as daemon, in my own voice. I would prefer to write with the goal to educate, not to create a story. Though I love reading fantasy stories with my human, I have no interest in writing this kind of book. My book would present facts about daemonism, relay my experiences, and help destigmatize plurality and "imaginary friend" experiences in adults, from the point of view of the "imaginary friend". It would also explain the importance of including daemons (and alters, parts, headmates, etc.) in therapy as active participants who should be consulted, have worthy input, and potentially also need help for their own selves.

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Here to apologize yet again for the lack of content here. I still think daemonism is a great concept but unfortunately I have so much on my plate that I can't sit down and just... Think. I really do wish I could, but hopefully this is something I can do in the summer </3

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"Find Your Familiar" Day 5

Prompt: Where in the world do you feel most grounded?

Communication was weak today, I had trouble differentiating my daemon's voice from mine. Likely because I've been away for so long.

My dae (still unnamed) said that they are most solid in form at my side (when projected), and most solid in communication when my thoughts are focused on her. They don't have a constant presence in my psyche yet, which is also something I asked her about. She said that making this communication more constant would allow her to have a more consistent mental presence. That would allow her to coach me through some things.

I also talked about finding a name. She said "Elris" and "Eres/Eras" came to mind, but these were weak when she said them and still didn't fit.

They are still taking the form of a red fox though, which is definitely interesting.

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I'm so sorry for not keeping up with the communication logs (sorry to my dae as well haha), I have a lot of college stuff going on and will pick up where i left off when i can.

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"Find Your Familiar" Day 4

The prompt: How can you support me?

This question was super valuable to ask my daemon! She said she was pretty much an all-inclusive tool to help with my mental state. More specifically, she said her goal was not to make me into a better person, but to make me happy. That's a big change from what I would normally tell myself.

I didn't ask any elaboration questions on this one, but she did tell me to have a good lunch :)

Still working on finding her name! Let me know if anyone has any resources/helpful tips on that.

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"Find Your Familiar" Day 3

I had to do this one today since I didn't have time the previous day. I doubled up so you'll see another post :)

The prompt: What can I do to anchor your presence in my world?

My daemon answered this question with "believe," in addition to elaboration. This made sense, since I have been skeptical about this practice due to my history of being easily influenced by internet things (i.e. spiritual psychosis). They expressed that they existed to help me, and that I should relax and let them work with me, which would then allow them to have a more consistent presence. They also stated that my projecting of them in that fox form was nice and they enjoyed it.

Speaking of which, they are still taking that form. Nothing else I've looked at so far has fit the same. The dae's speech has also been more coherent. They expressed relief over being the only thoughtform/plural trying to communicate with me, as the process of feeling more comfortable communicating would have been significantly slower otherwise.

Finally, I asked my daemon what gender expression and pronouns they preferred, which I wanted to quote what they wrote because it was particularly interesting [stream-of-consciousness writing]:

"I prefer the feminine, I think. I don't really care about the pronouns. I'm a thought! Can we even have pronouns? I guess you can use she/her. But I don't really care, to be honest. :P"

I wonder if anyone else's daemon(s) have responded like that to a similar question.

Thanks for reading!

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Is daemonism safe?

Daemonism, when broken down to the bare minimum, is a mental and imaginative exercise. It's not meant to push yourself into anything potentially unhealthy. You are not forcing hallucinations and there shouldn't be any dissociation of identity or losing control of yourself.

Let's Start With Projection

Projection is applying mental images overlaid on your surroundings. It is using your imagination and relying on your ability to visualize outward what is being produced by your mind's eye. With practice, you can make your projections quite vivid, and after a while you may not even register that you are still seeing right through them. The apple exercise is a good example. Lets say you picture an apple on a plate in front of you, but the apple is fleeting and inconsistent. Its shape, colors, and size flickers rapidly or fizzles out entirely. You *know* it's not there. There's little presence or weight to it. If this was glass, it would be described as crystal clear. But, with practice, it becomes more consistent. You can now see one shade of red and the size remains the same. Perhaps you have even added details like a shadow. Now, if this was to be compared to glass it would be glass with a light tint added. You can still see right through it, but you also know something is there. You don't have to be a daemian to be able to project. Concept designers, artists, architects, althetes... projection is a type of visualization. It's a creative tool. It's not a hallucination, nor is it intended to be one.

Extreme vividness can be from hyperphantasia, but if you worry projecting may trigger or influence hallucinations then you are welcome to avoid it! Projection is fun, but not a requirement, and you should do what is most comfortable, healthy, and safest for you. Daemians who experience projection as hallucinations already have a history of them from what I have seen within the community.

Fronting and Dissociation

These are experiences usually seen within DID and other plural spaces. Daemonism doesn't focus on switching with your daemon, and you likely won't find resources specifically about it. Of course, you can switch who's in front, and some plural daemians may have advice for how to accomplish that, but again, that's not the point or focus of daemonism at large. They are usually hands off within our lives. We are the ones in the driver's seat while they are the backseat drivers giving us direction. They aren't expected to take the wheel from us. There isn't anything wrong with wanting to or being able to switch with your daemon, just to be clear. I'm only pointing out that getting daemons to front is not a priority like it is in other plural spaces. This is another reason daemonism is very easy to get into and something I consider much safer and easier to manage for the average Joe.

Dissociation isn't something that is associated with the daemon experience either. Dissociation *can* occur, but there are likely other reasons you would be experiencing these things and not just because you have a daemon. Dissociation from ADHD, stress, illness, or DID are just a few examples. Switching with your daemon could just be masking, or perhaps your mind is already comfortable sliding your daemon into front because you have DID. Again, if you are worried having a daemon could trigger dissociation or a loss of control then please do what is in the best interest for you. You know your health and history best. But, there a *many* daemians who are systems and quite happy and comfortable having daemons. Daemons have even been known to help with dissociation and sense of identity!

Talking to Yourself

Is 100% a normal, human experience. There's been a surge of exploration in self-talk and how it affects us, and talking to yourself in 2nd person even has proven benefits. You also don't *have* to talk out loud to your daemon; you can keep it all internal. Just know that splitting your own mental monologue into a dialogue isn't unhealthy and it's something many of you already do even without a daemon.

TLDR

You do only what you are comfortable with here. If something sounds risky, then don't do it. Daemonism is meant to be a healthy and fun activity.

You want to form find but not separate your daemon from yourself? Awesome.

You want to only talk to your daemon and avoid projection? Neato.

You want to project but not talk to your daemon? Perfect.

You want to learn how to switch with your daemon? We ain't really the community for that but you are free to if you are comfortable!

You do what's best for you. It's meant to fill whatever you need. Healthy mindset, growth, or just straight-up something fun to do.

Topic spawned from a question on Discord over the difference of imposition and projection as well as some differences between us and other techniques out there for headmate creation. Cleaned up and formatted better for Tumblr.

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"Find Your Familiar" Day 2

The prompt: Tell me about the forms you take and why you take them. What drew you to them and why do they suit you?

Summary:

My daemon reiterated that the black rabbit form they presented in before was not a solid thing and may have fit me as a person, but did not fit themselves. They wanted something a little more "courageous". Since the first day/exercise, they have actually started taking the form of a red fox, so I asked a follow-up about why they decided on that recently. The daemon noted that it is my favorite animal (it is atm :3) and said that they wanted to cater to my interests. The dae was also open to form-finding, however.

It also kept the feminine voice from before, and I asked why they chose that (might switch to she/her pronouns if that continues). They said that it reflected my "core" better, my "feminine energy". They also made a joking comment on me more easily listening to women (I grew up with a strong single mother). I found this particularly exciting since it both referenced my personal experience and they laughed after making the comment, which was really fun to hear! I was weirdly expecting them to always act serious and "wise" but I'm glad that isn't the case.

Thanks for reading!

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Cute Pantalaimon tattoo by @kiera_tattoo on Instagram

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As for yesterday's communication log ft. A question from "Find Your Familiar", I likely won't structure all of them that way. I wanted to do at least one with almost exact wording just to demonstrate how my daemon is communicating with me in these early stages.

But just so nobody is reading my mind I won't post them all that way XD

Thanks!

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Zohar Arcturus' "Find Your Familiar"

Day 1 - 2/27/2024.

Completed using stream-of-consciousness writing. Daemian's notes in brackets "[ ]". These are raw thoughts as they were written on the page, so they are a little cryptic. This is posted for documentation and reference purposes.

Question for Daemon/Familiar (Q): Tell me about the forms you take and why you take them. What drew you to them and why do they suit you?

Answer (from Daemon): The rabbit was an experiment. I wondered if you would like it. I want something else. Something bigger, more profound, more substance. To serve and support you better. Eagle, cat, bear, fish, hell. I don't know myself. I think I need your help. I don't know what I want.

Q: Why do you think you don't know what form you want?

A: Not sure. I think I'm so new in essence and being that I haven't figured it out. You have been closed to me—I have not been allowed to exist separately. We are one and not. Your mind forms mine, so in turn I need your help to find that form. We can work on it together.

Q: What form should I give you for the time being—if you want one?

A: I don't know. Frustrated. Allow me to both be unsettled and not. I am Schrodinger's cat.

Q: Until I can perceive you in a form, what communication would you prefer? I find it difficult without visualizing.

A: The writing works, don't get me wrong. I want the visualized mental dialogue as well. I see your friends [Discord server members] talking about their daemons and I want to do that. But I need something solid before that. I miss you. I want to connect. Maybe I will eventually feel comfortable with soul searching [form finding, not sure why they said this instead]. Just give me a minute. I can feel myself coming into being. Let it happen. Be here with me. I'll be there with you.

Q: You feel very welcoming despite the frustration, thank you for that. How can I make you feel more comfortable?

A: Thank you. I want to be here/there for you. I want something real, palpable. Keep talking, it feels like an embrace. Your presence is as comforting to me as I want to be for you. And tied to you directly. Calm yourself and I will be calm. You are internally restless, I can feel it. Be gentle with yourself, my love. It will all happen in time. Be patient. With me and yourself. [During this, I got a glimpse of a red fox form.]

Q: What do you want me to call you?

A: Mirabell, Praxis, Hel, Hellion, Alfira, Endonis. Not set. Help? Fading.

Q: It's okay. We'll find a name together.

A: Thank you. All of this is so difficult. Nothing feels right. I am impatient too... Sorry.

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Hello hello! This is going to be a page dedicated to documenting my experiences with daemonism.

What is daemonism?

Daemonism is a form of thought that assigns a "name & face" to a portion of your internal dialogue. The practice was inspired by Philip Pullman's "His Dark Materials" series. You're basically creating an animal buddy in your head that is supposed to help you improve mentally/motivate you.

Where do I find more resources?

There is a very small community on Tumblr that is frequently overshadowed by other plurals like parogens and the DID community. There is nothing wrong with this! We just have to look a little harder.

There are a few Discord communities you can find, as well as an online forum with a ton of useful info (https://daemonpage.com/forum/). I can't recommend it enough. They do have a scary disclaimer when you go to make an account about liability related to hacking, but rest assured the site is SSL secured and all data stored should be encrypted (i asked the devs).

What's your daemon(s)? Why is this called the Forsythe Dichotomy?

I am still in the process of determining my daemon's form, so I don't have an answer for that yet!

This Tumblr is called the Forsythe Dichotomy because it's a nice combination of a family name and an applicable word since I only desire to have one daemon. Therefore, it's like splitting into two parts (dichotomy).

What are your important tags?

I try to identify all of my original posts with #forsythe dichotomy

Journal entries are tagged with #journal

The "Finding Your Familiar" series is tagged as #find your familiar

Enjoy reading!