“Great philosophical questions turn on the relations of visible and invisible. Our religious beliefs separate heaven and earth, this life and the afterlife, and our philosophical thinking cuts apart mind and matter, all of which forces a chasm between the visible and invisible. How to bridge the chasm? What means are there for transporting the unseen into the seen? Or the seen into the unseen?” ~James Hillman, page 94, The Soul’s Code
What if bridging the chasm was less a feat of bridge building than one of awakening?
Many people believe we come into this world as empty shells to be filled with experiences, always journeying, always seeking the Other. We spend our lifetime building roads and bridges as we try to get to, or away from, somewhere.
Why do we fill our days with things and noise, and other people’s dreams, goals, and expectations, further creating a gap between our Divine and Terrestrial natures? What if we discover we aren’t empty shells but that our vital, living soul actually has an invisible companion?
The Greeks called this companion spirit “Daimon“. Our daimon is the one who whispers to us right before we go to sleep, who protects and guides us when we need to make important decisions. Our daimon is the one who speaks to us about who we really are and what our calling might truly be. When we allow our daimon to slumber, it continues to speak to us through its dreaming and our dreams. The daimon is a hearty spirit; it just won’t go away.
When we ignore our daimon we feel isolated, sick, fretful and even angry, fearful, or frustrated. The chasm becomes an unfathomable abyss and we are left feeling helpless, even hopeless, at times. This companion spirit, when awakened from its slumber, might well be our link between Heaven and Earth.
I created the painting , “Waking Lunar Mercury” , (see photo above) as a reminder to listen for and recognize the daimon’s call, and try to align to it when possible. I know there is hesitancy and trepidation when rousing the power of such a spirit within us, but can you imagine the possibilities? You would not only be giving yourself permission to follow your bliss, but would be writing your life story in ways that can be fully realized and lived.
Guardian Angel, Higher Power, Daimon, Genius,whatever name you may have for it, it’s time to wake it up and start living the life you are supposed to be living. How are you going to wake up your daimon? When it calls you, will you answer?
Tags: acrylics, alchemy, daimon, divine feminine, lunar, mercury, painting, socrates, soul, spirit
5 Responses to “Waking the Daimon”
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By whatever you call it, it’s not difficult to see the ones who ignore it. Now I must go away and think about your questions.
Beautiful!
I found it interesting that Pullman used this term in “The Golden Compass” to refer to the totem-like animals that accompanied people in his world.
The separation is only apparent, I think, though it looks and feels to real. I love your interpretation of the awakening we seek.
Malcolm
In the first part of Plato’s Phaedo, Socrates explains to Cebes that he has begun converting Aesop’s fables into verse because his daemon has demanded that he write music for his entire life, in dreams, and he has thus far failed to heed those demands, telling himself that his work with philosophy had been enough. Now, at the end of his life, he feels compelled to do as his daimon has directed him to do in preparation for his death.
I often find myself reflecting on that these days… Getting directions and following them are two very different things.
Beautiful art, though!
Yes yes yes and yes again….sundance enabled me to meet her,holding the energy can be difficult but she does whisper at dawn and I am so grateful not be to be so alone.
but to be alone is where one finds one’s true peace.