Daemon/Demon: What’s in a Name?

There’s one dream that has stuck with me for 3 years. I woke up on September 9th, 2017 visibly shaken. I remember the details like it was yesterday... I was looking at a map of a town and saw myself standing in front of a park. Occoquan is the small town I visit when I need some time by myself to be closest to the river and they have a small park in the town center so I assumed I was there. In the next scene I was in some type of dark basement or dungeon of what felt like a castle or ancient, stone building. There was a doll similar to the one on the movie, Annabelle, and scrawled on the walls to my left were the words “Gaelic Gothic Daemon”. I remember thinking that doll was trying to communicate with me telepathically and seeing the word “daemon” written in Old English font on a wall made the scene feel way more eerie than necessary. It was one of the oddest dreams I’d had up until that point.

The word daemon had me on edge for months and although I really didn’t understand what “Gaelic” or “gothic” referenced either, I was somehow less concerned about that connection. I searched “Gaelic and gothic daemons” and the results were all over the place, most centered on Irish or Scottish spirits but none of that felt relevant at the time so I focused my search strictly on the word “daemon”. I think I settled on it meaning the higher self or part of ourselves, some sites mentioned “fate” as being attached to the word. I was most interested in how Greek philosophers used the word during their time and I badly wanted it to mean that vs. the “demon” I grew up learning about in Christianity. The idea of THAT entity visiting me in dreams made my stomach churn. I was programmed to fear any and all demons or demonic activity. I never questioned my fear of these demons, I just knew I wanted no parts of it because people said it was bad.

I believe I understand what that dream means now. I’ve been in a 6 month Intensive, studying about the Irish goddess, Mórrígan. It appears that the Mórrígan has been calling me for a lot longer than I first assumed. I’m looking back at my dreams and visions and connecting the dots and hearing this in my head as I type: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil...” I don’t know many Bible verses but this one seems appropriate.

​She was labeled a demon as goddess culture died out and Christianity moved in. I started thinking more about how she’s viewed outside of Irish culture after I was tagged to view an old episode of Ghost Adventures that featured some “haunted” Irish sites, including the Morrigan’s cave.
(Episode: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5sk3qh). The show host, Zak Bagans, asks the historical site guides Lora O’Brien, if the Mórrígan is a demon and Lora casually says that some people have called her such. Important side note - Lora, is an author, teacher, and founder of Irish Pagan School where I’m taking classes! ;)

​It’s through my study of the Mórrígan’s lore and stories that I’m becoming a lot more comfortable walking through that “valley of the shadow of death” but I still wonder about that word and why it causes so much fear. Who attached meaning to it? When the Greeks were using the word it seemed a lot less malevolent (The movie Maleficent has a pretty great lesson if you pay attention). Why was a female deity of prophecy, magic, poetry, war, and death viewed as a demon? Was her power seen as a threat? (Here’s the answer....yes!)

Whether you truly believe in gods/goddesses and demons as divine beings or simply archetypes, there’s something to be said for the power they hold. Gods/goddesses in mythology across various cultures can represent concrete items, animals, abstract concepts or aspects of our human selves. These representations can be seen as energy that takes on a life of its own. Demons often represent destruction, chaos, malice, darkness and death. According to stories, they are the sinister entities that seek to wreak havoc. They are also the unwanted, dark energies that shine a light on the forces we can’t control or aspects of ourselves that no one wants to talk about. This how the universe works though, in wholeness exists dark and light, that’s balance.

Would love to know your thoughts on demons or the use of this word for certain supernatural beings. Add them to comments below!