The contemporary term “daimonic” (Latin spelling daemonic) is based on the archaic Greek word daimon (di–mone). The genesis of the daimon idea is decidedly difficult to pin down. Empedocles, the fifth-century bc pre-Socratic Greek philosopher, employed this term in describing the psyche or soul; to be even more precise, he identified daimon with self. Some classical scholars say “daimon” was used by writers such as Homer, Hesiod, and Plato as a synonym for the word theosor god. Still others point to a definite distinction between these terms: “daimon” referred to something indeterminate, invisible, incorporeal, amorphous and unknown, whereas “theos” was the personification of a god, such as Zeus or Apollo. The daimon was that divine, mediating spiritual power that impelled one’s actions and determined one’s destiny. It was inborn and immortal, embodying all innate talents, tendencies (both positive and negative), and natural abilities. Indeed, one’s daimon manifested as a sort of...
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Diamond, S.A. (2010). Daimonic. In: Leeming, D.A., Madden, K., Marlan, S. (eds) Encyclopedia of Psychology and Religion. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-71802-6_149
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