I remember when you posted that image and how personal it was for you. I was grateful that you did so. It is a beautiful work.

Thank you for the book recommendation and for the words of support and encouragement.

I am always, always, plugging this book, I swear, but have you read In Search of Women’s Passionate Soul: Revealing the Daimon Lover Within by Caitlin Matthews? It’s all about the daimon, which is basically the animus but more from a spiritual view (and a very Pagan-friendly one, too, as it’s Caitlín Matthews), less of a purely psychological one. I really cannot recommend this book highly enough. It’s out of print, but I’ve never had any problem finding used copies on say amazon.com.

As for your fears, while I certainly recognize and acknowledge them as valid and real, I suspect they will prove to be just that in the end, fears.

Cause, really–am I respected? Do I have a good name? Granted, realistically I know I’m only mildly famous within this little Pagan subculture, but you have heard of me and my work, right? When you have looked at my artwork, did you question my sanity and good spirit? No? What about this piece?

And yet I have a very vibrant, very present relationship with my own daimon. I mean I hear you, very much so, about worrying that other people will think you’re nuts. But it is something you have the right to keep private, if you choose. And I’ve found that if no one knows, they’ll never in a million years be able to tell, certainly not from one’s artwork or writings. A very few might suspect something, but those are the ones who already know themselves, and they’re hardly in a position to judge, even if they were inclined to.

Just remember that it is not you. You are the one in control, and you should not give it too much power. Work with it, don’t let it consume you.

Playing with fire can be fun. Being burnt can be a learning lesson. Being fried to a crisp is just a painful way to go.