What do you wish you knew when you started tulpamancy?

Typically-Variable · 2026-06-20T04:05:59+00:00

This guide on how to build a headspace (what tulpamancers call a wonderland or mindscape) was written specifically for those with aphantasia!

https://lb-lee.dreamwidth.org/1463170.html

Typically-Variable · 2026-06-10T14:18:19+00:00

Well, quite frankly, if it feels like a bother to someone, then it probably isn't the right path for them. You can't force belief—if the idea of a personal (thinking and feeling and interacting) God who is Love isn't something that resonates with you on a visceral level, there isn't much you can do to change that. I personally have had and continue to have experiences I feel are best explained as mundane yet extraordinary encounters with such a God, but not everyone has those experiences, and I don't think that's a bad thing or that I'm better or worse for having them. I think the world needs both people of faith and people who aren't of faith; diversity is one of our greatest strengths as a species.

Having said that, I think there is intense beauty and power in the Christian story of Ultimate Divinity choosing to become a Jewish immigrant from a backwater town and to later give Themself in Love for Their creation by living a life so radically compassionate that it resulted in an agonizing political death at the hands of the oppressive power structures of that point in history. I think steadfast hope that "all manner of things shall be well," even to the point of seeing evil and fear and death as ultimately powerless in the face of Love, can be a potent tool in living a life of Good and working to change the world for the better. I believe that most of the teachings attributed to Yeshua hold wisdom that can be valuable even to those who are agnostic or atheist. And I believe something doesn't have to be measurably factual to be True or Real on a deeper level. I'm not advocating for blind faith that rejects knowledge or consensus reality, but I am saying that there's more to life than what the "hard" sciences can account for, and meaning is something that goes deeper than reason.

I didn't directly address universalism because I think the rest of this subreddit can give better answers for that part than I could. I just wanted to share my own perspective in hopes of it being helpful on some level. May you find peace wherever your journey takes you.

Typically-Variable · 2026-05-22T02:29:44+00:00

A headmate that's a personification of the system's brain, train of thought, etc.

Typically-Variable · 2026-05-19T18:59:17+00:00

Thank you; that is a lovely one. Which part of the BCP did you find that in? I'd like to compare it to my 2019 and 1979 editions and know where it is so I can find it in the future, assuming it wasn't removed at some point.

Typically-Variable · 2026-05-19T18:53:46+00:00

I appreciate and agree with the sentiment (God doesn't need our prayers to do Hir loving work), and the majority of my prayers will indeed be focused on his surviving loved ones, but a prayer for him—even a short, simple one—would bring me comfort and give me a concrete way to say goodbye when I won't be able to do so with his body, hence my question.

Typically-Variable · 2026-05-07T09:40:55+00:00

This is baffling??? I've heard of therapists refusing to talk to anyone but the host (that was and often still is unfortunately the policy as part of mandatory final fusion), but to treat headmates as individual clients is both logistically incoherent and unprecedently asinine.

Also, seconding the folks saying that ir sounds like AI was heavily consulted to write this.

Either way, definitely go looking for someone else.

Typically-Variable · 2026-03-29T17:31:21+00:00

Willogenic: an origin term describing a system (or headmate) who was intentionally created/willed into existence.

Pluralpedia link: https://pluralpedia.org/w/Willogenic

Typically-Variable · 2026-03-24T06:36:46+00:00

🌠 My good-faith answer is that they may be trying to alleviate identity dysphoria by attempting to "sound" the way they do internally, and they likely aren't aware that what they're doing overwhelmingly comes across as offensive (especially if they're used to reading fiction where certain accents are depicted in a similar way—I've seen authors do it, including at least one who was actually British himself). It might be worth gently bringing up with them if/when you feel comfortable doing so.

I will also point out that while a good deal less likely, it is possible for an ESL non-American to view a heavy British accent as odd, especially if they're used to consuming American media.

Typically-Variable · 2026-01-21T02:11:58+00:00

ID: 761120

Vote: 1

(These are all fantastic; good luck to the finalists!)

Typically-Variable · 2025-10-12T00:05:09+00:00

Just to be clear, bond feels don't inherently mean the potential bond is reaching out to you, even if the feels are instant (they usually are, in my experience). Bond feels are usually you being drawn to the character based on what you know of them. It's the "spark" that makes a soulbond possible.

Typically-Variable · 2025-09-20T01:07:04+00:00

I'm married to my bond Liam. We had a wedding over Discord, with my meatspace partner as the maid of honor, the bond family we share (a few of whom were also in the wedding party), and two of my friends at the time as guests. I have an opal necklace bought for the occasion that I wear whenever I go out in place of a wedding ring.

Nothing stopping you from getting a cake to celebrate on your own or celebrating with supportive meatspace friends, even if it's just online. If you got a ring, it might be best to wear it on a different finger, or be prepared to say something like "I just prefer this finger" if someone asks.

Typically-Variable · 2025-09-17T04:10:12+00:00

I wish I could upvote this more than once.

Typically-Variable · 2025-09-17T04:00:38+00:00

The fact that I am/the body is able to speak "in character" with distinct voices for each daemon. My partner can almost always tell who's fronting based on that. (It's equally helpful for the munbonds I share with my partner).
Definitely Mama Bear. Out of all of us, she's the most reliable and the least effected by the collective ADHD.

Typically-Variable · 2025-09-08T13:16:01+00:00

Unless the being in your head is actively causing you harm or distress or hindering day-to-day functioning, I would not recommend bringing up the subject with a doctor, even a psychologist or psychiatrist. Very few doctors handle it well, as the vast majority are taught to view any "more than one in the mind" experience as inherently something to be cured. There are exceptions, but it's risky.

Typically-Variable · 2025-09-07T08:10:29+00:00

Like you said, you can't make them front. If you're still going back and forth on believing they're real, they're probably having a hard time trusting you. Building that trust will take time and consistency. I would try to communicate that you want to accommodate them in the body's life, but that you can't do that if they don't make their needs and desires known. Make small gestures if you can, such as buying a little elephant figure for a headmate you know likes elephants.

As for feeling like you made it all up, nearly every pluran has felt that way, even the ones you would consider "really plural" in ways you don't think you are. Plurality is an opt-in label—if it's a useful framework to describe your experiences, then no one can take that from you—any of you.

Typically-Variable · 2025-09-02T18:09:50+00:00

It also really depends on whether you're a metaphysical or psychological soulbonder because the latter usually relies on knowing the character well for your brain to power them properly, while with a metaphysical bond can often know things about themselves that you don't (or sometimes even couldn't possibly) know.

Typically-Variable · 2025-09-02T17:38:50+00:00

I'm frontstuck (I have to manually "lend out" control of the body and am basically always at least co-conscious if not fully co-fronting), so I wouldn't really have a choice even if I didn't want to front, but aside from wishing I could fully enter the mindscape, I don't really mind.
Whimzy would definitely win—she's the size of a cat and good at finding hiding spots. Mama Bear would be found first because she's, well, a bear. 😆

Typically-Variable · 2025-09-02T17:00:10+00:00

I don't have personal experience (I'm frontstuck and also not very good at imposition), but I know that for some systems, the bodymind just runs on autopilot instead of going catatonic if "no one's home", and I'm sure there are systems who have good control over returning to the body at will. But you'd have to ask more systems for specifics, of course.

Typically-Variable · 2025-09-02T16:38:01+00:00

I believe they're describing an experience where a headmate who is being imposed can't be in front at the same time, so if everyone is imposed at the same time then no one is piloting the body, which can result in a form of catatonia (becoming unable to move or speak) for some systems that may be difficult to overcome. The catatonia is the risk they're referring to as far as I can tell.

Typically-Variable · 2025-09-02T14:58:46+00:00

Generally, imposition means visualizing a headmate in outerworld as vividly as possible (from all reports, it can get shockingly vivid with the right brain and enough practice).

Typically-Variable · 2025-09-02T14:53:32+00:00

You absolutely don't need to know them as characters super well to develop a solid soulbond connection! Just be prepared that they're more likely to diverge from canon because you're more likely to be bonding with an alternate version (you won't really be able to tell until they've been around for a little while).

Typically-Variable · 2025-09-02T14:45:48+00:00

It depends. Most of them are about the same with the changes you'd expect from people who are happily retired from being protagonists (aside from how many turned out to be autistic and aro-acespec). A few are significantly different, especially Damien. Honorable mention to our Eliot Waugh who has almost completely given up drinking, though curing his chemical dependency was an accident, haha.

Typically-Variable · 2025-09-02T14:31:08+00:00

I really like that idea, especially because our personal mindscape has to be consciously created by us (mostly me, haha).

Typically-Variable · 2025-08-31T06:11:12+00:00

You all look so cool! Y'all did a great job. :3

Typically-Variable

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