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Post by Lady Winter Wolf on Jan 13, 2005 1:16:15 GMT -5
OtherkinThe description belows is taken from: spiritrunner.bawnweb.com/text-files/Otherkin.htm As with any statement it should begin with a definition. Something to provide a root concept, a base for expanding into more precise detail. A core to base the explanation. Here is the most basic, absolute core of the Otherkin belief: A member of the Otherkin communities is a person who has reached a belief, through spiritual means or otherwise, that their Soul is not entirely human. Though they are here, physically, in a human body living a human life, with friends, family, jobs, all that fun stuff- on a Soul level, where spirit and the concepts thereof reside, there is something else there as well. A portion of their Soul identifies itself with something not human. What that something is varies incredibly from person to person, and as a result there are several sub groups within this core of belief. Each has its own assumed title and particular method. A few examples would be Furries, Weres(or Therianthropes), Dragons and Draconics, Fae, Gryphons and Elves. I have come to notice that each also tends to have their own set of common traits. ............going to the above mentioned link will lead you to detailed information.
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Post by MjolnirH on Jan 13, 2005 1:22:32 GMT -5
um don't get me started
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Post by Lady Winter Wolf on Jan 13, 2005 1:39:38 GMT -5
Oh come on now, I know its one of your favorite subjects for debate. Otherkin.net ;D
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Stormm
Braggart
[M:-380]
Posts: 183
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Post by Stormm on Apr 17, 2005 23:12:41 GMT -5
Oh come on now, I know its one of your favorite subjects for debate. Otherkin.net ;D I just popped in over there. WOW! The whole bloody enchanted frigging kingdom is howling at the moon. I think there's Otherkin, and I think there's... gee,.. I don't know WHAT to classify some of those as. Want to go catch crickets with Pete the Dragonfly? In our family, there's an old wives tale that has come down to us over the centuries, that we are related to some Irish High King back in 6th Century Tara. The story goes that he had no male heir, but three daughters. As it turns out, a foreign prince visits the Irish court and falls madly in love with the youngest daughter and they marry. It also turns out that this prince is not entirely "human" as his mother was a noble human, and his father was of the Tuatha De Danaan, or Sidhe. So the story goes that they continued to raise daughters (our family was a matriarchal succession) and that every third generation produces an adept witch of extraordiinary power and talent. My Great Grandmother, was the family's last "adept" matriarch, and quite a powerhouse of a woman. I'm thinking that for *some*the thing that is surfacing in their lives, might well be a genetic trait passed down through the generations and resurfacing now. There ARE many cultural stories from just about every corner of the globe about this interaction having taken place within the past couple millenia. My own is considerably more recent, but that's my problem at the moment. I know there are more out there (and some are way the hell OUT there), and I also know of biblical prophecies that allude to such things being commonplace again in the latter days. Always the wizard, I'm watching and taking notes.
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Post by Lady Winter Wolf on Apr 19, 2005 2:38:05 GMT -5
Well Stormm, here are a few detailed definitions to help you understand the differences between Otherkin and Therians.
THERIANTHROPY
From Greek Roots: Therios (Beast) + Anthropos (Man)
A personal and integral connection with a(n) animal(s) that might manefest itself mentally, spiritually, physically, or emotionally.
Therianthropy is a state of being, whereas someone believes an animal is an essential constituent in their spirituality or life.
Therianthropy is an innate part of the person. Therianthropy is the recognition and acceptance of the animal within. It is not just what a therian is, but who he/she is.
Because there seems to be some confusion over what a Therian is and is not, Therianthropy is about the inner nature of one's own self. Therianthropy is about the discovery of the animal within, that a person is born with. One cannot become a therian, but must be born that way.
WERECREATURES
A Werecreature does not have to be one who can physically change their shape, but can become an animal in more than that way. They have been able to transform their mental, astral or spiritual self to an animal.
See: Therianthropy
LYCANTHROPY
A lycanthrope is person who through a curse, magic, or other means, has the ability or is forced to transform into an animal for a period of time. Originally, the term lycanthrope meant only a specific species of werewolf, however, it has grown to encompass any person who can shapeshift into an animal.
In folklore, Lycanthropy is the ability or power of a human being to undergo transformation into an wolf. The term comes from ancient Greek lykanthropos: lykos ("wolf") + anthropos ("man"). There is also a mental illness called lycanthropy in which a patient believes he/she is transformed into an animal and behaves accordingly, sometimes referred to as clinical lycanthropy to distinguish it from legend.
A theory regarding the lycanthropy phenomenon pf the Middle Ages is ergot poisoning. Ergot is a fungus that is known to infest rye and cause a whole host of symptoms similar to the symptoms of those who were supposedly bewitched by witches or allegedly became wolves or other animals.
OTHERKIN
Otherkin is a collective term for an assortment of people who have reached the conclusion that they (spiritually, emotionally, or mentally) are something other than human.
The general concensus of Otherkin shows the majority seem to have memories of a past life as another specific entity, usually a sentient being. A Therian on the other hand, typically describes their Therian nature not as a past life or a specific entity, but an animal type in general.
While, by this definition, Therianthropes fall into the Otherkin classification, there is a distinguishable difference between the two groups. Whereas most Otherkin are of mythical creatures, Therians are strictly animalistic and recognize their humanity as being an integral part of their existance.
Forms of Shapeshifting
Here are some of the many kinds of shapeshifting. Lots of Therians and Otherkincan shapeshift (or just 'shift') in the ways described below, with the exception of physical shifting most of these are quite common. That is not to say everyone can do all of them or even any of the them, but they are the most talked about in the community.
Astral
Astral shifting is where one changes 'shape', i.e. shifts into an animal body or mind on the 'astral plane'. This is higher plane of consciousness and it can take a lot of work to reach.
Aura
Some believe all living things have an aura, a kind of energy field that surrounds us and is generated by our 'life energy'. Perhaps in the same way anything electrical creates and electromagnetic field.
An aura shift is where someone believes or feels this energy field has changed shape to that of their were animal.
Dream
Dream shifting can be either lucid (very vivid kind of dream where you have control and you know you are dreaming) or otherwise. These kinds of shifts can be involuntary but it is also possible to learn to induce them using meditation.
Mental
Again this kind of shift can be voluntary or involuntary, though the latter is usually the most common. A mental shift is where you being to think and/or behave more like your animal spirit. It can be anything from a change of mood to one which has an animalistic feel to it, to completely loosing control of oneself as the animal side of you takes control of your actions and thoughts.
Near Physical
This is an illusionatory change wherein the person's attitude, posturing, even making animal sounds, can give off the image of a physical change. Someone looking at the person may say, "they thought they saw the person change", or "they act just like a certain animal".
Phantom
This is where your mind mentally shapeshifts your body while you are conscious, in this state you will feel as if you are in the animal's body even when you know you are not. Weres often notice the sensation of having a phantom tail or muzzle (phenotype specific of course).
Physical
What you see in the movies, and read about in folklore and legends. This type of shifting is highly unlikely, as it would require a strong mixture of human and animal DNA. The actual physical change would require a great deal of energy, and probably occur during stressful or volitile situations.
Sense
A sense shift is where your senses, usually hearing and the sense of smell become heightened above what would seem a normal human level. These can also be experienced as becoming more acutely aware of the environment that the shifter is in.
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Stormm
Braggart
[M:-380]
Posts: 183
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Post by Stormm on Apr 19, 2005 10:57:36 GMT -5
Well Stormm, here are a few detailed definitions to help you understand the differences between Otherkin and Therians. THERIANTHROPY From Greek Roots: Therios (Beast) + Anthropos (Man) I don't think the therianthropes were the most unsettling of the otherkin types I saw there. I can identify somewhat with this big cat thing. Physically speaking, I have the elongated canines. There are times, when a certain type of miscreant shows up to make some poor soul's lives miserable (not necessarily my own), a low growl comes up from inside, the fangs bare in a feral sort of smile and my vision narrows until there is only one other thing in my field of vision and they ain't safe. Mel or any of my kids could probably relate some stories about that, not that they were ever the targets, but I recognize this as a part of my psyche. Maybe the Leo thing personified. Anyway, any stray cats (just about ANY four legged critters really) seem to automaticly think of me as a big friendly tom... to the dogs, I'm just a big alpha male. I accept that as a given. I never had a name for it though. Yep. That works. I always thought it was an accident. I remember a time in Colorado, my Uncle Lloyd shot a cougar on a ledge over my head, and it fell on me. I freaked at the time. I didn't know if he was shooting at ME, or if the cougar had just leapt on me or what. My uncle thought it was the cat making all that racket as I was fighting it off, but he got him through the head, the animal was dead before it hit me. I was the one who went feral, at least for the moment. But as pretty much a family outcast, I always had an affinity for animals, as they have never tried to hurt me and always accepted me as a freind. People look at me and don't know what to expect, and I can't help that, but a pair of foxes in the woods near my house, know me and trust me near the lair where they are raising their kits. I get close enough to touch, but I don't touch. The vixen gets a little nervous sometimes, but she trusts me. That's a profound thing for me. This has been my second home, so to speak, and then some. I've seen a few forms manifest there, but mostly I'm humaniod in shape or a unicorn the second most common form for me... but that doesn't happen so often. I think this describes the big cat thing with me, but it's not like it's doing anything I wouldn't do. I see a predator of a type, and they are my lawfull prey and hunter vision takes over and then the big kitty wants to play with the viscious little rat. It's a bit spooky (no doubt for the "rat") but I still feel in control, and can calm down by my own intelect (if I feel I'm over reacting or something like that) but if they shed blood... it's a lost cause. I had a lover once, a best friend who was much the witch in her own right, say she's seen this change when I bit her while making love once. I didn't break the skin or anything. It was a playfull/passionate thing. There is a thing about the Sidhe, and even angelic or demonic types (not humans) I've noticed. If you watch their faces closely, they shift a bit, as though they are struggling to maintain this single appearance. Being hybrid, I figured a small degree of this would play in mine, and my friend Renie would confirm this. It's not to the full degree, by any means, but it's there and it's a bit unsettling to those who notice it. Yep. That describes it pretty good, but I normally have to dampen things down a bit with my senses, or being around too many humans for too long gets on my nerves badly. A few chosen types and I can be a happy camper for quite a while, but crowds...*shudder*.
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