WikiFur - User contributions [en]

User:Jarandhel

2013-07-03T16:41:05Z

Jarandhel:

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I've been hanging around the furry community since roughly 1996. Never participated much, just enjoyed reading the stories and artwork. In 1999 I became involved with the otherkin community, and I currently run a number of otherkin resources through my website [http://dreamhart.org Dreamhart.org] including [http://anotherwiki.org AnOtherWiki], a wiki for the otherkin community. My interest in the Otherkin article on WikiFur (and my exasperation with how Otherkin and similar articles are treated on Wikipedia) is what first brought me here, but I am hoping to edit outside that narrow area of interest in time.

Therianthropy

2013-07-03T16:40:25Z

Jarandhel: /* External links */ fixed typo & just realized I wasn't signed in.

:''"Therian" redirects here. You may be looking for [[Therian (person)|the fursuiter]].''

[[File:TigerHologram.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Hologram of a [[human]] combined with a picture of a [[tiger]] at the [[Wikipedia:MIT Museum|MIT Museum]]]]
'''Therianthropy,''' derived from the Greek '''''therion''''' (Θηριον, meaning "beast,") and '''''anthrōpos''''' (ανθρωπος, meaning "human,") refers to beings that are partly [[human]] and partly [[animal]], and in this sense is synonymous with the [[Furry_fandom|fandom's]] term [[furry]]. It has often been used to describe mythological creatures and deities, and has recently taken on a specialized meaning. Sometimes shortened to "therian," it is today used to describe members of a spiritually oriented subculture.
[[File:Indescribable.jpg|right|thumb]]

One way the term ''therianthropy'' has been used, as early as 1901, is in reference to transformation folklore of Asia and Europe.<ref name="De Groot 171">{{cite book| last= De Groot| first= J.J.M.| year=1901| title=The Religious System of China: Volume IV| location= Leiden| publisher= Brill| pages=171}}</ref>
''Therianthropy'' was also used to describe spiritual belief in animal transformation in 1915<Ref>{{cite book| url=http://books.google.com.au/books?vid=OCLC00413099&id=NnsEAAAAMAAJ&q=therianthropy&dq=therianthropy&pgis=1| title=A History of the Japanese People from the Earliest Times to the End of the Meiji Era| first=Frank| last= Brinkley| coauthors= Dairoku Kikuchi| year=1915| publisher=The Encyclopædia Britannica Co}}</ref> and one source<ref>{{cite book| url=http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/042520765X/ref=sib_books_pg/103-5908909-3814218?ie=UTF8&keywords=therianthropy&p=S010&checkSum=oNQ4%252FbLGkQ3Eaqp7CFUk6ddFZA94ebGplwwQipd17Zw%253D| title=The Human Predator: A Historical Chronicle of Serial Murder and Forensic Investigation| first=Katherine| last=Ramsland| publisher= Berkley Hardcover| year= 2005| isbn= 042520765X}}</ref> raises the possibility the term may have been used in the 16th century in criminal trials of suspected werewolves.

==Scholarly use of the term==

In folklore, mythology and anthropology, therianthropy can be used to describe a character that shares some traits of humans and some of non-human animals.

One familiar form of therianthropy is [[lycanthropy]] (from the Greek words ''lykos'' ("[[Wolf (species)|wolf]]") and ''anthropos'' ("man")), the technical term for the transformation from man to animal form. Although the precise definition of lycanthropy specifically refers only to the change into wolf form (as with a [[werewolf]]), the term "lycanthropy" is often used incorrectly to refer to [[shapeshifting]] to any non-human animal form.

===Prehistory===

Ethnologist Ivar Lissner theorized that cave paintings of beings with human and nonhuman animal features were not physical representations of
mythical shapeshifters, but were instead attempts to depict [[wikipedia:Shamanism|shamans]] in the process of acquiring the mental and spiritual attributes of various beasts.<ref name="Steiger 1999">{{cite book| last=Steiger| first= B.| year=1999| title=The Werewolf Book: The Encyclopedia of Shape-Shifting Beings| location=Farmington Hills, MI| publisher=Visible Ink| id=ISBN 1-57859-078-7}}</ref> Religious historian Mircea Eliade has observed that beliefs regarding animal identity and transformation into animals are widespread.<ref name=Eliade>{{cite book | last=Eliade | first=Mircea | title=Rites and Symbols of Initiation: the mysteries of birth and rebirth | publisher=Harper & Row | year=1965}}</ref>

===Usage in art===

Therianthropy can also refer to characters that share man and animal traits at the same time, for example with the animal-headed human forms of gods in [[Egyptian mythology]] (such as Ra, Sobek and others) as well as creatures like [[centaur]]s and [[mermaid]]s.

===Self-identified therianthropy===
Therianthropy, besides its original use as a term to describe situations and creatures that occur in [[mythology]] and [[folklore]], is also used for people who identify as nonhuman animals. Therians believe that they have an intrinsic, personal, and integral connection to an animal (or animals). Most believe that mental and emotional shifts can occur as a result; a controversial minority extend this to the physical world.

Therianthropy is sometimes viewed as a spiritual counterpart to [[furry fandom]], which is concerned more with imagination than belief. Some [[furries]] view therianthropy as "taking it too far," while some therians view furries as frivolous and ignorant of the "true nature" of animals. However, relations are usually friendly, and therians can often be found at furry [[convention]]s and other social [[:Category:Events|events]]. In fact, there is considerable overlap between the two groups.<ref>"[http://www.flayrah.com/3841/mixed-venue-survey-delineates-furries-therians-otherkin Mixed-venue survey delineates furries, therians, otherkin]" -
''[[Flayrah]]'' article written by [[GreenReaper]], dated 23 Jan 2012.</ref>

The "new-age" notion of "spiritual therianthropy" developed among the [[Usenet]] group ''alt.horror.werewolves'' (ca. 1992).<ref>{{cite book | title = The Curse of the Werewolf: Fantasy, Horror and the Beast Within | author = Chantal Bourgault Du Coudray | publisher = I. B. Tauris | year = 2006 | isbn = 1845111583 | url = http://books.google.com/books?id=NjXpBpGt6VsC&pg=PA143&ots=MiNn6o_e_V&dq=therianthropy+culture&sig=1BLTDHRDAqjyDEKvLdS5wH9M7r8}}</ref> Some Usenet users began publicly asserting that they were part
animal. It turned out that some were only joking, but others were apparently serious about the assertions, which were subject to ongoing
discussion.<ref name="Cohen 104">{{cite book| last=Cohen| first= D.| year=1996| title=Werewolves| location=New York| publisher= Penguin| id= ISBN 0-525-65207-8| pages=104}}</ref> Such people initially called themselves "[[lycanthropy|lycanthropes]]", but since the word more accurately describes wolf-people, the word "therianthropes" became more popular.

When people believe they change into an animal form (''theriomorphosis''), or possess supernatural non-human animal traits, the term [[clinical lycanthropy]] is often used. This classification is a form of mental illness, though many anthropologists would point out that the belief has extensive religious precedent in [[shaman]]ic cultures. Likewise, people who call themselves [[shapeshifter|shapechangers]] as a form of social identification are generally not considered ill by mental health professionals unless their beliefs interfere with the normal functioning of their lives. This can be a controversial issue, as the line between what the Western mind passes off as a strange or alternative belief and what is considered a mental illness is indistinct.

==Varieties==
Terms referring to specific varieties of therianthropy are based on [[Greek mythology|Greek]] words for specific animals combined with ''anthropos''. A nearly endless number of types of therianthropy could thus be referred to by their own individual terms, though most of these would be neologisms. Rare alternate derivations based on Latin are considered nonstandard at best, incorrect at worst, because they both break precedent and mix a Latin prefix with a Greek suffix. Other than lycanthropy, cynanthropy and ailuranthropy are the best known varieties <ref name="Greene 229">{{cite book| last=Greene| first= R.| year=2000| title=The Magic of Shapeshifting| location=York Beach, ME| publisher=Weiser| id= ISBN 1-57863-171-8| pages=229}}</ref> Cynanthropy existed by at least 1901, when the term was applied to myths from [[China]] about humans turning into [[dog]]s, dogs becoming people, and sexual relations between humans and canines <ref name="De Groot 184">{{cite book| last= De Groot| first= J.J.M.| year=1901| title=The Religious System of China: Volume IV| location= Leiden| publisher= Brill| pages=184}}</ref>. Ailuranthropy is the same, but with [[cat]]s.

===Lycanthropy===

The most commonly known form of therianthropy is [[lycanthropy]], from the Greek word ''lykos'' ("[[wolf]]"), the technical term for man-wolf ([[werewolf]]) transformations (Rose, 230). Although the precise definition of lycanthropy specifically refers only to werewolves, the term is often used to refer to the process of shapeshifting to any non-human animal form.

===Cynanthropy===

The [[Greek mythology|Greeks]] also spoke of cynanthropy (''Kynior,'' [[dog]]). Cynanthropy, sometimes spelled kynanthropy, is applied to shapeshifters who alternate between [[dog]] form and human form, or to beings that do not shapeshift but possess combined dog and human anatomical features (Hamel, 76). It is also used for real persons suffering from the delusion that they are dogs (Ashley, 37). The term existed by at least 1901, when it was applied to myths from [[China]] about humans turning into dogs, dogs becoming people, and sexual relations between humans and canines (De Groot, 184). After lycanthropy, cynanthropy is the best known term for a specific variety of therianthropy.

Anthropologist David Gordon White called Central Asia the "vortex of cynanthropy" because races of dog-men were habitually placed there by ancient writers. Hindu mythology puts races of "Dog Cookers" to the far north of India, the Chinese placed the "Dog Jung" and other human/canine barbarians to the extreme west, and European legends frequently put the dog men called Cynocephali in unmapped regions to the east. Some of these races were described as humans with dog heads, others as canine shapeshifters (White, 114-15).

The weredog or cynanthrope is also known in Timor. It is described as a human/canine shapeshifter who is also capable of transforming other people into animals against their wills. These transformations are usually into prey animals such as goats, so that the cynanthrope can devour them without discovery of the crime (Rose, 390).

===Ailuranthropy===

Ailuranthropy refers to human/feline transformations (also known as [[werecat]]s), or to other beings that combine feline and human characteristics (Greene, 229). Its root word is also used in ailurophobia, the most common term for a phobia of cats. Ailuros is also a Greek name for [[Bast]].

===Musoanthropy===

Musoanthropy refers to human/mouse transformations, or to other beings that combine mice and human characteristics. Its root word in Greek is also used in musophobia, or phobia of mice. Musomania describes a fondness or interest in mice. <ref>http://www.wordinfo.info/words/index/info/view_unit/1347</ref>

===Regional varieties===

Therianthropy or various terms relating to subtypes can refer to any sort of werebeast or to transformation into any animal. In India & the Asian islands the [[tiger]] is the most common form, in North Europe the [[bear (species)|bear]] (see [[berserker]]), in Japan the [[fox]], in Africa the [[leopard]] or [[hyena]], sometimes also the [[lion]], in South America the [[jaguar]]; but though there is a tendency for the most important carnivorous animal of the area to take the first place in stories and beliefs as to transformation, the less important beasts of prey and even harmless animals like the [[deer]] also figure among the were-animals. Another unusual case is the were-[[shark]] of Polynesia.

== Modern subcultural use of the term ==

=== Beliefs and origins ===

In recent times, a [[Wikipedia:Subculture|subculture]] has developed that has adopted the word ''therianthropy'' to describe a sense of intense [[furry spirituality|spiritual]] or psychological identification with a non-human animal. Members of this subculture typically refer to themselves as ''therianthropes'' or ''therians''. The word ''[[were]]'' was also common at one point, in reference to shapeshifting creatures of legend such as [[Werewolf|werewolves]], [[were]][[tiger]]s and the like, but is less common these days. One reason for the waning use of the term "were" is its growing use in the furry community to mean a more "bestial" style furry. This can be the cause of quite a few more misunderstandings between the therian and furry communities.

The [[Usenet]] group [[alt.horror.werewolves]] was founded in 1992, and in its earliest days the members discussed fictional [[shapeshifting|shapeshifters]]. Some posters began to publicly claim that they considered themselves to be partially non-human animal. A number of these people were only joking, but enough people were serious about it that it became a trend. Others who professed the same beliefs soon joined the group. The earliest therians called themselves ''lycanthropes'', but as that word more accurately describes wolf-people, ''therianthropes'' was chosen as a more inclusive term.

Those within this subculture who identify with a spiritual understanding of this phenomenon may believe that they have the spirit or soul, in whole or in part, of a non-human animal, and their beliefs often overlap to some extent with aspects of [[Wikipedia:Shamanism|shamanism]] or [[animal totem|totemism]]. Some also draw inspiration from stories of shapeshifting in [[Wikipedia:Celtic mythology|Celtic]], [[Wikipedia:Norse mythology|Norse]] and [[Wikipedia:Native American mythology|Native American]] myths, among others. The term ''spiritual therianthropy'' is often used to differentiate this definition of therianthropy from others. However, shamanism and totemism are not an intrinsic part of therianthropy. Some spiritual therianthropes may express a belief that they were an animal in a [[wikipedia:Past life|past life]] that was [[wikipedia:Reincarnation|reincarnated]] as a [[human]].

Those who prefer a psychological explanation may simply describe it as having a non-human animal side to their personality or nature, with some believing that it may be due to some sort of unusual [[wikipedia:Neurophysiology|neurophysiology]], as is thought to be the case with syndromes like attention deficit disorder and autism. Others believe that their genes are partially non-human, but this explanation is unproven, scientifically implausible, and not favored by many. Most of those who support the explanation of atypical neuropsychology, however, do not appear to regard it as innately dysfunctional.

In either case, the identification with the non-human animal may be partial, as in those who regard themselves as having both human and non-human attributes, or complete, as in those who regard themselves as essentially non-human animals in human bodies. The terms ''species dysphoria'' and ''transspeciesism'' have occasionally been used to refer to the latter phenomenon, in parallel with the concepts of gender dysphoria and [[Transsexual|transsexuality]].

Most therians identify with a single type of non-human animal, but there are some who identify with more than one — sometimes related animals, as in several different species of [[feline]] or [[canine]], for example, but sometimes completely dissimilar animals. Those who identify with all members of one family — for instance, someone who claims to have characteristics of all felines — is called a ''cladotherianthrope''. The species of non-human animal with which a particular therian identifies is sometimes referred to as that person's ''theriotype'' or ''[[phenotype]]''. The term phenotype was originally more common but has fallen into disuse because it also refers to physical appearance.

The majority of therianthropes identify as [[feline]] or [[canine]], often big cats and wolves<ref>[http://archive.werelist.com/modules.php?name=Demographics&op=show_statistics&showpage=pheno1 Species survey by the Werelist]</ref>, but there are also [[reptile]]s, [[bird|avians]], other [[mammal]]s, and [[insects]]. Some skeptics argue that, because of the preponderance of large [[carnivore]]s, most therians are only faking and are purposefully choosing impressive animals for ego-based purposes. There are also some individuals who identify with mythical species (e.g. [[dragon]]s, [[Wikipedia:Elf|elves]], [[gryphon]]s, [[centaur]]s and so forth), but they are usually categorized in the broader [[otherkin]] community rather than as therians.

Therianthropes may describe their nature as manifesting in terms of their cognitive processes, their outlook on life, their inner reactions and [[Wikipedia:Instinct|instinct]]s, their senses, or through their physical body, though claims of actual physical variations from the norm tend to be regarded with skepticism both within and outside the subculture. The human and non-human aspects of the self may cooperate or conflict, leading to happiness or unhappy dysfunction, and may take much self-discovery to begin to understand or accept. Because this is a personal perception of self, the ways in which a person describes his or her self-identification as a therianthrope vary considerably.

A controversial aspect of therianthropy is the subject of ''shifting'' (a shortened word for shapeshifting), which generally refers to any manner by which a therianthrope's nature may become evidenced internally (to themselves) or externally to others. Few people within the subculture doubt that shifts of mental and emotional perception may occur; some therianthropes also claim to experience a physical change to their appearance, an event known as ''physical shifting'' (or ''P-shifting''). Many in the therianthrope subculture doubt that physical changes actually occur; the overwhelming majority of those outside of the culture completely deny that any real physical shifting can occur.

Some of the rationally minded, skeptical therianthropes suggest that their therianthropy may be a mental or psychological condition, possibly with a spiritual or religious component. Advocates of this viewpoint can be found on the forums at Werelist.com (see below).

=== Subculture ===

Therianthropy as a subculture does not have any central dogma or tenets, nor any recognized authority. Those who have been around for a long time are generally listened to, though less out of any perceived spiritual authority than simple acknowledgment of experience.{{fact}} The word [[greymuzzle]] is often used tongue-in-cheek to describe these people.

While there is no official offline social organization, there exists a [[:Category:Community|community]] of therians with many diverse outlooks on the concept, including [[Christian]]s, [[Wikipedia:Pagan|Pagan]]s, and [[Wikipedia:Atheism|atheist]]s. As could be expected, disagreements are frequent, and the many online [[forum]]s and [[:Category:Chat rooms|chat rooms]] of the community each have their own "atmosphere," ranging from total acceptance to scornful cynicism.{{fact}} There have been intermittent "real-world" gatherings, referred to as ''[[howls]]'', but their purpose is primarily social.

==== Therianthropy and species dysphoria ====

Therianthropy is closely related to [[wikipedia:Species dysphoria|species dysphoria]], a condition similar to [[Wikipedia:Gender_Dysphoria|gender dysphoria]] in which the person has the body of a human, but the identity of an animal. Many therians admit to having at least mild species dysphoria, and today, many therians believe that species dysphoria is simply another "symptom" of therianthropy.

==== Therianthropy vs. clinical lycanthropy ====

Spiritual therianthropy is not automatically the same as clinical lycanthropy, a mental illness in which an individual believes he or she belongs to or can change to another [[species]]. While some therianthropes believe they can take on the mindset of their "other side" in what is referred to as a ''mental shift'', they believe that they retain control during these transformations and are no greater danger to themselves or others. The term ''contherianthropes'' is sometimes used for those who do not claim to mentally shift but believe they have human and non-human sides which are mixed up into a single unchanging whole.

==== Therianthropy and furry ====

Therianthropy should not be confused with the [[furry fandom]], and mistaking them for one another can cause offense to many therians and furries alike, though some intermixing of the groups does occur. Therianthropes tend to be more focused on the sense of an animal within, an animal side to their nature, or spiritual concepts; by contrast, [[furry|furries]] are more commonly focused on furry [[art]] and/or [[role-playing]] related to [[anthropomorphic]] non-humans. There is some overlap with those who identify themselves with each group or view the other positively, as well as those in each group who view the other negatively. For instance, some furries view therianthropy as "taking it too far," or may think of therians as being just plain weird. At the same time, many therians dislike furries because of their perceived lack of understanding of therianthropy itself, which can lead to confusion, or because they perceive the fandom as being primarily sexual.

==== Therians and shamanism ====

Therianthropy and shamanism have a great deal in common at the basic level. Many therians believe in Shamanic and mystic ideas. Many who practice shamanism hold an interest in therianthropy. Many therianthropes claim to have spirit guides, or [[totem]]s. However, a therian's totem is not necessarily the same animal as their theriotype, and having or invoking a totem animal alone does not make a person a therian.

== Therian ==

'''Therians''' are people who believe that they are, in whole or in part, a non-human animal. That is to say that part of their core being is a non-human animal, be it spiritually, mentally, et cetera. Unlike [[furry lifestyle]]rs, therians do not necessarily try to outwardly project their animalistic nature, nor do they choose their animal side. They consider themselves to be an animal within.

== Shifts ==

There are three categorized types of ''shifts'' acknowledged by the therian community:
* '''Mental (M-Shift)''' - A change in psychological state, where a person thinks and behaves more like their theriotype animal.
* '''Spiritual (S-Shift)''' - A change in spiritual state, often broken down by type (astral shifting, auric shifting, etc). The spiritual self, astral body, or aura change to resemble the theriotype animal.
* '''Physical (P-Shift)''' - A change in physical state, physically changing to become more like, or entirely like, their theriotype animal. Controversial, and largely thought to be impossible by the therian community.

Other types of shifts have been categorized from these terms and can be found in the links as listed below.

Shifting, in general, means times when animalistic aspects become, dominant over human aspects of the person's personality or spiritual form. This may include, but not be limited to, feelings of "phantom limbs" or fur, keener senses, desires to bite or hunt, feelings of instincts not usual to humans, etc. This is distinct from invocation of a totem entity, or from any state induced by drugs or guided trances, as it is natural to the individual in question and can generally be easily called upon through simple concentration or will. Occasionally it is involuntary, but generally not to extremes (making it distinct, in the case of m-shifting, from psychological lycanthropy). M-shifting may be minor (animalistic aspects come to the forefront, but only in small ways, and the human persona remains dominant) or major (the therian can no longer speak, may have trouble walking upright, and can no longer behave in a human fashion).

==== P-shifting ====

P-shifting is the most controversial. As a general rule, it's more used as a term to discuss fictional [[transformation]]s rather than literal ones; people claiming to p-shift in any way are usually met with aggressive skepticism and are often accused of being [[roleplay]]ers. No concrete evidence has been offered of physical shapeshifting.

Some Therian groups view the "physical shift" as NOT being an actual change into an animal, but an intense physiological change, which may include heightened senses, increased strength, etc, depending on the animal in question.

== Therian and furry lifestylers ==

Therians differ from the [[Furry lifestyle|furry lifestyle]] in that they do not feel a need to costume themselves or pretend to be their animal--they feel they already are their animal, inside, and must cope with this rather than promoting it to the world. Furry lifestylers wish to become and behave like their animal, while therians believe they already are their animal. This is not to say someone cannot be both! There are a number of therians in the furry community (and of course, vice versa). Being therian is not a lifestyle choice, but being furry is--a therian can make that choice as well.

Therians also do not, in any way, choose their animal side. Most believe they are born with it. It may take a lot of introspection and soul-searching for some therians to come to terms with their animal nature. The therian nature is not based on stereotypes (such as a wolf howling at the moon, or a lion's courage), but instead reflects the living animal's behavior more closely.

Therian nature is distinct from aspects of shamanism or working with totem spirits. Therians do not acquire their animal traits from outside of themselves, via invocation of a spirit.

Usually, therians have one animal aspect, or [[theriotype]] (formerly referred to as the [[phenotype]]), but some have two or more. Generally, these people are referred to as ''Polyweres'' [alternate term: Pan-Therian], and can be a source of controversy, as single-aspect therians often cannot relate to how a multiple-animal therian could exist, especially in the context of having an animal soul. Many are therian-[[otherkin]] mixes, such as wolf/dragons or cat/vampires. In cases where a therian has two theriotypes (such as wolf and cougar) they do not manifest a hybrid or mixture of traits, but may shift to one or the other at various times--not simultaneously. A therian who manifests a hybrid theriotype (such as a wolf-cat hybrid, for example) is often considered to be more properly otherkin, rather than specifically therian.

== See also ==

* [[Lifestylers]]
* [[Otherkin]]
* [[Wikipedia:Therianthropy|Therianthropy]] on Wikipedia

==References==
<references />
*''This article incorporates text from the [[wikipedia:Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition|Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition]], a publication now in the [[wikipedia:public domain|public domain]].''
* OED (1933) Vol XI p 288
* Encyclopaedia Britannica (1886) Vol XX p 367 (C.P.Teile)
* Cohen, D. (1996) ''Werewolves.'' New York: Penguin. ISBN 0525652078
* De Groot, J.J.M. (1901) ''The Religious System of China: Volume IV'' Leiden: Brill.
* Greene, R. (2000) ''The Magic of Shapeshifting.'' York Beach, ME: Weiser. ISBN 1578631718
* Steiger, B. (1999) ''The Werewolf Book: The Encyclopedia of Shape-Shifting Beings.'' Farmington Hills, MI: Visible Ink. ISBN 1578590787

==External links==
{{FlayrahTag}}
* [http://www.werelist.com The Werelist]
* [http://www.werelibrary.org The WereLibrary]
* [[:wikia:c:therian|Therian.Wikia]]
* [http://anotherwiki.org AnOtherWiki]
* [http://www.swampfox.demon.co.uk/utlah/ Wereweb]
* [http://www.project-shift.org Project Shift]
* [http://www.oocities.org/rainforest/canopy/1927/greenspiral/resource.html The Therianthropy Resource]
* [http://yaiolani.tripod.com/humfaq.htm Shifter FAQ]
{{lj-search-interest|therianthropy}}
[[Category: Terms]]
{{Wikipedia|Therianthropy}}
{{featured article}}

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[[it:therian]]

Otherkin

2013-07-03T16:40:11Z

Jarandhel: /* External links */ fixed typo & just realized I wasn't signed in.

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[[File:Elven Star Rainbow.jpg|right|thumb|The Elven Star, a symbol of otherkin. [http://www.otherkin.net Source]]]'''Otherkin''' are those who believe that their physical forms do not define or fully encompass their mental states, personality, psychology, or [[spirituality|spiritual]] nature.

First appearing in use on the Internet on April 18, 1990, the word was coined when a member of The Elfinkind Digest, Torin, "got tired of typing elf/dragon/orc/etc.-kin and just used otherkin" as shorthand.<ref name="timeline">[http://orion.kitsunet.net/time.pdf Otherkin Timeline] by Orion Sandstorrm</ref>

==Otherkin beliefs==

Otherkin feel they have a sympathetic connection, affinity, or some other form of relation with another animal or being. Traditionally these have been mythological in nature, beginning with fairy and fey folk, elves, and a few other European mythological archetypes. Later, associations with other creatures became common, including [[unicorn]]s, [[gryphon]]s, [[dragon]]s, angelics, and [[demon]]s; as well as "non-living" types such as golems and other inorganics. In time, some people also began to describe concepts for beings which were derived from mythological archetypes, though having unique qualities; fully undefinable or one-of-a-kind kin types appeared as well.

With the unusual nature of the basic otherkin premises, there has been skepticism directed at it along with the proposal that many people adopt the otherkin identity to justify social difficulties - the outcast syndrome - or because they have a delusion and are in denial about their biological humanity. The idea that otherkin believe they are physically non-human in a spectacular way - such as actually being biological dragons - is seen as a pervasive misunderstanding by otherkin themselves, who point out the spiritual and psychological focus of the concept. Some community members believe this confusion arises from those unfamiliar with the concept or having only a sketchy or distorted awareness; comparing it to psychiatric cases such as [[lycanthropy]] and dissociative identity disorder, and concluding that in order for someone to state that they identify as an elf or gryphon, they must be experiencing a form of hallucination or delusion.

Contrary to [[stereotype]]s which have been perpetuated, most who identify as otherkin are fully aware of their biology and human existence. Many otherkin do have particular spiritual and metaphysical beliefs, and as part of those beliefs have discussed elements of a proposed spiritual reality which is not to be confused with the material world. Even if a given person believes, for instance, that on a spiritual plane they may have wings, it is uncommon that they are making a claim about such things that is scientific in nature, or that they exist in what most people might consider the real world.

Despite these points, some dislike the otherkin concept on the grounds that they feel it is abused by individuals who wish to present themselves as special and unique without merit, and that making unverifiable spiritual claims is one way to achieve this. Over time, otherkin has proven to be appealing to a number of people for this reason, and those within the community can be rigorous about screening out 'me too' and 'fluffbunny' adopters of the otherkin moniker. Some otherkin themselves do not consider the Internet Kin community to have much or any validity, saying that it is easy and tempting for a person to claim almost anything within the realm of online anonymity.

Within the loosely defined otherkin community, online or off, there is no consensus as to just what makes a person otherkin. A variety of phenomena have been observed and theorized about which many feel create some sort of affinity between a person and something else. In this light, some see otherkin as related to concepts such as [[Wikipedia:Totemism|Totemism]], which have appeared in human culture since ancient times. There has also been some debate over how potential factors such as [[Wikipedia:Clinical lycanthropy|clinical lycanthropy]] may account for a percentage of the experiences otherkin believe they have had. While many, and some conjecture most, otherkin follow a paradigm of spiritual reincarnation in some form to help explain their state of being, not all otherkin share this, and may view themselves in other spiritual, philosophical, or psychological frameworks. Even among those who believe in reincarnation, there are a wide variety of interpretations.

Another viewpoint is that the term otherkin largely denotes a social network and should not, or can not, be used as a description for individual spiritual beliefs or to describe an particular theory or explanation for phenomenon. Many people use the otherkin community to find discussion for a variety of subjects and to compare subjective experiences without considering themselves to be otherkin in a descriptive sense.

==History of the community==

Although there are spiritual parallels with shamanism and totemism, the modern otherkin subculture appears to trace its roots back to the counterculture of the 1960s. [[Wikipedia:Hippie|Hippies]] and [[Wikipedia:Flower child|flower children]], in particular, were heavily influenced by the fantasy works of [[Wikipedia:J.R.R. Tolkien|J.R.R. Tolkien]].<ref name="marxism">[http://lists.econ.utah.edu/pipermail/marxism/2004-April/006893.html Tolkien and radical ecology in the sixties] - Mailing list marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu (accessed April 21 2004).</ref>

One example of this influence was the rock band [[Wikipedia:Tyrannosaurus Rex|Tyrannosaurus Rex]], whose drummer took the name [[Wikipedia:Steve Peregrin Took|Steve Peregrin Took]], after a [[Wikipedia:hobbit|hobbit]] character from ''[[Wikipedia:The Lord of the Rings|The Lord of the Rings]]''. The short-lived magazine ''[[Wikipedia:Gandalf's Garden|Gandalf's Garden]]'', named after another Tolkien character, described the group's singer-songwriter [[Wikipedia:Marc Bolan|Marc Bolan]] as "of elfin descent".<ref name="gandalf">[http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Studio/4730/gandalf.htm Tyrannosaurus Rex] - ''Gandalf's Garden'' (July 1968)</ref> Bolan was also frequently referred to as "the Bopping Elf".<ref name="bolan">[http://www.marc-bolan.com/public/biography2.htm "From Darling Of The Underground To Dandy In The Underworld" - A Brief Bolan Biography], The Official Marc Bolan Fan Club (accessed May 8 2005)</ref>

Another musician of the time who used similar fantasy imagery was Donovan. In the cover notes to his 1966 LP [[Wikipedia:Sunshine Superman|"Sunshine Superman"]], he wrote "starring mr. plod in action with a daughter of the evil land of mordor."<ref name="donovan1">[http://www.sabotage.demon.co.uk/donovan/writings.htm#part_one Sunshine Superman] - Donovan's Non-Poetic Writings (1966)</ref> In the cover notes to his 1967 LP [[Wikipedia:A Gift from a Flower to a Garden|"A Gift from a Flower to a Garden"]], he wrote "We shall fill their days with fairies and elves and pussys and paints, with laughter and song and the gentle influence of Mother Nature."<ref name="donovan2">[http://www.sabotage.demon.co.uk/donovan/writings.htm#Oh,_what_a_Dawn_Youth_is_Rising_to A Gift from a Flower to a Garden] - Donovan's Non-Poetic Writings (1967)</ref>

And in the underground publication ''[[Wikipedia:International Times|International Times]]'', better known as IT, John Peel advised readers to "go to the children's playground in Kensington Gardens and stare at the elves on the trees there".<ref name="peel">[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2004/10/27/db2701.xml Obituary: John Peel] - Daily Telegraph (27 October 2004)</ref>

The 1970s saw a group calling themselves the Elf Queen's Daughters base themselves in the South Bay area of San Francisco, California.<ref>Silver Elves (2001). The Gainesville Letters. In ''The Magical Elven Love Letters, vol. 1'', pp. 9. Silver Elves Publications; no ISBN. See [http://silverelves.angelfire.com/HAelfletters1.html The New Eald of the Silver Elves] for revised publication information.</ref> The Elf Queen's Daughters were also linked with [[Wikipedia:Seattle, Washington|Seattle, Washington]].<ref name="druid">[http://www.student.carleton.edu/orgs/druids/ARDA/ARDA-07.pdf The Druid Miscellany, pp. 2] - A reformed Druid anthology (August 1 1996)</ref> They published a newsletter and focused on "bringing together female elves in celebration of ritual and magic and understanding of Fae", according to the Faeid website.<ref name="faeid">[http://www.faeid.com/elfqueens.html The Elf Queen's Daughters] - Are you a faeid? (accessed May 4 2005)</ref> In actuality the Elf Queen's Daughters were composed of both male and female elves, although they were Goddess oriented and they referred to all their members as sister.<ref name="silverelves">Comment by the Silver Elves.</ref> One quote from an anonymous founder of the group indicates similar ecologically-based pagan beliefs to those common in the modern otherkin movement — "the image of the Earth being a woman with trees for her hair, rivers for her veins flowing through. That was one of the first to use the image of earth as a physical Goddess."<ref name="aeona">[http://groups.google.co.uk/group/alt.religion.all-worlds/msg/89f26a9ce27ab423?dmode=source&hl=en Aeona Silversong Interview] - The Electronic Foghorn (June 15 1993)</ref>

According to the Silver Elves, the Elf Queen's Daughters had ''"given up the path to elfin"'' around 1977. However, in 2004 they wrote that they had recently encountered one of them, Loriel Lyndoreyn.<ref name="loveletter">[http://www.renaissancefestival.com/community/discussion/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=875 magic connects us] - magical elven love letters (accessed May 21 2004).</ref> Another former member, Aeona Silversong, became a priestess in the Church of All Worlds in 1993, while continuing to identify as an elf.<ref name="caw">[http://web.archive.org/web/20040407120835/http://www.caw.org/clergy/index.html CAW Clergy] - CAWeb (accessed February 23 2004).</ref><ref name="aeona">[http://groups.google.co.uk/group/alt.religion.all-worlds/msg/89f26a9ce27ab423?dmode=source&hl=en Aeona Silversong Interview] - The Electronic Foghorn (June 15 1993)</ref> Furthermore, Circle Network News published an article on the seven-pointed elven star citing the group as late as 1986. The Silver Elves suggest that the Elf Queen's Daughters were adept with magic and the use of the Ouija board.<ref name="necromancer">[http://silverelves.angelfire.com/necromancer.html The Way of the Necromancer] - The Elven Tree of Life (March 15 2012).</ref>

The Silver Elves are one of the more prominent groups in the modern subculture, mainly because of the Magical Elven Love Letters which they have regularly published for over twenty years. In their published compilation of these letters, they write that at the time they began to write them in 1979, ''"it had been nearly two years since the Elf Queen's Daughters had forsaken the dharma of the magic letters"''. This would indicate that the letters of the Silver Elves are a direct descendant of the newsletters released by the Elf Queen's Daughters; furthermore, the Silver Elves themselves profess to have been awakened as elves by that group.

Until the Internet became accessible, the letters were sent out by post and further distributed by their recipients, as well as being printed in various newsletters and magazines. Contact details for the Silver Elves were also listed in pagan books, such as [[Wikipedia:Margot Adler|Margot Adler]]'s ''[[Wikipedia:Drawing Down the Moon (book)|"Drawing Down The Moon"]]'' in 1979 and [[Wikipedia:Laurie Cabot|Laurie Cabot]]'s ''"Power of the Witch"'' in 1989.<ref name="adler">Adler, Margot, ''Drawing Down The Moon: Druids, Goddess-worshippers and other pagans in America today'', ISBN 0670283428, Viking Press (1979)</ref><ref name="cabot">Cabot, Laurie, ''Power of the Witch'', ISBN 0385297866, Delacorte Press (1989).</ref>

In 1990, R'ykandar Korra'ti founded the Elfinkind Digest, an e-mail-based mailing list for "elves and interested observers".[http://groups.google.co.uk/group/rec.games.frp/msg/834976939ac48fcc?dmode=source&hl=en] At the time, her signature on Usenet was "Elfinkind Unite!" The next year, in 1991, she posted a subdued announcement to several newsgroups publicizing the Digest for the first time.<ref name="elfinkind1">[http://groups.google.co.uk/group/rec.games.frp/msg/834976939ac48fcc?dmode=source&hl=en Small mail-based digest] - Usenet (September 26 1991).</ref> As of 2003, more than 2000 digests had been posted, and this otherkin mailing list is generally acknowledged as the first one.[http://www.murkworks.net/~elflist/]

While Korra'ti had expected to find only other elves through her mailing list, she in fact discovered people with ''"a large number of self-identifications."''<ref name="elfinkind2">[http://www.rialian.com/elfinkin.htm Elfinkind Digest] - Elven Realities (December 23 1996).</ref> This was one of the first indications that there were other [[species]] identifications out there besides those of elves. The term otherkin was itself coined in the Elfinkind Digest #16 as a result of this fact. <ref name="timeline">[http://orion.kitsunet.net/time.pdf Otherkin Timeline] by Orion Sandstorrm</ref> There was reportedly some talk of renaming the digest The Otherkind Digest, but this didn't happen. This dichotomy also persists to this day in the name of one of the more popular otherkin mailing lists, elven-realities.

On 6 February 1995, the [http://groups.google.co.uk/group/alt.magick/msg/e5adba21569abd19?dmode=source&hl=en Elven Nation Manifesto] was posted to Usenet.<ref name="manifesto">[http://groups.google.co.uk/group/alt.magick/msg/e5adba21569abd19?dmode=source&hl=en The Elven Nation Manifesto.....everyone must read this!] - Usenet (February 6 1995).</ref> This document was interesting in several ways: firstly, although it included a real name and a postal address, as well as a partial email address, it was posted through the anonymous remailer at anon.penet.fi. Secondly, several of the common themes in the modern otherkin movement are visible in it, such as the concept that elves have something significant to contribute to the world, and mention of the "Veil to the Otherworld", or the invisible boundary between the real world and the magical world of faerie.

Since it was posted to eleven newsgroups, it also violated Usenet's crossposting etiquette, which was far more strictly observed at the time than it is today. On Usenet itself, the document was universally panned and considered to be either a troll or an attempt to frame an innocent party. However, enough people contacted the original author of the Elven Nation post in good faith for a [http://www.rialian.com/elvsnatn.htm mailing list] to spin off from it.<ref name="elvennation">[http://www.rialian.com/elvsnatn.htm Excerpts from the Elven Nation mailing list] - Elven Realities (accessed May 4 2005).</ref> At least one person considered it to have played a part in their awakening.<ref name="polson">[http://web.archive.org/web/19991009032307/www.absinthia.com/otherkin/awakening/willow.html Willow] - Awakenings (October 9 1999).</ref>

The community first hit the headlines in 2001 when the Village Voice published an article on it. Entitled "Elven Like Me", it drew gentle comparisons with the antiglobalisation movement, and suggested that otherkin were antimodernist.<ref name="mamatas">[http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0107,mamatas,22273,8.html Elven Like Me] - Village Voice (14 February 2001)</ref>

==Otherkin in the media==

The otherkin phenomenon has experienced less exposure in general media than subculture venues such as furry fandom, although it has been noted with increasing frequency in [[Wikipedia:Neo-Paganism|Neo-Pagan]] culture due to crossover of shamanistic and spiritual elements that has brought otherkin to the attention of contemporary pagans.

To date, there has been little formal study or publication of culture and theory relating to otherkin. One of the first reference volumes to deal with the otherkin culture specifically, ''A Field Guide to Otherkin'', by Lupa, was released in April 2007. The book contains the results of surveys distributed throughout the otherkin and therianthropy communities by the author and volunteers.

==Otherkin and therianthropy==

Otherkin bears no small resemblance to [[therianthropy#Modern_subcultural_use_of_the_term | therianthropy]], and some people consider them the same thing and use the terms interchangeably. Of these, some might feel there is insufficient difference between the concepts to present them separately, while others might be outsiders who are not familiar with the nuances or history of the ideas and communities surrounding them. However, in tradition to date, otherkin has come to be associated with people who experience an affinity with an animal, creature, or being which might ordinarily be considered mythological, or sometimes entirely unique/alien. In contrast, therianthropy is heavily connected to the affinity for ''existing'', real-world animals which have been observed to live today in nature or to have lived in the past. Typically, someone who identifies with fairies, elves, dragons, gryphons, unicorns, or even angelic or demonic beings might be seen as otherkin. While one who identifies with [[wolves]], [[foxes]], [[Bear (species)|bears]], [[cat]]s big and small, or [[otter]]s might be seen as a therianthrope. This is not a hard line, however, and you may find animal otherkin and draconic therians, among others.

In some cases, a specific person might consider themselves - if they use a formal term or subculture association at all - a member of either community in spite of their species/entity connection. For example, someone who feels they are a part of the general otherkin community socially might use the term therianthropy to describe the mechanics of their own nature.

== Otherkin and furry ==

[[Furry fan]]s appear to be generally aware of otherkin and therianthropy. The practices and viewpoints of many [[furry lifestyle]]rs have some similarity to these ideas; because of this, some lifestylers associate with one or both terms. Likewise, while [[furry fandom]] in general might not have been formed to explore spiritual connections with animals and other creatures, many otherkin and therianthropes find the content and subject matter of furry appealing because of their own interests. In the opposite direction, many [[furry fan]]s discover the otherkin community through the fandom and begin to take part in it as well.

A noticeable number of people within the otherkin community are also furry fans in some capacity and frequently attend events such as furry [[convention]]s in addition to otherkin-specific social events. The philosophy and spirituality tracks at some conventions have hosted otherkin and therian speakers. Panels and discussions on mythology have also attracted otherkin to participate. Otherkin who are artists have used furry conventions to display their work, and those with an interest in make-up and costuming have attended for masquerade contests and dances.

Some otherkin feel that the furry fandom is a more relaxed atmosphere in which to explore ideas of animal and human relations and hybrids, seeing the fandom's lack of core spiritual doctrines as neutral ground. Due to this, some people decide to leave the general otherkin and therian communities in favor of furry. Furry events are sometimes popular as a meeting place with otherkin who are geographically isolated from kin-specific events.

===Controversy within furry fandom===

Opinions vary as to whether or not their association with the fandom is positive, negative, or irrelevant. Some people find the association of furry with things beyond its base definition of the appreciation of [[anthropomorphic]] animals in art and fiction to be inappropriate, ridiculous, or uncomfortable. Because of this, otherkin and therian connections or intermingling with the fandom have taken on a pejorative tint for such people. Much as furry lifestylers are sometimes disliked, otherkin might be made to feel unwelcome or derided by some furry fans.

A large degree of fandom awareness has been spread not only by contact with otherkin within the fandom, but by the adoption of otherkin as another topic with which to portray elements of Furry in humorous or negative light by websites such as [[Something Awful]] and [[Crush! Yiff! Destroy!]]. Due to such framing, otherkin has for some people become a generic term to identify furries who feel there is something more to their animal avatar than [[role-playing]]. Some also point out that a good deal of otherkin awareness has been spread by sardonic humor, which often singles out individuals with the most outrageous behavior or controversial opinions. As a result there appear to be inaccuracies in the knowledge of many furry fans and nonfurs relating to more moderate members of the otherkin community.

In response, others have said in spite of this confusion, there are those who identify as otherkin while putting forth dubious claims and questionable behavior. Because of the effect of visibility from the crowd, it is often the most over-the-top examples that are seen by outsiders, and thus tend to be associated with the entire fandom, not unlike many of the other problems with publicity that furry fandom has endured over time.

==Outside otherkin==

Otherkin is a label to describe personal beliefs, experiences, and traits that occur in a variety of combinations depending on the individual. As there is no consensus on what qualifies as otherkin, not everyone who shares similar beliefs feels the term is appropriate or useful for themselves.

Some who might otherwise describe themselves as otherkin downplay or conceal the affiliation. Citing outbreaks of controversy, individuals have confessed reluctance to reveal the extent of their beliefs for fear of losing status or being ostracized by a particular community, to avoid employment difficulties, or relieve pressure from friends and family.

==Otakukin==

'''Otakukin''' (a combination of the terms [[Wikipedia:Otaku|Otaku]] and Otherkin) is a term used to refer to those who, like otherkin, believe that their physical forms do not define or fully encompass their mental states, personality, psychology, or spiritual nature, but, unlike most otherkin, view such attributes within an [[anime]]-, [[video game]]- or [[manga]]-centric context. It is often interpreted within anime fandom circles as a term for describing those who have human bodies and the souls of anime or manga characters, and is often severely derided as being to the extreme of "otakudom" (a term for the general Western anime fandom).

The term otakukin was coined by Kinjou Ten, a member of the otherkin community, on his website Temple of the Ota-kin.<ref name="otakin">[http://otakukin.otherkin.net/ Temple of the Ota-kin] by Kinjou Ten</ref> The terms mediakin<ref name="mediakin">[http://www.otherkin.net/articles//mediakin.html Some thoughts on Mediakin] by Lupa</ref> and fictionkin<ref name="fictionkin">[http://soulbonding.wordpress.com/fictionkin/ Fictionkin]</ref> also refer to otherkin whose identities reference fictional sources, and are used somewhat more commonly today as a generic term with no connection to japanese media.

== See also ==

* [[:Category:Otherkin|Otherkin]] on WikiFur
* [[W:Otherkin|Otherkin]] on [[Wikipedia]]
* [[Theri There]], a webcomic about otherkin

== References ==

<references/>

== External links ==

* [http://otherkin.wikia.com Otherkin Wiki]
* [http://anotherwiki.org AnOtherWiki]
*[http://www.otherkin.net Otherkin.net] (including Otherkin.net wiki)
*[http://orion.kitsunet.net/dir.pdf Directory of Otherkin Writings]
*[http://dreamhart.org/2012/01/a-revised-otherkin-faq/ A Revised Otherkin FAQ]
*[http://www.thegreenwolf.com/afgto.html A Field Guide to Otherkin] at [http://www.immanion-press.com Immanion Press]
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[[Category:Culture]]
[[Category:Terms]]
[[Category:Spirituality]]

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Otherkin

2013-05-09T03:21:27Z

Jarandhel: The plural of otherkin is also otherkin, not otherkins. Some references and further information added for otakukin.

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[[File:Elven Star Rainbow.jpg|right|thumb|The Elven Star, a symbol of otherkin. [http://www.otherkin.net Source]]]'''Otherkin''' are those who believe that their physical forms do not define or fully encompass their mental states, personality, psychology, or [[spirituality|spiritual]] nature.

First appearing in use on the Internet on April 18, 1990, the word was coined when a member of The Elfinkind Digest, Torin, "got tired of typing elf/dragon/orc/etc.-kin and just used otherkin" as shorthand.<ref name="timeline">[http://orion.kitsunet.net/time.pdf Otherkin Timeline] by Orion Sandstorrm</ref>

==Otherkin beliefs==

Otherkin feel they have a sympathetic connection, affinity, or some other form of relation with another animal or being. Traditionally these have been mythological in nature, beginning with fairy and fey folk, elves, and a few other European mythological archetypes. Later, associations with other creatures became common, including [[unicorn]]s, [[gryphon]]s, [[dragon]]s, angelics, and [[demon]]s; as well as "non-living" types such as golems and other inorganics. In time, some people also began to describe concepts for beings which were derived from mythological archetypes, though having unique qualities; fully undefinable or one-of-a-kind kin types appeared as well.

With the unusual nature of the basic otherkin premises, there has been skepticism directed at it along with the proposal that many people adopt the otherkin identity to justify social difficulties - the outcast syndrome - or because they have a delusion and are in denial about their biological humanity. The idea that otherkin believe they are physically non-human in a spectacular way - such as actually being biological dragons - is seen as a pervasive misunderstanding by otherkin themselves, who point out the spiritual and psychological focus of the concept. Some community members believe this confusion arises from those unfamiliar with the concept or having only a sketchy or distorted awareness; comparing it to psychiatric cases such as [[lycanthropy]] and dissociative identity disorder, and concluding that in order for someone to state that they identify as an elf or gryphon, they must be experiencing a form of hallucination or delusion.

Contrary to [[stereotype]]s which have been perpetuated, most who identify as otherkin are fully aware of their biology and human existence. Many otherkin do have particular spiritual and metaphysical beliefs, and as part of those beliefs have discussed elements of a proposed spiritual reality which is not to be confused with the material world. Even if a given person believes, for instance, that on a spiritual plane they may have wings, it is uncommon that they are making a claim about such things that is scientific in nature, or that they exist in what most people might consider the real world.

Despite these points, some dislike the otherkin concept on the grounds that they feel it is abused by individuals who wish to present themselves as special and unique without merit, and that making unverifiable spiritual claims is one way to achieve this. Over time, otherkin has proven to be appealing to a number of people for this reason, and those within the community can be rigorous about screening out 'me too' and 'fluffbunny' adopters of the otherkin moniker. Some otherkin themselves do not consider the Internet Kin community to have much or any validity, saying that it is easy and tempting for a person to claim almost anything within the realm of online anonymity.

Within the loosely defined otherkin community, online or off, there is no consensus as to just what makes a person otherkin. A variety of phenomena have been observed and theorized about which many feel create some sort of affinity between a person and something else. In this light, some see otherkin as related to concepts such as [[Wikipedia:Totemism|Totemism]], which have appeared in human culture since ancient times. There has also been some debate over how potential factors such as [[Wikipedia:Clinical lycanthropy|clinical lycanthropy]] may account for a percentage of the experiences otherkin believe they have had. While many, and some conjecture most, otherkin follow a paradigm of spiritual reincarnation in some form to help explain their state of being, not all otherkin share this, and may view themselves in other spiritual, philosophical, or psychological frameworks. Even among those who believe in reincarnation, there are a wide variety of interpretations.

Another viewpoint is that the term otherkin largely denotes a social network and should not, or can not, be used as a description for individual spiritual beliefs or to describe an particular theory or explanation for phenomenon. Many people use the otherkin community to find discussion for a variety of subjects and to compare subjective experiences without considering themselves to be otherkin in a descriptive sense.

==History of the community==

Although there are spiritual parallels with shamanism and totemism, the modern otherkin subculture appears to trace its roots back to the counterculture of the 1960s. [[Wikipedia:Hippie|Hippies]] and [[Wikipedia:Flower child|flower children]], in particular, were heavily influenced by the fantasy works of [[Wikipedia:J.R.R. Tolkien|J.R.R. Tolkien]].<ref name="marxism">[http://lists.econ.utah.edu/pipermail/marxism/2004-April/006893.html Tolkien and radical ecology in the sixties] - Mailing list marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu (accessed April 21 2004).</ref>

One example of this influence was the rock band [[Wikipedia:Tyrannosaurus Rex|Tyrannosaurus Rex]], whose drummer took the name [[Wikipedia:Steve Peregrin Took|Steve Peregrin Took]], after a [[Wikipedia:hobbit|hobbit]] character from ''[[Wikipedia:The Lord of the Rings|The Lord of the Rings]]''. The short-lived magazine ''[[Wikipedia:Gandalf's Garden|Gandalf's Garden]]'', named after another Tolkien character, described the group's singer-songwriter [[Wikipedia:Marc Bolan|Marc Bolan]] as "of elfin descent".<ref name="gandalf">[http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Studio/4730/gandalf.htm Tyrannosaurus Rex] - ''Gandalf's Garden'' (July 1968)</ref> Bolan was also frequently referred to as "the Bopping Elf".<ref name="bolan">[http://www.marc-bolan.com/public/biography2.htm "From Darling Of The Underground To Dandy In The Underworld" - A Brief Bolan Biography], The Official Marc Bolan Fan Club (accessed May 8 2005)</ref>

Another musician of the time who used similar fantasy imagery was Donovan. In the cover notes to his 1966 LP [[Wikipedia:Sunshine Superman|"Sunshine Superman"]], he wrote "starring mr. plod in action with a daughter of the evil land of mordor."<ref name="donovan1">[http://www.sabotage.demon.co.uk/donovan/writings.htm#part_one Sunshine Superman] - Donovan's Non-Poetic Writings (1966)</ref> In the cover notes to his 1967 LP [[Wikipedia:A Gift from a Flower to a Garden|"A Gift from a Flower to a Garden"]], he wrote "We shall fill their days with fairies and elves and pussys and paints, with laughter and song and the gentle influence of Mother Nature."<ref name="donovan2">[http://www.sabotage.demon.co.uk/donovan/writings.htm#Oh,_what_a_Dawn_Youth_is_Rising_to A Gift from a Flower to a Garden] - Donovan's Non-Poetic Writings (1967)</ref>

And in the underground publication ''[[Wikipedia:International Times|International Times]]'', better known as IT, John Peel advised readers to "go to the children's playground in Kensington Gardens and stare at the elves on the trees there".<ref name="peel">[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2004/10/27/db2701.xml Obituary: John Peel] - Daily Telegraph (27 October 2004)</ref>

The 1970s saw a group calling themselves the Elf Queen's Daughters base themselves in the South Bay area of San Francisco, California.<ref>Silver Elves (2001). The Gainesville Letters. In ''The Magical Elven Love Letters, vol. 1'', pp. 9. Silver Elves Publications; no ISBN. See [http://silverelves.angelfire.com/HAelfletters1.html The New Eald of the Silver Elves] for revised publication information.</ref> The Elf Queen's Daughters were also linked with [[Wikipedia:Seattle, Washington|Seattle, Washington]].<ref name="druid">[http://www.student.carleton.edu/orgs/druids/ARDA/ARDA-07.pdf The Druid Miscellany, pp. 2] - A reformed Druid anthology (August 1 1996)</ref> They published a newsletter and focused on "bringing together female elves in celebration of ritual and magic and understanding of Fae", according to the Faeid website.<ref name="faeid">[http://www.faeid.com/elfqueens.html The Elf Queen's Daughters] - Are you a faeid? (accessed May 4 2005)</ref> In actuality the Elf Queen's Daughters were composed of both male and female elves, although they were Goddess oriented and they referred to all their members as sister.<ref name="silverelves">Comment by the Silver Elves.</ref> One quote from an anonymous founder of the group indicates similar ecologically-based pagan beliefs to those common in the modern otherkin movement — "the image of the Earth being a woman with trees for her hair, rivers for her veins flowing through. That was one of the first to use the image of earth as a physical Goddess."<ref name="aeona">[http://groups.google.co.uk/group/alt.religion.all-worlds/msg/89f26a9ce27ab423?dmode=source&hl=en Aeona Silversong Interview] - The Electronic Foghorn (June 15 1993)</ref>

According to the Silver Elves, the Elf Queen's Daughters had ''"given up the path to elfin"'' around 1977. However, in 2004 they wrote that they had recently encountered one of them, Loriel Lyndoreyn.<ref name="loveletter">[http://www.renaissancefestival.com/community/discussion/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=875 magic connects us] - magical elven love letters (accessed May 21 2004).</ref> Another former member, Aeona Silversong, became a priestess in the Church of All Worlds in 1993, while continuing to identify as an elf.<ref name="caw">[http://web.archive.org/web/20040407120835/http://www.caw.org/clergy/index.html CAW Clergy] - CAWeb (accessed February 23 2004).</ref><ref name="aeona">[http://groups.google.co.uk/group/alt.religion.all-worlds/msg/89f26a9ce27ab423?dmode=source&hl=en Aeona Silversong Interview] - The Electronic Foghorn (June 15 1993)</ref> Furthermore, Circle Network News published an article on the seven-pointed elven star citing the group as late as 1986. The Silver Elves suggest that the Elf Queen's Daughters were adept with magic and the use of the Ouija board.<ref name="necromancer">[http://silverelves.angelfire.com/necromancer.html The Way of the Necromancer] - The Elven Tree of Life (March 15 2012).</ref>

The Silver Elves are one of the more prominent groups in the modern subculture, mainly because of the Magical Elven Love Letters which they have regularly published for over twenty years. In their published compilation of these letters, they write that at the time they began to write them in 1979, ''"it had been nearly two years since the Elf Queen's Daughters had forsaken the dharma of the magic letters"''. This would indicate that the letters of the Silver Elves are a direct descendant of the newsletters released by the Elf Queen's Daughters; furthermore, the Silver Elves themselves profess to have been awakened as elves by that group.

Until the Internet became accessible, the letters were sent out by post and further distributed by their recipients, as well as being printed in various newsletters and magazines. Contact details for the Silver Elves were also listed in pagan books, such as [[Wikipedia:Margot Adler|Margot Adler]]'s ''[[Wikipedia:Drawing Down the Moon (book)|"Drawing Down The Moon"]]'' in 1979 and [[Wikipedia:Laurie Cabot|Laurie Cabot]]'s ''"Power of the Witch"'' in 1989.<ref name="adler">Adler, Margot, ''Drawing Down The Moon: Druids, Goddess-worshippers and other pagans in America today'', ISBN 0670283428, Viking Press (1979)</ref><ref name="cabot">Cabot, Laurie, ''Power of the Witch'', ISBN 0385297866, Delacorte Press (1989).</ref>

In 1990, R'ykandar Korra'ti founded the Elfinkind Digest, an e-mail-based mailing list for "elves and interested observers".[http://groups.google.co.uk/group/rec.games.frp/msg/834976939ac48fcc?dmode=source&hl=en] At the time, her signature on Usenet was "Elfinkind Unite!" The next year, in 1991, she posted a subdued announcement to several newsgroups publicizing the Digest for the first time.<ref name="elfinkind1">[http://groups.google.co.uk/group/rec.games.frp/msg/834976939ac48fcc?dmode=source&hl=en Small mail-based digest] - Usenet (September 26 1991).</ref> As of 2003, more than 2000 digests had been posted, and this otherkin mailing list is generally acknowledged as the first one.[http://www.murkworks.net/~elflist/]

While Korra'ti had expected to find only other elves through her mailing list, she in fact discovered people with ''"a large number of self-identifications."''<ref name="elfinkind2">[http://www.rialian.com/elfinkin.htm Elfinkind Digest] - Elven Realities (December 23 1996).</ref> This was one of the first indications that there were other [[species]] identifications out there besides those of elves. The term otherkin was itself coined in the Elfinkind Digest #16 as a result of this fact. <ref name="timeline">[http://orion.kitsunet.net/time.pdf Otherkin Timeline] by Orion Sandstorrm</ref> There was reportedly some talk of renaming the digest The Otherkind Digest, but this didn't happen. This dichotomy also persists to this day in the name of one of the more popular otherkin mailing lists, elven-realities.

On 6 February 1995, the [http://groups.google.co.uk/group/alt.magick/msg/e5adba21569abd19?dmode=source&hl=en Elven Nation Manifesto] was posted to Usenet.<ref name="manifesto">[http://groups.google.co.uk/group/alt.magick/msg/e5adba21569abd19?dmode=source&hl=en The Elven Nation Manifesto.....everyone must read this!] - Usenet (February 6 1995).</ref> This document was interesting in several ways: firstly, although it included a real name and a postal address, as well as a partial email address, it was posted through the anonymous remailer at anon.penet.fi. Secondly, several of the common themes in the modern otherkin movement are visible in it, such as the concept that elves have something significant to contribute to the world, and mention of the "Veil to the Otherworld", or the invisible boundary between the real world and the magical world of faerie.

Since it was posted to eleven newsgroups, it also violated Usenet's crossposting etiquette, which was far more strictly observed at the time than it is today. On Usenet itself, the document was universally panned and considered to be either a troll or an attempt to frame an innocent party. However, enough people contacted the original author of the Elven Nation post in good faith for a [http://www.rialian.com/elvsnatn.htm mailing list] to spin off from it.<ref name="elvennation">[http://www.rialian.com/elvsnatn.htm Excerpts from the Elven Nation mailing list] - Elven Realities (accessed May 4 2005).</ref> At least one person considered it to have played a part in their awakening.<ref name="polson">[http://web.archive.org/web/19991009032307/www.absinthia.com/otherkin/awakening/willow.html Willow] - Awakenings (October 9 1999).</ref>

The community first hit the headlines in 2001 when the Village Voice published an article on it. Entitled "Elven Like Me", it drew gentle comparisons with the antiglobalisation movement, and suggested that otherkin were antimodernist.<ref name="mamatas">[http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0107,mamatas,22273,8.html Elven Like Me] - Village Voice (14 February 2001)</ref>

==Otherkin in the media==

The otherkin phenomenon has experienced less exposure in general media than subculture venues such as furry fandom, although it has been noted with increasing frequency in [[Wikipedia:Neo-Paganism|Neo-Pagan]] culture due to crossover of shamanistic and spiritual elements that has brought otherkin to the attention of contemporary pagans.

To date, there has been little formal study or publication of culture and theory relating to otherkin. One of the first reference volumes to deal with the otherkin culture specifically, ''A Field Guide to Otherkin'', by Lupa, was released in April 2007. The book contains the results of surveys distributed throughout the otherkin and therianthropy communities by the author and volunteers.

==Otherkin and therianthropy==

Otherkin bears no small resemblance to [[therianthropy#Modern_subcultural_use_of_the_term | therianthropy]], and some people consider them the same thing and use the terms interchangeably. Of these, some might feel there is insufficient difference between the concepts to present them separately, while others might be outsiders who are not familiar with the nuances or history of the ideas and communities surrounding them. However, in tradition to date, otherkin has come to be associated with people who experience an affinity with an animal, creature, or being which might ordinarily be considered mythological, or sometimes entirely unique/alien. In contrast, therianthropy is heavily connected to the affinity for ''existing'', real-world animals which have been observed to live today in nature or to have lived in the past. Typically, someone who identifies with fairies, elves, dragons, gryphons, unicorns, or even angelic or demonic beings might be seen as otherkin. While one who identifies with [[wolves]], [[foxes]], [[Bear (species)|bears]], [[cat]]s big and small, or [[otter]]s might be seen as a therianthrope. This is not a hard line, however, and you may find animal otherkin and draconic therians, among others.

In some cases, a specific person might consider themselves - if they use a formal term or subculture association at all - a member of either community in spite of their species/entity connection. For example, someone who feels they are a part of the general otherkin community socially might use the term therianthropy to describe the mechanics of their own nature.

== Otherkin and furry ==

[[Furry fan]]s appear to be generally aware of otherkin and therianthropy. The practices and viewpoints of many [[furry lifestyle]]rs have some similarity to these ideas; because of this, some lifestylers associate with one or both terms. Likewise, while [[furry fandom]] in general might not have been formed to explore spiritual connections with animals and other creatures, many otherkin and therianthropes find the content and subject matter of furry appealing because of their own interests. In the opposite direction, many [[furry fan]]s discover the otherkin community through the fandom and begin to take part in it as well.

A noticeable number of people within the otherkin community are also furry fans in some capacity and frequently attend events such as furry [[convention]]s in addition to otherkin-specific social events. The philosophy and spirituality tracks at some conventions have hosted otherkin and therian speakers. Panels and discussions on mythology have also attracted otherkin to participate. Otherkin who are artists have used furry conventions to display their work, and those with an interest in make-up and costuming have attended for masquerade contests and dances.

Some otherkin feel that the furry fandom is a more relaxed atmosphere in which to explore ideas of animal and human relations and hybrids, seeing the fandom's lack of core spiritual doctrines as neutral ground. Due to this, some people decide to leave the general otherkin and therian communities in favor of furry. Furry events are sometimes popular as a meeting place with otherkin who are geographically isolated from kin-specific events.

===Controversy within furry fandom===

Opinions vary as to whether or not their association with the fandom is positive, negative, or irrelevant. Some people find the association of furry with things beyond its base definition of the appreciation of [[anthropomorphic]] animals in art and fiction to be inappropriate, ridiculous, or uncomfortable. Because of this, otherkin and therian connections or intermingling with the fandom have taken on a pejorative tint for such people. Much as furry lifestylers are sometimes disliked, otherkin might be made to feel unwelcome or derided by some furry fans.

A large degree of fandom awareness has been spread not only by contact with otherkin within the fandom, but by the adoption of otherkin as another topic with which to portray elements of Furry in humorous or negative light by websites such as [[Something Awful]] and [[Crush! Yiff! Destroy!]]. Due to such framing, otherkin has for some people become a generic term to identify furries who feel there is something more to their animal avatar than [[role-playing]]. Some also point out that a good deal of otherkin awareness has been spread by sardonic humor, which often singles out individuals with the most outrageous behavior or controversial opinions. As a result there appear to be inaccuracies in the knowledge of many furry fans and nonfurs relating to more moderate members of the otherkin community.

In response, others have said in spite of this confusion, there are those who identify as otherkin while putting forth dubious claims and questionable behavior. Because of the effect of visibility from the crowd, it is often the most over-the-top examples that are seen by outsiders, and thus tend to be associated with the entire fandom, not unlike many of the other problems with publicity that furry fandom has endured over time.

==Outside otherkin==

Otherkin is a label to describe personal beliefs, experiences, and traits that occur in a variety of combinations depending on the individual. As there is no consensus on what qualifies as otherkin, not everyone who shares similar beliefs feels the term is appropriate or useful for themselves.

Some who might otherwise describe themselves as otherkin downplay or conceal the affiliation. Citing outbreaks of controversy, individuals have confessed reluctance to reveal the extent of their beliefs for fear of losing status or being ostracized by a particular community, to avoid employment difficulties, or relieve pressure from friends and family.

==Otakukin==

'''Otakukin''' (a combination of the terms [[Wikipedia:Otaku|Otaku]] and Otherkin) is a term used to refer to those who, like [[Otherkin]], believe that their physical forms do not define or fully encompass their mental states, personality, psychology, or spiritual nature, but, unlike most Otherkin, view such attributes within an [[anime]]-, [[video game]]- or [[manga]]-centric context. It is often interpreted within anime fandom circles as a term for describing those who have human bodies and the souls of anime or manga characters, and is often severely derided as being to the extreme of "otakudom" (a term for the general Western anime fandom).

The term otakukin was coined by Kinjou Ten, a member of the otherkin community, on his website Temple of the Ota-kin.<ref name="otakin">[http://otakukin.otherkin.net/ Temple of the Ota-kin] by Kinjou Ten</ref> The terms mediakin<ref name="mediakin">[http://www.otherkin.net/articles//mediakin.html Some thoughts on Mediakin] by Lupa</ref> and fictionkin<ref name="fictionkin">[http://soulbonding.wordpress.com/fictionkin/ Fictionkin]</ref> also refer to otherkin whose identities reference fictional sources, and are used somewhat more commonly today as a generic term with no connection to japanese media.

== See also ==

* [[:Category:Otherkin|Otherkin]] on WikiFur
* [[W:Otherkin|Otherkin]] on [[Wikipedia]]
* [[Theri There]], a webcomic about otherkin

== References ==

<references/>

== External links ==

*[http://otherkin.wikia.com Otherkin Wiki]
*[http://www.otherkin.net Otherkin.net] (including Otherkin.net wiki)
*[http://orion.kitsunet.net/dir.pdf Directory of Otherkin Writings]
*[http://dreamhart.org/2012/01/a-revised-otherkin-faq/ A Revised Otherkin FAQ]
*[http://www.thegreenwolf.com/afgto.html A Field Guide to Otherkin] at [http://www.immanion-press.com Immanion Press]
{{lj-search-interest|otherkin}}
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[[Category:Culture]]
[[Category:Terms]]
[[Category:Spirituality]]

{{featured article}}

[[eo:Alispecano]]
[[hu:Otherkin]]
[[ru:Иность]]

User:Jarandhel

2012-12-22T03:40:11Z

Jarandhel:

{{Userpage}}

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I've been hanging around the furry community since roughly 1996. Never participated much, just enjoyed reading the stories and artwork. In 1999 I became involved with the otherkin community, and I currently run a number of otherkin resources through my website [http://dreamhart.org Dreamhart.org] including [http://anotherwiki.dreamhart.org AnOtherWiki], a wiki for the otherkin community. My interest in the Otherkin article on WikiFur (and my exasperation with how Otherkin and similar articles are treated on Wikipedia) is what first brought me here, but I am hoping to edit outside that narrow area of interest in time.

Talk:List of furry mailing lists

2012-04-20T21:26:00Z

Jarandhel:

Under Manitoba I was going to add "** '''Winnipeg (and the surrounding area):''' [[Yiffbot]] the mailing list of [[Southern Manitoba Organization of Furs]]". But I'm not sure if Yiffbot should have a seperate WikiFur page. What are your thoughts? (Source: [http://www.furnation.com/Atara/smof/list.html webpage at SMOF website] links to [http://50degreesnorth.com/mailman/listinfo/yiffbot_50degreesnorth.com Yiffbot webpage at 50degreesnorth.com] --[[User:EarthFurst|EarthFurst]] 17:18, 9 December 2006 (UTC)
:You are welcome to add it here and link to a separate page for it, if you can write that page. :-) [[User:GreenReaper|GreenReaper]]<sup>([[User talk:GreenReaper|talk]])</sup> 17:24, 9 December 2006 (UTC)

== list include external links to mailing lists? ==

Since [[List of furry LiveJournal communities]] includes external links to fury LJs .. is it ok for WikiFur's list of furry mailing lists to includes external links to the mailing lists? --[[User:EarthFurst|EarthFurst]] 18:17, 9 December 2006 (UTC)

:Yes. [[User:GreenReaper|GreenReaper]]<sup>([[User talk:GreenReaper|talk]])</sup> 18:24, 9 December 2006 (UTC)

== Created from groups to add ==

I've realised that I wasn't clear when I created this list: all I did was was copy over what was sitting at Groups to add in [[:Category:Mailing lists]], and start some sorting. I don't know anything about the lists. -- [[User:Sine|Sine]] 21:16, 19 January 2007 (UTC)

== defunct mailing lists? ==

Defunct LJs are eventually deleted from “List_of_furry_LiveJournal_communities”. Should defunct mailing lists be deleted from “List of furry mailing lists”? --[[User:EarthFurst|EarthFurst]] 03:11, 20 September 2007 (UTC)
:Have they been getting deleted? I thought the usual protocol was to leave them and mark them defunct. Now that you mention it, maybe we should establish guidelines for whether to delete or mark defunct. Some are notable enough in their time to deserve mention long after they're defunct, while others that attracted little attention while they existed could probably just be removed. --[[User:Mwalimu|mwalimu]] 04:08, 20 September 2007 (UTC)

== Adult Yahoogroups? ==

"There are “furries” categories in Yahoo! Groups' “Romance & Relationships > Adult” category, but no groups will display in Adult categories because Yahoo! hid adult groups from its search in 2001."
: Perhaps I'm confused by what is meant here, but I see 876 groups displayed under Romance & Relationships > Adult > Erotic Cartoons > Furries and an additional 188 groups displayed under Romance & Relationships > Adult > Fetishes > Furries. I can click on each of the groups and view its information without any difficulty, I just had to sign in and accept entering an adult area of yahoogroups.
: What exactly is meant by "no groups will display"? --[[User:Jarandhel|Jarandhel]] 17:26, 20 April 2012 (EDT)

Template:Upcoming events

2012-03-21T11:31:45Z

Jarandhel: Undo revision 362226 by Jarandhel (talk)

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;2012:
{{flagdiv|jpn|Mar 20: [[Fur-st]]}}
{{flagdiv|usa|Mar 23-25: [[FurIdaho]] (ID)}}
{{flagdiv|ned|Mar 30-Apr 1: [[Furry Weekend Holland]]}}
{{flagdiv|usa|Mar 30-Apr 1: [[I-CON]] (NY)}}
{{flagdiv|usa|Apr 13-15: [[Furry Connection North]] (MI)}}
{{flagdiv|usa|Apr 26-30: [[Wild Nights]] (OK)}}
{{flagdiv|aus|Apr 27-29: [[FurDU]] (QLD)}}
{{flagdiv|ukr|Apr 28-May 2: [[WUFF 2012]]}}
{{flagdiv|usa|May 3-6: [[Morphicon]] (OH)}}
{{flagdiv|usa|May 4-6: [[Elliott's Spring Gathering]] (FL)}}
{{flagdiv|can|May 4-6: [[Fur-Eh!]] (AB)}}
{{flagdiv|cze|May 5-8: [[ZodiaCon]]}}
{{flagdiv|ger|May 12: [[Cologne Furdance]]}}
{{flagdiv|ger|May 17-20: [[Mephit Mini Con]]}}
{{flagdiv|gbr|May 25-28: [[ConFuzzled]]}}
{{flagdiv|usa|May 25-27: [[Rocket City FurMeet]] (AL)}}
{{flagdiv|usa|Jun 1-3: [[Califur]] (CA)}}
{{flagdiv|usa|Jun 1-3: [[Duckon|DucKon]] (IL)}}
{{flagdiv|can|Jun 1-3: [[What The Fur]] (QC)}}
{{flagdiv|sui|Jun 7-10: [[CH-on]]}}
{{flagdiv|usa|Jun 14-17: [[Anthrocon]] (PA)}}
{{flagdiv|ger|Jun 21-24: [[BerliCon]]}}
{{flagdiv|cze|Jul 5-8: [[ČeSFuR]]}}
{{flagdiv|den|Jul 6-8: [[Furtastic]]}}
{{flagdiv|fin|Jul 11-15: [[FinFur Summer Camp]]}}
{{flagdiv|can|Jul 27-29: [[Condition]] (ON)}}
{{flagdiv|usa|Jul 27-29: [[Megaplex]] (FL)}}
{{flagdiv|sco|Jul 27-30: [[ScotiaCon]]}}
{{flagdiv|usa|Aug 2-6: [[Campfire Tails]] (OR)}}
{{flagdiv|usa|Aug 3-4: [[Cat Days]] (MN)}}
{{flagdiv|pol|Aug 7-11: [[Futrzakon]]}}
{{flagdiv|usa|Aug 10-12: [[IndyFurCon]] (IN)}}
{{flagdiv|usa|Aug 10-12: [[Rocky Mountain Fur Con]] (CO)}}
{{flagdiv|aut|Aug 11-18: [[Lakeside Furs]]}}
{{flagdiv|usa|Aug 17-19: [[FA: United]] (NJ)}}
{{flagdiv|can|Aug 24-28: [[Feral!|Camp Feral!]] (ON)}}
{{flagdiv|ger|Aug 29-Sep 2: [[Eurofurence]]}}
{{flagdiv|usa|Aug 31-Sep 2: [[Mephit Furmeet]] (MS)}}
{{flagdiv|usa|Sep 14-16: [[Central Midwest Furmeet]] (KS)}}
{{flagdiv|usa|Sep 27-30: [[RainFurrest]] (WA)}}
{{flagdiv|usa|Sep 28-30: [[Furlaxation]] (OH)}}
|valign="top"|
{{flagdiv|usa|Sep 28-30: [[Western Pennsylvania Furry Weekend]] (PA)}}
{{flagdiv|usa|Oct 17-22: [[Oklacon]] (OK)}}
{{flagdiv|usa|Oct 20-21: [[Elliott's Fall Festival]] (FL)}}
{{flagdiv|usa|Oct 26-28: [[FurFright]] (CT)}}
{{flagdiv|usa|Oct 26-28: [[Fangcon]] (TN)}}
{{flagdiv|ger|Nov 10th: [[Cologne Furdance]]}}
{{flagdiv|usa|Nov 16-18: [[Midwest FurFest]] (IL)}}
{{flagdiv|aus|Dec 4-8: [[MiDFur]] (VIC)}}
;2012 TBA:
{{flagdiv|aus|Jul 2012?: [[RivFur]] (QLD)}}
{{flagdiv|pol|Aug 2012?: [[Furstock]]}}
{{flagdiv|aus|Aug 2012?: [[Perthfur Gathering]] (WA)}}
{{flagdiv|can|Sep 2012?: [[Furthest North|Furthest North Summer]] (AB)}}
{{flagdiv|ger|Sep 2012?: [[EAST]]}}
{{flagdiv|usa|Sep/Oct 2012?: [[Antheria]] (CA)}}
{{flagdiv|aus|Oct 2012?: [[FurJAM]] (NSW)}}
{{flagdiv|usa|Oct 2012?: [[Furloween]] (FL)}}
{{flagdiv|sui|Nov 2012?: [[Golden Leaves Con]]}}
{{flagdiv|can|Nov 2012?: [[Howloween]] (BC)}}
{{flagdiv|jpn|Nov 2012?: [[Kemocon]]}}
{{flagdiv|gbr|Nov 2012?: [[RBW]]}}
{{flagdiv|nzl|Dec 2012?: [[FurcoNZ]]}}
{{flagdiv|usa|Dec 2012?: [[Furry Cruise]] (FL)}}
{{flagdiv|ned|Dec 2012?: [[Furs on Fire]]}}
{{flagdiv|usa|Dec 2012?: [[Furstivus]]}}
{{flagdiv|usa|Dec 2012?: [[New Year's Furry Ball]]}}
{{flagdiv|rsa|Dec 2012?: [[South Afrifur meet]] (JHB)}}
;2013:
{{flagdiv|usa|Jan 17-21: [[Further Confusion]] (CA)}}
{{flagdiv|usa|Jan 26-27: [[Elliott's Winter Carnival]] (FL)}}
{{flagdiv|bra|Feb 09-12: [[Abando]] (SP)}}
{{flagdiv|usa|Mar 14-17: [[Furry Weekend Atlanta]] (GA)}}
;2013 TBA:
{{flagdiv|arg|Jan 2013?: [[Animales Sueltos]]}}
{{flagdiv|rus|Jan 2013?: [[Rusfurrence]]}}
{{flagdiv|aut|Jan 2013?: [[Zillercon]]}}
{{flagdiv|usa|Feb 2013?: [[Furry Fiesta]] (TX)}}
{{flagdiv|pol|Feb 2013?: [[Gdakon]]}}
{{flagdiv|can|Mar 2013?: [[Furnal Equinox]] (ON)}}
{{flagdiv|can|Mar 2013?: [[VancouFur]] (BC)}}
|}
<div class="plainlinks" style="text-align: center; margin-top:-.5em">[[List of conventions by attendance|Conventions by attendance]] - [[List of furry convention resources|Reports, photos, videos]] - [[Template:Timeline of conventions|Timeline]] - [http://nekotoba.nfshost.com/files/ConventionMap.html Map]</div>
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Template:Upcoming events

2012-03-21T11:31:02Z

Jarandhel:

User:Jarandhel

2012-03-21T04:04:18Z

Jarandhel: Added my Second Life account.

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I've been hanging around the furry community since roughly 1996. Never participated much, just enjoyed reading the stories and artwork. In 1999 I became involved with the otherkin community, and I currently run a number of otherkin resources through my website [http://dreamhart.org Dreamhart.org]. My interest in the Otherkin article on WikiFur (and my exasperation with how Otherkin and similar articles are treated on Wikipedia) is what first brought me here, but I am hoping to edit outside that narrow area of interest in time.

Talk:Primal (language)

2012-03-20T19:08:15Z

Jarandhel: Thank you. :)

I'm not convinced of the notability of this "language". The claim that it is spoken by some people in the furry, otherkin, and therian communities appears to come directly from the FAQ on its website. There are a total of 27 people subscribed to the official mailing list about Primal. Including it here almost seems like an advertisement to try to generate more interest in it and possibly promote sales of the book. [[User:Jarandhel|Jarandhel]] 21:46, 18 March 2012 (EDT)
:I would keep the article, but make it more clear that Trickster constructed it rather than merely "compiled and transcribed" it - if that is what actually happened, which seems likely. From the FAQ:
::;Did you really write this language all by yourself?
::I produced and edited the book, and I maintain the tutorial. I also maintain copyright on everything connected to the language. I don't answer questions about where the language came from, though. I prefer to leave that to the imagination of Primal's fans.
:--[[User:GreenReaper|GreenReaper]]<sup>([[User talk:GreenReaper|talk]])</sup> 00:31, 19 March 2012 (EDT)
::That seems fair. :) Thanks for looking into this. [[User:Jarandhel|Jarandhel]] 15:08, 20 March 2012 (EDT)

User talk:Jarandhel

2012-03-20T19:06:53Z

Jarandhel: Thank you. :)

Thank you for your contributions to Talk pages. Good to see discussion and additional points of view on various topics. -- [[User:Sine|Sine]] 12:55, 19 March 2012 (EDT)
:Thank you. So far, I think I'm going to like it here. Everyone I've talked with so far has been very pleasant. :) [[User:Jarandhel|Jarandhel]] 15:06, 20 March 2012 (EDT)

Furry spirituality

2012-03-20T19:03:49Z

Jarandhel: Source needed for the claim that "twitching ears, barking, and sharpening one's teeth" are "mannerism associated with therians".

'''Furry spirituality''' is the generalized concept that [[furries]] may have their own spiritual or religious frameworks for understanding the supernatural and metaphysical worlds around them. Typically, such frameworks hinge significantly on animalistic aspects, such as [[animal totem]]s. Many [[lifestylers]] subscribe to their own form of furry spirituality, though it is not unusual for non-lifestylers to also have developed their individual spiritual understandings that may draw on elements of furry spirituality as well.

==Viewpoints==

There are a number of spiritual concepts and religious belief systems that have been incorporated into the realm of Furry spirituality by individual people. Not everyone who considers themselves a Furry spiritualist follows a path that has a particular name or association with other beliefs systems. But a few noteworthy views that fall under the umbrella of Furry spiritualism for some people are:

* Christianity. A large number of Furry fans are also Christians. For those who have particular beliefs that incorporate their furry interests, there is not necessarily a conflict with Christianity. Many have developed specific thinking on how to integrate Christianity with Furry spirituality and some formally refer to themselves as [[Christian Furs]].
* In addition to Christianity, there are any number of individuals who subscribe to a variety of religions and philosophy, including Judaism, Taoism, Hinduism, Paganism, and Wicca. In many cases, they have adapted specific Furry concepts into these belief frameworks.
* Some Furries not only practice Animal Totemism but are formal followers of modern Native American religion.
* Some Furries identify as [[Otherkin]] or [[Therianthropy|Therianthropes]] to encompass the spiritual element of their animal association. Of these, some feel their spirit actually belongs to another animal, and hope to be reborn in another life in a matching body
* Some Furries regard a senses- and minds-open existential approach to life, free of all religious and spiritual revelations, to be integral both to their furry identity as animals among animals, and to their Atheism.

==Controversy==

The element of spirituality and Furry has occasionally sparked controversy. Not all members of the fandom are comfortable with connotations of spirituality associated with Furry as a fandom. In some cases this discomfort is inspired by individuals who paint the image of Furry as an inherently spiritual or 'transhumanistic' experience and lifestyle. Anger and hostility have resulted in the past when some Furries have asserted that those who do not attach a spiritual belief to having an animal avatar are not 'true' Furries. Because of those who have attempted to present this picture, some within the fandom, on the fringes, and outside it, have expressed the belief that Furry spirituality frequently makes the entire fandom appear to be a bunch of kooks or misanthropes. This can be further encouraged by mannerisms associated with therians such as twitching ears or barking, or sharpening one's teeth to resemble a canine.{{fact}}

A somewhat common misconception among outsiders and [[anti-furries]] who have not been inside the fandom, seems to be that all Furries have bizarre spiritual beliefs and that the fandom is a pseudo-religion. However, it should be noted that this misconception appears to stem as much from misrepresentation by those who play up the spiritual associations in Furry in order to mock them, as it does from actual Furries with spiritual beliefs.

By the same token, the majority of Furries with spiritual beliefs that relate to their 'furriness' - no matter how unusual those beliefs - are much more moderate in their public opinions and expression of their views. They do not typically assert that Furry is inherently spiritual and that spirituality is a prerequisite for being a Furry. A common view is that Furry, due to its subject matter, simply dovetails nicely with certain metaphysical and spiritual concepts that may not be what the fandom is fundamentally about, but provides an avenue of expression for.

==Forums==

Furry spirituality is often a topic of programming at furry conventions such as [[Further Confusion]] or [[Mephit Furmeet]], which have a subtrack of programming dedicated to furry spirituality.

== See also ==

* Wikipedia: [[Wikipedia:Christianity|Christianity]], [[Wikipedia:Taoism|Taoism]], [[Wikipedia:Hinduism|Hinduism]], [[Wikipedia:Judaism|Judiasm]], [[Wikipedia:Paganism|Paganism]], [[Wikipedia:Wicca|Wicca]] and the [[Wikipedia:Native American Church|Native American Church]]

* [[Therian]]
* [[Therianthropy]]
* [[Spiritual aspect]]
* [[Otherkin]]
* [[Christian Fur]]

==External links==

* [http://www.geocities.com/gideon_bear/ Gideon Bear's Christian Furry thoughts]
* [http://groups.yahoo.com/group/furry-spirit/ Furry-spirit Yahoo group]

[[Category:Culture]]
[[Category:spirituality]]
[[ru:Духовность]]
[[Category:Religion]]

Talk:Wulf Howl

2012-03-19T03:46:23Z

Jarandhel: Keep.

I don't see the problem with this page; there is one for werelist.
--[[Special:Contributions/98.86.133.132|98.86.133.132]] 14:42, 3 October 2011 (EDT)

:How well-used is this site? How many furries are there per user? I didn't notice werelist; it and this both might be better suited to a therian wiki. [[User:Equivamp|Equivamp]]<sup>[[User talk:Equivamp|talk]]</sup> 14:45, 3 October 2011 (EDT)

:The site is mainly populated by members of the otherkin/therian community. A lot of the members are also furries. --[[User:Theriwolf|Theriwolf]] 14:48, 3 October 2011 (EDT)

::Does it offer services that are geared toward furries, or have things such as a furry forum, etc.? [[User:Equivamp|Equivamp]]<sup>[[User talk:Equivamp|talk]]</sup> 14:52, 3 October 2011 (EDT)
:::It is similar to Werelist. It's "furry friendly" but it is more geared towards the otherkin community. --[[User:Theriwolf|Theriwolf]] 14:54, 3 October 2011 (EDT)
::::Then I don't see much of a reason to keep it. :/ [[User:Equivamp|Equivamp]]<sup>[[User talk:Equivamp|talk]]</sup> 15:08, 3 October 2011 (EDT)
:::::Please see my response to you on [[Werelist]]. It is a relevant article, unlike [[Therian_Temple]] which refers to a site that no longer exists.

== Borderline ==

http://www.google.com/#q=site:wulfhowl.com+furry Hmm. -- [[User:Sine|Sine]] 17:14, 5 February 2012 (EST)

== Article update (March 8, 2012) ==

Keep, merge, delete? - [[User:Spirou|Spirou]] 18:50, 8 March 2012 (EST)
:Delete as not relevant/aimed specifically to furry. Nothing links to this here on WikiFur. -- [[User:Sine|Sine]] 14:12, 14 March 2012 (EDT)
:As with Werelist, I vote for keep. The guideline on notability states "It is generally sufficient to ask whether a topic is noteworthy enough that the average fur (or even a small group of furs) would find it interesting. Generally, anything which is connected to, or of interest to members of, the Furry fandom is notable for our purposes." I think this article easily passes that test by being of interest to members of the furry fandom who are also therians. [[User:Jarandhel|Jarandhel]] 23:46, 18 March 2012 (EDT)

Talk:Werelist

2012-03-19T03:44:20Z

Jarandhel: Keep.

Can anyone validate the truth of [http://en.wikifur.com/w/index.php?title=The_Werelist&curid=26730&diff=137232&oldid=133833&rcid=143057 this edit]? [[User:SpazKitty|Spaz Kitty]] 05:19, 12 May 2007 (UTC)

:No, because it's a lie. '''- ''[[user:cchristianTehWazzit|cchristian]]'' <small>[[user talk:cchristianTehWazzit|talk]]</small>'''

== how relevant is this? ==

Well... since [[Therian Temple]] allowed to stay, I'm assuming this is relevant enough... but for the sake of argument, what is the relevance of this website to furry? as I have stated repeatedly: Therian is NOT a fandom. Werelist is NOT a furry site. I dunno... just wanting to spark a bit of debate... '''- ''[[user:cchristianTehWazzit|cchristian]]'' <small>[[user talk:cchristianTehWazzit|talk]]</small>'''
:This website is relevant because of its relevant importance to [[therianthropy]] which shares many ties to [[furry]].--[[User:KendricksRedtail|Kendricks Redtail]] 07:05, 24 May 2007 (UTC)

== Appropriate? ==

I don't see how appropriate this is here. Lots of websites might welcome furries, but that doesn't mean they shopuld have an article, should it? [[User:Equivamp|Equivamp]]<sup>[[User talk:Equivamp|talk]]</sup> 14:47, 3 October 2011 (EDT)
:This has already been discussed above. The website is relevant because of its importance to [[therianthropy]] which shares many ties to [[furry]]. The relevance of this page was last discussed in 2007, and it has not been touched since. On the same coin, should the [[therianthropy]] article be deleted as well? This article hasn't been disputed for years. Why now? -[[User:Theriwolf|Theriwolf]] 15:05, 3 October 2011 (EDT)

::Because I haven't been around since 2007. As for your argument:

::Therianthropy is important to furry, but '''not everything that is important to therianthropy is important to furry'''. While I agree furry and therian often overlap, they aren't the same thing, not at all.

::--[[User:Equivamp|Equivamp]]<sup>[[User talk:Equivamp|talk]]</sup> 15:07, 3 October 2011 (EDT)
:::Okay, how about we go on a crusade and erase very article about therianthropy other than [[therian]] then? Please grow some maturity and stop flagging articles to push your opinions about therian v. furry. -[[User:Theriwolf|Theriwolf]] 15:15, 3 October 2011 (EDT)

== Article update (March 8, 2012) ==

Keep, merge, delete?. One vote for merge - [[User:Spirou|Spirou]] 18:40, 8 March 2012 (EST)
::::[[WikiFur:NPA|No personal attacks, please]]. I don't have any opinions of "therian v furry" (as I am both a therian and a furry) but this is the ''furry'' wiki, no a ''therian'' wiki. [[User:Equivamp|Equivamp]]<sup>[[User talk:Equivamp|talk]]</sup> 08:38, 4 October 2011 (EDT)

== The Werelist is an external link in the article Therianthropy ==

Merge this to a section, or simply set as redirect? -- [[User:Sine|Sine]] 18:07, 5 January 2012 (EST)

:I think simply redirecting could possibly cause confusion, but a merge should work nicely. [[User:Equivamp|Equivamp]]<sup>[[User talk:Equivamp|talk]]</sup> 18:29, 5 January 2012 (EST)
:I vote for keep. The guideline on notability states "It is generally sufficient to ask whether a topic is noteworthy enough that the average fur '''(or even a small group of furs)''' would find it interesting. Generally, anything which is connected to, or of interest to members of, the Furry fandom is notable for our purposes." I think this article easily passes that test by being of interest to members of the furry fandom who are also therians. [[User:Jarandhel|Jarandhel]] 23:44, 18 March 2012 (EDT)

Talk:Otakukin

2012-03-19T03:31:40Z

Jarandhel: Merge with Otherkin.

Any objections to merging this one? The connection to furry seems somewhat strained. -- [[User:Sine|Sine]] 19:20, 7 July 2011 (EDT)
:It would probably be better off merged with anime. Most Otherkin get pissed if you even bring up Otakukin--many consider them idealized weeaboos. Of course, I feel it should be its own article, but meh. [[User:Equivamp|Equivamp]]<sup>[[User talk:Equivamp|talk]]</sup> 23:00, 7 July 2011 (EDT)

== Article update #1 (March 7, 2012) ==

Keep, merge, delete? - [[User:Spirou|Spirou]] 21:06, 7 March 2012 (EST)
:I'd vote for merging it into Otherkin. Equivamp is right that a lot of otherkin don't like to hear mention of otakukin, but otakukin arose as part of the otherkin subculture and exist primarily as a phenomena within that subculture not something distinct from it. Even the site that coined the term, Temple of the Otakin by Kinjou Ten, is hosted on otherkin.net. I don't see any justification for hiding that fact by merging it with Anime instead. [[User:Jarandhel|Jarandhel]] 23:31, 18 March 2012 (EDT)

Otherkin Alliance

2012-03-19T01:54:18Z

Jarandhel: Rm notice that registration was closed and subsequent notice that it had opened again. If it's currently open, readers don't need to know that it was once closed.

'''Otherkin Alliance''' is a website and forum for [[otherkin]] users.

* Address: http://www.otherkinalliance.org/
* Forum: http://forum.otherkinalliance.org/

It is maintained to both provide information to the general public on the topic of Otherkin, while at the same time providing a resource for members of the 'Kin "subculture".

{{website-stub}}
[[Category:Forums]]

Fursuit

2012-03-19T01:51:22Z

Jarandhel: As fursuits are not part of most otherkin or therian gathers, I'd like to know the source for this claim.

[[Image:Autumnfox.jpg|250px|thumb|right|[[Summer Vixen]] and [[Autumnwah]] at [[Further Confusion 2006]].]]
[[Image:Autumn 012.jpg|250px|thumb|right|[[Autumn Vixen]] poses in fursuit.]]
'''Fursuits''' are [[animal]] costumes associated with the [[furry fandom]]. They range from simple [[tail]]s and [[ears]] to full costumes cooled by battery-powered fans. Similar to [[mascot]] suits, they allow the wearer to adopt another personality while in costume. Owners (also known as '''[[:Category:Fursuiters|fursuiters]]''') can spend less than one-hundred to many thousands of dollars on one fursuit, depending on the complexity of the design and on the materials used. These items are frequently sold at conventions, or online by either commission or auction. Many furry fans [[:category:Fursuit makers|make their own]] using online tutorials or advice from newsgroups.

The term ''fursuit'' (coined<ref>[[Critter Costuming]], p13 - Robert King mentions inventing the term ''fursuit'' back in 1993 for the title of an amateur costumers' mailing list about the then un-named hobby while on the way back from a conference (perhaps [[ConFurence 4]]?), in part as a pun on the word ''pursuit''</ref> in 1993 by [[Robert King]]) can also refer to animal mascot costumes in general, as opposed to [[human]] or inanimate object mascots. The act of wearing a fursuit is usually referred to as ''[[fursuiting]]''.

==History==
Fursuiting as a permanent feature and practice within the fandom likely dates to the pre-convention era (1984-1989), when the first furry parties were being organized at both sci-fi conventions and home furmeets. By [[Confurence 0]] in 1989 (the first hotel-based furry convention), a programming track called "Furry Costuming" was held at the hotel at which it took place.'

Many have commented on the sea change which occurred in the growing fandom when graphic artists, many of whom were native to the [[funny animal]] fandom era, shared more attention with costumers, resulting in the artists' booths being overshadowed by the presence of costumers at conventions and furry parties<ref>[http://groups.google.com/group/alt.fan.furry/browse_thread/thread/98297bd0b163b276/aa1b5bd5eb53f70c?lnk=gst When did Fursuiters take over furry fandom?] thread started by [[Joe Strike]] to [[alt.fan.furry]], Nov 30 2008, 12:33 pm</ref>.

==Types of fursuits==
[[Image:GR FC2007 furry cats costumers.jpg|right|thumb|Fursuits are not always furry]]
The standard fursuit is a full body costume that consists of a head, forepaws (hands), hindpaws (feet) and a body with an attached tail; in some cases, the tail is connected via a belt to the wearer and hangs out through a hole in the back of the body. Many suits include special padding or undersuits to give the character its desired shape (this is especially present in larger characters or those of a particular gender.)

A ''partial suit'' or ''half-suit'' contains the above, only without the body. This allows the wearer to don ordinary clothing (or a different costume) overtop of the paws, head and tail. In partial suits, the tail is usually attached to a belt, and the arms and legs have sleeves that can go up as far as the shoulders and pelvis, respectively.

Most recently, a third type known as the ''three-quarter suit'' has been developed, which consists of a head, arms and pants made to look like the legs, tail and feet of the animal in question, which works well for characters who only wear shirts.

== Styles ==
Just like artwork, fursuits can vary in style, from the [[Kodimade|ultra-cartoony]] look, to the hyper-realistic. Now that fursuiting is becoming popular in Japan, we are beginning to see some very anime-style fursuits in that country.

== Reasons for fursuiting ==
[[Image:Wgg the Gnoll.jpg|thumb|right|Wgg the Gnoll, an example of a suit that uses a mask.]]
A person who wears a fursuit generally falls into one or more of five categories.

=== Job or charity work ===
Many furry fans wear fursuits as a job or to bring attention to an event or charity. This can include mascots, though not all mascots are fursuits, nor are all mascot performers furries. Many fursuiters are hired through an agency to represent a character, while others bring their own constructions to an event instead. There are also several volunteer fursuiting groups across North America that either ask or are asked to entertain at various social functions. Some groups even set up their own charitable events or perform on the streets to passersby.

=== Conventions, parades, exhibitions ===
[[Image:FursuitDancersAC2006.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Fursuit dancers at [[Anthrocon 2006]] - video by [[BigBlueFox|BBF]]: <span class="plainlinks">[http://youtube.com/watch?v=dFKdUVsjUqY 1] [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lb82sUmiCq4&NR 2] [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aafWQJwQmZ0 3]</span> ]]
Other furries enjoy wearing their suits for parades, exhibitions, or [[convention]]s. Oftentimes these are of a personal character who they are expressing as a form of role play. The fursuiter may consider themselves to be expressing who they really are. These fursuiters may also wear their suits to small, informal meetings among furry fans in their area. Some may get permission to perform in or outside of a shop or event, while others may simply wear a suit in a major area, such as a mall. However, some public areas have no-mask laws, so individuals seeking to wear their fursuit in large, public places should check first if it's allowed before performing at that location.

=== [[Role-playing]] ===
Some LARPers create highly elaborate costumes (including fursuits) for their characters. Half-suits are usually created for role-playing games, though some LARPers use full-body suits. These suits wear elaborate clothes and costumes of their own, depending on the theme of the game.

=== Sexuality ===
A small portion of the [[furry fandom]] considers a fursuit a sexual item. Some suits may contain elaborately designed sexual features, while some wearers simply snip a hole or two out themselves. The [[Wikipedia:music video|music video]] for "[[Beautiful]]" by [[Wikipedia:Moby|Moby]] revolves around a [[Wikipedia:Swinging|swinger]] house party where all the participants are dressed up in fursuits, though this is likely to be intended as a metaphor rather than a statement about the furry fandom. It is a common public misconception that all fursuiters use fursuiting for sex.

=== Spirituality ===
Some people (usually [[Wikipedia:otherkin|otherkin]] or [[Wikipedia:therianthropy|therianthropes]]) also fursuit for reasons of expressing what they feel is their inner animal self. Most of them try to make their suits as realistic and lifelike as possible.{{fact}}

==Construction==
{{main|Construction of fursuits}}

==Maintenance==

Some fursuiters spray their costumes with Febreeze, Endbac, Lysol, or a generic antibacterial spray after each use. Usually fursuiters select a product that will kill bacteria, rather than just mask odours. During storage, the fursuiter may keep it stored with a fabric softener sheet, or a box of baking soda like the ones used in a fridge or freezer.

The fursuit is regularly brushed. Fursuiters usually try to brush the fur in such a way that it doesn't pull on the fur backing, as not to weaken it.

When it comes time to wash the suit, fursuiters consider each part individually. If foam is soaked in water, it may not dry quickly enough and start to grow bacteria or fungus before it does. Airbrushed patterns may fade if washed. Glue used to hold parts of the suit together may weaken if washed. Leather is usually not advisable to soak in water. If the suit has any electronics, those may be damaged by water. If wire or plastic canvas gives part of the suit its shape, it may not be advisable to soak that part, or at least not to machine-wash it.

The parts that will not be washed can usually be wiped with a damp cloth. Stains may be removable with a product like [[Bubble Gund]].

The parts that will be washed can either be machine washed or hand-washed. Usually the fursuit is turned inside-out and zipped up to avoid extra stress to the fur. No heat is used during the process as this can shrivel the fur. For detergent some will use a regular laundry detergent, while some may use a special detergent like Woolite. Putting undiluted detergent directly onto the fur may cause fading, so fursuiters try to avoid this except for treating stains. For machine-washing, the fursuiter chooses one of the more delicate cycles. For hand-washing, the fursuiter tries not to stretch the backing, and not to squeeze the fur into an alignment other than its natural lying flat state.

After the suit is washed, it is then dried. The fursuiter may fluff it up in the dryer in an air-only cycle. '''No heat is used in any step.''' Usually the fursuiter does not dry it completely, but takes it out and brushes it periodically until it is completely dry. Since waterlogged fur is heavy, the fursuiter may go to some lengths to lay it out flat while drying, so it doesn't stretch from the extra weight. Fans may be used to accelerate the drying process.

Fursuiters are divided over whether [[Wikipedia:drycleaning|dry cleaning]] is advisable for fursuits. Since dry-cleaners can choose from many different methods and settings, and there are many types of fur, it is likely that one answer does not apply to all situations.

== Performance ==
[[Image:Fursuit Markus Hug.JPG|right|thumb|[[Markus]] offering a hug.]]
A key part of playing a character in suit is an engaging performance. The most expensive fursuit in the world will not help someone who does not know how to use it. Looking good is important, but not as important as ''acting''.

How the performer acts in costume reflects on how others relate to them. If the desired character is bouncy and bubbly, then acting that way is required to communicate it to spectators.

The design of the suit plays a part in some of the moves that can be done. For example, some fursuiters with floppy muzzles nod their heads up and down rapidly to simulate laughter or enjoyment. This cannot be done with suits with a rigid muzzle, or no muzzle at all.

=== Body language ===

Fursuiters typically do not speak in costume. This may be for a variety of reasons:
* To preserve the anonymity or conceal the gender of the performer
* The design of most suits muffles the voice of the performer
* Most animals don't talk
Because of this, acting in suit is mostly about body language.

When a fursuiter ''does'' speak in costume, it is often just to their [[Fursuit handler|handler]] and/or close friends. Alternately, fursuiters may only speak in some limited fashion, either with a limited vocabulary, or simply using as few words as necessary.

Increasingly, more elaborate fursuits are being built with some form of "[[talkjaw]]". This typically involves the fursuit's lower jaw being attached to the fursuiter's chin (likely with an elastic strap around the fursuiter's head), or pressed against by the fursuiter's lower jaw in some other fashion. This enables the fursuiter to talk, without giving the impression of "thinking out loud" as in [[Garfield]] (traditional animation).

== "Furzooter" ==

''[[Wikipedia:The Year of the Flood|The Year of the Flood]]'', a 2009 novel by [[Wikipedia:Margaret Atwood|Margaret Atwood]], includes the passage:
{{q|Toby got a job as a furzooter: cheap day labour, no identity required. The furzooters put on fake-fur animal suits with cartoon heads and hung advertising signs around their necks, and worked the higher-end malls and the boutique retail streets. But it was hot and humid inside the furzoots, and the range of vision was limited. In the first week she suffered three attacks by fetishists who knocked her over, twisted the big head around so she was blinded, and rubbed their pelvises against her fur, making strange noises, of which the meows were the most recognizable. It wasn't rape - no part of her actual body was touched - but it was creepy.<ref>Atwood, Margaret. ''The Year of the Flood''. Toronto, Ontario: McClelland & Stewart, 2009. p. 31.</ref>}}

== See also ==
*[[:Category:Fursuiters|Fursuiters]]
*[[:Category:Fursuit makers|Fursuit makers]]
*[[:Category:Fursuit photographs|Fursuit photographs]]
*[[Wikipedia:Fursuit|Fursuit]] at Wikipedia
*[[WikiFur:Fursuit Central|Fursuit Central]] on WikiFur

== References ==
* ''Critter Costuming: Making Mascots and Fabricating Fursuits'' by [[Nicodemus (person)|Adam Riggs]], [http://www.ibexa.com/ Ibexa Press], September 2004, 208 pages (spiral-bound), ISBN 0967817072, ([http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0967817072/ Amazon link])
<references/>

== External links ==

=== Tutorials ===
*[http://www.matrices.net/fursuiting.asp Costuming and fursuiting] at [[Matrices]].net
*[http://www.livejournal.com/userinfo.bml?user=fursuit The Fursuit community] (on LiveJournal)
*[http://web.archive.org/web/20080214041853/http://www.nicodemus.org/fursuit/ Nicodemus' Fursuit Pages] (archived) - a good source of information by [[Nicodemus (person)|Adam "Nicodemus" Riggs]]; consider his book, ''[[Critter Costuming: Making Mascots and Fabricating Fursuits]]''
*[http://www.jinglefox.com/guides/index.php Furry World Guides] by [[Santa Fox]] - includes several fursuiting guides
*[http://www.fursuit.de/cms/index.php/En:Fursuit_building Fursuit building] by [[Tioh]]

=== Databases ===
* [http://www.frappr.com/fursuiters A map dedicated to fursuiters around the world]
* [http://fur-suit.org The Fursuit Database] A comprehensive Fursuit database
* fursuiter.org - fursuit database - Defunct (see [http://web.archive.org/web/20070116205759/http://www.fursuiter.org/ archive])

=== Other ===
* [http://fursuit.org/ The Furry Costume Information Exchange]
* [http://fursuit.timduru.org/ The Fursuit Archive]
* [http://www.fursuit.co.uk/ Fursuit.co.uk] The British fursuit site
* [http://www.onefurall.com/ onefurall.com] Fursuit gallery and commissioning
* [http://www.crushyiffdestroy.com/show/fs1 The Bitter Ex-furry's Guide to Fursuiting] at [[Crush Yiff Destroy]] (mostly bitter, but a few good points)
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XKCRMnSxz4 Example of fursuit dancing] on YouTube
* [http://www.lionofthesun.com Lion of the Sun] - masks and other fursuit parts

{{Wikipedia|Fursuit}}
{{Fursuiting}}
[[Category:Fursuit terms]]
[[Category:Fursuiting]]
[[Category:Clothing]]
{{Featured article}}

[[cs:Fursuit]]
[[de:Fursuit]]
[[eo:Felkostumo]]
[[es:Fursuit]]
[[et:Fursuit]]
[[fi:Fursuit]]
[[fr:Fursuit]]
[[hu:Fursuit]]
[[ko:Fursuit]]
[[no:Fursuit]]
[[pl:Fursuit]]
[[pt:Fursuit]]
[[ru:Фурсьют]]
[[sv:Fursuit]]
[[zh:兽装]]

Talk:Primal (language)

2012-03-19T01:46:50Z

Jarandhel: Is this really notable?

Talk:Unicorn Otherkin

2012-03-19T01:37:36Z

Jarandhel: Delete or merge into Unicorn.

Might be better for the wiki to sort all this under either [[Unicorn]] or [[Otherkin]] --[[User:Rat|Rat]] 05:37, 19 November 2008 (UTC)
: Agreed. If we add a page like this, we'd need to add one for [[Dragon]] Otherkin as well; they're much more prominent, whereas I've never heard of Unicorn Otherkin outside of satire and criticism. {{unsigned|Equivamp}}

== Article update (March 8, 2012) ==

Keep, merge, delete?. Two for merge (Unicorn or Otherkin) - [[User:Spirou|Spirou]] 18:38, 8 March 2012 (EST)

:'''Merge''' into [[Otherkin]]. [[User:Equivamp|Equivamp]]<sup>[[User talk:Equivamp|talk]]</sup> 19:08, 8 March 2012 (EST)

:Delete or else merge into Unicorn. In Otherkin it presents the same problem as having a fully separate page: we'd have to create discrete sections for every other kind of otherkin from Dragons to Elves. And frankly there simply aren't enough Unicorn otherkin in the community to warrant such prominent inclusion in the otherkin article. I'd say a short mention of them in the Unicorn article might be appropriate. [[User:Jarandhel|Jarandhel]] 21:37, 18 March 2012 (EDT)

Talk:Furry spirituality

2012-03-19T01:01:54Z

Jarandhel: /* Controversy */ new section

It would be nice if folks could add external links to more Christian Furry sites or communties, as well as any other examples and resources for combinations of Furry spirituality and other belief systems.

--{{UT|ToyDragon}}

:Beautiful thing about a wiki...if you have the links, add 'em in! As the saying goes, '''Be Bold'''. :) [[User:CarlFox|Carl Fox]] 04:02, 24 Aug 2005 (UTC)

== Controversy ==

Where did the assertion that "twitching ears or barking, or sharpening one's teeth to resemble a canine" are "mannerisms associated with therians" come from, exactly? [[User:Jarandhel|Jarandhel]] 21:01, 18 March 2012 (EDT)

Otherkin

2012-03-19T00:27:30Z

Jarandhel: rm external link to eald of the silver elves. Multiple links to this site already exist in the references section of the article.

[[Image:Elven Star Rainbow.jpg|right|thumb|The Elven Star, a symbol of otherkin. [http://www.otherkin.net Source]]]'''Otherkin''' are those who believe that their physical forms do not define or fully encompass their mental states, personality, psychology, or [[spirituality|spiritual]] nature.

First appearing in use on the Internet on April 18, 1990, the word was coined when a member of The Elfinkind Digest, Torin, "got tired of typing elf/dragon/orc/etc.-kin and just used otherkin" as shorthand.<ref name="timeline">[http://orion.kitsunet.net/time.pdf Otherkin Timeline] by Orion Sandstorrm</ref>

==Otherkin beliefs==

Otherkin feel they have a sympathetic connection, affinity, or some other form of relation with another animal or being. Traditionally these have been mythological in nature, beginning with fairy and fey folk, elves, and a few other European mythological archetypes. Later, associations with other creatures became common, including [[unicorn]]s, [[gryphon]]s, [[dragon]]s, angelics, and [[demon]]s; as well as "non-living" types such as golems and other inorganics. In time, some people also began to describe concepts for beings which were derived from mythological archetypes, though having unique qualities; fully undefinable or one-of-a-kind kin types appeared as well.

With the unusual nature of the basic otherkin premises, there has been skepticism directed at it along with the proposal that many people adopt the otherkin identity to justify social difficulties - the outcast syndrome - or because they have a delusion and are in denial about their biological humanity. The idea that otherkin believe they are physically non-human in a spectacular way - such as actually being biological dragons - is seen as a pervasive misunderstanding by otherkin themselves, who point out the spiritual and psychological focus of the concept. Some community members believe this confusion arises from those unfamiliar with the concept or having only a sketchy or distorted awareness; comparing it to psychiatric cases such as [[lycanthropy]] and dissociative identity disorder, and concluding that in order for someone to state that they identify as an elf or gryphon, they must be experiencing a form of hallucination or delusion.

Contrary to [[stereotype]]s which have been perpetuated, most who identify as otherkin are fully aware of their biology and human existence. Many otherkin do have particular spiritual and metaphysical beliefs, and as part of those beliefs have discussed elements of a proposed spiritual reality which is not to be confused with the material world. Even if a given person believes, for instance, that on a spiritual plane they may have wings, it is uncommon that they are making a claim about such things that is scientific in nature, or that they exist in what most people might consider the real world.

Despite these points, some dislike the otherkin concept on the grounds that they feel it is abused by individuals who wish to present themselves as special and unique without merit, and that making unverifiable spiritual claims is one way to achieve this. Over time, otherkin has proven to be appealing to a number of people for this reason, and those within the community can be rigorous about screening out 'me too' and 'fluffbunny' adopters of the otherkin moniker. Some otherkin themselves do not consider the Internet Kin community to have much or any validity, saying that it is easy and tempting for a person to claim almost anything within the realm of online anonymity.

Within the loosely defined otherkin community, online or off, there is no consensus as to just what makes a person otherkin. A variety of phenomena have been observed and theorized about which many feel create some sort of affinity between a person and something else. In this light, some see otherkin as related to concepts such as [[Wikipedia:Totemism|Totemism]], which have appeared in human culture since ancient times. There has also been some debate over how potential factors such as [[Wikipedia:Clinical lycanthropy|clinical lycanthropy]] may account for a percentage of the experiences otherkin believe they have had. While many, and some conjecture most, otherkin follow a paradigm of spiritual reincarnation in some form to help explain their state of being, not all otherkin share this, and may view themselves in other spiritual, philosophical, or psychological frameworks. Even among those who believe in reincarnation, there are a wide variety of interpretations.

Another viewpoint is that the term otherkin largely denotes a social network and should not, or can not, be used as a description for individual spiritual beliefs or to describe an particular theory or explanation for phenomenon. Many people use the otherkin community to find discussion for a variety of subjects and to compare subjective experiences without considering themselves to be otherkin in a descriptive sense.

==History of the community==

Although there are spiritual parallels with shamanism and totemism, the modern otherkin subculture appears to trace its roots back to the counterculture of the 1960s. [[Wikipedia:Hippie|Hippies]] and [[Wikipedia:Flower child|flower children]], in particular, were heavily influenced by the fantasy works of [[Wikipedia:J.R.R. Tolkien|J.R.R. Tolkien]].<ref name="marxism">[http://lists.econ.utah.edu/pipermail/marxism/2004-April/006893.html Tolkien and radical ecology in the sixties] - Mailing list marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu (accessed April 21 2004).</ref>

One example of this influence was the rock band [[Wikipedia:Tyrannosaurus Rex|Tyrannosaurus Rex]], whose drummer took the name [[Wikipedia:Steve Peregrin Took|Steve Peregrin Took]], after a [[Wikipedia:hobbit|hobbit]] character from ''[[Wikipedia:The Lord of the Rings|The Lord of the Rings]]''. The short-lived magazine ''[[Wikipedia:Gandalf's Garden|Gandalf's Garden]]'', named after another Tolkien character, described the group's singer-songwriter [[Wikipedia:Marc Bolan|Marc Bolan]] as "of elfin descent".<ref name="gandalf">[http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Studio/4730/gandalf.htm Tyrannosaurus Rex] - ''Gandalf's Garden'' (July 1968)</ref> Bolan was also frequently referred to as "the Bopping Elf".<ref name="bolan">[http://www.marc-bolan.com/public/biography2.htm "From Darling Of The Underground To Dandy In The Underworld" - A Brief Bolan Biography], The Official Marc Bolan Fan Club (accessed May 8 2005)</ref>

Another musician of the time who used similar fantasy imagery was Donovan. In the cover notes to his 1966 LP [[Wikipedia:Sunshine Superman|"Sunshine Superman"]], he wrote "starring mr. plod in action with a daughter of the evil land of mordor."<ref name="donovan1">[http://www.sabotage.demon.co.uk/donovan/writings.htm#part_one Sunshine Superman] - Donovan's Non-Poetic Writings (1966)</ref> In the cover notes to his 1967 LP [[Wikipedia:A Gift from a Flower to a Garden|"A Gift from a Flower to a Garden"]], he wrote "We shall fill their days with fairies and elves and pussys and paints, with laughter and song and the gentle influence of Mother Nature."<ref name="donovan2">[http://www.sabotage.demon.co.uk/donovan/writings.htm#Oh,_what_a_Dawn_Youth_is_Rising_to A Gift from a Flower to a Garden] - Donovan's Non-Poetic Writings (1967)</ref>

And in the underground publication ''[[Wikipedia:International Times|International Times]]'', better known as IT, John Peel advised readers to "go to the children's playground in Kensington Gardens and stare at the elves on the trees there".<ref name="peel">[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2004/10/27/db2701.xml Obituary: John Peel] - Daily Telegraph (27 October 2004)</ref>

The 1970s saw a group calling themselves the Elf Queen's Daughters base themselves in the South Bay area of San Francisco, California.<ref>Silver Elves (2001). The Gainesville Letters. In ''The Magical Elven Love Letters, vol. 1'', pp. 9. Silver Elves Publications; no ISBN. See [http://silverelves.angelfire.com/HAelfletters1.html The New Eald of the Silver Elves] for revised publication information.</ref> The Elf Queen's Daughters were also linked with [[Wikipedia:Seattle, Washington|Seattle, Washington]].<ref name="druid">[http://www.student.carleton.edu/orgs/druids/ARDA/ARDA-07.pdf The Druid Miscellany, pp. 2] - A reformed Druid anthology (August 1 1996)</ref> They published a newsletter and focused on "bringing together female elves in celebration of ritual and magic and understanding of Fae", according to the Faeid website.<ref name="faeid">[http://www.faeid.com/elfqueens.html The Elf Queen's Daughters] - Are you a faeid? (accessed May 4 2005)</ref> In actuality the Elf Queen's Daughters were composed of both male and female elves, although they were Goddess oriented and they referred to all their members as sister.<ref name="silverelves">Comment by the Silver Elves.</ref> One quote from an anonymous founder of the group indicates similar ecologically-based pagan beliefs to those common in the modern otherkin movement — "the image of the Earth being a woman with trees for her hair, rivers for her veins flowing through. That was one of the first to use the image of earth as a physical Goddess."<ref name="aeona">[http://groups.google.co.uk/group/alt.religion.all-worlds/msg/89f26a9ce27ab423?dmode=source&hl=en Aeona Silversong Interview] - The Electronic Foghorn (June 15 1993)</ref>

According to the Silver Elves, the Elf Queen's Daughters had ''"given up the path to elfin"'' around 1977. However, in 2004 they wrote that they had recently encountered one of them, Loriel Lyndoreyn.<ref name="loveletter">[http://www.renaissancefestival.com/community/discussion/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=875 magic connects us] - magical elven love letters (accessed May 21 2004).</ref> Another former member, Aeona Silversong, became a priestess in the Church of All Worlds in 1993, while continuing to identify as an elf.<ref name="caw">[http://web.archive.org/web/20040407120835/http://www.caw.org/clergy/index.html CAW Clergy] - CAWeb (accessed February 23 2004).</ref><ref name="aeona">[http://groups.google.co.uk/group/alt.religion.all-worlds/msg/89f26a9ce27ab423?dmode=source&hl=en Aeona Silversong Interview] - The Electronic Foghorn (June 15 1993)</ref> Furthermore, Circle Network News published an article on the seven-pointed elven star citing the group as late as 1986. The Silver Elves suggest that the Elf Queen's Daughters were adept with magic and the use of the Ouija board.<ref name="necromancer">[http://silverelves.angelfire.com/necromancer.html The Way of the Necromancer] - The Elven Tree of Life (March 15 2012).</ref>

The Silver Elves are one of the more prominent groups in the modern subculture, mainly because of the Magical Elven Love Letters which they have regularly published for over twenty years. In their published compilation of these letters, they write that at the time they began to write them in 1979, ''"it had been nearly two years since the Elf Queen's Daughters had forsaken the dharma of the magic letters"''. This would indicate that the letters of the Silver Elves are a direct descendant of the newsletters released by the Elf Queen's Daughters; furthermore, the Silver Elves themselves profess to have been awakened as elves by that group.

Until the Internet became accessible, the letters were sent out by post and further distributed by their recipients, as well as being printed in various newsletters and magazines. Contact details for the Silver Elves were also listed in pagan books, such as [[Wikipedia:Margot Adler|Margot Adler]]'s ''[[Wikipedia:Drawing Down the Moon (book)|"Drawing Down The Moon"]]'' in 1979 and [[Wikipedia:Laurie Cabot|Laurie Cabot]]'s ''"Power of the Witch"'' in 1989.<ref name="adler">Adler, Margot, ''Drawing Down The Moon: Druids, Goddess-worshippers and other pagans in America today'', ISBN 0670283428, Viking Press (1979)</ref><ref name="cabot">Cabot, Laurie, ''Power of the Witch'', ISBN 0385297866, Delacorte Press (1989).</ref>

In 1990, R'ykandar Korra'ti founded the Elfinkind Digest, an e-mail-based mailing list for "elves and interested observers".[http://groups.google.co.uk/group/rec.games.frp/msg/834976939ac48fcc?dmode=source&hl=en] At the time, her signature on Usenet was "Elfinkind Unite!" The next year, in 1991, she posted a subdued announcement to several newsgroups publicizing the Digest for the first time.<ref name="elfinkind1">[http://groups.google.co.uk/group/rec.games.frp/msg/834976939ac48fcc?dmode=source&hl=en Small mail-based digest] - Usenet (September 26 1991).</ref> As of 2003, more than 2000 digests had been posted, and this otherkin mailing list is generally acknowledged as the first one.[http://www.murkworks.net/~elflist/]

While Korra'ti had expected to find only other elves through her mailing list, she in fact discovered people with ''"a large number of self-identifications."''<ref name="elfinkind2">[http://www.rialian.com/elfinkin.htm Elfinkind Digest] - Elven Realities (December 23 1996).</ref> This was one of the first indications that there were other [[species]] identifications out there besides those of elves. The term otherkin was itself coined in the Elfinkind Digest #16 as a result of this fact. <ref name="timeline">[http://orion.kitsunet.net/time.pdf Otherkin Timeline] by Orion Sandstorrm</ref> There was reportedly some talk of renaming the digest The Otherkind Digest, but this didn't happen. This dichotomy also persists to this day in the name of one of the more popular otherkin mailing lists, elven-realities.

On 6 February 1995, the [http://groups.google.co.uk/group/alt.magick/msg/e5adba21569abd19?dmode=source&hl=en Elven Nation Manifesto] was posted to Usenet.<ref name="manifesto">[http://groups.google.co.uk/group/alt.magick/msg/e5adba21569abd19?dmode=source&hl=en The Elven Nation Manifesto.....everyone must read this!] - Usenet (February 6 1995).</ref> This document was interesting in several ways: firstly, although it included a real name and a postal address, as well as a partial email address, it was posted through the anonymous remailer at anon.penet.fi. Secondly, several of the common themes in the modern otherkin movement are visible in it, such as the concept that elves have something significant to contribute to the world, and mention of the "Veil to the Otherworld", or the invisible boundary between the real world and the magical world of faerie.

Since it was posted to eleven newsgroups, it also violated Usenet's crossposting etiquette, which was far more strictly observed at the time than it is today. On Usenet itself, the document was universally panned and considered to be either a troll or an attempt to frame an innocent party. However, enough people contacted the original author of the Elven Nation post in good faith for a [http://www.rialian.com/elvsnatn.htm mailing list] to spin off from it.<ref name="elvennation">[http://www.rialian.com/elvsnatn.htm Excerpts from the Elven Nation mailing list] - Elven Realities (accessed May 4 2005).</ref> At least one person considered it to have played a part in their awakening.<ref name="polson">[http://web.archive.org/web/19991009032307/www.absinthia.com/otherkin/awakening/willow.html Willow] - Awakenings (October 9 1999).</ref>

The community first hit the headlines in 2001 when the Village Voice published an article on it. Entitled "Elven Like Me", it drew gentle comparisons with the antiglobalisation movement, and suggested that otherkin were antimodernist.<ref name="mamatas">[http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0107,mamatas,22273,8.html Elven Like Me] - Village Voice (14 February 2001)</ref>

==Otherkin in the media==

The otherkin phenomenon has experienced less exposure in general media than subculture venues such as furry fandom, although it has been noted with increasing frequency in [[Wikipedia:Neo-Paganism|Neo-Pagan]] culture due to crossover of shamanistic and spiritual elements that has brought otherkin to the attention of contemporary pagans.

To date, there has been little formal study or publication of culture and theory relating to otherkin. One of the first reference volumes to deal with the otherkin culture specifically, ''A Field Guide to Otherkin'', by Lupa, was released in April 2007. The book contains the results of surveys distributed throughout the otherkin and therianthropy communities by the author and volunteers.

==Otherkin and therianthropy==

Otherkin bears no small resemblance to [[therianthropy#Modern_subcultural_use_of_the_term | therianthropy]], and some people consider them the same thing and use the terms interchangeably. Of these, some might feel there is insufficient difference between the concepts to present them separately, while others might be outsiders who are not familiar with the nuances or history of the ideas and communities surrounding them. However, in tradition to date, otherkin has come to be associated with people who experience an affinity with an animal, creature, or being which might ordinarily be considered mythological, or sometimes entirely unique/alien. In contrast, therianthropy is heavily connected to the affinity for ''existing'', real-world animals which have been observed to live today in nature or to have lived in the past. Typically, someone who identifies with fairies, elves, dragons, gryphons, unicorns, or even angelic or demonic beings might be seen as otherkin. While one who identifies with [[wolves]], [[foxes]], [[bear]]s, [[cat]]s big and small, or [[otter]]s might be seen as a therianthrope. This is not a hard line, however, and you may find animal otherkin and draconic therians, among others.

In some cases, a specific person might consider themselves - if they use a formal term or subculture association at all - a member of either community in spite of their species/entity connection. For example, someone who feels they are a part of the general otherkin community socially might use the term therianthropy to describe the mechanics of their own nature.

== Otherkin and furry ==

[[Furry fan]]s appear to be generally aware of otherkin and therianthropy. The practices and viewpoints of many [[furry lifestyle]]rs have some similarity to these ideas; because of this, some lifestylers associate with one or both terms. Likewise, while [[furry fandom]] in general might not have been formed to explore spiritual connections with animals and other creatures, many otherkin and therianthropes find the content and subject matter of furry appealing because of their own interests. In the opposite direction, many [[furry fan]]s discover the otherkin community through the fandom and begin to take part in it as well.

A noticeable number of people within the otherkin community are also furry fans in some capacity and frequently attend events such as furry [[convention]]s in addition to otherkin-specific social events. The philosophy and spirituality tracks at some conventions have hosted otherkin and therian speakers. Panels and discussions on mythology have also attracted otherkin to participate. Otherkin who are artists have used furry conventions to display their work, and those with an interest in make-up and costuming have attended for masquerade contests and dances.

Some otherkin feel that the furry fandom is a more relaxed atmosphere in which to explore ideas of animal and human relations and hybrids, seeing the fandom's lack of core spiritual doctrines as neutral ground. Due to this, some people decide to leave the general otherkin and therian communities in favor of furry. Furry events are sometimes popular as a meeting place with otherkin who are geographically isolated from kin-specific events.

===Controversy within furry fandom===

Opinions vary as to whether or not their association with the fandom is positive, negative, or irrelevant. Some people find the association of furry with things beyond its base definition of the appreciation of [[anthropomorphic]] animals in art and fiction to be inappropriate, ridiculous, or uncomfortable. Because of this, otherkin and therian connections or intermingling with the fandom have taken on a pejorative tint for such people. Much as furry lifestylers are sometimes disliked, otherkin might be made to feel unwelcome or derided by some furry fans.

A large degree of fandom awareness has been spread not only by contact with otherkin within the fandom, but by the adoption of otherkin as another topic with which to portray elements of Furry in humorous or negative light by websites such as [[Something Awful]] and [[Crush! Yiff! Destroy!]]. Due to such framing, otherkin has for some people become a generic term to identify furries who feel there is something more to their animal avatar than [[role-playing]]. Some also point out that a good deal of otherkin awareness has been spread by sardonic humor, which often singles out individuals with the most outrageous behavior or controversial opinions. As a result there appear to be inaccuracies in the knowledge of many furry fans and nonfurs relating to more moderate members of the otherkin community.

In response, others have said in spite of this confusion, there are those who identify as otherkin while putting forth dubious claims and questionable behavior. Because of the effect of visibility from the crowd, it is often the most over-the-top examples that are seen by outsiders, and thus tend to be associated with the entire fandom, not unlike many of the other problems with publicity that furry fandom has endured over time.

==Outside otherkin==

Otherkin is a label to describe personal beliefs, experiences, and traits that occur in a variety of combinations depending on the individual. As there is no consensus on what qualifies as otherkin, not everyone who shares similar beliefs feels the term is appropriate or useful for themselves.

Some who might otherwise describe themselves as otherkin downplay or conceal the affiliation. Citing outbreaks of controversy, individuals have confessed reluctance to reveal the extent of their beliefs for fear of losing status or being ostracized by a particular community, to avoid employment difficulties, or relieve pressure from friends and family.

== See also ==
* [[:Category:Otherkin|Otherkin users on WikiFur]]
* [[Wikipedia:Otherkin|Otherkin]] on [[Wikipedia]]
* [[Otakukin]]
* [[Theri There]], a webcomic about otherkin

== References ==

<references/>

== External links ==
*[http://otherkin.wikia.com Otherkin Wiki]
*[http://www.otherkin.net Otherkin.net] (including Otherkin.net wiki)
*[http://orion.kitsunet.net/dir.pdf Directory of Otherkin Writings]
*[http://dreamhart.org/2012/01/a-revised-otherkin-faq/ A Revised Otherkin FAQ]
*[http://www.thegreenwolf.com/afgto.html A Field Guide to Otherkin] at [http://www.immanion-press.com Immanion Press]
{{lj-search-interest|otherkin}}
{{fa-search-tag|otherkin}}
[[Category:Culture]]
[[Category:Terms]]
[[Category:Spirituality]]

{{featured article}}

[[hu:Otherkin]]
[[ru:Иность]]

Were

2012-03-19T00:24:15Z

Jarandhel: Therian has been merged into Therianthropy. Fixing see-also link.

'''Were''' is the general term to describe both fans of were-animals and [[therian]]s. Were-[[Wikipedia:fandom|fandom]] overlaps both [[furry fandom|furry]] and [[transformation]] fandoms, combining aspects of both; people who call themselves weres may also be fans of these other genres. Unlike furries, were-animals are generally more [http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/bestial#Adjective bestial] and less intelligent, usually controlled more by animal [[Wikipedia:Instinct|instinct]] and impulses rather than intellect, often to violent results.

In the days of Usenet, weres originally gathered in [[alt.horror.werewolves]] (circa early to late 1990s) to discuss their interest in werewolves and other shape-shifting or humanoid animals from horror and mythology. As time passed, three groups separated:
*Fans of horror werewolves and other were-animals
*People who liked roleplaying werewolves and were-animals
*People who felt a personal, spiritual connection with werewolves or were-animals.

Eventually, much like furry fandom, the group who felt they were, in some ways, a were-animal became their own group. But, unlike furry fandom, they have become a very socially dominant group, and [[therianthropy]] a surprisingly accepted idea even amongst the fans who are only roleplayers or more casually interested.

Weres are generally interested in less anthropomorphic styled art, preferring semi-human animals; much of were art is either based on wildlife painting styles, or roleplaying game styles. Were-art has become a term and style in and of itself in the furry fandom, and were artists are a large reason for the current popularity of [[digitigrade]] forms and the decrease in the popularity of [[toons]]. They enjoy the company of like-minded weres and sometimes meet at [[howls]] to commune with nature.

Though originally a [[horror]] sub-fandom, not all weres are horror fans. Some prefer to see werewolves (and other were-animals) as more natural creatures, which aren't inherently violent or horrific, so that any violent actions they take are a return to a wild state of being. Were-fandom has a significant environmentalist streak because of this.

== See also ==
* [[:Category:Were characters|Were characters]]
* [[Werecat]]
* [[Otherkin]]
* [[Shapeshifting]]
* [[Therianthropy]]
* [[Transformation]]
* [[Werewolf]]
[[Category:Terms]] [[Category:Culture]] [[Category:Spirituality]]

[[es:Were]]
[[it:Mannari]]
[[ru:Were-сообщество]]
[[zh:Were]]

Talk:Lapism

2012-03-19T00:21:53Z

Jarandhel: /* Spirituality and Religion */ new section

{{featured}}

== Spirituality and Religion ==

Should this really be in the spirituality and religion categories, since it is discussing a fictional religion? [[User:Jarandhel|Jarandhel]] 20:21, 18 March 2012 (EDT)

Na'vi-kin

2012-03-19T00:17:22Z

Jarandhel: removed Category:Spirituality using HotCat

#REDIRECT [[Na'vi#Subculture]]

Na'vi

2012-03-19T00:16:44Z

Jarandhel: There is no subculture associated with this species, it was manufactured in an attempt to troll the otherkin community.

{{wikify}}
[[File:Na'vi.jpg|right|250px]]
The '''Na'vi''' are the [[fictional]] [[alien]] race of blue [[anthropomorphic]] creatures resembling [[feline]]s from the 2009 Film [[Wikipedia:Avatar (2009 film)|Avatar]].

== Appearance ==

The Na'vi are [[humanoid]] with blue skin, with mottled stripe discolorations. They stand nine to ten feet high with carbon-reinforced bones. Their ears, located toward the top of their head, are very mobile and vaguely [[cat]]-shaped, while their eyes and nose are unmistakably so. A tendril protruding from the back of their heads allows them to share thoughts and memories with life surrounding them. The [[female]]s have [[breast]]s similar to those of a [[human]] female, and the same is true for [[male]]s. The Na'vi have four fingers on each hand, and are basically symmetrical.

== Culture ==

The Na'vi wear [[Wikipedia:Loincloth|loincloth]] based off those worn by [[Wikipedia:Maya peoples|Mayan indians]].

They use the tendril on the back of their head to [[mate]] with a life partner, meaning they are bonded, and the bond cannot be broken during the Na'vi's lifetime.

They speak a language named after themselves, and worship Eywa, their mother goddess, whom they communicate with by linking to the Tree of Souls.

Talk:Na'vi

2012-03-19T00:15:24Z

Jarandhel: There is no such subculture.

How does this page not exist already? [[User:SpazKitty|Spaz Kitty]] 16:24, 21 January 2010 (UTC)
:That's what I said, haha. [[User:Equivamp|Equivamp]] 10:39, 30 April 2011 (EDT)

== Mention of Na'vi-kin? ==
Should I make a mention of the subculture associated with the species, as it is similar to [[Otherkin]] and [[Therian]]? [[User:Equivamp|Equivamp]] 10:24, 7 May 2011 (EDT)
:Probably! --[[User:GreenReaper|GreenReaper]]<sup>([[User talk:GreenReaper|talk]])</sup> 10:37, 7 May 2011 (EDT)
:There is no "subculture associated with the species"; the tothehometree LJ community, the Navi Anti-Defamation League and tireanavi himself were all part of an elaborate and apparently highly successful trolling attempt. I'm still not sure how they were so successful in getting others to take them seriously when tirea frequently made comments like "My partner did put her foot down at the dressing our child in blue clothes and turning down the heating so that their skin has a light blue tinge, however, and on reflection I agree that this was not a good idea." [http://tothehometree.livejournal.com/8606.html?nc=42#comments Link] and "By "higher being" I mean that my true form is taller than humans by a considerable amount, actually." [http://tireanavi.livejournal.com/1080.html Link] that completely gave away the game. [[User:Jarandhel|Jarandhel]] 20:15, 18 March 2012 (EDT)

Talk:Theriotype

2012-03-18T23:42:10Z

Jarandhel: /* Wolf as most common theriotype */ new section

== Polyweres ==
I have a reference which states that polytherianthropy is a norm and not frowned upon in American and European therian communities. Although this reference is quite weak (it's an [http://therianspb.ru/pages/polytherianthrop.html article] from the website of North-Western Russian therian community, not first-hand account), I think the statement about polytherianthropy still needs to be proved by a link. [[User:EvilCat|EvilCat]] 09:45, 17 February 2011 (UTC)

== Wolf as most common theriotype ==

While wolf may well be the most common theriotype, I don't believe otherkin.net's otherkin directory is a good source to prove this. While there is overlap between the otherkin and therian subcultures, historically they have been largely separate and even somewhat hostile towards one another. As such, those therians which choose to create profiles on otherkin.net are likely not representative of the therian community as a whole. [[User:Jarandhel|Jarandhel]] 19:42, 18 March 2012 (EDT)

Therianthropy

2012-03-18T23:02:46Z

Jarandhel: /* Modern subcultural use of the term */ Rm portion discussing unsourced historical uses of the term in the modern subculture section.

[[Image:TigerHologram.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Hologram of a [[human]] combined with a picture of a [[tiger]] at the [[Wikipedia:MIT Museum|MIT Museum]]]]
'''Therianthropy,''' derived from the Greek '''''therion''''' (Θηριον, meaning "beast,") and '''''anthrōpos''''' (ανθρωπος, meaning "human,") refers to beings that are partly [[human]] and partly [[animal]], and in this sense is synonymous with the [[Furry_fandom|fandom's]] term [[furry]]. It has often been used to describe mythological creatures and deities, and has recently taken on a specialized meaning. Sometimes shortened to "therian," it is today used to describe members of a spiritually oriented subculture.
[[File:Indescribable.jpg|right|thumb]]

One way the term ''therianthropy'' has been used, as early as 1901, is in reference to transformation folklore of Asia and Europe.<ref name="De Groot 171">{{cite book| last= De Groot| first= J.J.M.| year=1901| title=The Religious System of China: Volume IV| location= Leiden| publisher= Brill| pages=171}}</ref>
''Therianthropy'' was also used to describe spiritual belief in animal transformation in 1915<Ref>{{cite book| url=http://books.google.com.au/books?vid=OCLC00413099&id=NnsEAAAAMAAJ&q=therianthropy&dq=therianthropy&pgis=1| title=A History of the Japanese People from the Earliest Times to the End of the Meiji Era| first=Frank| last= Brinkley| coauthors= Dairoku Kikuchi| year=1915| publisher=The Encyclopædia Britannica Co}}</ref> and one source<ref>{{cite book| url=http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/042520765X/ref=sib_books_pg/103-5908909-3814218?ie=UTF8&keywords=therianthropy&p=S010&checkSum=oNQ4%252FbLGkQ3Eaqp7CFUk6ddFZA94ebGplwwQipd17Zw%253D| title=The Human Predator: A Historical Chronicle of Serial Murder and Forensic Investigation| first=Katherine| last=Ramsland| publisher= Berkley Hardcover| year= 2005| isbn= 042520765X}}</ref> raises the possibility the term may have been used in the 16th century in criminal trials of suspected werewolves.
==Therians==
Therianthropy, besides its original use as a term to describe situations and creatures that occur in mythology and folklore, is also used for [[therian]]s. Therians believe that they have an intrinsic, personal, and integral connection to an animal (or animals). Most believe that mental and emotional shifts can occur as a result; a controversial minority extend this to the physical world.

Therianthropy is sometimes viewed as a spiritual counterpart to [[furry fandom]], which is concerned more with imagination than belief. Some [[furries]] view therianthropy as "taking it too far," while some therians view furries as frivolous and ignorant of the "true nature" of animals. However, relations are usually friendly, and therians can often be found at furry [[convention]]s and other social [[:Category:Events|events]].

The "new-age" notion of "spiritual therianthropy" developed among the [[Usenet]] group ''alt.horror.werewolves'' (ca. 1992).<ref>{{cite book | title = The Curse of the Werewolf: Fantasy, Horror and the Beast Within | author = Chantal Bourgault Du Coudray | publisher = I. B. Tauris | year = 2006 | isbn = 1845111583 | url = http://books.google.com/books?id=NjXpBpGt6VsC&pg=PA143&ots=MiNn6o_e_V&dq=therianthropy+culture&sig=1BLTDHRDAqjyDEKvLdS5wH9M7r8}}</ref> Some Usenet users began publicly asserting that they were part
animal. It turned out that some were only joking, but others were apparently serious about the assertions, which were subject to ongoing
discussion.<ref name="Cohen 104">{{cite book| last=Cohen| first= D.| year=1996| title=Werewolves| location=New York| publisher= Penguin| id= ISBN 0-525-65207-8| pages=104}}</ref> Such people initially called themselves "[[lycanthropy|lycanthropes]]", but since the word more accurately describes wolf-people, the word "therianthropes" became more popular.

==Scholarly use of the term==
In folklore, mythology and anthropology, therianthropy can be used to describe a character that shares some traits of humans and some of non-human animals.

One familiar form of therianthropy is [[lycanthropy]] (from the Greek words ''lykos'' ("[[wolf]]") and ''anthropos'' ("man")), the technical term for the transformation from man to animal form. Although the precise definition of lycanthropy specifically refers only to the change into wolf form (as with a [[werewolf]]), the term "lycanthropy" is often used incorrectly to refer to [[shapeshifting]] to any non-human animal form.

===Prehistory===
Ethnologist Ivar Lissner theorized that cave paintings of beings with human and nonhuman animal features were not physical representations of
mythical shapeshifters, but were instead attempts to depict shamans in the process of acquiring the mental and spiritual attributes of various beasts.<ref name="Steiger 1999">{{cite book| last=Steiger| first= B.| year=1999| title=The Werewolf Book: The Encyclopedia of Shape-Shifting Beings| location=Farmington Hills, MI| publisher=Visible Ink| id=ISBN 1-57859-078-7}}</ref> Religious historian Mircea Eliade has observed that beliefs regarding animal identity and transformation into animals are widespread<ref name=Eliade>{{cite book | last=Eliade | first=Mircea | title=Rites and Symbols of Initiation: the mysteries of birth and rebirth | publisher=Harper & Row | year=1965}}</ref>.

===Usage in art===
Therianthropy can also refer to characters that share man and animal traits at the same time, for example with the animal-headed human forms of gods in [[Egyptian mythology]] (such as Ra, Sobek and others) as well as creatures like [[centaur]]s and [[mermaid]]s.

===Self-identified therianthropy===
When people believe they change into an animal form (''theriomorphosis''), or possess supernatural non-human animal traits, the term [[clinical lycanthropy]] is often used. This classification is a form of mental illness, though many anthropologists would point out that the belief has extensive religious precedent in [[shaman]]ic cultures. Likewise, people who call themselves shapechangers as a form of social identification are generally not considered ill by mental health professionals unless their beliefs interfere with the normal functioning of their lives. This can be a controversial issue, as the line between what the Western mind passes off as a strange or alternative belief and what is considered a mental illness is indistinct.

==Varieties==
Terms referring to specific varieties of therianthropy are based on [[Greek mythology|Greek]] words for specific animals combined with ''anthropos''. A nearly endless number of types of therianthropy could thus be referred to by their own individual terms, though most of these would be neologisms. Rare alternate derivations based on Latin are considered nonstandard at best, incorrect at worst, because they both break precedent and mix a Latin prefix with a Greek suffix. Other than lycanthropy, cynanthropy and ailuranthropy are the best known varieties <ref name="Greene 229">{{cite book| last=Greene| first= R.| year=2000| title=The Magic of Shapeshifting| location=York Beach, ME| publisher=Weiser| id= ISBN 1-57863-171-8| pages=229}}</ref> Cynanthropy existed by at least 1901, when the term was applied to myths from [[China]] about humans turning into [[dog]]s, dogs becoming people, and sexual relations between humans and canines <ref name="De Groot 184">{{cite book| last= De Groot| first= J.J.M.| year=1901| title=The Religious System of China: Volume IV| location= Leiden| publisher= Brill| pages=184}}</ref>. Ailuranthropy is the same, but with [[cat]]s.

===Lycanthropy===
The most commonly known form of therianthropy is [[lycanthropy]], from the Greek word ''lykos'' ("[[Gray Wolf|wolf]]"), the technical term for man-wolf ([[werewolf]]) transformations (Rose, 230). Although the precise definition of lycanthropy specifically refers only to werewolves, the term is often used to refer to the process of shapeshifting to any non-human animal form.

===Cynanthropy===
The [[Greek mythology|Greeks]] also spoke of cynanthropy (''Kynior,'' [[dog]]). Cynanthropy, sometimes spelled kynanthropy, is applied to shapeshifters who alternate between [[dog]] form and human form, or to beings that do not shapeshift but possess combined dog and human anatomical features (Hamel, 76). It is also used for real persons suffering from the delusion that they are dogs (Ashley, 37). The term existed by at least 1901, when it was applied to myths from [[China]] about humans turning into dogs, dogs becoming people, and sexual relations between humans and canines (De Groot, 184). After lycanthropy, cynanthropy is the best known term for a specific variety of therianthropy.

Anthropologist David Gordon White called Central Asia the "vortex of cynanthropy" because races of dog-men were habitually placed there by ancient writers. Hindu mythology puts races of "Dog Cookers" to the far north of India, the Chinese placed the "Dog Jung" and other human/canine barbarians to the extreme west, and European legends frequently put the dog men called Cynocephali in unmapped regions to the east. Some of these races were described as humans with dog heads, others as canine shapeshifters (White, 114-15).

The weredog or cynanthrope is also known in Timor. It is described as a human/canine shapeshifter who is also capable of transforming other people into animals against their wills. These transformations are usually into prey animals such as goats, so that the cynanthrope can devour them without discovery of the crime (Rose, 390).

===Ailuranthropy===
Ailuranthropy refers to human/feline transformations (also known as [[werecat]]s), or to other beings that combine feline and human characteristics (Greene, 229). Its root word is also used in ailurophobia, the most common term for a phobia of cats. Ailuros is also a Greek name for [[Bast]].

===Musoanthropy===
Musoanthropy refers to human/mouse transformations, or to other beings that combine mice and human characteristics. Its root word in Greek is also used in musophobia, or phobia of mice. Musomania describes a fondness or interest in mice. <ref>http://www.wordinfo.info/words/index/info/view_unit/1347</ref>

===Regional varieties===

Therianthropy or various terms relating to subtypes can refer to any sort of werebeast or to trans-formation into any animal. In India & the Asian islands the [[tiger]] is the most common form, in North Europe the [[bear]] (see berserker), in Japan the [[fox]], in Africa the [[leopard]] or [[hyena]], sometimes also the [[lion]], in South America the [[jaguar]]; but though there is a tendency for the most important carnivorous animal of the area to take the first place in stories and beliefs as to transformation, the less important beasts of prey and even harmless animals like the [[deer]] also figure among the were-animals. Another unusual case is the were-[[shark]] of Polynesia.

== Modern subcultural use of the term ==

=== Beliefs and origins ===

In recent times, a [[Wikipedia:Subculture|subculture]] has developed that has adopted the word ''therianthropy'' to describe a sense of intense [[furry spirituality|spiritual]] or psychological identification with a non-human animal. Members of this subculture typically refer to themselves as ''therianthropes'' or ''therians''. The word ''[[were]]'' was also common at one point, in reference to shapeshifting creatures of legend such as [[Werewolf|werewolves]], [[were]][[tiger]]s and the like, but is less common these days. One reason for the waning use of the term "were" is its growing use in the furry community to mean a more "bestial" style furry. This can be the cause of quite a few more misunderstandings between the therian and furry communities.

The [[Usenet]] group [[alt.horror.werewolves]] was founded in 1992, and in its earliest days the members discussed fictional [[shapeshifting|shapeshifters]]. Some posters began to publicly claim that they considered themselves to be partially non-human animal. A number of these people were only joking, but enough people were serious about it that it became a trend. Others who professed the same beliefs soon joined the group. The earliest therians called themselves ''lycanthropes'', but as that word more accurately describes wolf-people, ''therianthropes'' was chosen as a more inclusive term.

Those within this subculture who identify with a spiritual understanding of this phenomenon may believe that they have the spirit or soul, in whole or in part, of a non-human animal, and their beliefs often overlap to some extent with aspects of [[Wikipedia:Shamanism|shamanism]] or [[animal totem|totemism]]. Some also draw inspiration from stories of shapeshifting in [[Wikipedia:Celtic mythology|Celtic]], [[Wikipedia:Norse mythology|Norse]] and [[Wikipedia:Native American mythology|Native American]] myths, among others. The term ''spiritual therianthropy'' is often used to differentiate this definition of therianthropy from others. However, shamanism and totemism are not an intrinsic part of therianthropy.

Those who prefer a psychological explanation may simply describe it as having a non-human animal side to their personality or nature, with some believing that it may be due to some sort of unusual [[wikipedia:Neurophysiology|neurophysiology]], as is thought to be the case with syndromes like attention deficit disorder and autism. Others believe that their genes are partially non-human, but this explanation is unproven, scientifically implausible, and not favored by many. Most of those who support the explanation of atypical neuropsychology, however, do not appear to regard it as innately dysfunctional.

In either case, the identification with the non-human animal may be partial, as in those who regard themselves as having both human and non-human attributes, or complete, as in those who regard themselves as essentially non-human animals in human bodies. The terms ''species dysphoria'' and ''transspeciesism'' have occasionally been used to refer to the latter phenomenon, in parallel with the concepts of gender dysphoria and [[Transsexual|transsexuality]].

Most therians identify with a single type of non-human animal, but there are some who identify with more than one — sometimes related animals, as in several different species of [[feline]] or [[canine]], for example, but sometimes completely dissimilar animals. Those who identify with all members of one family — for instance, someone who claims to have characteristics of all felines — is called a ''cladotherianthrope''. The species of non-human animal with which a particular therian identifies is sometimes referred to as that person's ''theriotype'' or ''[[phenotype]]''. The term phenotype was originally more common but has fallen into disuse because it also refers to physical appearance.

The majority of therianthropes identify as [[feline]] or [[canine]], often big cats and wolves<ref>[http://archive.werelist.com/modules.php?name=Demographics&op=show_statistics&showpage=pheno1 Species survey by the Werelist]</ref>, but there are also [[reptile]]s, [[bird|avians]], other mammals, and [[insects]]. Some skeptics argue that, because of the preponderance of large [[carnivore]]s, most therians are only faking and are purposefully choosing impressive animals for ego-based purposes. There are also some individuals who identify with mythical species (e.g. [[dragon]]s, [[Wikipedia:Elf|elves]], [[gryphon]]s, [[centaur]]s and so forth), but they are usually categorized in the broader [[otherkin]] community rather than as therians.

Therianthropes may describe their nature as manifesting in terms of their cognitive processes, their outlook on life, their inner reactions and [[Wikipedia:Instinct|instinct]]s, their senses, or through their physical body, though claims of actual physical variations from the norm tend to be regarded with skepticism both within and outside the subculture. The human and non-human aspects of the self may cooperate or conflict, leading to happiness or unhappy dysfunction, and may take much self-discovery to begin to understand or accept. Because this is a personal perception of self, the ways in which a person describes his or her self-identification as a therianthrope vary considerably.

A controversial aspect of therianthropy is the subject of ''shifting'' (a shortened word for shapeshifting), which generally refers to any manner by which a therianthrope's nature may become evidenced internally (to themselves) or externally to others. Few people within the subculture doubt that shifts of mental and emotional perception may occur; some therianthropes also claim to experience a physical change to their appearance, an event known as ''physical shifting'' (or ''P-shifting''). Many in the therianthrope subculture doubt that physical changes actually occur; the overwhelming majority of those outside of the culture completely deny that any real physical shifting can occur.

Some of the rationally minded, skeptical therianthropes suggest that their therianthropy may be a mental or psychological condition, possibly with a spiritual or religious component. Advocates of this viewpoint can be found on the forums at Werelist.com (see below).

=== Subculture ===

Therianthropy as a subculture does not have any central dogma or tenets, nor any recognized authority. Those who have been around for a long time are generally listened to, though less out of any perceived spiritual authority than simple acknowledgment of experience. The word [[greymuzzle]] is often used tongue-in-cheek to describe these people.

While there is no offline social organization, there exists a [[:Category:Community|community]] of therians with many diverse outlooks on the concept, including [[Christian]]s, [[Wikipedia:Pagan|Pagan]]s, and [[Wikipedia:Atheism|atheist]]s. As could be expected, disagreements are frequent, and the many online [[forum]]s and [[:Category:Chat rooms|chat rooms]] of the community each have their own "atmosphere," ranging from total acceptance to scornful cynicism. There have been intermittent "real-world" gatherings, referred to as ''howls'', but their purpose is primarily social.

==== Therianthropy vs. Species Dysphoria ====
Therianthropy is closely related to species dysphoria, a condition similar to [[Wikipedia:Gender_Dysphoria|gender dysphoria]] in which the person has the body of a human, but the identity of an animal. Many Therians admit to having at least mild Species Dysphoria, and today, many therians believe that species dysphoria is simply another "symptom" of therianthropy.

==== Therianthropy vs. clinical lycanthropy ====
Spiritual therianthropy is not automatically the same as clinical lycanthropy, a mental illness in which an individual believes he or she belongs to or can change to another [[species]]. While some therianthropes believe they can take on the mindset of their "other side" in what is referred to as a ''mental shift'', they believe that they retain control during these transformations and are no greater danger to themselves or others. The term ''contherianthropes'' is sometimes used for those who do not claim to mentally shift but believe they have human and non-human sides which are mixed up into a single unchanging whole.

==== Therianthropy and furry ====
Therianthropy should not be confused with the [[furry fandom]], and mistaking them for one another can cause offense to many therians and furries alike, though some intermixing of the groups does occur. Therianthropes tend to be more focused on the sense of an animal within, an animal side to their nature, or spiritual concepts; by contrast, [[furry|furries]] are more commonly focused on furry [[art]] and/or [[role-playing]] related to [[anthropomorphic]] non-humans. There is some overlap with those who identify themselves with each group or view the other positively, as well as those in each group who view the other negatively. For instance, some furries view therianthropy as "taking it too far," or may think of therians as being just plain weird. At the same time, many therians dislike furries because of their perceived lack of understanding of therianthropy itself, which can lead to confusion, or because they perceive the fandom as being primarily sexual.

==== Therians and Shamanism ====
Therianthropy and shamanism have a great deal in common at the basic level. Many therians believe in Shamanic and mystic ideas. Many who practice shamanism hold an interest in therianthropy. Many Therianthropes claim to have spirit guides, or [[Totem]]s. However, a therian's totem is not necessarily the same animal as their theriotype, and having or invoking a totem animal alone does not make a person therian.

== Therian ==

'''Therians''' are people who believe that they are, in whole or in part, a non-human animal. That is to say that part of their core being is a non-human animal, be it spiritually, mentally, et cetera. Unlike [[furry lifestyle]]rs, therians do not necessarily try to outwardly project their animalistic nature, nor do they choose their animal side. They consider themselves to be an animal within.

== Shifts ==

There are three categorized types of ''shifts'' acknowledged by the therian community:
* '''Mental (M-Shift)''' - A change in psychological state, where a person thinks and behaves more like their theriotype animal.
* '''Spiritual (S-Shift)''' - A change in spiritual state, often broken down by type (astral shifting, auric shifting, etc). The spiritual self, astral body, or aura change to resemble the theriotype animal.
* '''Physical (P-Shift)''' - A change in physical state, physically changing to become more like, or entirely like, their theriotype animal. Controversial, and largely thought to be impossible by the therian community.

Other types of shifts have been categorized from these terms and can be found in the links as listed below.

Shifting, in general, means times when animalistic aspects become, dominant over human aspects of the person's personality or spiritual form. This may include, but not be limited to, feelings of "phantom limbs" or fur, keener senses, desires to bite or hunt, feelings of instincts not usual to humans, etc. This is distinct from invocation of a totem entity, or from any state induced by drugs or guided trances, as it is natural to the individual in question and can generally be easily called upon through simple concentration or will. Occasionally it is involuntary, but generally not to extremes (making it distinct, in the case of m-shifting, from psychological lycanthropy). M-shifting may be minor (animalistic aspects come to the forefront, but only in small ways, and the human persona remains dominant) or major (the therian can no longer speak, may have trouble walking upright, and can no longer behave in a human fashion).

==== P-shifting ====

P-shifting is the most controversial. As a general rule, it's more used as a term to discuss fictional [[transformation]]s rather than literal ones; people claiming to p-shift in any way are usually met with aggressive skepticism and are often accused of being [[roleplay]]ers. No concrete evidence has been offered of physical shapeshifting.

Some Therian groups view the "physical shift" as NOT being an actual change into an animal, but an intense physiological change, which may include heightened senses, increased strength, etc, depending on the animal in question.

== Therian and furry lifestylers ==

Therians differ from the [[Furry lifestyle|furry lifestyle]] in that they do not feel a need to costume themselves or pretend to be their animal--they feel they already are their animal, inside, and must cope with this rather than promoting it to the world. Furry lifestylers wish to become and behave like their animal, while therians believe they already are their animal. This is not to say someone cannot be both! There are a number of therians in the furry community (and of course, vice versa). Being therian is not a lifestyle choice, but being furry is--a therian can make that choice as well.

Therians also do not, in any way, choose their animal side. Most believe they are born with it. It may take a lot of introspection and soul-searching for some therians to come to terms with their animal nature. The therian nature is not based on stereotypes (such as a wolf howling at the moon, or a lion's courage), but instead reflects the living animal's behavior more closely.

Therian nature is distinct from aspects of shamanism or working with totem spirits. Therians do not acquire their animal traits from outside of themselves, via invocation of a spirit.

Usually, therians have one animal aspect, or [[theriotype]] (formerly referred to as the [[phenotype]]), but some have two or more. Generally, these people are referred to as ''Polyweres'' [alternate term: Pan-Therian], and can be a source of controversy, as single-aspect therians often cannot relate to how a multiple-animal therian could exist, especially in the context of having an animal soul. Many are therian-[[otherkin]] mixes, such as wolf/dragons or cat/vampires. In cases where a therian has two theriotypes (such as wolf and cougar) they do not manifest a hybrid or mixture of traits, but may shift to one or the other at various times--not simultaneously. A therian who manifests a hybrid theriotype (such as a wolf-cat hybrid, for example) is often considered to be more properly otherkin, rather than specifically therian.

== See also ==

* [[Lifestylers]]
* [[Otherkin]]
* [[Wikipedia:Therianthropy|Therianthropy]] on Wikipedia

==References==
<references />
*''This article incorporates text from the [[wikipedia:Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition|Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition]], a publication now in the [[wikipedia:public domain|public domain]].''
* OED (1933) Vol XI p 288
* Encyclopaedia Britannica (1886) Vol XX p 367 (C.P.Teile)
* Cohen, D. (1996) ''Werewolves.'' New York: Penguin. ISBN 0525652078
* De Groot, J.J.M. (1901) ''The Religious System of China: Volume IV'' Leiden: Brill.
* Greene, R. (2000) ''The Magic of Shapeshifting.'' York Beach, ME: Weiser. ISBN 1578631718
* Steiger, B. (1999) ''The Werewolf Book: The Encyclopedia of Shape-Shifting Beings.'' Farmington Hills, MI: Visible Ink. ISBN 1578590787

==External links==
* [http://www.werelist.com The Werelist]
* [http://www.werelibrary.org The WereLibrary]
* [[:wikia:c:therian|Therian.Wikia]]
* [http://www.swampfox.demon.co.uk/utlah/ Wereweb]
* [http://www.project-shift.org Project Shift]
* [http://www.oocities.org/rainforest/canopy/1927/greenspiral/resource.html The Therianthropy Resource]
* [http://yaiolani.tripod.com/humfaq.htm Shifter FAQ]
{{lj-search-interest|therianthropy}}
[[Category: Terms]]
{{Wikipedia|Therianthropy}}
{{featured article}}

[[cs:Dlaci]]
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Otherkin

2012-03-18T22:55:29Z

Jarandhel: Cleaning up references. (Adding names so the same references don't show up twice)

[[Image:Elven Star Rainbow.jpg|right|thumb|The Elven Star, a symbol of otherkin. [http://www.otherkin.net Source]]]'''Otherkin''' are those who believe that their physical forms do not define or fully encompass their mental states, personality, psychology, or [[spirituality|spiritual]] nature.

First appearing in use on the Internet on April 18, 1990, the word was coined when a member of The Elfinkind Digest, Torin, "got tired of typing elf/dragon/orc/etc.-kin and just used otherkin" as shorthand.<ref name="timeline">[http://orion.kitsunet.net/time.pdf Otherkin Timeline] by Orion Sandstorrm</ref>

==Otherkin beliefs==

Otherkin feel they have a sympathetic connection, affinity, or some other form of relation with another animal or being. Traditionally these have been mythological in nature, beginning with fairy and fey folk, elves, and a few other European mythological archetypes. Later, associations with other creatures became common, including [[unicorn]]s, [[gryphon]]s, [[dragon]]s, angelics, and [[demon]]s; as well as "non-living" types such as golems and other inorganics. In time, some people also began to describe concepts for beings which were derived from mythological archetypes, though having unique qualities; fully undefinable or one-of-a-kind kin types appeared as well.

With the unusual nature of the basic otherkin premises, there has been skepticism directed at it along with the proposal that many people adopt the otherkin identity to justify social difficulties - the outcast syndrome - or because they have a delusion and are in denial about their biological humanity. The idea that otherkin believe they are physically non-human in a spectacular way - such as actually being biological dragons - is seen as a pervasive misunderstanding by otherkin themselves, who point out the spiritual and psychological focus of the concept. Some community members believe this confusion arises from those unfamiliar with the concept or having only a sketchy or distorted awareness; comparing it to psychiatric cases such as [[lycanthropy]] and dissociative identity disorder, and concluding that in order for someone to state that they identify as an elf or gryphon, they must be experiencing a form of hallucination or delusion.

Contrary to [[stereotype]]s which have been perpetuated, most who identify as otherkin are fully aware of their biology and human existence. Many otherkin do have particular spiritual and metaphysical beliefs, and as part of those beliefs have discussed elements of a proposed spiritual reality which is not to be confused with the material world. Even if a given person believes, for instance, that on a spiritual plane they may have wings, it is uncommon that they are making a claim about such things that is scientific in nature, or that they exist in what most people might consider the real world.

Despite these points, some dislike the otherkin concept on the grounds that they feel it is abused by individuals who wish to present themselves as special and unique without merit, and that making unverifiable spiritual claims is one way to achieve this. Over time, otherkin has proven to be appealing to a number of people for this reason, and those within the community can be rigorous about screening out 'me too' and 'fluffbunny' adopters of the otherkin moniker. Some otherkin themselves do not consider the Internet Kin community to have much or any validity, saying that it is easy and tempting for a person to claim almost anything within the realm of online anonymity.

Within the loosely defined otherkin community, online or off, there is no consensus as to just what makes a person otherkin. A variety of phenomena have been observed and theorized about which many feel create some sort of affinity between a person and something else. In this light, some see otherkin as related to concepts such as [[Wikipedia:Totemism|Totemism]], which have appeared in human culture since ancient times. There has also been some debate over how potential factors such as [[Wikipedia:Clinical lycanthropy|clinical lycanthropy]] may account for a percentage of the experiences otherkin believe they have had. While many, and some conjecture most, otherkin follow a paradigm of spiritual reincarnation in some form to help explain their state of being, not all otherkin share this, and may view themselves in other spiritual, philosophical, or psychological frameworks. Even among those who believe in reincarnation, there are a wide variety of interpretations.

Another viewpoint is that the term otherkin largely denotes a social network and should not, or can not, be used as a description for individual spiritual beliefs or to describe an particular theory or explanation for phenomenon. Many people use the otherkin community to find discussion for a variety of subjects and to compare subjective experiences without considering themselves to be otherkin in a descriptive sense.

==History of the community==

Although there are spiritual parallels with shamanism and totemism, the modern otherkin subculture appears to trace its roots back to the counterculture of the 1960s. [[Wikipedia:Hippie|Hippies]] and [[Wikipedia:Flower child|flower children]], in particular, were heavily influenced by the fantasy works of [[Wikipedia:J.R.R. Tolkien|J.R.R. Tolkien]].<ref name="marxism">[http://lists.econ.utah.edu/pipermail/marxism/2004-April/006893.html Tolkien and radical ecology in the sixties] - Mailing list marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu (accessed April 21 2004).</ref>

One example of this influence was the rock band [[Wikipedia:Tyrannosaurus Rex|Tyrannosaurus Rex]], whose drummer took the name [[Wikipedia:Steve Peregrin Took|Steve Peregrin Took]], after a [[Wikipedia:hobbit|hobbit]] character from ''[[Wikipedia:The Lord of the Rings|The Lord of the Rings]]''. The short-lived magazine ''[[Wikipedia:Gandalf's Garden|Gandalf's Garden]]'', named after another Tolkien character, described the group's singer-songwriter [[Wikipedia:Marc Bolan|Marc Bolan]] as "of elfin descent".<ref name="gandalf">[http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Studio/4730/gandalf.htm Tyrannosaurus Rex] - ''Gandalf's Garden'' (July 1968)</ref> Bolan was also frequently referred to as "the Bopping Elf".<ref name="bolan">[http://www.marc-bolan.com/public/biography2.htm "From Darling Of The Underground To Dandy In The Underworld" - A Brief Bolan Biography], The Official Marc Bolan Fan Club (accessed May 8 2005)</ref>

Another musician of the time who used similar fantasy imagery was Donovan. In the cover notes to his 1966 LP [[Wikipedia:Sunshine Superman|"Sunshine Superman"]], he wrote "starring mr. plod in action with a daughter of the evil land of mordor."<ref name="donovan1">[http://www.sabotage.demon.co.uk/donovan/writings.htm#part_one Sunshine Superman] - Donovan's Non-Poetic Writings (1966)</ref> In the cover notes to his 1967 LP [[Wikipedia:A Gift from a Flower to a Garden|"A Gift from a Flower to a Garden"]], he wrote "We shall fill their days with fairies and elves and pussys and paints, with laughter and song and the gentle influence of Mother Nature."<ref name="donovan2">[http://www.sabotage.demon.co.uk/donovan/writings.htm#Oh,_what_a_Dawn_Youth_is_Rising_to A Gift from a Flower to a Garden] - Donovan's Non-Poetic Writings (1967)</ref>

And in the underground publication ''[[Wikipedia:International Times|International Times]]'', better known as IT, John Peel advised readers to "go to the children's playground in Kensington Gardens and stare at the elves on the trees there".<ref name="peel">[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2004/10/27/db2701.xml Obituary: John Peel] - Daily Telegraph (27 October 2004)</ref>

The 1970s saw a group calling themselves the Elf Queen's Daughters base themselves in the South Bay area of San Francisco, California.<ref>Silver Elves (2001). The Gainesville Letters. In ''The Magical Elven Love Letters, vol. 1'', pp. 9. Silver Elves Publications; no ISBN.</ref> They were also linked with [[Wikipedia:Seattle, Washington|Seattle, Washington]].<ref name="druid">[http://www.student.carleton.edu/orgs/druids/ARDA/ARDA-07.pdf The Druid Miscellany, pp. 2] - A reformed Druid anthology (August 1 1996)</ref> They published a newsletter and focused on "bringing together female elves in celebration of ritual and magic and understanding of Fae", according to the Faeid website.<ref name="faeid">[http://www.faeid.com/elfqueens.html The Elf Queen's Daughters] - Are you a faeid? (accessed May 4 2005)</ref> In actuality the Elf Queen's Daughters were composed of both male and female elves, although they were Goddess oriented and they referred to all their members as sister.<ref name="silverelves">Comment by the Silver Elves.</ref> One quote from an anonymous founder of the group indicates similar ecologically-based pagan beliefs to those common in the modern otherkin movement — "the image of the Earth being a woman with trees for her hair, rivers for her veins flowing through. That was one of the first to use the image of earth as a physical Goddess."<ref name="aeona">[http://groups.google.co.uk/group/alt.religion.all-worlds/msg/89f26a9ce27ab423?dmode=source&hl=en Aeona Silversong Interview] - The Electronic Foghorn (June 15 1993)</ref>

According to the Silver Elves, the Elf Queen's Daughters had ''"given up the path to elfin"'' around 1977. However, in 2004 they wrote that they had recently encountered one of them, Loriel Lyndoreyn.<ref name="loveletter">[http://www.renaissancefestival.com/community/discussion/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=875 magic connects us] - magical elven love letters (accessed May 21 2004).</ref> Another former member, Aeona Silversong, became a priestess in the Church of All Worlds in 1993, while continuing to identify as an elf.<ref name="caw">[http://web.archive.org/web/20040407120835/http://www.caw.org/clergy/index.html CAW Clergy] - CAWeb (accessed February 23 2004).</ref><ref name="aeona">[http://groups.google.co.uk/group/alt.religion.all-worlds/msg/89f26a9ce27ab423?dmode=source&hl=en Aeona Silversong Interview] - The Electronic Foghorn (June 15 1993)</ref> Furthermore, Circle Network News published an article on the seven-pointed elven star citing the group as late as 1986. The Silver Elves suggest that the Elf Queen's Daughters were adept with magic and the use of the Ouija board.<ref name="necromancer">[http://www.sonic.net/~elves/necromancer.html The Way of the Necromancer] - The Elven Tree of Life (May 4 2002).</ref>

The Silver Elves are one of the more prominent groups in the modern subculture, mainly because of the Magical Elven Love Letters which they have regularly published for over twenty years. In their published compilation of these letters, they write that at the time they began to write them in 1979, ''"it had been nearly two years since the Elf Queen's Daughters had forsaken the dharma of the magic letters"''. This would indicate that the letters of the Silver Elves are a direct descendant of the newsletters released by the Elf Queen's Daughters; furthermore, the Silver Elves themselves profess to have been awakened as elves by that group.

Until the Internet became accessible, the letters were sent out by post and further distributed by their recipients, as well as being printed in various newsletters and magazines. Contact details for the Silver Elves were also listed in pagan books, such as [[Wikipedia:Margot Adler|Margot Adler]]'s ''[[Wikipedia:Drawing Down the Moon (book)|"Drawing Down The Moon"]]'' in 1979 and [[Wikipedia:Laurie Cabot|Laurie Cabot]]'s ''"Power of the Witch"'' in 1989.<ref name="adler">Adler, Margot, ''Drawing Down The Moon: Druids, Goddess-worshippers and other pagans in America today'', ISBN 0670283428, Viking Press (1979)</ref><ref name="cabot">Cabot, Laurie, ''Power of the Witch'', ISBN 0385297866, Delacorte Press (1989).</ref>

In 1990, R'ykandar Korra'ti founded the Elfinkind Digest, an e-mail-based mailing list for "elves and interested observers".[http://groups.google.co.uk/group/rec.games.frp/msg/834976939ac48fcc?dmode=source&hl=en] At the time, her signature on Usenet was "Elfinkind Unite!" The next year, in 1991, she posted a subdued announcement to several newsgroups publicizing the Digest for the first time.<ref name="elfinkind1">[http://groups.google.co.uk/group/rec.games.frp/msg/834976939ac48fcc?dmode=source&hl=en Small mail-based digest] - Usenet (September 26 1991).</ref> As of 2003, more than 2000 digests had been posted, and this otherkin mailing list is generally acknowledged as the first one.[http://www.murkworks.net/~elflist/]

While Korra'ti had expected to find only other elves through her mailing list, she in fact discovered people with ''"a large number of self-identifications."''<ref name="elfinkind2">[http://www.rialian.com/elfinkin.htm Elfinkind Digest] - Elven Realities (December 23 1996).</ref> This was one of the first indications that there were other [[species]] identifications out there besides those of elves. The term otherkin was itself coined in the Elfinkind Digest #16 as a result of this fact. <ref name="timeline">[http://orion.kitsunet.net/time.pdf Otherkin Timeline] by Orion Sandstorrm</ref> There was reportedly some talk of renaming the digest The Otherkind Digest, but this didn't happen. This dichotomy also persists to this day in the name of one of the more popular otherkin mailing lists, elven-realities.

On 6 February 1995, the [http://groups.google.co.uk/group/alt.magick/msg/e5adba21569abd19?dmode=source&hl=en Elven Nation Manifesto] was posted to Usenet.<ref name="manifesto">[http://groups.google.co.uk/group/alt.magick/msg/e5adba21569abd19?dmode=source&hl=en The Elven Nation Manifesto.....everyone must read this!] - Usenet (February 6 1995).</ref> This document was interesting in several ways: firstly, although it included a real name and a postal address, as well as a partial email address, it was posted through the anonymous remailer at anon.penet.fi. Secondly, several of the common themes in the modern otherkin movement are visible in it, such as the concept that elves have something significant to contribute to the world, and mention of the "Veil to the Otherworld", or the invisible boundary between the real world and the magical world of faerie.

Since it was posted to eleven newsgroups, it also violated Usenet's crossposting etiquette, which was far more strictly observed at the time than it is today. On Usenet itself, the document was universally panned and considered to be either a troll or an attempt to frame an innocent party. However, enough people contacted the original author of the Elven Nation post in good faith for a [http://www.rialian.com/elvsnatn.htm mailing list] to spin off from it.<ref name="elvennation">[http://www.rialian.com/elvsnatn.htm Excerpts from the Elven Nation mailing list] - Elven Realities (accessed May 4 2005).</ref> At least one person considered it to have played a part in their awakening.<ref name="polson">[http://web.archive.org/web/19991009032307/www.absinthia.com/otherkin/awakening/willow.html Willow] - Awakenings (October 9 1999).</ref>

The community first hit the headlines in 2001 when the Village Voice published an article on it. Entitled "Elven Like Me", it drew gentle comparisons with the antiglobalisation movement, and suggested that otherkin were antimodernist.<ref name="mamatas">[http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0107,mamatas,22273,8.html Elven Like Me] - Village Voice (14 February 2001)</ref>

==Otherkin in the media==

The otherkin phenomenon has experienced less exposure in general media than subculture venues such as furry fandom, although it has been noted with increasing frequency in [[Wikipedia:Neo-Paganism|Neo-Pagan]] culture due to crossover of shamanistic and spiritual elements that has brought otherkin to the attention of contemporary pagans.

To date, there has been little formal study or publication of culture and theory relating to otherkin. One of the first reference volumes to deal with the otherkin culture specifically, ''A Field Guide to Otherkin'', by Lupa, was released in April 2007. The book contains the results of surveys distributed throughout the otherkin and therianthropy communities by the author and volunteers.

==Otherkin and therianthropy==

Otherkin bears no small resemblance to [[therianthropy#Modern_subcultural_use_of_the_term | therianthropy]], and some people consider them the same thing and use the terms interchangeably. Of these, some might feel there is insufficient difference between the concepts to present them separately, while others might be outsiders who are not familiar with the nuances or history of the ideas and communities surrounding them. However, in tradition to date, otherkin has come to be associated with people who experience an affinity with an animal, creature, or being which might ordinarily be considered mythological, or sometimes entirely unique/alien. In contrast, therianthropy is heavily connected to the affinity for ''existing'', real-world animals which have been observed to live today in nature or to have lived in the past. Typically, someone who identifies with fairies, elves, dragons, gryphons, unicorns, or even angelic or demonic beings might be seen as otherkin. While one who identifies with [[wolves]], [[foxes]], [[bear]]s, [[cat]]s big and small, or [[otter]]s might be seen as a therianthrope. This is not a hard line, however, and you may find animal otherkin and draconic therians, among others.

In some cases, a specific person might consider themselves - if they use a formal term or subculture association at all - a member of either community in spite of their species/entity connection. For example, someone who feels they are a part of the general otherkin community socially might use the term therianthropy to describe the mechanics of their own nature.

== Otherkin and furry ==

[[Furry fan]]s appear to be generally aware of otherkin and therianthropy. The practices and viewpoints of many [[furry lifestyle]]rs have some similarity to these ideas; because of this, some lifestylers associate with one or both terms. Likewise, while [[furry fandom]] in general might not have been formed to explore spiritual connections with animals and other creatures, many otherkin and therianthropes find the content and subject matter of furry appealing because of their own interests. In the opposite direction, many [[furry fan]]s discover the otherkin community through the fandom and begin to take part in it as well.

A noticeable number of people within the otherkin community are also furry fans in some capacity and frequently attend events such as furry [[convention]]s in addition to otherkin-specific social events. The philosophy and spirituality tracks at some conventions have hosted otherkin and therian speakers. Panels and discussions on mythology have also attracted otherkin to participate. Otherkin who are artists have used furry conventions to display their work, and those with an interest in make-up and costuming have attended for masquerade contests and dances.

Some otherkin feel that the furry fandom is a more relaxed atmosphere in which to explore ideas of animal and human relations and hybrids, seeing the fandom's lack of core spiritual doctrines as neutral ground. Due to this, some people decide to leave the general otherkin and therian communities in favor of furry. Furry events are sometimes popular as a meeting place with otherkin who are geographically isolated from kin-specific events.

===Controversy within furry fandom===

Opinions vary as to whether or not their association with the fandom is positive, negative, or irrelevant. Some people find the association of furry with things beyond its base definition of the appreciation of [[anthropomorphic]] animals in art and fiction to be inappropriate, ridiculous, or uncomfortable. Because of this, otherkin and therian connections or intermingling with the fandom have taken on a pejorative tint for such people. Much as furry lifestylers are sometimes disliked, otherkin might be made to feel unwelcome or derided by some furry fans.

A large degree of fandom awareness has been spread not only by contact with otherkin within the fandom, but by the adoption of otherkin as another topic with which to portray elements of Furry in humorous or negative light by websites such as [[Something Awful]] and [[Crush! Yiff! Destroy!]]. Due to such framing, otherkin has for some people become a generic term to identify furries who feel there is something more to their animal avatar than [[role-playing]]. Some also point out that a good deal of otherkin awareness has been spread by sardonic humor, which often singles out individuals with the most outrageous behavior or controversial opinions. As a result there appear to be inaccuracies in the knowledge of many furry fans and nonfurs relating to more moderate members of the otherkin community.

In response, others have said in spite of this confusion, there are those who identify as otherkin while putting forth dubious claims and questionable behavior. Because of the effect of visibility from the crowd, it is often the most over-the-top examples that are seen by outsiders, and thus tend to be associated with the entire fandom, not unlike many of the other problems with publicity that furry fandom has endured over time.

==Outside otherkin==

Otherkin is a label to describe personal beliefs, experiences, and traits that occur in a variety of combinations depending on the individual. As there is no consensus on what qualifies as otherkin, not everyone who shares similar beliefs feels the term is appropriate or useful for themselves.

Some who might otherwise describe themselves as otherkin downplay or conceal the affiliation. Citing outbreaks of controversy, individuals have confessed reluctance to reveal the extent of their beliefs for fear of losing status or being ostracized by a particular community, to avoid employment difficulties, or relieve pressure from friends and family.

== See also ==
* [[:Category:Otherkin|Otherkin users on WikiFur]]
* [[Wikipedia:Otherkin|Otherkin]] on [[Wikipedia]]
* [[Otakukin]]
* [[Theri There]], a webcomic about otherkin

== References ==

<references/>

== External links ==
*[http://otherkin.wikia.com Otherkin Wiki]
*[http://www.otherkin.net Otherkin.net] (including Otherkin.net wiki)
*[http://orion.kitsunet.net/dir.pdf Directory of Otherkin Writings]
*[http://dreamhart.org/2012/01/a-revised-otherkin-faq/ A Revised Otherkin FAQ]
*[http://www.thegreenwolf.com/afgto.html A Field Guide to Otherkin] at [http://www.immanion-press.com Immanion Press]
{{lj-search-interest|otherkin}}
{{fa-search-tag|otherkin}}
[[Category:Culture]]
[[Category:Terms]]
[[Category:Spirituality]]

{{featured article}}

[[hu:Otherkin]]
[[ru:Иность]]

Talk:Otherkin

2012-03-18T22:44:01Z

Jarandhel: /* External Links Edit */ forgot to sign my post.

{{Featured}}

== Wikipedia discussing merging Otherkin and Therianthropy ==

FYI, some wikipedian(s) are consider merging [[wikipedia:Otherkin]] with [[wikipedia:Therianthropy]]. Discussion is at [[wikipedia:Talk:Therianthropy#Proposal to merge from Otherkin]] and the "Keep them seperate!" thread on the same Talk page. --[[User:EarthFurst|EarthFurst]] 21:27, 29 December 2006 (UTC)

== Community history section ==

It was suggested that some otherkin community history I researched for Wikipedia might be more welcome here than it proved to be there. I've added it to the article; hopefully you'll be able to use it. :) [[User:Vashti|Vashti]] 22:08, 26 July 2007 (UTC)

== Description ==

Is it me, or does this article seem a bit overly general in its descriptions? I'll admit I don't have a lot of experience here, but look at the opening line:
"Otherkin are those who believe that their physical forms do not define or fully encompass their mental states, personality, psychology, or spiritual nature."
Whatever Otherkin is, exactly, I don't think you can safely call that a description of it - not so much because it doesn't accurately describe Otherkin, but because it covers too many bases. I certainly wouldn't say my body "fully encompasses" my psychology or personality, but I'm reasonably sure I'm not a subscriber to Otherkin. Much of the article sounds like it's trying to avoid dwelling on the "weirder" aspects of the culture, but I think the results are just plain misleading. [[User:Caswin|Caswin]] 01:03, 10 December 2007 (UTC)

== Something important ==

I wish to bring up that it is very important for Otherkin to realize that there are people out there who have been Therians longer than the internet has been around. They might not appreciate the idea of having the term originally used to refer to their spirituality turned around to label something completely different.

For example, I know a therian who has been one for 8 years. She only holds to the idea of totemism, and has an animal spirit guide that was given to her by a Native American tribe member. She has nothing to do with Otherkin. She is sometimes misassociated online as being part of the Otherkin Community due to you all forcing an association between Otherkin and Therians. Therefore you all need to be aware of what you are doing and it's impact on other people. Not all therians want to be forced into association with Otherkin and it is not your place to force that association when something has has been around longer than you and your group.

Hence why I edited the Otherkin and therian part because it needs to show the other side. It needs to not be so absolute.

== External Links Edit ==

Sorry, I forgot to add an edit description to my last edit: I added a link to [http://dreamhart.org/2012/01/a-revised-otherkin-faq/ A Revised Otherkin FAQ] to the external links section. As the author of that document I am admittedly biased but to my knowledge it is the most complete and up-to-date FAQ on the subject of Otherkin that currently exists, and it links in turn to many of the older ones. [[User:Jarandhel|Jarandhel]] 18:44, 18 March 2012 (EDT)

Talk:Otherkin

2012-03-18T22:43:37Z

Jarandhel: /* External Links Edit */ new section

Otherkin

2012-03-18T22:38:00Z

Jarandhel: /* External links */

[[Image:Elven Star Rainbow.jpg|right|thumb|The Elven Star, a symbol of otherkin. [http://www.otherkin.net Source]]]'''Otherkin''' are those who believe that their physical forms do not define or fully encompass their mental states, personality, psychology, or [[spirituality|spiritual]] nature.

First appearing in use on the Internet on April 18, 1990, the word was coined when a member of The Elfinkind Digest, Torin, "got tired of typing elf/dragon/orc/etc.-kin and just used otherkin" as shorthand.<ref>[http://orion.kitsunet.net/time.pdf Otherkin Timeline] by Orion Sandstorrm</ref>

==Otherkin beliefs==

Otherkin feel they have a sympathetic connection, affinity, or some other form of relation with another animal or being. Traditionally these have been mythological in nature, beginning with fairy and fey folk, elves, and a few other European mythological archetypes. Later, associations with other creatures became common, including [[unicorn]]s, [[gryphon]]s, [[dragon]]s, angelics, and [[demon]]s; as well as "non-living" types such as golems and other inorganics. In time, some people also began to describe concepts for beings which were derived from mythological archetypes, though having unique qualities; fully undefinable or one-of-a-kind kin types appeared as well.

With the unusual nature of the basic otherkin premises, there has been skepticism directed at it along with the proposal that many people adopt the otherkin identity to justify social difficulties - the outcast syndrome - or because they have a delusion and are in denial about their biological humanity. The idea that otherkin believe they are physically non-human in a spectacular way - such as actually being biological dragons - is seen as a pervasive misunderstanding by otherkin themselves, who point out the spiritual and psychological focus of the concept. Some community members believe this confusion arises from those unfamiliar with the concept or having only a sketchy or distorted awareness; comparing it to psychiatric cases such as [[lycanthropy]] and dissociative identity disorder, and concluding that in order for someone to state that they identify as an elf or gryphon, they must be experiencing a form of hallucination or delusion.

Contrary to [[stereotype]]s which have been perpetuated, most who identify as otherkin are fully aware of their biology and human existence. Many otherkin do have particular spiritual and metaphysical beliefs, and as part of those beliefs have discussed elements of a proposed spiritual reality which is not to be confused with the material world. Even if a given person believes, for instance, that on a spiritual plane they may have wings, it is uncommon that they are making a claim about such things that is scientific in nature, or that they exist in what most people might consider the real world.

Despite these points, some dislike the otherkin concept on the grounds that they feel it is abused by individuals who wish to present themselves as special and unique without merit, and that making unverifiable spiritual claims is one way to achieve this. Over time, otherkin has proven to be appealing to a number of people for this reason, and those within the community can be rigorous about screening out 'me too' and 'fluffbunny' adopters of the otherkin moniker. Some otherkin themselves do not consider the Internet Kin community to have much or any validity, saying that it is easy and tempting for a person to claim almost anything within the realm of online anonymity.

Within the loosely defined otherkin community, online or off, there is no consensus as to just what makes a person otherkin. A variety of phenomena have been observed and theorized about which many feel create some sort of affinity between a person and something else. In this light, some see otherkin as related to concepts such as [[Wikipedia:Totemism|Totemism]], which have appeared in human culture since ancient times. There has also been some debate over how potential factors such as [[Wikipedia:Clinical lycanthropy|clinical lycanthropy]] may account for a percentage of the experiences otherkin believe they have had. While many, and some conjecture most, otherkin follow a paradigm of spiritual reincarnation in some form to help explain their state of being, not all otherkin share this, and may view themselves in other spiritual, philosophical, or psychological frameworks. Even among those who believe in reincarnation, there are a wide variety of interpretations.

Another viewpoint is that the term otherkin largely denotes a social network and should not, or can not, be used as a description for individual spiritual beliefs or to describe an particular theory or explanation for phenomenon. Many people use the otherkin community to find discussion for a variety of subjects and to compare subjective experiences without considering themselves to be otherkin in a descriptive sense.

==History of the community==

Although there are spiritual parallels with shamanism and totemism, the modern otherkin subculture appears to trace its roots back to the counterculture of the 1960s. [[Wikipedia:Hippie|Hippies]] and [[Wikipedia:Flower child|flower children]], in particular, were heavily influenced by the fantasy works of [[Wikipedia:J.R.R. Tolkien|J.R.R. Tolkien]].<ref>[http://lists.econ.utah.edu/pipermail/marxism/2004-April/006893.html Tolkien and radical ecology in the sixties] - Mailing list marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu (accessed April 21 2004).</ref>

One example of this influence was the rock band [[Wikipedia:Tyrannosaurus Rex|Tyrannosaurus Rex]], whose drummer took the name [[Wikipedia:Steve Peregrin Took|Steve Peregrin Took]], after a [[Wikipedia:hobbit|hobbit]] character from ''[[Wikipedia:The Lord of the Rings|The Lord of the Rings]]''. The short-lived magazine ''[[Wikipedia:Gandalf's Garden|Gandalf's Garden]]'', named after another Tolkien character, described the group's singer-songwriter [[Wikipedia:Marc Bolan|Marc Bolan]] as "of elfin descent".<ref>[http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Studio/4730/gandalf.htm Tyrannosaurus Rex] - ''Gandalf's Garden'' (July 1968)</ref> Bolan was also frequently referred to as "the Bopping Elf".<ref>[http://www.marc-bolan.com/public/biography2.htm "From Darling Of The Underground To Dandy In The Underworld" - A Brief Bolan Biography], The Official Marc Bolan Fan Club (accessed May 8 2005)</ref>

Another musician of the time who used similar fantasy imagery was Donovan. In the cover notes to his 1966 LP [[Wikipedia:Sunshine Superman|"Sunshine Superman"]], he wrote "starring mr. plod in action with a daughter of the evil land of mordor."<ref>[http://www.sabotage.demon.co.uk/donovan/writings.htm#part_one Sunshine Superman] - Donovan's Non-Poetic Writings (1966)</ref> In the cover notes to his 1967 LP [[Wikipedia:A Gift from a Flower to a Garden|"A Gift from a Flower to a Garden"]], he wrote "We shall fill their days with fairies and elves and pussys and paints, with laughter and song and the gentle influence of Mother Nature."<ref>[http://www.sabotage.demon.co.uk/donovan/writings.htm#Oh,_what_a_Dawn_Youth_is_Rising_to A Gift from a Flower to a Garden] - Donovan's Non-Poetic Writings (1967)</ref>

And in the underground publication ''[[Wikipedia:International Times|International Times]]'', better known as IT, John Peel advised readers to "go to the children's playground in Kensington Gardens and stare at the elves on the trees there".<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2004/10/27/db2701.xml Obituary: John Peel] - Daily Telegraph (27 October 2004)</ref>

The 1970s saw a group calling themselves the Elf Queen's Daughters base themselves in the South Bay area of San Francisco, California.<ref>Silver Elves (2001). The Gainesville Letters. In ''The Magical Elven Love Letters, vol. 1'', pp. 9. Silver Elves Publications; no ISBN.</ref> They were also linked with [[Wikipedia:Seattle, Washington|Seattle, Washington]].<ref>[http://www.student.carleton.edu/orgs/druids/ARDA/ARDA-07.pdf The Druid Miscellany, pp. 2] - A reformed Druid anthology (August 1 1996)</ref> They published a newsletter and focused on "bringing together female elves in celebration of ritual and magic and understanding of Fae", according to the Faeid website.<ref>[http://www.faeid.com/elfqueens.html The Elf Queen's Daughters] - Are you a faeid? (accessed May 4 2005)</ref> In actuality the Elf Queen's Daughters were composed of both male and female elves, although they were Goddess oriented and they referred to all their members as sister.<ref>Comment by the Silver Elves.</ref> One quote from an anonymous founder of the group indicates similar ecologically-based pagan beliefs to those common in the modern otherkin movement — "the image of the Earth being a woman with trees for her hair, rivers for her veins flowing through. That was one of the first to use the image of earth as a physical Goddess."<ref>[http://groups.google.co.uk/group/alt.religion.all-worlds/msg/89f26a9ce27ab423?dmode=source&hl=en Aeona Silversong Interview] - The Electronic Foghorn (June 15 1993)</ref>

According to the Silver Elves, the Elf Queen's Daughters had ''"given up the path to elfin"'' around 1977. However, in 2004 they wrote that they had recently encountered one of them, Loriel Lyndoreyn.<ref>[http://www.renaissancefestival.com/community/discussion/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=875 magic connects us] - magical elven love letters (accessed May 21 2004).</ref> Another former member, Aeona Silversong, became a priestess in the Church of All Worlds in 1993, while continuing to identify as an elf.<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20040407120835/http://www.caw.org/clergy/index.html CAW Clergy] - CAWeb (accessed February 23 2004).</ref><ref>[http://groups.google.co.uk/group/alt.religion.all-worlds/msg/89f26a9ce27ab423?dmode=source&hl=en Aeona Silversong Interview] - The Electronic Foghorn (June 15 1993)</ref> Furthermore, Circle Network News published an article on the seven-pointed elven star citing the group as late as 1986. The Silver Elves suggest that the Elf Queen's Daughters were adept with magic and the use of the Ouija board.<ref>[http://www.sonic.net/~elves/necromancer.html The Way of the Necromancer] - The Elven Tree of Life (May 4 2002).</ref>

The Silver Elves are one of the more prominent groups in the modern subculture, mainly because of the Magical Elven Love Letters which they have regularly published for over twenty years. In their published compilation of these letters, they write that at the time they began to write them in 1979, ''"it had been nearly two years since the Elf Queen's Daughters had forsaken the dharma of the magic letters"''. This would indicate that the letters of the Silver Elves are a direct descendant of the newsletters released by the Elf Queen's Daughters; furthermore, the Silver Elves themselves profess to have been awakened as elves by that group.

Until the Internet became accessible, the letters were sent out by post and further distributed by their recipients, as well as being printed in various newsletters and magazines. Contact details for the Silver Elves were also listed in pagan books, such as [[Wikipedia:Margot Adler|Margot Adler]]'s ''[[Wikipedia:Drawing Down the Moon (book)|"Drawing Down The Moon"]]'' in 1979 and [[Wikipedia:Laurie Cabot|Laurie Cabot]]'s ''"Power of the Witch"'' in 1989.<ref>Adler, Margot, ''Drawing Down The Moon: Druids, Goddess-worshippers and other pagans in America today'', ISBN 0670283428, Viking Press (1979)</ref><ref>Cabot, Laurie, ''Power of the Witch'', ISBN 0385297866, Delacorte Press (1989).</ref>

In 1990, R'ykandar Korra'ti founded the Elfinkind Digest, an e-mail-based mailing list for "elves and interested observers".[http://groups.google.co.uk/group/rec.games.frp/msg/834976939ac48fcc?dmode=source&hl=en] At the time, her signature on Usenet was "Elfinkind Unite!" The next year, in 1991, she posted a subdued announcement to several newsgroups publicizing the Digest for the first time.<ref>[http://groups.google.co.uk/group/rec.games.frp/msg/834976939ac48fcc?dmode=source&hl=en Small mail-based digest] - Usenet (September 26 1991).</ref> As of 2003, more than 2000 digests had been posted, and this otherkin mailing list is generally acknowledged as the first one.[http://www.murkworks.net/~elflist/]

While Korra'ti had expected to find only other elves through her mailing list, she in fact discovered people with ''"a large number of self-identifications."''<ref>[http://www.rialian.com/elfinkin.htm Elfinkind Digest] - Elven Realities (December 23 1996).</ref> This was one of the first indications that there were other [[species]] identifications out there besides those of elves. The term otherkin was itself coined in the Elfinkind Digest #16 as a result of this fact. <ref>[http://orion.kitsunet.net/time.pdf Otherkin Timeline] by Orion Sandstorrm</ref> There was reportedly some talk of renaming the digest The Otherkind Digest, but this didn't happen. This dichotomy also persists to this day in the name of one of the more popular otherkin mailing lists, elven-realities.

On 6 February 1995, the [http://groups.google.co.uk/group/alt.magick/msg/e5adba21569abd19?dmode=source&hl=en Elven Nation Manifesto] was posted to Usenet.<ref>[http://groups.google.co.uk/group/alt.magick/msg/e5adba21569abd19?dmode=source&hl=en The Elven Nation Manifesto.....everyone must read this!] - Usenet (February 6 1995).</ref> This document was interesting in several ways: firstly, although it included a real name and a postal address, as well as a partial email address, it was posted through the anonymous remailer at anon.penet.fi. Secondly, several of the common themes in the modern otherkin movement are visible in it, such as the concept that elves have something significant to contribute to the world, and mention of the "Veil to the Otherworld", or the invisible boundary between the real world and the magical world of faerie.

Since it was posted to eleven newsgroups, it also violated Usenet's crossposting etiquette, which was far more strictly observed at the time than it is today. On Usenet itself, the document was universally panned and considered to be either a troll or an attempt to frame an innocent party. However, enough people contacted the original author of the Elven Nation post in good faith for a [http://www.rialian.com/elvsnatn.htm mailing list] to spin off from it.<ref>[http://www.rialian.com/elvsnatn.htm Excerpts from the Elven Nation mailing list] - Elven Realities (accessed May 4 2005).</ref> At least one person considered it to have played a part in their awakening.<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/19991009032307/www.absinthia.com/otherkin/awakening/willow.html Willow] - Awakenings (October 9 1999).</ref>

The community first hit the headlines in 2001 when the Village Voice published an article on it. Entitled "Elven Like Me", it drew gentle comparisons with the antiglobalisation movement, and suggested that otherkin were antimodernist.<ref>[http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0107,mamatas,22273,8.html Elven Like Me] - Village Voice (14 February 2001)</ref>

==Otherkin in the media==

The otherkin phenomenon has experienced less exposure in general media than subculture venues such as furry fandom, although it has been noted with increasing frequency in [[Wikipedia:Neo-Paganism|Neo-Pagan]] culture due to crossover of shamanistic and spiritual elements that has brought otherkin to the attention of contemporary pagans.

To date, there has been little formal study or publication of culture and theory relating to otherkin. One of the first reference volumes to deal with the otherkin culture specifically, ''A Field Guide to Otherkin'', by Lupa, was released in April 2007. The book contains the results of surveys distributed throughout the otherkin and therianthropy communities by the author and volunteers.

==Otherkin and therianthropy==

Otherkin bears no small resemblance to [[therianthropy#Modern_subcultural_use_of_the_term | therianthropy]], and some people consider them the same thing and use the terms interchangeably. Of these, some might feel there is insufficient difference between the concepts to present them separately, while others might be outsiders who are not familiar with the nuances or history of the ideas and communities surrounding them. However, in tradition to date, otherkin has come to be associated with people who experience an affinity with an animal, creature, or being which might ordinarily be considered mythological, or sometimes entirely unique/alien. In contrast, therianthropy is heavily connected to the affinity for ''existing'', real-world animals which have been observed to live today in nature or to have lived in the past. Typically, someone who identifies with fairies, elves, dragons, gryphons, unicorns, or even angelic or demonic beings might be seen as otherkin. While one who identifies with [[wolves]], [[foxes]], [[bear]]s, [[cat]]s big and small, or [[otter]]s might be seen as a therianthrope. This is not a hard line, however, and you may find animal otherkin and draconic therians, among others.

In some cases, a specific person might consider themselves - if they use a formal term or subculture association at all - a member of either community in spite of their species/entity connection. For example, someone who feels they are a part of the general otherkin community socially might use the term therianthropy to describe the mechanics of their own nature.

== Otherkin and furry ==

[[Furry fan]]s appear to be generally aware of otherkin and therianthropy. The practices and viewpoints of many [[furry lifestyle]]rs have some similarity to these ideas; because of this, some lifestylers associate with one or both terms. Likewise, while [[furry fandom]] in general might not have been formed to explore spiritual connections with animals and other creatures, many otherkin and therianthropes find the content and subject matter of furry appealing because of their own interests. In the opposite direction, many [[furry fan]]s discover the otherkin community through the fandom and begin to take part in it as well.

A noticeable number of people within the otherkin community are also furry fans in some capacity and frequently attend events such as furry [[convention]]s in addition to otherkin-specific social events. The philosophy and spirituality tracks at some conventions have hosted otherkin and therian speakers. Panels and discussions on mythology have also attracted otherkin to participate. Otherkin who are artists have used furry conventions to display their work, and those with an interest in make-up and costuming have attended for masquerade contests and dances.

Some otherkin feel that the furry fandom is a more relaxed atmosphere in which to explore ideas of animal and human relations and hybrids, seeing the fandom's lack of core spiritual doctrines as neutral ground. Due to this, some people decide to leave the general otherkin and therian communities in favor of furry. Furry events are sometimes popular as a meeting place with otherkin who are geographically isolated from kin-specific events.

===Controversy within furry fandom===

Opinions vary as to whether or not their association with the fandom is positive, negative, or irrelevant. Some people find the association of furry with things beyond its base definition of the appreciation of [[anthropomorphic]] animals in art and fiction to be inappropriate, ridiculous, or uncomfortable. Because of this, otherkin and therian connections or intermingling with the fandom have taken on a pejorative tint for such people. Much as furry lifestylers are sometimes disliked, otherkin might be made to feel unwelcome or derided by some furry fans.

A large degree of fandom awareness has been spread not only by contact with otherkin within the fandom, but by the adoption of otherkin as another topic with which to portray elements of Furry in humorous or negative light by websites such as [[Something Awful]] and [[Crush! Yiff! Destroy!]]. Due to such framing, otherkin has for some people become a generic term to identify furries who feel there is something more to their animal avatar than [[role-playing]]. Some also point out that a good deal of otherkin awareness has been spread by sardonic humor, which often singles out individuals with the most outrageous behavior or controversial opinions. As a result there appear to be inaccuracies in the knowledge of many furry fans and nonfurs relating to more moderate members of the otherkin community.

In response, others have said in spite of this confusion, there are those who identify as otherkin while putting forth dubious claims and questionable behavior. Because of the effect of visibility from the crowd, it is often the most over-the-top examples that are seen by outsiders, and thus tend to be associated with the entire fandom, not unlike many of the other problems with publicity that furry fandom has endured over time.

==Outside otherkin==

Otherkin is a label to describe personal beliefs, experiences, and traits that occur in a variety of combinations depending on the individual. As there is no consensus on what qualifies as otherkin, not everyone who shares similar beliefs feels the term is appropriate or useful for themselves.

Some who might otherwise describe themselves as otherkin downplay or conceal the affiliation. Citing outbreaks of controversy, individuals have confessed reluctance to reveal the extent of their beliefs for fear of losing status or being ostracized by a particular community, to avoid employment difficulties, or relieve pressure from friends and family.

== See also ==
* [[:Category:Otherkin|Otherkin users on WikiFur]]
* [[Wikipedia:Otherkin|Otherkin]] on [[Wikipedia]]
* [[Otakukin]]
* [[Theri There]], a webcomic about otherkin

== References ==

<references/>

== External links ==
*[http://otherkin.wikia.com Otherkin Wiki]
*[http://www.otherkin.net Otherkin.net] (including Otherkin.net wiki)
*[http://orion.kitsunet.net/dir.pdf Directory of Otherkin Writings]
*[http://dreamhart.org/2012/01/a-revised-otherkin-faq/ A Revised Otherkin FAQ]
*[http://www.thegreenwolf.com/afgto.html A Field Guide to Otherkin] at [http://www.immanion-press.com Immanion Press]
{{lj-search-interest|otherkin}}
{{fa-search-tag|otherkin}}
[[Category:Culture]]
[[Category:Terms]]
[[Category:Spirituality]]

{{featured article}}

[[hu:Otherkin]]
[[ru:Иность]]

User:Jarandhel

2012-03-16T21:20:36Z

Jarandhel: Creating my userpage.

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I've been hanging around the furry community since roughly 1996. Never participated much, just enjoyed reading the stories and artwork. In 1999 I became involved with the otherkin community, and I currently run a number of otherkin resources through my website [http://dreamhart.org Dreamhart.org]. My interest in the Otherkin article on WikiFur (and my exasperation with how Otherkin and similar articles are treated on Wikipedia) is what first brought me here, but I am hoping to edit outside that narrow area of interest in time.

Otherkin

2012-03-16T02:52:17Z

Jarandhel: added www to a url.

[[Image:Elven Star Rainbow.jpg|right|thumb|The Elven Star, a symbol of otherkin. [http://www.otherkin.net Source]]]'''Otherkin''' are those who believe that their physical forms do not define or fully encompass their mental states, personality, psychology, or [[spirituality|spiritual]] nature.

First appearing in use on the Internet on April 18, 1990, the word was coined when a member of The Elfinkind Digest, Torin, "got tired of typing elf/dragon/orc/etc.-kin and just used otherkin" as shorthand.<ref>[http://orion.kitsunet.net/time.pdf Otherkin Timeline] by Orion Sandstorrm</ref>

==Otherkin beliefs==

Otherkin feel they have a sympathetic connection, affinity, or some other form of relation with another animal or being. Traditionally these have been mythological in nature, beginning with fairy and fey folk, elves, and a few other European mythological archetypes. Later, associations with other creatures became common, including [[unicorn]]s, [[gryphon]]s, [[dragon]]s, angelics, and [[demon]]s; as well as "non-living" types such as golems and other inorganics. In time, some people also began to describe concepts for beings which were derived from mythological archetypes, though having unique qualities; fully undefinable or one-of-a-kind kin types appeared as well.

With the unusual nature of the basic otherkin premises, there has been skepticism directed at it along with the proposal that many people adopt the otherkin identity to justify social difficulties - the outcast syndrome - or because they have a delusion and are in denial about their biological humanity. The idea that otherkin believe they are physically non-human in a spectacular way - such as actually being biological dragons - is seen as a pervasive misunderstanding by otherkin themselves, who point out the spiritual and psychological focus of the concept. Some community members believe this confusion arises from those unfamiliar with the concept or having only a sketchy or distorted awareness; comparing it to psychiatric cases such as [[lycanthropy]] and dissociative identity disorder, and concluding that in order for someone to state that they identify as an elf or gryphon, they must be experiencing a form of hallucination or delusion.

Contrary to [[stereotype]]s which have been perpetuated, most who identify as otherkin are fully aware of their biology and human existence. Many otherkin do have particular spiritual and metaphysical beliefs, and as part of those beliefs have discussed elements of a proposed spiritual reality which is not to be confused with the material world. Even if a given person believes, for instance, that on a spiritual plane they may have wings, it is uncommon that they are making a claim about such things that is scientific in nature, or that they exist in what most people might consider the real world.

Despite these points, some dislike the otherkin concept on the grounds that they feel it is abused by individuals who wish to present themselves as special and unique without merit, and that making unverifiable spiritual claims is one way to achieve this. Over time, otherkin has proven to be appealing to a number of people for this reason, and those within the community can be rigorous about screening out 'me too' and 'fluffbunny' adopters of the otherkin moniker. Some otherkin themselves do not consider the Internet Kin community to have much or any validity, saying that it is easy and tempting for a person to claim almost anything within the realm of online anonymity.

Within the loosely defined otherkin community, online or off, there is no consensus as to just what makes a person otherkin. A variety of phenomena have been observed and theorized about which many feel create some sort of affinity between a person and something else. In this light, some see otherkin as related to concepts such as [[Wikipedia:Totemism|Totemism]], which have appeared in human culture since ancient times. There has also been some debate over how potential factors such as [[Wikipedia:Clinical lycanthropy|clinical lycanthropy]] may account for a percentage of the experiences otherkin believe they have had. While many, and some conjecture most, otherkin follow a paradigm of spiritual reincarnation in some form to help explain their state of being, not all otherkin share this, and may view themselves in other spiritual, philosophical, or psychological frameworks. Even among those who believe in reincarnation, there are a wide variety of interpretations.

Another viewpoint is that the term otherkin largely denotes a social network and should not, or can not, be used as a description for individual spiritual beliefs or to describe an particular theory or explanation for phenomenon. Many people use the otherkin community to find discussion for a variety of subjects and to compare subjective experiences without considering themselves to be otherkin in a descriptive sense.

==History of the community==

Although there are spiritual parallels with shamanism and totemism, the modern otherkin subculture appears to trace its roots back to the counterculture of the 1960s. [[Wikipedia:Hippie|Hippies]] and [[Wikipedia:Flower child|flower children]], in particular, were heavily influenced by the fantasy works of [[Wikipedia:J.R.R. Tolkien|J.R.R. Tolkien]].<ref>[http://lists.econ.utah.edu/pipermail/marxism/2004-April/006893.html Tolkien and radical ecology in the sixties] - Mailing list marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu (accessed April 21 2004).</ref>

One example of this influence was the rock band [[Wikipedia:Tyrannosaurus Rex|Tyrannosaurus Rex]], whose drummer took the name [[Wikipedia:Steve Peregrin Took|Steve Peregrin Took]], after a [[Wikipedia:hobbit|hobbit]] character from ''[[Wikipedia:The Lord of the Rings|The Lord of the Rings]]''. The short-lived magazine ''[[Wikipedia:Gandalf's Garden|Gandalf's Garden]]'', named after another Tolkien character, described the group's singer-songwriter [[Wikipedia:Marc Bolan|Marc Bolan]] as "of elfin descent".<ref>[http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Studio/4730/gandalf.htm Tyrannosaurus Rex] - ''Gandalf's Garden'' (July 1968)</ref> Bolan was also frequently referred to as "the Bopping Elf".<ref>[http://www.marc-bolan.com/public/biography2.htm "From Darling Of The Underground To Dandy In The Underworld" - A Brief Bolan Biography], The Official Marc Bolan Fan Club (accessed May 8 2005)</ref>

Another musician of the time who used similar fantasy imagery was Donovan. In the cover notes to his 1966 LP [[Wikipedia:Sunshine Superman|"Sunshine Superman"]], he wrote "starring mr. plod in action with a daughter of the evil land of mordor."<ref>[http://www.sabotage.demon.co.uk/donovan/writings.htm#part_one Sunshine Superman] - Donovan's Non-Poetic Writings (1966)</ref> In the cover notes to his 1967 LP [[Wikipedia:A Gift from a Flower to a Garden|"A Gift from a Flower to a Garden"]], he wrote "We shall fill their days with fairies and elves and pussys and paints, with laughter and song and the gentle influence of Mother Nature."<ref>[http://www.sabotage.demon.co.uk/donovan/writings.htm#Oh,_what_a_Dawn_Youth_is_Rising_to A Gift from a Flower to a Garden] - Donovan's Non-Poetic Writings (1967)</ref>

And in the underground publication ''[[Wikipedia:International Times|International Times]]'', better known as IT, John Peel advised readers to "go to the children's playground in Kensington Gardens and stare at the elves on the trees there".<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2004/10/27/db2701.xml Obituary: John Peel] - Daily Telegraph (27 October 2004)</ref>

The 1970s saw a group calling themselves the Elf Queen's Daughters base themselves in the South Bay area of San Francisco, California.<ref>Silver Elves (2001). The Gainesville Letters. In ''The Magical Elven Love Letters, vol. 1'', pp. 9. Silver Elves Publications; no ISBN.</ref> They were also linked with [[Wikipedia:Seattle, Washington|Seattle, Washington]].<ref>[http://www.student.carleton.edu/orgs/druids/ARDA/ARDA-07.pdf The Druid Miscellany, pp. 2] - A reformed Druid anthology (August 1 1996)</ref> They published a newsletter and focused on "bringing together female elves in celebration of ritual and magic and understanding of Fae", according to the Faeid website.<ref>[http://www.faeid.com/elfqueens.html The Elf Queen's Daughters] - Are you a faeid? (accessed May 4 2005)</ref> In actuality the Elf Queen's Daughters were composed of both male and female elves, although they were Goddess oriented and they referred to all their members as sister.<ref>Comment by the Silver Elves.</ref> One quote from an anonymous founder of the group indicates similar ecologically-based pagan beliefs to those common in the modern otherkin movement — "the image of the Earth being a woman with trees for her hair, rivers for her veins flowing through. That was one of the first to use the image of earth as a physical Goddess."<ref>[http://groups.google.co.uk/group/alt.religion.all-worlds/msg/89f26a9ce27ab423?dmode=source&hl=en Aeona Silversong Interview] - The Electronic Foghorn (June 15 1993)</ref>

According to the Silver Elves, the Elf Queen's Daughters had ''"given up the path to elfin"'' around 1977. However, in 2004 they wrote that they had recently encountered one of them, Loriel Lyndoreyn.<ref>[http://www.renaissancefestival.com/community/discussion/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=875 magic connects us] - magical elven love letters (accessed May 21 2004).</ref> Another former member, Aeona Silversong, became a priestess in the Church of All Worlds in 1993, while continuing to identify as an elf.<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20040407120835/http://www.caw.org/clergy/index.html CAW Clergy] - CAWeb (accessed February 23 2004).</ref><ref>[http://groups.google.co.uk/group/alt.religion.all-worlds/msg/89f26a9ce27ab423?dmode=source&hl=en Aeona Silversong Interview] - The Electronic Foghorn (June 15 1993)</ref> Furthermore, Circle Network News published an article on the seven-pointed elven star citing the group as late as 1986. The Silver Elves suggest that the Elf Queen's Daughters were adept with magic and the use of the Ouija board.<ref>[http://www.sonic.net/~elves/necromancer.html The Way of the Necromancer] - The Elven Tree of Life (May 4 2002).</ref>

The Silver Elves are one of the more prominent groups in the modern subculture, mainly because of the Magical Elven Love Letters which they have regularly published for over twenty years. In their published compilation of these letters, they write that at the time they began to write them in 1979, ''"it had been nearly two years since the Elf Queen's Daughters had forsaken the dharma of the magic letters"''. This would indicate that the letters of the Silver Elves are a direct descendant of the newsletters released by the Elf Queen's Daughters; furthermore, the Silver Elves themselves profess to have been awakened as elves by that group.

Until the Internet became accessible, the letters were sent out by post and further distributed by their recipients, as well as being printed in various newsletters and magazines. Contact details for the Silver Elves were also listed in pagan books, such as [[Wikipedia:Margot Adler|Margot Adler]]'s ''[[Wikipedia:Drawing Down the Moon (book)|"Drawing Down The Moon"]]'' in 1979 and [[Wikipedia:Laurie Cabot|Laurie Cabot]]'s ''"Power of the Witch"'' in 1989.<ref>Adler, Margot, ''Drawing Down The Moon: Druids, Goddess-worshippers and other pagans in America today'', ISBN 0670283428, Viking Press (1979)</ref><ref>Cabot, Laurie, ''Power of the Witch'', ISBN 0385297866, Delacorte Press (1989).</ref>

In 1990, R'ykandar Korra'ti founded the Elfinkind Digest, an e-mail-based mailing list for "elves and interested observers".[http://groups.google.co.uk/group/rec.games.frp/msg/834976939ac48fcc?dmode=source&hl=en] At the time, her signature on Usenet was "Elfinkind Unite!" The next year, in 1991, she posted a subdued announcement to several newsgroups publicizing the Digest for the first time.<ref>[http://groups.google.co.uk/group/rec.games.frp/msg/834976939ac48fcc?dmode=source&hl=en Small mail-based digest] - Usenet (September 26 1991).</ref> As of 2003, more than 2000 digests had been posted, and this otherkin mailing list is generally acknowledged as the first one.[http://www.murkworks.net/~elflist/]

While Korra'ti had expected to find only other elves through her mailing list, she in fact discovered people with ''"a large number of self-identifications."''<ref>[http://www.rialian.com/elfinkin.htm Elfinkind Digest] - Elven Realities (December 23 1996).</ref> This was one of the first indications that there were other [[species]] identifications out there besides those of elves. The term otherkin was itself coined in the Elfinkind Digest #16 as a result of this fact. <ref>[http://orion.kitsunet.net/time.pdf Otherkin Timeline] by Orion Sandstorrm</ref> There was reportedly some talk of renaming the digest The Otherkind Digest, but this didn't happen. This dichotomy also persists to this day in the name of one of the more popular otherkin mailing lists, elven-realities.

On 6 February 1995, the [http://groups.google.co.uk/group/alt.magick/msg/e5adba21569abd19?dmode=source&hl=en Elven Nation Manifesto] was posted to Usenet.<ref>[http://groups.google.co.uk/group/alt.magick/msg/e5adba21569abd19?dmode=source&hl=en The Elven Nation Manifesto.....everyone must read this!] - Usenet (February 6 1995).</ref> This document was interesting in several ways: firstly, although it included a real name and a postal address, as well as a partial email address, it was posted through the anonymous remailer at anon.penet.fi. Secondly, several of the common themes in the modern otherkin movement are visible in it, such as the concept that elves have something significant to contribute to the world, and mention of the "Veil to the Otherworld", or the invisible boundary between the real world and the magical world of faerie.

Since it was posted to eleven newsgroups, it also violated Usenet's crossposting etiquette, which was far more strictly observed at the time than it is today. On Usenet itself, the document was universally panned and considered to be either a troll or an attempt to frame an innocent party. However, enough people contacted the original author of the Elven Nation post in good faith for a [http://www.rialian.com/elvsnatn.htm mailing list] to spin off from it.<ref>[http://www.rialian.com/elvsnatn.htm Excerpts from the Elven Nation mailing list] - Elven Realities (accessed May 4 2005).</ref> At least one person considered it to have played a part in their awakening.<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/19991009032307/www.absinthia.com/otherkin/awakening/willow.html Willow] - Awakenings (October 9 1999).</ref>

The community first hit the headlines in 2001 when the Village Voice published an article on it. Entitled "Elven Like Me", it drew gentle comparisons with the antiglobalisation movement, and suggested that otherkin were antimodernist.<ref>[http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0107,mamatas,22273,8.html Elven Like Me] - Village Voice (14 February 2001)</ref>

==Otherkin in the media==

The otherkin phenomenon has experienced less exposure in general media than subculture venues such as furry fandom, although it has been noted with increasing frequency in [[Wikipedia:Neo-Paganism|Neo-Pagan]] culture due to crossover of shamanistic and spiritual elements that has brought otherkin to the attention of contemporary pagans.

To date, there has been little formal study or publication of culture and theory relating to otherkin. One of the first reference volumes to deal with the otherkin culture specifically, ''A Field Guide to Otherkin'', by Lupa, was released in April 2007. The book contains the results of surveys distributed throughout the otherkin and therianthropy communities by the author and volunteers.

==Otherkin and therianthropy==

Otherkin bears no small resemblance to [[therianthropy#Modern_subcultural_use_of_the_term | therianthropy]], and some people consider them the same thing and use the terms interchangeably. Of these, some might feel there is insufficient difference between the concepts to present them separately, while others might be outsiders who are not familiar with the nuances or history of the ideas and communities surrounding them. However, in tradition to date, otherkin has come to be associated with people who experience an affinity with an animal, creature, or being which might ordinarily be considered mythological, or sometimes entirely unique/alien. In contrast, therianthropy is heavily connected to the affinity for ''existing'', real-world animals which have been observed to live today in nature or to have lived in the past. Typically, someone who identifies with fairies, elves, dragons, gryphons, unicorns, or even angelic or demonic beings might be seen as otherkin. While one who identifies with [[wolves]], [[foxes]], [[bear]]s, [[cat]]s big and small, or [[otter]]s might be seen as a therianthrope. This is not a hard line, however, and you may find animal otherkin and draconic therians, among others.

In some cases, a specific person might consider themselves - if they use a formal term or subculture association at all - a member of either community in spite of their species/entity connection. For example, someone who feels they are a part of the general otherkin community socially might use the term therianthropy to describe the mechanics of their own nature.

== Otherkin and furry ==

[[Furry fan]]s appear to be generally aware of otherkin and therianthropy. The practices and viewpoints of many [[furry lifestyle]]rs have some similarity to these ideas; because of this, some lifestylers associate with one or both terms. Likewise, while [[furry fandom]] in general might not have been formed to explore spiritual connections with animals and other creatures, many otherkin and therianthropes find the content and subject matter of furry appealing because of their own interests. In the opposite direction, many [[furry fan]]s discover the otherkin community through the fandom and begin to take part in it as well.

A noticeable number of people within the otherkin community are also furry fans in some capacity and frequently attend events such as furry [[convention]]s in addition to otherkin-specific social events. The philosophy and spirituality tracks at some conventions have hosted otherkin and therian speakers. Panels and discussions on mythology have also attracted otherkin to participate. Otherkin who are artists have used furry conventions to display their work, and those with an interest in make-up and costuming have attended for masquerade contests and dances.

Some otherkin feel that the furry fandom is a more relaxed atmosphere in which to explore ideas of animal and human relations and hybrids, seeing the fandom's lack of core spiritual doctrines as neutral ground. Due to this, some people decide to leave the general otherkin and therian communities in favor of furry. Furry events are sometimes popular as a meeting place with otherkin who are geographically isolated from kin-specific events.

===Controversy within furry fandom===

Opinions vary as to whether or not their association with the fandom is positive, negative, or irrelevant. Some people find the association of furry with things beyond its base definition of the appreciation of [[anthropomorphic]] animals in art and fiction to be inappropriate, ridiculous, or uncomfortable. Because of this, otherkin and therian connections or intermingling with the fandom have taken on a pejorative tint for such people. Much as furry lifestylers are sometimes disliked, otherkin might be made to feel unwelcome or derided by some furry fans.

A large degree of fandom awareness has been spread not only by contact with otherkin within the fandom, but by the adoption of otherkin as another topic with which to portray elements of Furry in humorous or negative light by websites such as [[Something Awful]] and [[Crush! Yiff! Destroy!]]. Due to such framing, otherkin has for some people become a generic term to identify furries who feel there is something more to their animal avatar than [[role-playing]]. Some also point out that a good deal of otherkin awareness has been spread by sardonic humor, which often singles out individuals with the most outrageous behavior or controversial opinions. As a result there appear to be inaccuracies in the knowledge of many furry fans and nonfurs relating to more moderate members of the otherkin community.

In response, others have said in spite of this confusion, there are those who identify as otherkin while putting forth dubious claims and questionable behavior. Because of the effect of visibility from the crowd, it is often the most over-the-top examples that are seen by outsiders, and thus tend to be associated with the entire fandom, not unlike many of the other problems with publicity that furry fandom has endured over time.

==Outside otherkin==

Otherkin is a label to describe personal beliefs, experiences, and traits that occur in a variety of combinations depending on the individual. As there is no consensus on what qualifies as otherkin, not everyone who shares similar beliefs feels the term is appropriate or useful for themselves.

Some who might otherwise describe themselves as otherkin downplay or conceal the affiliation. Citing outbreaks of controversy, individuals have confessed reluctance to reveal the extent of their beliefs for fear of losing status or being ostracized by a particular community, to avoid employment difficulties, or relieve pressure from friends and family.

== See also ==
* [[:Category:Otherkin|Otherkin users on WikiFur]]
* [[Wikipedia:Otherkin|Otherkin]] on [[Wikipedia]]
* [[Otakukin]]
* [[Theri There]], a webcomic about otherkin

== References ==

<references/>

== External links ==
*[http://otherkin.wikia.com Otherkin Wiki]
*[http://www.otherkin.net Otherkin.net] (including Otherkin.net wiki)
*[http://orion.kitsunet.net/dir.pdf Directory of Otherkin Writings]
*[http://www.thegreenwolf.com/afgto.html A Field Guide to Otherkin] at [http://www.immanion-press.com Immanion Press]
{{lj-search-interest|otherkin}}
{{fa-search-tag|otherkin}}
[[Category:Culture]]
[[Category:Terms]]
[[Category:Spirituality]]

{{featured article}}

[[hu:Otherkin]]
[[ru:Иность]]

Otherkin

2012-03-16T02:51:33Z

Jarandhel: Changed citation for the "Rainbow Elven Star" image, created by my sister Arhuaine, to otherkin.net where the image actually comes from.

[[Image:Elven Star Rainbow.jpg|right|thumb|The Elven Star, a symbol of otherkin. [http://otherkin.net Source]]]'''Otherkin''' are those who believe that their physical forms do not define or fully encompass their mental states, personality, psychology, or [[spirituality|spiritual]] nature.

First appearing in use on the Internet on April 18, 1990, the word was coined when a member of The Elfinkind Digest, Torin, "got tired of typing elf/dragon/orc/etc.-kin and just used otherkin" as shorthand.<ref>[http://orion.kitsunet.net/time.pdf Otherkin Timeline] by Orion Sandstorrm</ref>

==Otherkin beliefs==

Otherkin feel they have a sympathetic connection, affinity, or some other form of relation with another animal or being. Traditionally these have been mythological in nature, beginning with fairy and fey folk, elves, and a few other European mythological archetypes. Later, associations with other creatures became common, including [[unicorn]]s, [[gryphon]]s, [[dragon]]s, angelics, and [[demon]]s; as well as "non-living" types such as golems and other inorganics. In time, some people also began to describe concepts for beings which were derived from mythological archetypes, though having unique qualities; fully undefinable or one-of-a-kind kin types appeared as well.

With the unusual nature of the basic otherkin premises, there has been skepticism directed at it along with the proposal that many people adopt the otherkin identity to justify social difficulties - the outcast syndrome - or because they have a delusion and are in denial about their biological humanity. The idea that otherkin believe they are physically non-human in a spectacular way - such as actually being biological dragons - is seen as a pervasive misunderstanding by otherkin themselves, who point out the spiritual and psychological focus of the concept. Some community members believe this confusion arises from those unfamiliar with the concept or having only a sketchy or distorted awareness; comparing it to psychiatric cases such as [[lycanthropy]] and dissociative identity disorder, and concluding that in order for someone to state that they identify as an elf or gryphon, they must be experiencing a form of hallucination or delusion.

Contrary to [[stereotype]]s which have been perpetuated, most who identify as otherkin are fully aware of their biology and human existence. Many otherkin do have particular spiritual and metaphysical beliefs, and as part of those beliefs have discussed elements of a proposed spiritual reality which is not to be confused with the material world. Even if a given person believes, for instance, that on a spiritual plane they may have wings, it is uncommon that they are making a claim about such things that is scientific in nature, or that they exist in what most people might consider the real world.

Despite these points, some dislike the otherkin concept on the grounds that they feel it is abused by individuals who wish to present themselves as special and unique without merit, and that making unverifiable spiritual claims is one way to achieve this. Over time, otherkin has proven to be appealing to a number of people for this reason, and those within the community can be rigorous about screening out 'me too' and 'fluffbunny' adopters of the otherkin moniker. Some otherkin themselves do not consider the Internet Kin community to have much or any validity, saying that it is easy and tempting for a person to claim almost anything within the realm of online anonymity.

Within the loosely defined otherkin community, online or off, there is no consensus as to just what makes a person otherkin. A variety of phenomena have been observed and theorized about which many feel create some sort of affinity between a person and something else. In this light, some see otherkin as related to concepts such as [[Wikipedia:Totemism|Totemism]], which have appeared in human culture since ancient times. There has also been some debate over how potential factors such as [[Wikipedia:Clinical lycanthropy|clinical lycanthropy]] may account for a percentage of the experiences otherkin believe they have had. While many, and some conjecture most, otherkin follow a paradigm of spiritual reincarnation in some form to help explain their state of being, not all otherkin share this, and may view themselves in other spiritual, philosophical, or psychological frameworks. Even among those who believe in reincarnation, there are a wide variety of interpretations.

Another viewpoint is that the term otherkin largely denotes a social network and should not, or can not, be used as a description for individual spiritual beliefs or to describe an particular theory or explanation for phenomenon. Many people use the otherkin community to find discussion for a variety of subjects and to compare subjective experiences without considering themselves to be otherkin in a descriptive sense.

==History of the community==

Although there are spiritual parallels with shamanism and totemism, the modern otherkin subculture appears to trace its roots back to the counterculture of the 1960s. [[Wikipedia:Hippie|Hippies]] and [[Wikipedia:Flower child|flower children]], in particular, were heavily influenced by the fantasy works of [[Wikipedia:J.R.R. Tolkien|J.R.R. Tolkien]].<ref>[http://lists.econ.utah.edu/pipermail/marxism/2004-April/006893.html Tolkien and radical ecology in the sixties] - Mailing list marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu (accessed April 21 2004).</ref>

One example of this influence was the rock band [[Wikipedia:Tyrannosaurus Rex|Tyrannosaurus Rex]], whose drummer took the name [[Wikipedia:Steve Peregrin Took|Steve Peregrin Took]], after a [[Wikipedia:hobbit|hobbit]] character from ''[[Wikipedia:The Lord of the Rings|The Lord of the Rings]]''. The short-lived magazine ''[[Wikipedia:Gandalf's Garden|Gandalf's Garden]]'', named after another Tolkien character, described the group's singer-songwriter [[Wikipedia:Marc Bolan|Marc Bolan]] as "of elfin descent".<ref>[http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Studio/4730/gandalf.htm Tyrannosaurus Rex] - ''Gandalf's Garden'' (July 1968)</ref> Bolan was also frequently referred to as "the Bopping Elf".<ref>[http://www.marc-bolan.com/public/biography2.htm "From Darling Of The Underground To Dandy In The Underworld" - A Brief Bolan Biography], The Official Marc Bolan Fan Club (accessed May 8 2005)</ref>

Another musician of the time who used similar fantasy imagery was Donovan. In the cover notes to his 1966 LP [[Wikipedia:Sunshine Superman|"Sunshine Superman"]], he wrote "starring mr. plod in action with a daughter of the evil land of mordor."<ref>[http://www.sabotage.demon.co.uk/donovan/writings.htm#part_one Sunshine Superman] - Donovan's Non-Poetic Writings (1966)</ref> In the cover notes to his 1967 LP [[Wikipedia:A Gift from a Flower to a Garden|"A Gift from a Flower to a Garden"]], he wrote "We shall fill their days with fairies and elves and pussys and paints, with laughter and song and the gentle influence of Mother Nature."<ref>[http://www.sabotage.demon.co.uk/donovan/writings.htm#Oh,_what_a_Dawn_Youth_is_Rising_to A Gift from a Flower to a Garden] - Donovan's Non-Poetic Writings (1967)</ref>

And in the underground publication ''[[Wikipedia:International Times|International Times]]'', better known as IT, John Peel advised readers to "go to the children's playground in Kensington Gardens and stare at the elves on the trees there".<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2004/10/27/db2701.xml Obituary: John Peel] - Daily Telegraph (27 October 2004)</ref>

The 1970s saw a group calling themselves the Elf Queen's Daughters base themselves in the South Bay area of San Francisco, California.<ref>Silver Elves (2001). The Gainesville Letters. In ''The Magical Elven Love Letters, vol. 1'', pp. 9. Silver Elves Publications; no ISBN.</ref> They were also linked with [[Wikipedia:Seattle, Washington|Seattle, Washington]].<ref>[http://www.student.carleton.edu/orgs/druids/ARDA/ARDA-07.pdf The Druid Miscellany, pp. 2] - A reformed Druid anthology (August 1 1996)</ref> They published a newsletter and focused on "bringing together female elves in celebration of ritual and magic and understanding of Fae", according to the Faeid website.<ref>[http://www.faeid.com/elfqueens.html The Elf Queen's Daughters] - Are you a faeid? (accessed May 4 2005)</ref> In actuality the Elf Queen's Daughters were composed of both male and female elves, although they were Goddess oriented and they referred to all their members as sister.<ref>Comment by the Silver Elves.</ref> One quote from an anonymous founder of the group indicates similar ecologically-based pagan beliefs to those common in the modern otherkin movement — "the image of the Earth being a woman with trees for her hair, rivers for her veins flowing through. That was one of the first to use the image of earth as a physical Goddess."<ref>[http://groups.google.co.uk/group/alt.religion.all-worlds/msg/89f26a9ce27ab423?dmode=source&hl=en Aeona Silversong Interview] - The Electronic Foghorn (June 15 1993)</ref>

According to the Silver Elves, the Elf Queen's Daughters had ''"given up the path to elfin"'' around 1977. However, in 2004 they wrote that they had recently encountered one of them, Loriel Lyndoreyn.<ref>[http://www.renaissancefestival.com/community/discussion/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=875 magic connects us] - magical elven love letters (accessed May 21 2004).</ref> Another former member, Aeona Silversong, became a priestess in the Church of All Worlds in 1993, while continuing to identify as an elf.<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20040407120835/http://www.caw.org/clergy/index.html CAW Clergy] - CAWeb (accessed February 23 2004).</ref><ref>[http://groups.google.co.uk/group/alt.religion.all-worlds/msg/89f26a9ce27ab423?dmode=source&hl=en Aeona Silversong Interview] - The Electronic Foghorn (June 15 1993)</ref> Furthermore, Circle Network News published an article on the seven-pointed elven star citing the group as late as 1986. The Silver Elves suggest that the Elf Queen's Daughters were adept with magic and the use of the Ouija board.<ref>[http://www.sonic.net/~elves/necromancer.html The Way of the Necromancer] - The Elven Tree of Life (May 4 2002).</ref>

The Silver Elves are one of the more prominent groups in the modern subculture, mainly because of the Magical Elven Love Letters which they have regularly published for over twenty years. In their published compilation of these letters, they write that at the time they began to write them in 1979, ''"it had been nearly two years since the Elf Queen's Daughters had forsaken the dharma of the magic letters"''. This would indicate that the letters of the Silver Elves are a direct descendant of the newsletters released by the Elf Queen's Daughters; furthermore, the Silver Elves themselves profess to have been awakened as elves by that group.

Until the Internet became accessible, the letters were sent out by post and further distributed by their recipients, as well as being printed in various newsletters and magazines. Contact details for the Silver Elves were also listed in pagan books, such as [[Wikipedia:Margot Adler|Margot Adler]]'s ''[[Wikipedia:Drawing Down the Moon (book)|"Drawing Down The Moon"]]'' in 1979 and [[Wikipedia:Laurie Cabot|Laurie Cabot]]'s ''"Power of the Witch"'' in 1989.<ref>Adler, Margot, ''Drawing Down The Moon: Druids, Goddess-worshippers and other pagans in America today'', ISBN 0670283428, Viking Press (1979)</ref><ref>Cabot, Laurie, ''Power of the Witch'', ISBN 0385297866, Delacorte Press (1989).</ref>

In 1990, R'ykandar Korra'ti founded the Elfinkind Digest, an e-mail-based mailing list for "elves and interested observers".[http://groups.google.co.uk/group/rec.games.frp/msg/834976939ac48fcc?dmode=source&hl=en] At the time, her signature on Usenet was "Elfinkind Unite!" The next year, in 1991, she posted a subdued announcement to several newsgroups publicizing the Digest for the first time.<ref>[http://groups.google.co.uk/group/rec.games.frp/msg/834976939ac48fcc?dmode=source&hl=en Small mail-based digest] - Usenet (September 26 1991).</ref> As of 2003, more than 2000 digests had been posted, and this otherkin mailing list is generally acknowledged as the first one.[http://www.murkworks.net/~elflist/]

While Korra'ti had expected to find only other elves through her mailing list, she in fact discovered people with ''"a large number of self-identifications."''<ref>[http://www.rialian.com/elfinkin.htm Elfinkind Digest] - Elven Realities (December 23 1996).</ref> This was one of the first indications that there were other [[species]] identifications out there besides those of elves. The term otherkin was itself coined in the Elfinkind Digest #16 as a result of this fact. <ref>[http://orion.kitsunet.net/time.pdf Otherkin Timeline] by Orion Sandstorrm</ref> There was reportedly some talk of renaming the digest The Otherkind Digest, but this didn't happen. This dichotomy also persists to this day in the name of one of the more popular otherkin mailing lists, elven-realities.

On 6 February 1995, the [http://groups.google.co.uk/group/alt.magick/msg/e5adba21569abd19?dmode=source&hl=en Elven Nation Manifesto] was posted to Usenet.<ref>[http://groups.google.co.uk/group/alt.magick/msg/e5adba21569abd19?dmode=source&hl=en The Elven Nation Manifesto.....everyone must read this!] - Usenet (February 6 1995).</ref> This document was interesting in several ways: firstly, although it included a real name and a postal address, as well as a partial email address, it was posted through the anonymous remailer at anon.penet.fi. Secondly, several of the common themes in the modern otherkin movement are visible in it, such as the concept that elves have something significant to contribute to the world, and mention of the "Veil to the Otherworld", or the invisible boundary between the real world and the magical world of faerie.

Since it was posted to eleven newsgroups, it also violated Usenet's crossposting etiquette, which was far more strictly observed at the time than it is today. On Usenet itself, the document was universally panned and considered to be either a troll or an attempt to frame an innocent party. However, enough people contacted the original author of the Elven Nation post in good faith for a [http://www.rialian.com/elvsnatn.htm mailing list] to spin off from it.<ref>[http://www.rialian.com/elvsnatn.htm Excerpts from the Elven Nation mailing list] - Elven Realities (accessed May 4 2005).</ref> At least one person considered it to have played a part in their awakening.<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/19991009032307/www.absinthia.com/otherkin/awakening/willow.html Willow] - Awakenings (October 9 1999).</ref>

The community first hit the headlines in 2001 when the Village Voice published an article on it. Entitled "Elven Like Me", it drew gentle comparisons with the antiglobalisation movement, and suggested that otherkin were antimodernist.<ref>[http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0107,mamatas,22273,8.html Elven Like Me] - Village Voice (14 February 2001)</ref>

==Otherkin in the media==

The otherkin phenomenon has experienced less exposure in general media than subculture venues such as furry fandom, although it has been noted with increasing frequency in [[Wikipedia:Neo-Paganism|Neo-Pagan]] culture due to crossover of shamanistic and spiritual elements that has brought otherkin to the attention of contemporary pagans.

To date, there has been little formal study or publication of culture and theory relating to otherkin. One of the first reference volumes to deal with the otherkin culture specifically, ''A Field Guide to Otherkin'', by Lupa, was released in April 2007. The book contains the results of surveys distributed throughout the otherkin and therianthropy communities by the author and volunteers.

==Otherkin and therianthropy==

Otherkin bears no small resemblance to [[therianthropy#Modern_subcultural_use_of_the_term | therianthropy]], and some people consider them the same thing and use the terms interchangeably. Of these, some might feel there is insufficient difference between the concepts to present them separately, while others might be outsiders who are not familiar with the nuances or history of the ideas and communities surrounding them. However, in tradition to date, otherkin has come to be associated with people who experience an affinity with an animal, creature, or being which might ordinarily be considered mythological, or sometimes entirely unique/alien. In contrast, therianthropy is heavily connected to the affinity for ''existing'', real-world animals which have been observed to live today in nature or to have lived in the past. Typically, someone who identifies with fairies, elves, dragons, gryphons, unicorns, or even angelic or demonic beings might be seen as otherkin. While one who identifies with [[wolves]], [[foxes]], [[bear]]s, [[cat]]s big and small, or [[otter]]s might be seen as a therianthrope. This is not a hard line, however, and you may find animal otherkin and draconic therians, among others.

In some cases, a specific person might consider themselves - if they use a formal term or subculture association at all - a member of either community in spite of their species/entity connection. For example, someone who feels they are a part of the general otherkin community socially might use the term therianthropy to describe the mechanics of their own nature.

== Otherkin and furry ==

[[Furry fan]]s appear to be generally aware of otherkin and therianthropy. The practices and viewpoints of many [[furry lifestyle]]rs have some similarity to these ideas; because of this, some lifestylers associate with one or both terms. Likewise, while [[furry fandom]] in general might not have been formed to explore spiritual connections with animals and other creatures, many otherkin and therianthropes find the content and subject matter of furry appealing because of their own interests. In the opposite direction, many [[furry fan]]s discover the otherkin community through the fandom and begin to take part in it as well.

A noticeable number of people within the otherkin community are also furry fans in some capacity and frequently attend events such as furry [[convention]]s in addition to otherkin-specific social events. The philosophy and spirituality tracks at some conventions have hosted otherkin and therian speakers. Panels and discussions on mythology have also attracted otherkin to participate. Otherkin who are artists have used furry conventions to display their work, and those with an interest in make-up and costuming have attended for masquerade contests and dances.

Some otherkin feel that the furry fandom is a more relaxed atmosphere in which to explore ideas of animal and human relations and hybrids, seeing the fandom's lack of core spiritual doctrines as neutral ground. Due to this, some people decide to leave the general otherkin and therian communities in favor of furry. Furry events are sometimes popular as a meeting place with otherkin who are geographically isolated from kin-specific events.

===Controversy within furry fandom===

Opinions vary as to whether or not their association with the fandom is positive, negative, or irrelevant. Some people find the association of furry with things beyond its base definition of the appreciation of [[anthropomorphic]] animals in art and fiction to be inappropriate, ridiculous, or uncomfortable. Because of this, otherkin and therian connections or intermingling with the fandom have taken on a pejorative tint for such people. Much as furry lifestylers are sometimes disliked, otherkin might be made to feel unwelcome or derided by some furry fans.

A large degree of fandom awareness has been spread not only by contact with otherkin within the fandom, but by the adoption of otherkin as another topic with which to portray elements of Furry in humorous or negative light by websites such as [[Something Awful]] and [[Crush! Yiff! Destroy!]]. Due to such framing, otherkin has for some people become a generic term to identify furries who feel there is something more to their animal avatar than [[role-playing]]. Some also point out that a good deal of otherkin awareness has been spread by sardonic humor, which often singles out individuals with the most outrageous behavior or controversial opinions. As a result there appear to be inaccuracies in the knowledge of many furry fans and nonfurs relating to more moderate members of the otherkin community.

In response, others have said in spite of this confusion, there are those who identify as otherkin while putting forth dubious claims and questionable behavior. Because of the effect of visibility from the crowd, it is often the most over-the-top examples that are seen by outsiders, and thus tend to be associated with the entire fandom, not unlike many of the other problems with publicity that furry fandom has endured over time.

==Outside otherkin==

Otherkin is a label to describe personal beliefs, experiences, and traits that occur in a variety of combinations depending on the individual. As there is no consensus on what qualifies as otherkin, not everyone who shares similar beliefs feels the term is appropriate or useful for themselves.

Some who might otherwise describe themselves as otherkin downplay or conceal the affiliation. Citing outbreaks of controversy, individuals have confessed reluctance to reveal the extent of their beliefs for fear of losing status or being ostracized by a particular community, to avoid employment difficulties, or relieve pressure from friends and family.

== See also ==
* [[:Category:Otherkin|Otherkin users on WikiFur]]
* [[Wikipedia:Otherkin|Otherkin]] on [[Wikipedia]]
* [[Otakukin]]
* [[Theri There]], a webcomic about otherkin

== References ==

<references/>

== External links ==
*[http://otherkin.wikia.com Otherkin Wiki]
*[http://www.otherkin.net Otherkin.net] (including Otherkin.net wiki)
*[http://orion.kitsunet.net/dir.pdf Directory of Otherkin Writings]
*[http://www.thegreenwolf.com/afgto.html A Field Guide to Otherkin] at [http://www.immanion-press.com Immanion Press]
{{lj-search-interest|otherkin}}
{{fa-search-tag|otherkin}}
[[Category:Culture]]
[[Category:Terms]]
[[Category:Spirituality]]

{{featured article}}

[[hu:Otherkin]]
[[ru:Иность]]

Otherkin

2012-03-16T02:48:51Z

Jarandhel: /* Otherkin and therianthropy */ Restored section to previous more accurate version w/ some minor edits.

[[Image:Elven Star Rainbow.jpg|right|thumb|The Elven Star, a symbol of otherkin. [http://www.our-elysium.com/otherkin.htm Source]]]'''Otherkin''' are those who believe that their physical forms do not define or fully encompass their mental states, personality, psychology, or [[spirituality|spiritual]] nature.

First appearing in use on the Internet on April 18, 1990, the word was coined when a member of The Elfinkind Digest, Torin, "got tired of typing elf/dragon/orc/etc.-kin and just used otherkin" as shorthand.<ref>[http://orion.kitsunet.net/time.pdf Otherkin Timeline] by Orion Sandstorrm</ref>

==Otherkin beliefs==

Otherkin feel they have a sympathetic connection, affinity, or some other form of relation with another animal or being. Traditionally these have been mythological in nature, beginning with fairy and fey folk, elves, and a few other European mythological archetypes. Later, associations with other creatures became common, including [[unicorn]]s, [[gryphon]]s, [[dragon]]s, angelics, and [[demon]]s; as well as "non-living" types such as golems and other inorganics. In time, some people also began to describe concepts for beings which were derived from mythological archetypes, though having unique qualities; fully undefinable or one-of-a-kind kin types appeared as well.

With the unusual nature of the basic otherkin premises, there has been skepticism directed at it along with the proposal that many people adopt the otherkin identity to justify social difficulties - the outcast syndrome - or because they have a delusion and are in denial about their biological humanity. The idea that otherkin believe they are physically non-human in a spectacular way - such as actually being biological dragons - is seen as a pervasive misunderstanding by otherkin themselves, who point out the spiritual and psychological focus of the concept. Some community members believe this confusion arises from those unfamiliar with the concept or having only a sketchy or distorted awareness; comparing it to psychiatric cases such as [[lycanthropy]] and dissociative identity disorder, and concluding that in order for someone to state that they identify as an elf or gryphon, they must be experiencing a form of hallucination or delusion.

Contrary to [[stereotype]]s which have been perpetuated, most who identify as otherkin are fully aware of their biology and human existence. Many otherkin do have particular spiritual and metaphysical beliefs, and as part of those beliefs have discussed elements of a proposed spiritual reality which is not to be confused with the material world. Even if a given person believes, for instance, that on a spiritual plane they may have wings, it is uncommon that they are making a claim about such things that is scientific in nature, or that they exist in what most people might consider the real world.

Despite these points, some dislike the otherkin concept on the grounds that they feel it is abused by individuals who wish to present themselves as special and unique without merit, and that making unverifiable spiritual claims is one way to achieve this. Over time, otherkin has proven to be appealing to a number of people for this reason, and those within the community can be rigorous about screening out 'me too' and 'fluffbunny' adopters of the otherkin moniker. Some otherkin themselves do not consider the Internet Kin community to have much or any validity, saying that it is easy and tempting for a person to claim almost anything within the realm of online anonymity.

Within the loosely defined otherkin community, online or off, there is no consensus as to just what makes a person otherkin. A variety of phenomena have been observed and theorized about which many feel create some sort of affinity between a person and something else. In this light, some see otherkin as related to concepts such as [[Wikipedia:Totemism|Totemism]], which have appeared in human culture since ancient times. There has also been some debate over how potential factors such as [[Wikipedia:Clinical lycanthropy|clinical lycanthropy]] may account for a percentage of the experiences otherkin believe they have had. While many, and some conjecture most, otherkin follow a paradigm of spiritual reincarnation in some form to help explain their state of being, not all otherkin share this, and may view themselves in other spiritual, philosophical, or psychological frameworks. Even among those who believe in reincarnation, there are a wide variety of interpretations.

Another viewpoint is that the term otherkin largely denotes a social network and should not, or can not, be used as a description for individual spiritual beliefs or to describe an particular theory or explanation for phenomenon. Many people use the otherkin community to find discussion for a variety of subjects and to compare subjective experiences without considering themselves to be otherkin in a descriptive sense.

==History of the community==

Although there are spiritual parallels with shamanism and totemism, the modern otherkin subculture appears to trace its roots back to the counterculture of the 1960s. [[Wikipedia:Hippie|Hippies]] and [[Wikipedia:Flower child|flower children]], in particular, were heavily influenced by the fantasy works of [[Wikipedia:J.R.R. Tolkien|J.R.R. Tolkien]].<ref>[http://lists.econ.utah.edu/pipermail/marxism/2004-April/006893.html Tolkien and radical ecology in the sixties] - Mailing list marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu (accessed April 21 2004).</ref>

One example of this influence was the rock band [[Wikipedia:Tyrannosaurus Rex|Tyrannosaurus Rex]], whose drummer took the name [[Wikipedia:Steve Peregrin Took|Steve Peregrin Took]], after a [[Wikipedia:hobbit|hobbit]] character from ''[[Wikipedia:The Lord of the Rings|The Lord of the Rings]]''. The short-lived magazine ''[[Wikipedia:Gandalf's Garden|Gandalf's Garden]]'', named after another Tolkien character, described the group's singer-songwriter [[Wikipedia:Marc Bolan|Marc Bolan]] as "of elfin descent".<ref>[http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Studio/4730/gandalf.htm Tyrannosaurus Rex] - ''Gandalf's Garden'' (July 1968)</ref> Bolan was also frequently referred to as "the Bopping Elf".<ref>[http://www.marc-bolan.com/public/biography2.htm "From Darling Of The Underground To Dandy In The Underworld" - A Brief Bolan Biography], The Official Marc Bolan Fan Club (accessed May 8 2005)</ref>

Another musician of the time who used similar fantasy imagery was Donovan. In the cover notes to his 1966 LP [[Wikipedia:Sunshine Superman|"Sunshine Superman"]], he wrote "starring mr. plod in action with a daughter of the evil land of mordor."<ref>[http://www.sabotage.demon.co.uk/donovan/writings.htm#part_one Sunshine Superman] - Donovan's Non-Poetic Writings (1966)</ref> In the cover notes to his 1967 LP [[Wikipedia:A Gift from a Flower to a Garden|"A Gift from a Flower to a Garden"]], he wrote "We shall fill their days with fairies and elves and pussys and paints, with laughter and song and the gentle influence of Mother Nature."<ref>[http://www.sabotage.demon.co.uk/donovan/writings.htm#Oh,_what_a_Dawn_Youth_is_Rising_to A Gift from a Flower to a Garden] - Donovan's Non-Poetic Writings (1967)</ref>

And in the underground publication ''[[Wikipedia:International Times|International Times]]'', better known as IT, John Peel advised readers to "go to the children's playground in Kensington Gardens and stare at the elves on the trees there".<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2004/10/27/db2701.xml Obituary: John Peel] - Daily Telegraph (27 October 2004)</ref>

The 1970s saw a group calling themselves the Elf Queen's Daughters base themselves in the South Bay area of San Francisco, California.<ref>Silver Elves (2001). The Gainesville Letters. In ''The Magical Elven Love Letters, vol. 1'', pp. 9. Silver Elves Publications; no ISBN.</ref> They were also linked with [[Wikipedia:Seattle, Washington|Seattle, Washington]].<ref>[http://www.student.carleton.edu/orgs/druids/ARDA/ARDA-07.pdf The Druid Miscellany, pp. 2] - A reformed Druid anthology (August 1 1996)</ref> They published a newsletter and focused on "bringing together female elves in celebration of ritual and magic and understanding of Fae", according to the Faeid website.<ref>[http://www.faeid.com/elfqueens.html The Elf Queen's Daughters] - Are you a faeid? (accessed May 4 2005)</ref> In actuality the Elf Queen's Daughters were composed of both male and female elves, although they were Goddess oriented and they referred to all their members as sister.<ref>Comment by the Silver Elves.</ref> One quote from an anonymous founder of the group indicates similar ecologically-based pagan beliefs to those common in the modern otherkin movement — "the image of the Earth being a woman with trees for her hair, rivers for her veins flowing through. That was one of the first to use the image of earth as a physical Goddess."<ref>[http://groups.google.co.uk/group/alt.religion.all-worlds/msg/89f26a9ce27ab423?dmode=source&hl=en Aeona Silversong Interview] - The Electronic Foghorn (June 15 1993)</ref>

According to the Silver Elves, the Elf Queen's Daughters had ''"given up the path to elfin"'' around 1977. However, in 2004 they wrote that they had recently encountered one of them, Loriel Lyndoreyn.<ref>[http://www.renaissancefestival.com/community/discussion/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=875 magic connects us] - magical elven love letters (accessed May 21 2004).</ref> Another former member, Aeona Silversong, became a priestess in the Church of All Worlds in 1993, while continuing to identify as an elf.<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20040407120835/http://www.caw.org/clergy/index.html CAW Clergy] - CAWeb (accessed February 23 2004).</ref><ref>[http://groups.google.co.uk/group/alt.religion.all-worlds/msg/89f26a9ce27ab423?dmode=source&hl=en Aeona Silversong Interview] - The Electronic Foghorn (June 15 1993)</ref> Furthermore, Circle Network News published an article on the seven-pointed elven star citing the group as late as 1986. The Silver Elves suggest that the Elf Queen's Daughters were adept with magic and the use of the Ouija board.<ref>[http://www.sonic.net/~elves/necromancer.html The Way of the Necromancer] - The Elven Tree of Life (May 4 2002).</ref>

The Silver Elves are one of the more prominent groups in the modern subculture, mainly because of the Magical Elven Love Letters which they have regularly published for over twenty years. In their published compilation of these letters, they write that at the time they began to write them in 1979, ''"it had been nearly two years since the Elf Queen's Daughters had forsaken the dharma of the magic letters"''. This would indicate that the letters of the Silver Elves are a direct descendant of the newsletters released by the Elf Queen's Daughters; furthermore, the Silver Elves themselves profess to have been awakened as elves by that group.

Until the Internet became accessible, the letters were sent out by post and further distributed by their recipients, as well as being printed in various newsletters and magazines. Contact details for the Silver Elves were also listed in pagan books, such as [[Wikipedia:Margot Adler|Margot Adler]]'s ''[[Wikipedia:Drawing Down the Moon (book)|"Drawing Down The Moon"]]'' in 1979 and [[Wikipedia:Laurie Cabot|Laurie Cabot]]'s ''"Power of the Witch"'' in 1989.<ref>Adler, Margot, ''Drawing Down The Moon: Druids, Goddess-worshippers and other pagans in America today'', ISBN 0670283428, Viking Press (1979)</ref><ref>Cabot, Laurie, ''Power of the Witch'', ISBN 0385297866, Delacorte Press (1989).</ref>

In 1990, R'ykandar Korra'ti founded the Elfinkind Digest, an e-mail-based mailing list for "elves and interested observers".[http://groups.google.co.uk/group/rec.games.frp/msg/834976939ac48fcc?dmode=source&hl=en] At the time, her signature on Usenet was "Elfinkind Unite!" The next year, in 1991, she posted a subdued announcement to several newsgroups publicizing the Digest for the first time.<ref>[http://groups.google.co.uk/group/rec.games.frp/msg/834976939ac48fcc?dmode=source&hl=en Small mail-based digest] - Usenet (September 26 1991).</ref> As of 2003, more than 2000 digests had been posted, and this otherkin mailing list is generally acknowledged as the first one.[http://www.murkworks.net/~elflist/]

While Korra'ti had expected to find only other elves through her mailing list, she in fact discovered people with ''"a large number of self-identifications."''<ref>[http://www.rialian.com/elfinkin.htm Elfinkind Digest] - Elven Realities (December 23 1996).</ref> This was one of the first indications that there were other [[species]] identifications out there besides those of elves. The term otherkin was itself coined in the Elfinkind Digest #16 as a result of this fact. <ref>[http://orion.kitsunet.net/time.pdf Otherkin Timeline] by Orion Sandstorrm</ref> There was reportedly some talk of renaming the digest The Otherkind Digest, but this didn't happen. This dichotomy also persists to this day in the name of one of the more popular otherkin mailing lists, elven-realities.

On 6 February 1995, the [http://groups.google.co.uk/group/alt.magick/msg/e5adba21569abd19?dmode=source&hl=en Elven Nation Manifesto] was posted to Usenet.<ref>[http://groups.google.co.uk/group/alt.magick/msg/e5adba21569abd19?dmode=source&hl=en The Elven Nation Manifesto.....everyone must read this!] - Usenet (February 6 1995).</ref> This document was interesting in several ways: firstly, although it included a real name and a postal address, as well as a partial email address, it was posted through the anonymous remailer at anon.penet.fi. Secondly, several of the common themes in the modern otherkin movement are visible in it, such as the concept that elves have something significant to contribute to the world, and mention of the "Veil to the Otherworld", or the invisible boundary between the real world and the magical world of faerie.

Since it was posted to eleven newsgroups, it also violated Usenet's crossposting etiquette, which was far more strictly observed at the time than it is today. On Usenet itself, the document was universally panned and considered to be either a troll or an attempt to frame an innocent party. However, enough people contacted the original author of the Elven Nation post in good faith for a [http://www.rialian.com/elvsnatn.htm mailing list] to spin off from it.<ref>[http://www.rialian.com/elvsnatn.htm Excerpts from the Elven Nation mailing list] - Elven Realities (accessed May 4 2005).</ref> At least one person considered it to have played a part in their awakening.<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/19991009032307/www.absinthia.com/otherkin/awakening/willow.html Willow] - Awakenings (October 9 1999).</ref>

The community first hit the headlines in 2001 when the Village Voice published an article on it. Entitled "Elven Like Me", it drew gentle comparisons with the antiglobalisation movement, and suggested that otherkin were antimodernist.<ref>[http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0107,mamatas,22273,8.html Elven Like Me] - Village Voice (14 February 2001)</ref>

==Otherkin in the media==

The otherkin phenomenon has experienced less exposure in general media than subculture venues such as furry fandom, although it has been noted with increasing frequency in [[Wikipedia:Neo-Paganism|Neo-Pagan]] culture due to crossover of shamanistic and spiritual elements that has brought otherkin to the attention of contemporary pagans.

To date, there has been little formal study or publication of culture and theory relating to otherkin. One of the first reference volumes to deal with the otherkin culture specifically, ''A Field Guide to Otherkin'', by Lupa, was released in April 2007. The book contains the results of surveys distributed throughout the otherkin and therianthropy communities by the author and volunteers.

==Otherkin and therianthropy==

Otherkin bears no small resemblance to [[therianthropy#Modern_subcultural_use_of_the_term | therianthropy]], and some people consider them the same thing and use the terms interchangeably. Of these, some might feel there is insufficient difference between the concepts to present them separately, while others might be outsiders who are not familiar with the nuances or history of the ideas and communities surrounding them. However, in tradition to date, otherkin has come to be associated with people who experience an affinity with an animal, creature, or being which might ordinarily be considered mythological, or sometimes entirely unique/alien. In contrast, therianthropy is heavily connected to the affinity for ''existing'', real-world animals which have been observed to live today in nature or to have lived in the past. Typically, someone who identifies with fairies, elves, dragons, gryphons, unicorns, or even angelic or demonic beings might be seen as otherkin. While one who identifies with [[wolves]], [[foxes]], [[bear]]s, [[cat]]s big and small, or [[otter]]s might be seen as a therianthrope. This is not a hard line, however, and you may find animal otherkin and draconic therians, among others.

In some cases, a specific person might consider themselves - if they use a formal term or subculture association at all - a member of either community in spite of their species/entity connection. For example, someone who feels they are a part of the general otherkin community socially might use the term therianthropy to describe the mechanics of their own nature.

== Otherkin and furry ==

[[Furry fan]]s appear to be generally aware of otherkin and therianthropy. The practices and viewpoints of many [[furry lifestyle]]rs have some similarity to these ideas; because of this, some lifestylers associate with one or both terms. Likewise, while [[furry fandom]] in general might not have been formed to explore spiritual connections with animals and other creatures, many otherkin and therianthropes find the content and subject matter of furry appealing because of their own interests. In the opposite direction, many [[furry fan]]s discover the otherkin community through the fandom and begin to take part in it as well.

A noticeable number of people within the otherkin community are also furry fans in some capacity and frequently attend events such as furry [[convention]]s in addition to otherkin-specific social events. The philosophy and spirituality tracks at some conventions have hosted otherkin and therian speakers. Panels and discussions on mythology have also attracted otherkin to participate. Otherkin who are artists have used furry conventions to display their work, and those with an interest in make-up and costuming have attended for masquerade contests and dances.

Some otherkin feel that the furry fandom is a more relaxed atmosphere in which to explore ideas of animal and human relations and hybrids, seeing the fandom's lack of core spiritual doctrines as neutral ground. Due to this, some people decide to leave the general otherkin and therian communities in favor of furry. Furry events are sometimes popular as a meeting place with otherkin who are geographically isolated from kin-specific events.

===Controversy within furry fandom===

Opinions vary as to whether or not their association with the fandom is positive, negative, or irrelevant. Some people find the association of furry with things beyond its base definition of the appreciation of [[anthropomorphic]] animals in art and fiction to be inappropriate, ridiculous, or uncomfortable. Because of this, otherkin and therian connections or intermingling with the fandom have taken on a pejorative tint for such people. Much as furry lifestylers are sometimes disliked, otherkin might be made to feel unwelcome or derided by some furry fans.

A large degree of fandom awareness has been spread not only by contact with otherkin within the fandom, but by the adoption of otherkin as another topic with which to portray elements of Furry in humorous or negative light by websites such as [[Something Awful]] and [[Crush! Yiff! Destroy!]]. Due to such framing, otherkin has for some people become a generic term to identify furries who feel there is something more to their animal avatar than [[role-playing]]. Some also point out that a good deal of otherkin awareness has been spread by sardonic humor, which often singles out individuals with the most outrageous behavior or controversial opinions. As a result there appear to be inaccuracies in the knowledge of many furry fans and nonfurs relating to more moderate members of the otherkin community.

In response, others have said in spite of this confusion, there are those who identify as otherkin while putting forth dubious claims and questionable behavior. Because of the effect of visibility from the crowd, it is often the most over-the-top examples that are seen by outsiders, and thus tend to be associated with the entire fandom, not unlike many of the other problems with publicity that furry fandom has endured over time.

==Outside otherkin==

Otherkin is a label to describe personal beliefs, experiences, and traits that occur in a variety of combinations depending on the individual. As there is no consensus on what qualifies as otherkin, not everyone who shares similar beliefs feels the term is appropriate or useful for themselves.

Some who might otherwise describe themselves as otherkin downplay or conceal the affiliation. Citing outbreaks of controversy, individuals have confessed reluctance to reveal the extent of their beliefs for fear of losing status or being ostracized by a particular community, to avoid employment difficulties, or relieve pressure from friends and family.

== See also ==
* [[:Category:Otherkin|Otherkin users on WikiFur]]
* [[Wikipedia:Otherkin|Otherkin]] on [[Wikipedia]]
* [[Otakukin]]
* [[Theri There]], a webcomic about otherkin

== References ==

<references/>

== External links ==
*[http://otherkin.wikia.com Otherkin Wiki]
*[http://www.otherkin.net Otherkin.net] (including Otherkin.net wiki)
*[http://orion.kitsunet.net/dir.pdf Directory of Otherkin Writings]
*[http://www.thegreenwolf.com/afgto.html A Field Guide to Otherkin] at [http://www.immanion-press.com Immanion Press]
{{lj-search-interest|otherkin}}
{{fa-search-tag|otherkin}}
[[Category:Culture]]
[[Category:Terms]]
[[Category:Spirituality]]

{{featured article}}

[[hu:Otherkin]]
[[ru:Иность]]

Otherkin

2012-03-16T02:31:32Z

Jarandhel: Removed false information. Added information (with citation) regarding exactly when and where the term otherkin was coined.

[[Image:Elven Star Rainbow.jpg|right|thumb|The Elven Star, a symbol of otherkin. [http://www.our-elysium.com/otherkin.htm Source]]]'''Otherkin''' are those who believe that their physical forms do not define or fully encompass their mental states, personality, psychology, or [[spirituality|spiritual]] nature.

First appearing in use on the Internet on April 18, 1990, the word was coined when a member of The Elfinkind Digest, Torin, "got tired of typing elf/dragon/orc/etc.-kin and just used otherkin" as shorthand.<ref>[http://orion.kitsunet.net/time.pdf Otherkin Timeline] by Orion Sandstorrm</ref>

==Otherkin beliefs==

Otherkin feel they have a sympathetic connection, affinity, or some other form of relation with another animal or being. Traditionally these have been mythological in nature, beginning with fairy and fey folk, elves, and a few other European mythological archetypes. Later, associations with other creatures became common, including [[unicorn]]s, [[gryphon]]s, [[dragon]]s, angelics, and [[demon]]s; as well as "non-living" types such as golems and other inorganics. In time, some people also began to describe concepts for beings which were derived from mythological archetypes, though having unique qualities; fully undefinable or one-of-a-kind kin types appeared as well.

With the unusual nature of the basic otherkin premises, there has been skepticism directed at it along with the proposal that many people adopt the otherkin identity to justify social difficulties - the outcast syndrome - or because they have a delusion and are in denial about their biological humanity. The idea that otherkin believe they are physically non-human in a spectacular way - such as actually being biological dragons - is seen as a pervasive misunderstanding by otherkin themselves, who point out the spiritual and psychological focus of the concept. Some community members believe this confusion arises from those unfamiliar with the concept or having only a sketchy or distorted awareness; comparing it to psychiatric cases such as [[lycanthropy]] and dissociative identity disorder, and concluding that in order for someone to state that they identify as an elf or gryphon, they must be experiencing a form of hallucination or delusion.

Contrary to [[stereotype]]s which have been perpetuated, most who identify as otherkin are fully aware of their biology and human existence. Many otherkin do have particular spiritual and metaphysical beliefs, and as part of those beliefs have discussed elements of a proposed spiritual reality which is not to be confused with the material world. Even if a given person believes, for instance, that on a spiritual plane they may have wings, it is uncommon that they are making a claim about such things that is scientific in nature, or that they exist in what most people might consider the real world.

Despite these points, some dislike the otherkin concept on the grounds that they feel it is abused by individuals who wish to present themselves as special and unique without merit, and that making unverifiable spiritual claims is one way to achieve this. Over time, otherkin has proven to be appealing to a number of people for this reason, and those within the community can be rigorous about screening out 'me too' and 'fluffbunny' adopters of the otherkin moniker. Some otherkin themselves do not consider the Internet Kin community to have much or any validity, saying that it is easy and tempting for a person to claim almost anything within the realm of online anonymity.

Within the loosely defined otherkin community, online or off, there is no consensus as to just what makes a person otherkin. A variety of phenomena have been observed and theorized about which many feel create some sort of affinity between a person and something else. In this light, some see otherkin as related to concepts such as [[Wikipedia:Totemism|Totemism]], which have appeared in human culture since ancient times. There has also been some debate over how potential factors such as [[Wikipedia:Clinical lycanthropy|clinical lycanthropy]] may account for a percentage of the experiences otherkin believe they have had. While many, and some conjecture most, otherkin follow a paradigm of spiritual reincarnation in some form to help explain their state of being, not all otherkin share this, and may view themselves in other spiritual, philosophical, or psychological frameworks. Even among those who believe in reincarnation, there are a wide variety of interpretations.

Another viewpoint is that the term otherkin largely denotes a social network and should not, or can not, be used as a description for individual spiritual beliefs or to describe an particular theory or explanation for phenomenon. Many people use the otherkin community to find discussion for a variety of subjects and to compare subjective experiences without considering themselves to be otherkin in a descriptive sense.

==History of the community==

Although there are spiritual parallels with shamanism and totemism, the modern otherkin subculture appears to trace its roots back to the counterculture of the 1960s. [[Wikipedia:Hippie|Hippies]] and [[Wikipedia:Flower child|flower children]], in particular, were heavily influenced by the fantasy works of [[Wikipedia:J.R.R. Tolkien|J.R.R. Tolkien]].<ref>[http://lists.econ.utah.edu/pipermail/marxism/2004-April/006893.html Tolkien and radical ecology in the sixties] - Mailing list marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu (accessed April 21 2004).</ref>

One example of this influence was the rock band [[Wikipedia:Tyrannosaurus Rex|Tyrannosaurus Rex]], whose drummer took the name [[Wikipedia:Steve Peregrin Took|Steve Peregrin Took]], after a [[Wikipedia:hobbit|hobbit]] character from ''[[Wikipedia:The Lord of the Rings|The Lord of the Rings]]''. The short-lived magazine ''[[Wikipedia:Gandalf's Garden|Gandalf's Garden]]'', named after another Tolkien character, described the group's singer-songwriter [[Wikipedia:Marc Bolan|Marc Bolan]] as "of elfin descent".<ref>[http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Studio/4730/gandalf.htm Tyrannosaurus Rex] - ''Gandalf's Garden'' (July 1968)</ref> Bolan was also frequently referred to as "the Bopping Elf".<ref>[http://www.marc-bolan.com/public/biography2.htm "From Darling Of The Underground To Dandy In The Underworld" - A Brief Bolan Biography], The Official Marc Bolan Fan Club (accessed May 8 2005)</ref>

Another musician of the time who used similar fantasy imagery was Donovan. In the cover notes to his 1966 LP [[Wikipedia:Sunshine Superman|"Sunshine Superman"]], he wrote "starring mr. plod in action with a daughter of the evil land of mordor."<ref>[http://www.sabotage.demon.co.uk/donovan/writings.htm#part_one Sunshine Superman] - Donovan's Non-Poetic Writings (1966)</ref> In the cover notes to his 1967 LP [[Wikipedia:A Gift from a Flower to a Garden|"A Gift from a Flower to a Garden"]], he wrote "We shall fill their days with fairies and elves and pussys and paints, with laughter and song and the gentle influence of Mother Nature."<ref>[http://www.sabotage.demon.co.uk/donovan/writings.htm#Oh,_what_a_Dawn_Youth_is_Rising_to A Gift from a Flower to a Garden] - Donovan's Non-Poetic Writings (1967)</ref>

And in the underground publication ''[[Wikipedia:International Times|International Times]]'', better known as IT, John Peel advised readers to "go to the children's playground in Kensington Gardens and stare at the elves on the trees there".<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2004/10/27/db2701.xml Obituary: John Peel] - Daily Telegraph (27 October 2004)</ref>

The 1970s saw a group calling themselves the Elf Queen's Daughters base themselves in the South Bay area of San Francisco, California.<ref>Silver Elves (2001). The Gainesville Letters. In ''The Magical Elven Love Letters, vol. 1'', pp. 9. Silver Elves Publications; no ISBN.</ref> They were also linked with [[Wikipedia:Seattle, Washington|Seattle, Washington]].<ref>[http://www.student.carleton.edu/orgs/druids/ARDA/ARDA-07.pdf The Druid Miscellany, pp. 2] - A reformed Druid anthology (August 1 1996)</ref> They published a newsletter and focused on "bringing together female elves in celebration of ritual and magic and understanding of Fae", according to the Faeid website.<ref>[http://www.faeid.com/elfqueens.html The Elf Queen's Daughters] - Are you a faeid? (accessed May 4 2005)</ref> In actuality the Elf Queen's Daughters were composed of both male and female elves, although they were Goddess oriented and they referred to all their members as sister.<ref>Comment by the Silver Elves.</ref> One quote from an anonymous founder of the group indicates similar ecologically-based pagan beliefs to those common in the modern otherkin movement — "the image of the Earth being a woman with trees for her hair, rivers for her veins flowing through. That was one of the first to use the image of earth as a physical Goddess."<ref>[http://groups.google.co.uk/group/alt.religion.all-worlds/msg/89f26a9ce27ab423?dmode=source&hl=en Aeona Silversong Interview] - The Electronic Foghorn (June 15 1993)</ref>

According to the Silver Elves, the Elf Queen's Daughters had ''"given up the path to elfin"'' around 1977. However, in 2004 they wrote that they had recently encountered one of them, Loriel Lyndoreyn.<ref>[http://www.renaissancefestival.com/community/discussion/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=875 magic connects us] - magical elven love letters (accessed May 21 2004).</ref> Another former member, Aeona Silversong, became a priestess in the Church of All Worlds in 1993, while continuing to identify as an elf.<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20040407120835/http://www.caw.org/clergy/index.html CAW Clergy] - CAWeb (accessed February 23 2004).</ref><ref>[http://groups.google.co.uk/group/alt.religion.all-worlds/msg/89f26a9ce27ab423?dmode=source&hl=en Aeona Silversong Interview] - The Electronic Foghorn (June 15 1993)</ref> Furthermore, Circle Network News published an article on the seven-pointed elven star citing the group as late as 1986. The Silver Elves suggest that the Elf Queen's Daughters were adept with magic and the use of the Ouija board.<ref>[http://www.sonic.net/~elves/necromancer.html The Way of the Necromancer] - The Elven Tree of Life (May 4 2002).</ref>

The Silver Elves are one of the more prominent groups in the modern subculture, mainly because of the Magical Elven Love Letters which they have regularly published for over twenty years. In their published compilation of these letters, they write that at the time they began to write them in 1979, ''"it had been nearly two years since the Elf Queen's Daughters had forsaken the dharma of the magic letters"''. This would indicate that the letters of the Silver Elves are a direct descendant of the newsletters released by the Elf Queen's Daughters; furthermore, the Silver Elves themselves profess to have been awakened as elves by that group.

Until the Internet became accessible, the letters were sent out by post and further distributed by their recipients, as well as being printed in various newsletters and magazines. Contact details for the Silver Elves were also listed in pagan books, such as [[Wikipedia:Margot Adler|Margot Adler]]'s ''[[Wikipedia:Drawing Down the Moon (book)|"Drawing Down The Moon"]]'' in 1979 and [[Wikipedia:Laurie Cabot|Laurie Cabot]]'s ''"Power of the Witch"'' in 1989.<ref>Adler, Margot, ''Drawing Down The Moon: Druids, Goddess-worshippers and other pagans in America today'', ISBN 0670283428, Viking Press (1979)</ref><ref>Cabot, Laurie, ''Power of the Witch'', ISBN 0385297866, Delacorte Press (1989).</ref>

In 1990, R'ykandar Korra'ti founded the Elfinkind Digest, an e-mail-based mailing list for "elves and interested observers".[http://groups.google.co.uk/group/rec.games.frp/msg/834976939ac48fcc?dmode=source&hl=en] At the time, her signature on Usenet was "Elfinkind Unite!" The next year, in 1991, she posted a subdued announcement to several newsgroups publicizing the Digest for the first time.<ref>[http://groups.google.co.uk/group/rec.games.frp/msg/834976939ac48fcc?dmode=source&hl=en Small mail-based digest] - Usenet (September 26 1991).</ref> As of 2003, more than 2000 digests had been posted, and this otherkin mailing list is generally acknowledged as the first one.[http://www.murkworks.net/~elflist/]

While Korra'ti had expected to find only other elves through her mailing list, she in fact discovered people with ''"a large number of self-identifications."''<ref>[http://www.rialian.com/elfinkin.htm Elfinkind Digest] - Elven Realities (December 23 1996).</ref> This was one of the first indications that there were other [[species]] identifications out there besides those of elves. The term otherkin was itself coined in the Elfinkind Digest #16 as a result of this fact. <ref>[http://orion.kitsunet.net/time.pdf Otherkin Timeline] by Orion Sandstorrm</ref> There was reportedly some talk of renaming the digest The Otherkind Digest, but this didn't happen. This dichotomy also persists to this day in the name of one of the more popular otherkin mailing lists, elven-realities.

On 6 February 1995, the [http://groups.google.co.uk/group/alt.magick/msg/e5adba21569abd19?dmode=source&hl=en Elven Nation Manifesto] was posted to Usenet.<ref>[http://groups.google.co.uk/group/alt.magick/msg/e5adba21569abd19?dmode=source&hl=en The Elven Nation Manifesto.....everyone must read this!] - Usenet (February 6 1995).</ref> This document was interesting in several ways: firstly, although it included a real name and a postal address, as well as a partial email address, it was posted through the anonymous remailer at anon.penet.fi. Secondly, several of the common themes in the modern otherkin movement are visible in it, such as the concept that elves have something significant to contribute to the world, and mention of the "Veil to the Otherworld", or the invisible boundary between the real world and the magical world of faerie.

Since it was posted to eleven newsgroups, it also violated Usenet's crossposting etiquette, which was far more strictly observed at the time than it is today. On Usenet itself, the document was universally panned and considered to be either a troll or an attempt to frame an innocent party. However, enough people contacted the original author of the Elven Nation post in good faith for a [http://www.rialian.com/elvsnatn.htm mailing list] to spin off from it.<ref>[http://www.rialian.com/elvsnatn.htm Excerpts from the Elven Nation mailing list] - Elven Realities (accessed May 4 2005).</ref> At least one person considered it to have played a part in their awakening.<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/19991009032307/www.absinthia.com/otherkin/awakening/willow.html Willow] - Awakenings (October 9 1999).</ref>

The community first hit the headlines in 2001 when the Village Voice published an article on it. Entitled "Elven Like Me", it drew gentle comparisons with the antiglobalisation movement, and suggested that otherkin were antimodernist.<ref>[http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0107,mamatas,22273,8.html Elven Like Me] - Village Voice (14 February 2001)</ref>

==Otherkin in the media==

The otherkin phenomenon has experienced less exposure in general media than subculture venues such as furry fandom, although it has been noted with increasing frequency in [[Wikipedia:Neo-Paganism|Neo-Pagan]] culture due to crossover of shamanistic and spiritual elements that has brought otherkin to the attention of contemporary pagans.

To date, there has been little formal study or publication of culture and theory relating to otherkin. One of the first reference volumes to deal with the otherkin culture specifically, ''A Field Guide to Otherkin'', by Lupa, was released in April 2007. The book contains the results of surveys distributed throughout the otherkin and therianthropy communities by the author and volunteers.

==Otherkin and therianthropy==

Otherkin bears (depending upon your point of view) some or no resemblance to [[therianthropy]], and some people consider them the same thing and use them interchangeably. However others don't and consider them unrelated and feel that the attempted correlation between Therians and Otherkin is an invasion into what Therian are supposed to be about. At one point in time Therians ran their own websites at the birth/dawn of the internet. For a long time they were about a set of predetermined ideas based heavily on druidism, shamanism, totemism, and so forth. These days those websites have changed, and are now run by people who make the claim that therian is a subset of Otherkin.

At there present time some Otherkin feel therian is just a another part of Otherkin only dealing with non myth animals. In the meantime in discussion boards across the internet some therians continue to object to seeing their spirituality change to mean something it didn't before and the false associations that come with it,

Rather than tread on someone else's spirituality it might be safer to refer to people who believe they have a soul other than human that is a living or extant animal, animalkin, and those who believe they have a soul other than human that is mythological, mythkin to prevent a misappropriation between otherkin-therian hybrids and non otherkin related therians.

== Otherkin and furry ==

[[Furry fan]]s appear to be generally aware of otherkin and therianthropy. The practices and viewpoints of many [[furry lifestyle]]rs have some similarity to these ideas; because of this, some lifestylers associate with one or both terms. Likewise, while [[furry fandom]] in general might not have been formed to explore spiritual connections with animals and other creatures, many otherkin and therianthropes find the content and subject matter of furry appealing because of their own interests. In the opposite direction, many [[furry fan]]s discover the otherkin community through the fandom and begin to take part in it as well.

A noticeable number of people within the otherkin community are also furry fans in some capacity and frequently attend events such as furry [[convention]]s in addition to otherkin-specific social events. The philosophy and spirituality tracks at some conventions have hosted otherkin and therian speakers. Panels and discussions on mythology have also attracted otherkin to participate. Otherkin who are artists have used furry conventions to display their work, and those with an interest in make-up and costuming have attended for masquerade contests and dances.

Some otherkin feel that the furry fandom is a more relaxed atmosphere in which to explore ideas of animal and human relations and hybrids, seeing the fandom's lack of core spiritual doctrines as neutral ground. Due to this, some people decide to leave the general otherkin and therian communities in favor of furry. Furry events are sometimes popular as a meeting place with otherkin who are geographically isolated from kin-specific events.

===Controversy within furry fandom===

Opinions vary as to whether or not their association with the fandom is positive, negative, or irrelevant. Some people find the association of furry with things beyond its base definition of the appreciation of [[anthropomorphic]] animals in art and fiction to be inappropriate, ridiculous, or uncomfortable. Because of this, otherkin and therian connections or intermingling with the fandom have taken on a pejorative tint for such people. Much as furry lifestylers are sometimes disliked, otherkin might be made to feel unwelcome or derided by some furry fans.

A large degree of fandom awareness has been spread not only by contact with otherkin within the fandom, but by the adoption of otherkin as another topic with which to portray elements of Furry in humorous or negative light by websites such as [[Something Awful]] and [[Crush! Yiff! Destroy!]]. Due to such framing, otherkin has for some people become a generic term to identify furries who feel there is something more to their animal avatar than [[role-playing]]. Some also point out that a good deal of otherkin awareness has been spread by sardonic humor, which often singles out individuals with the most outrageous behavior or controversial opinions. As a result there appear to be inaccuracies in the knowledge of many furry fans and nonfurs relating to more moderate members of the otherkin community.

In response, others have said in spite of this confusion, there are those who identify as otherkin while putting forth dubious claims and questionable behavior. Because of the effect of visibility from the crowd, it is often the most over-the-top examples that are seen by outsiders, and thus tend to be associated with the entire fandom, not unlike many of the other problems with publicity that furry fandom has endured over time.

==Outside otherkin==

Otherkin is a label to describe personal beliefs, experiences, and traits that occur in a variety of combinations depending on the individual. As there is no consensus on what qualifies as otherkin, not everyone who shares similar beliefs feels the term is appropriate or useful for themselves.

Some who might otherwise describe themselves as otherkin downplay or conceal the affiliation. Citing outbreaks of controversy, individuals have confessed reluctance to reveal the extent of their beliefs for fear of losing status or being ostracized by a particular community, to avoid employment difficulties, or relieve pressure from friends and family.

== See also ==
* [[:Category:Otherkin|Otherkin users on WikiFur]]
* [[Wikipedia:Otherkin|Otherkin]] on [[Wikipedia]]
* [[Otakukin]]
* [[Theri There]], a webcomic about otherkin

== References ==

<references/>

== External links ==
*[http://otherkin.wikia.com Otherkin Wiki]
*[http://www.otherkin.net Otherkin.net] (including Otherkin.net wiki)
*[http://orion.kitsunet.net/dir.pdf Directory of Otherkin Writings]
*[http://www.thegreenwolf.com/afgto.html A Field Guide to Otherkin] at [http://www.immanion-press.com Immanion Press]
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[[Category:Spirituality]]

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