WikiFur - User contributions [en]

Talk:Therian

2009-03-18T17:07:03Z

WingedWolfPsion: /* Time for a few actual rennovations */

The following paragraph was removed from the main article, under the reason of being "very bias[sic]":
:In many ways, therians could be called [[were]]-lifestylers, except most therians are aggressivly against the idea of conciously assuming animal traits, a trait they feel is a hallmark of wannabes and [[lifestylers]]. Instead, they prefer to believe that the therian state is something people cannot assume.
Instead of keeping the entire pragraph out, could someone rewrite it, if possible, to just be a lot less biased and then reinsert it? Thanks, --[[User:Dmuth|Dmuth]] 19:21, 2 Nov 2005 (UTC)

:That's not, in any way, an accurate representation of therians. It -should- be removed outright. {{unsigned|24.162.235.5}} 00:55, 18 November 2005 (UTC)

== TherianTemple.com ==

Therian Temple lewks like a dead obvious CULT to me. Cults are a SERIOUS problem in the Were-World, ESPECIALLY to young, developing therians. This one, just from the front page is DEFINATELY a Cult, notice: I do not say "coven", I say CULT. Please DO NOT replace this link. thank you to the anon who was removing it and EarthFurst who brought it to my attention. Also: for Future reference: CAREFULL WHAT YOU LINK AS A THERIAN RESOURCE!!! If it dosn't look like Werelist or something, ask some therian knowledgable people to check for you. I can't stress enough how important this is, ESPECIALLY since WikiFur was what showed mee Therian in the first place.

regards: '''- ''[[user:cchristianTehWazzit|cchristian]]'' [[user talk:cchristianTehWazzit|talk]]''' 03:50, 8 March 2007 (UTC)

-----------------
The Therian Temple is not a cult. Cults recruit, Cults force members to do things, cults have an idolized Leader...they dont do any of that.
Its very close minded to try and write off something new right away just because its not just like what you believe in.
The T.T. has members in 4 countries including members of the US Armed Forces.
None of them have ever done anythign illegal-you would have seen it on the news: "Werewolf cult kills babies" or something-but you didnt-because its justa group of people who study magic and read books-quit being so mean. ~tolerant one {{Unsigned|67.149.55.134}}

:oh really? and you are?
:Pah! whatever. We can't put it up there anyway, it's considered a scam by every therian I know (I doubt you are one, but I won't go there). Even still, I KNOW what cults do to us, so I want to keep this stuff off of wikifur, especially for what I said before. if you REALLY want to try for this, wait a week or two, the Therian Wiki is currently waiting for Wikia staff to make it, we can discuss this there. '''- ''[[user:cchristianTehWazzit|cchristian]]'' [[user talk:cchristianTehWazzit|talk]]'''

::I actually agree with tolerant one on this one...it is not a cult. But it is a scam, and something to be avoided.-{{Unsigned|Xainy}}

:I will state here what I said in another talk page:
Due to possible conflict of interest, I will not personally edit this article, however:
If there is reliable information needed about the Therian Temple, please go straight to the source and email me: ordovirbestia@theriantemple.com

For the record:
One thing can be certain: no TT member has ever committed a crime.
If any member was ever to do so, they would have their membership immediately revoked (we don't even allow illegal drug use).
Stating in an online resource that we are involved in ANY criminal activity is in fact a legal issue of libel / slander (see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slander_and_libel) and legal action WILL be taken against any people making such false claims.

Peace to you all.
Magus Fenrir Therion,
Therian Temple
[[User:MagusFenrir|MagusFenrir]]([[User talk:MagusFenrir|talk]])

:Regardless of how the KoolAid actually tastes, I'm going to leave links to the Temple off this article, as well as [[Therianthropy]]. The links that continue to stay are both informative resources that tell me more about therians and therianthropy. I would also advise that [[Therian Temple]] gets a heavy overhaul so you're not selling the site or shilling your product on the wiki. Also, please do not come in here touting the law stick. All of you behave, please. You too, cchristian. --[[User:KendricksRedtail|Kendricks Redtail]] 17:32, 21 April 2007 (UTC)

:Perhaps you can overhaul that article. As I stated, I will not be editing Therian related articles due to POV / Conflict of interest issues.
The "Law stick", as you call it, was necessary at the time, due to someone writing in that "cults like Therian Temple kill people", which is an obviously libelous claim, which can easily be proven false by simply doing even minor research.

We do not recruit new members or "sell" anything. Obviously, as a new group, we are not as big and rich as the Christian church that we can give out printed Bibles for free like the Gideons, and the only cost in the TT is the price of the hardcover book, which cost money to print and ship.There is no advertising anywhere for the TT, in print OR online, due to the fact that we wish for only genuinely interested people who have come across it on their own to get involved.

We keep to ourselves generally. Frankly, I think other TT members would agree that we would have preferred to keep somewhat private, but with all these cruel lies being put on highly trafficked sites, I'm sure you can see why some amount of self-defense was needed.

I am a very friendly and reasonable person, and I can't see why people don't just contact the TT when they have these types of serious questions / accusations about us and our activities. Our email is right on the site, and anyone is welcome to ask questions. I mean, seriously, if you actually thought a group was participating in killing or anything close to that, wouldn't you investigate it, or at least contact the authorities to see if any "werewolf murders" had ever occurred? To just say it in a wiki page is clearly just an attempt to make a minority group of adherents look bad publicly for whatever reasons / agendas.

I do respect and Thank you, Kendricks, for keeping an objective "wiki" type of perspective on this issue, when so many others have been editing in their own personal views into related articles.
[[User:MagusFenrir|MagusFenrir]]([[User talk:MagusFenrir|talk]])
:Although you can threaten with legal threats, we would ask that you [[Legal threats|do not for these reasons]]. As for your print issues, if this is a religious group, you can ask for tithing or simply ask for donations. Forcing someone to buy their way into your religion sits wrong on MANY people, including me. Thank you for understanding the need for an NPOV, however the same standards are expected of you and your roommate as well. Making thinly veiled jabs and attacks on other sites do not lend well to your claims of good faith. Quite simply to quote religiously, "[[Wikipedia:Golden Rule|do unto others as you would have them do unto you]]" and "turn the other cheek."--[[User:KendricksRedtail|Kendricks Redtail]] 02:10, 23 April 2007 (UTC)

:Dear Sir,(Madame?) I believe you are very confused, or being fed misinformation somehow.
No one is "forced" to buy or do anything.
Also, we are not a Christian group, and do not and will never ask for tithing (10% of people's yearly income, as asked by "tithing" churches is a LOT more than the cost of one copy of a hardcover book). No one can "buy their way into" any religion, either they believe in it and follow it or the don't.
Obviously, though, you would want people to know what you are talking about when referring to the book.
Christian churches don't require new member to buy their book because ther bible is Readily available anywhere, due to hundreds of YEARS of mass distribution
What "jabs" are you talking about?
Defending the group of which I am a member by saying that we do not allow illegal activity is an attack on someone? Who? How?
Also, we are not a Christian group, and thus, are not bound by the Christian "golden rule", and personally, I see it more fit to "do unto others as THEY HAVE DONE TO YOU". If someone insults me with false accusations, and is somehow insulted by the fact that their accusations have been publicly proven false, this is only fair game.
I don't see it as an attack to protect myself and my group from slanderous lies being spread about us.
This is beginning to seem like a gang-up tactic on here, with a bunch people forcing me having to explain things that are already clearly stated on the TT site.
I hope you do plan to make this site and its information remain objective and not let people's personal views blur the line between some people's fantasy and reality.[[User:MagusFenrir|MagusFenrir]]([[User talk:MagusFenrir|talk]])

:I'm not ganging up on anyone or anything. I'm staying neutral. That should have been honest when I suspended Christian for attacking you. When I said "buying" one's way into a religion, I was referring to the fact that to join your religion, you have to give someone $30 bucks. Otherwise you can't get in. It's like any other one of those television evangelists who will share the secrets of God with you for 5 easy payments. The jabs I referred to is your edits to Werelist. The edits have been cleaned up there. As for the Golden Rule, it doesn't necessarily have to be Christian. It's just morally good sense. Retaliation like you seem to support is the reason that this conflict will likely continue on. Break the cycle, dude. Otherwise, it will be assumed that any edits you make on this wiki will be in bad faith and will be automatically reverted.--[[User:KendricksRedtail|Kendricks Redtail]] 01:56, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

:Maybe you overlooked a main point:
"Obviously, you would want people to know what you are talking about when referring to the book." --Meaning-it would be unfair & deceitful to allow people to participate in a "religion" if some of them did not have the book and some did. Requiring that people read the book first helps make sure that everyone involved knows what they are getting into / supporting. That should be easy to understand.
Again: Christian churches don't require new members to buy their book because their bible is Readily available anywhere, due to hundreds of YEARS of mass distribution, and MOST people have already read or at least have a copy of the Holy Bible.
Also, most christian groups pursue a tax-exempt status, and therefore many materials are subsidized. We, however, do not pursue a tax-exempt status, thus we pay full cost for our materials, and pay taxes on them. I don't see how anyone could consider that to be anything like television evangelists who are using a widely available text (the Holy Bible) and who do not pay taxes. [[User:MagusFenrir|MagusFenrir]]([[User talk:MagusFenrir|talk]])
:You know it's not just Christianity that does this, you know. :-) Most religions fall under that tax-exemption. You should investigate it yourself. And I don't think you pay attention to TV evangelists who hawk wares like their own personal books or my personal favorite was the prayer hankie. The point I was making earlier is that churchs, synagogues and mosques tend to operate due to DONATIONS by the members, not by paying dues or by paying an entrance fee. You claim to have this mass flock in 4 countries. It should be no trouble at all ask for donations because really what are your expenses? You can get your book tossed off a vanity press or if you really want to be new age, have it available on the good ol Internet. Beyond, there's website upkeep and...? Anything beyond that and you MIGHT be setting your sights too high too soon. :) My other point is your line about the people reading the book first before they know what they're getting into. However they've already paid their $30 and a little voice tells me that you probably don't offer refunds. Just like the TV evangelists. Stupid prayer hankie. --[[User:KendricksRedtail|Kendricks Redtail]] 18:28, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

:Why do people keep acting like $30 is a lot of money? What are you people homeless or something? I spend $30 on lunch. Analogy: If I wanted to check out a musician's latest CD, I would only be given minor samples of what it contained (radio songs,myspace page, music video etc.) , and would have to buy the CD to hear the rest of it. Should I get a refund if I end up only liking one song on the CD? NO, because it cost money to make the CD, and I agreed to take the risk that I may or may not like the whole CD. You are being ridiculous, and you sound like a communist...-[[User:MagusFenrir|MagusFenrir]]([[User talk:MagusFenrir|talk]])
::Actually $30 may be a bit overspending on your lunch. I think I pay 5 bucks at my local hot dog stand. :-) And for many furries, otherkin and therian, $30 bucks can be a frivolous expenditure. And, btw, noting your analogy, you don't offer clips and snippets. Maybe that'd be an idea?--[[User:KendricksRedtail|Kendricks Redtail]] 22:15, 27 April 2007 (UTC)

:If one views "Temple Mission" on our site there are very basic excerpts from the Therian Bible there, for which we have chosen the more "stern" elements to filter out anyone potentially not prepared to deal with our form of Practices, thus those who buy the book already expect order and rules, and no one has ever asked for a "refund".
And, personally, I do not eat "hot dogs", or any other animals, and would never risk my own health on a meal costing merely $5. Nor would I waste my time on a book that needs to be given out for free, as if the group is desperate for members. Books also can constitute mind food... If You are what you eat, and you eat cheap garbage...well, then....

-[[User:MagusFenrir|MagusFenrir]]([[User talk:MagusFenrir|talk]])

::Sorry to inturrupt, but don't you ''claim'' to be a were-WOLF??? How could you stand to "not eat any animals"? I mean, some of us even drool over ROAD KILL sometimes. I've broken the rule somewhere in the Torah saying "though shalt not drink blood" a few times, simply because I can't resist the urges. You come along and say that you are a Wolf therian, yet you insult the consumption of meat as if it disgusts you in some way. I'm sorry, but I don't believe you are being entirely truthful here... '''- ''[[user:cchristianTehWazzit|cchristian]]'' [[user talk:cchristianTehWazzit|talk]]'''

Indeed one could consider it suspicious, but I do know many predatory therians that do not consume meat. One can contol one's instincts in an effort to control the animal within. As a wolf therian, I refuse to eat most meat, as most meat around here is factory farmed and disgusting. I eat only meat that I myself kill, and so I recieve it roughly once a week. I'm simply saying, even a carnivorous therianthrope can refrain from eating meat if they so wish it.

== Therians don't bring their animal into their daily lives? Dowhaa? ==

''"Therians differ from the Furry lifestyle in that they do not try to mimic or bring their animal into their daily lives. Therians understand their nature as being -human- and -animal- and as thus feel no need to pretend or 'play the role' of the animal, save in some circumstances."''

While this is certainly typical of a fair number of therians, I personally know several that do not fall into this generalization. While they do indeed understand their nature of being both human and animal, by no means does this mean that their phenotype does not make itself apparent in everyday life. Now, I don't mean to say they howl at the moon or things like that, but their animal does tend to make itself visible in their mannerisms and habits. This should be reworded to reflect this diversity or removed entirely. [[User:Baral'heia|Baral'heia Stormdancer]] 07:15, 8 February 2008 (UTC)

I do agree with this. Stating that all therians behave in such a manner simply is not true. I in no way hide the wolf within me, and as such it tends to show, especially in my personality and the habits I form.

== Two things I feel necessary to bring up. ==

--[[User:Trpdwarf|Trpdwarf]] 18:18, 25 December 2008 (UTC)
I'd like to point out that it is a bit strange to try to put a Physical shift into this. The Physical shift that is spoken of more tied to Lycanthropy which is the past has been tied to Ergot(a fungus), Rabies in humans, and or a fear of people who appeared overly hairy, or seemed overtly bestial. It is stated in the article the aggressive stance towards so called P shifting therefore it makes better sense to not have the entire thing there at all.

Also this article needs to not have otherkin inflections in it. This article is about Therians therefore things related to Otherkin need to not be here. Now maybe some people who identify as Therian think that being Therian is about having a soul other than human, but I know more than a few long standing Therians who feel quite the opposite. They do not make the claim to having souls other than human. Perhaps it is better that the idea of "Animal soul other than human" is kept out of the article altogether.
EDIT: Also this

"A distinction between mythical therians and otherkin can be found however, as many otherkin seem to believe they have a 'past life' or an 'alternate existence/persona' which makes up their otherkin nature. Therians do not see their animalistic nature as being separate from themselves and as thus many of these types of mythicals have joined therian community."

I want to know where this is coming from? I have removed it and put it here. Who ever put it there, I'd like an explainion of it. A distinction between "Mythical Therians?". That means what? Therians usually associate with animals that are real. AkA, they have the totem of the crow, the wolf, the coyote, ect. Also a thorough explanation of the rest is wanted as well. Again, the article is about Therians, and Therian does not equal Otherkin.

== Time for a few actual rennovations ==

I added a few things, changed a few things, and removed a few things. Therianthropy does not (for example), have anything at all to do with animal totems, or invoking animal spirits--and it never has. As otherkin are people who feel they are other than human, therians most certainly are a type of otherkin. A lot of the best were sites on the web have fallen into disrepair, been lost, or come under new management in recent years. We've come a long way since the days of AHWW, but we're at a bit of a low point right now, community wise. I see a lot of misconceptions and misinformation floating around.

I'm not sure where the idea came from that otherkin are some sort of completely seperate phenomenon, but apart from therians having known animals as their other side, and otherkin having mythical/fantastical creatures as their other side, there is little difference. The two communities did 'evolve' seperately, but there has been a lot of overlap over the years, and I challenge anyone to come up with a point of significant difference between the two. Some otherkin 'shift' just as therians do, and some therians do not shift (contherianthropy). There is no clearcut line.

The entire lot of descriptions of shifting were wrong, so I have corrected them. Therians do not need to use drugs or meditation to shift. I'm sure there are a few out there who do, but they do not need to, and I see no point in mentioning what is not a common practice. Shifting is generally easy for therians, if we are in the right setting. A person who has to take drugs to do it is either not therian, or has serious psychological problems.

--the surly old greymuzzle,

{{WingedWolfPsion}} 19:51, 12 March 2009 (CST)

This thread is about Therians. This thread is not about Otherkin. Therefore Otherkin beliefs should not show up here but rather in the Otherkin wiki.

As for the person going on about "Therians are not about animal totems" blah-blah-blah...as long as I have known about Therians, it has been nothing but about, totem animals, or animal spirit guides. W

There is a huge difference between Otherkin and therians. Therianthropy has a history that goes all the way back to the Greeks, and further. The Greeks only coined the term.It would make sense the only reason they came up with the term is due to being exposed to perhaps African culture, and Pagan cultures during trade relations. What they came across were people who has shamanistic, or druidistic in form, hence the translation "Beast human" or "Beast people". That's the history of the word, but good luck finding a source that was not edited by Otherkin.

The basic generalization we can make is that it was to describe people who thought they can either turn into an animal, or people who believed that other people could, or people who believed they descended from animals turned human. If you are going to turn around and say "You are a therian" today you cannot exactly say you transform into something physically. That's crazy. Agree or disagree? If you want to claim Therian by soul, it would make sense you would also have to claim that you are an animal that physically turned into an human and thus have a animal soul. There is nothing in the associated history from what I can see that leads to "You are born with different soul". That's really an otherkin thing. Now that is what otherkin claim, that Therian is about "having a animal soul" but I look at history and possible origins of words and I cannot agree. At the least there should be a distinction between the original modern therian sect, and the neo sect that has started from Otherkin.

------------------------------
I'm sorry, but you're wrong. Therianthropy IN THIS CONTEXT has a history that goes all the way back to AHWW Usenet newsgroup, and that's as far as it goes. It surely existed before then, but there was no community. Historical interpretations of the term have nothing to do with modern 'spiritual therianthropy' or the therian community. Therians are considered to be a type of otherkin by most. The only difference is what I have said--the type of creature one's inner self is. Nothing else. If you believe there is another difference, please share that difference with us. "There is a huge difference" and citing a lot of things about the Greeks (you actually said nothing specific at all) doesn't cut it. Tell us exactly what you believe the difference is. Keeping mind that therianthropy is a modern phenomenon with an extensive modern community.

Your interpretation of the word therianthropy has no historical basis. The word is merely used to describe any sort of animal people or shapeshifters. Anubis is a therianthrope. The modern therian community is much more specifically about those who feel they are an animal within. There IS no other modern therian community. You seem to be referring to some community or sect that does not exist.

If you think that therianthropy is related to having an animal totem or spirit guide, you know nothing about therianthropy. Sorry. It's just not true, and never has been. Therians may frequently be involved in pagan or shamanic traditions, but this is something they are led to by their therianthropy, not the other way around. And as I said, a therian's totem is not necessarily the same animal as their theriotype--they are NOT the same thing, and no knowledgeable therian will ever agree that they are the same thing.

I have been part of the therian community since the 90s, as I said, and I've been a participant on the Werelist (when it was run by Coyote Osborne), werenet, and other therian sites. I have a therian site as well, which has been up for many years, though it needs updating. I am also a therian, which, more than anything else, gives me some authority to speak on the matter. :P

What does that mean? I means I feel that I am a wolf. I have past-life memories of being a wolf, but I am not sure that is the reason, by itself, that I am therian. I don't pretend to know exactly what makes a person therian, but I know how I feel, and what traits I share with other therians. If you're going to write an article on what therianthropy is, you need to ask us, not make a lot of assumptions. This article was a mess. I cleaned it up, and corrected the misinformation. Don't argue those points with me, you aren't going to find elder members of the therian community who will agree with you. Maybe some misguided youngsters, but no one who's been around for a while.

I'm not saying anything controversial here, this is all WELL known stuff.

--the surly old greymuzzle,

{{WingedWolfPsion}} 21:42, 14 March 2009 (CST)

Most people used to believe that the earth was flat and that you could fall of the "Edge of the earth" if you sailed too far out to sea. What most people believe is irrelevant because time and time again majority does not make something right or true. A great many people can be deluded. If many people consider Therianthropy part of Otherkin it could be because many people remain willfully ignorant as to it's history, or simply don't care about it, or just never got exposed to anything to suggest anything otherwise.

Citing yourself to being since the 90's puts you in the time-line of when Otherkin first popped up. To tell me or anyone else that the history of the word and the history of the spirituality is irrelevant to modern times is ignorant and wrong. Of course if your first experience with the entire thing started at a time when people began to organize and took a name while ignorant to it's meaning, of course you are going to think the way you do.

Prior to the last 20 years Therianthropy dealt with a history that goes far back in human existence, and Otherkin have no business, pardon my bluntness, trying to make that irrelevant and telling people that it's past, and those who follow it (as some people many times will state in various forums) are wrong.

I'm telling it like it is. Therianthropy has an actual history that goes to the deep past, where as Otherkin only just popped up about 20 years ago. If you are going to go and talk about the neo stuff you need to acknowledge it's original history, otherwise you have no business talking about it, and it should not even be a wiki article. Besides, this is not some extinct spirituality some of you are...abusing for your own means. You act like the history, and what it pertains to is extinct. It's not. The very practices that led to the terming of the name still happen in different parts of the world.

The correct way to write this article is to acknowledge it's origins, and then explain that a internet group popped up and adopted it, and it's interpretation of the whole thing. That then sets the reader up to understand that while therian is used to describe some otherkin, Therian does not equal otherkin.

-----------------------------------------------------------
If you want to add all of that stuff on the origin of the term therianthropy, and OTHER ways the word has been used historically, then add it to the THERIANTHROPY article. THIS article is about THERIANS. The shortening of the term therianthrope ONLY applies to those who are part of the MODERN THERIAN COMMUNITY. The one that originated with AHWW back in the 90s. It does NOT refer to any sort of historical therianthropic groups or therianthropic deities, or any of that. It is a MODERN term.

I challenge you to produce a useage of the term "therian" older than 20 years. Be sure not to bother using the taxonomic interpretation of it as that is clearly irrelevent.

I also challenge you to produce some scrap of evidence of a therianthrope community existing prior to AHWW. If you cannot do it, then sit down and quit complaining. Your arguments are frankly ridiculous and have no basis in the real world. You seem to believe there were groups of shamans running around calling themselves therianthropes back in the middle ages. That's ridiculous.

Of COURSE the term 'therianthrope' already existed when AHWW came into being. The term was CHOSEN to describe real weres as "Spiritual therianthropes". It was SHORTENED to 'therianthropes', and then finally to 'therians'. This article is not about http://www.answers.com/topic/theria

It is about real weres. :P Prior to AHWW, there were people out there who might have been described by some as therianthropes. But AHWW was the first time people came together to describe THEMSELVES that way. If you believe otherwise, produce the references to prove it!

Spiritual Therianthropes = Therianthropes = Therians. That's the way it was, and that's the way it is. There ARE no other therian communities. Therian is NOT an accepted shorthand term for therianthrope in the folklore community. It belongs ONLY to the modern spiritual therianthrope community.

--the surly old greymuzzle,

{{WingedWolfPsion}} 00:00, 17 March 2009 (CST)

...
Don't bother playing the source game. You cannot even bring up sources that are not heavily moderated and written to be Bias towards the 20 year old Otherkin group, so don't bother asking me to bring up "Source older than 20 years old".

You do not see the relevance of the history of Therianthropy to the modern variant because the only thing you have been exposed to is the Neo Version for which the history is irrelevant. I have been exposed to the other varient in which the history is relevant. Now I could sit here and bat and forth all day that two variations exist and there not only one modern version but there are better things to do.

I'll come back later when I have the time and add in a section to this, dealing with the other variant. It is more productive that bickering here with you.

-----------------------------------------------------------

I can provide the only sources that actually exist--such as the AHWW FAQ, which is probably the oldest. You cannot provide sources older than this because they do not exist. Your biases are very clear in your writing, but your support for them is nonexistent. I can support what I'm saying. Regardless of your opinion of my sources, at least they are there. <lol>

I don't think your additions should stand if you can't provide any sources for them.

--the surly old greymuzzle,

[[User:WingedWolfPsion|WingedWolfPsion]] 17:06, 18 March 2009 (UTC)

Talk:Therian

2009-03-18T17:06:14Z

WingedWolfPsion: /* Time for a few actual rennovations */

Talk:Therian

2009-03-18T17:05:24Z

WingedWolfPsion: /* Time for a few actual rennovations */

Talk:Therian

2009-03-17T05:02:59Z

WingedWolfPsion:

Talk:Therian

2009-03-15T02:47:46Z

WingedWolfPsion: If you're going to complain about changes, cite your sources

Therianthropy

2009-03-13T01:20:06Z

WingedWolfPsion: addition to section on therians and shamanism.

[[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.

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 theriantropy" 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 ''lycos'' ("[[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 ''lycos'' ("[[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 sub-types can refer to any sort of werebeast or to transformation into any animal. In India and the Asian islands the [[tiger]] is the commonest 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 ===
Therianthropy can trace its origins back as far as early mythology, but in the modern times, gained popularity in the [[Wikipedia:Dark Ages|Dark Ages]] with the legend of the werewolf (someone with a particularly active and powerful [[Wikipedia:fylgja|fylgja]] or Fetch){{fact}}. Originally, werewolves were highly respected members of the community and regarded by the Christian Church as "Dogs of God", before becoming popularized as the bloodthirsty monsters known today.

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.

== See also ==

* [[Lifestylers]]
* [[Otherkin]]
* [[Therian]]
* [[Were]]
* [[Werewolf]]
* [[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://dreamofhorn.com/therian The WereLibrary]
* [[:w:c:therian|Therian.Wikia]]
*[http://www.swampfox.demon.co.uk/utlah/ Wereweb]
*[http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Canopy/1927/greenspiral/resource.html The Therianthropy Resource]
*[http://www.geocities.com/yaiolani/humfaq.htm Shifter FAQ]
{{lj-search-interest}}
[[Category: Terms]]
{{Wikipedia|Therianthropy}}
{{featured article}}

[[cs:Dlaci]]
[[pt:Teriantropia]]
[[ru:Териантропия]]

Therian

2009-03-13T01:13:21Z

WingedWolfPsion:

{{context}}
:Main article at [[Therianthropy]].

'''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, and do not generally give it a name, or use it as a game persona.

Therians do not agree on the cause of therianthropy--some believe they are animals reincarnated as humans, while others believe their soul itself is a hybrid--some feel instead that their therianthropy is completely psychological, and others feel it is metaphysical, but not of the soul. It has been said that if you ask 4 therians what therianthropy is, you will get 5 different answers. The one thing that remains constant is that all therians feel there is part of themselves that is non-human.

Therians may also be called '''''shifters''''', though this can be a contentious term as a growing number feel they do not actually change from one state to another, but maintain an equilibium between human and animal nature at all times. Therians who do not shift are referred to as contherianthropes.

Terms such as 'lycan', 'garou', or 'lupine' are scorned in most parts of the therian community, because these terms derive from movies or games. 'Were', 'werewolf', 'were-creature', 'were-animal', or 'animal-kin' are reasonably well accepted, but 'therian' is the preferred term, at present. The term 'therian' is simply a short version of 'therianthrope', which means 'animal-man'.

== 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.

== 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.

== Therians and Otherkin ==

This has been a point of contention over the years, but most who accept the definition of otherkin as 'those who feel they are, in whole or in part, other than human' also accept that therians are a type of otherkin. The only defining difference between the two is that therians feel their otherside (theriotype) is a known animal, while otherkin feel their otherside is a fantasy or mythical creature. The line is blurred in cases where a person's otherside is a cryptid (ex: yeti, chupacabra, etc.), a person's otherside is an unnatural hybrid (ex: wolf-cat cross), a normal animal with abnormal traits (ex: a bright blue cougar), or an extinct animal (ex: velociraptor). Many otherkin experience spiritual shifting, and some experience mental-shifting. Some therians do not shift (contherianthropy). This makes the line between the two communities quite indistinct, even though they 'evolved' seperately.

== See also ==

*[[Otherkin]]
*[[Therianthropy]]
*[[Furry lifestyle]]

==External links==

* [http://www.werelist.com/ the Werelist]
* [http://therian.wikia.com/ Therian.Wikia]

[[Category:culture]]
[[Category:terms]]
[[Category:spirituality]]

Therian

2009-03-13T01:12:20Z

WingedWolfPsion:

{{context}}
:Main article at [[Therianthropy]].

'''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, and do not generally give it a name, or use it as a game persona.

Therians do not agree on the cause of therianthropy--some believe they are animals reincarnated as humans, while others believe their soul itself is a hybrid--some feel instead that their therianthropy is completely psychological, and others feel it is metaphysical, but not of the soul. It has been said that if you ask 4 therians what therianthropy is, you will get 5 different answers. The one thing that remains constant is that all therians feel there is part of themselves that is non-human.

Therians may also be called '''''shifters''''', though this can be a contentious term as a growing number feel they do not actually change from one state to another, but maintain an equilibium between human and animal nature at all times. Persons who do not shift are referred to as contherianthropes.

Terms such as 'lycan', 'garou', or 'lupine' are scorned in most parts of the therian community, because these terms derive from movies or games. 'Were', 'werewolf', 'were-creature', 'were-animal', or 'animal-kin' are reasonably well accepted, but 'therian' is the preferred term, at present. The term 'therian' is simply a short version of 'therianthrope', which means 'animal-man'.

== 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.

== 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.

== Therians and Otherkin ==

This has been a point of contention over the years, but most who accept the definition of otherkin as 'those who feel they are, in whole or in part, other than human' also accept that therians are a type of otherkin. The only defining difference between the two is that therians feel their otherside (theriotype) is a known animal, while otherkin feel their otherside is a fantasy or mythical creature. The line is blurred in cases where a person's otherside is a cryptid (ex: yeti, chupacabra, etc.), a person's otherside is an unnatural hybrid (ex: wolf-cat cross), a normal animal with abnormal traits (ex: a bright blue cougar), or an extinct animal (ex: velociraptor). Many otherkin experience spiritual shifting, and some experience mental-shifting. Some therians do not shift (contherianthropy). This makes the line between the two communities quite indistinct, even though they 'evolved' seperately.

== See also ==

*[[Otherkin]]
*[[Therianthropy]]
*[[Furry lifestyle]]

==External links==

* [http://www.werelist.com/ the Werelist]
* [http://therian.wikia.com/ Therian.Wikia]

[[Category:culture]]
[[Category:terms]]
[[Category:spirituality]]

Therian

2009-03-13T01:05:21Z

WingedWolfPsion: /* Therian and furry lifestylers */

{{context}}
:Main article at [[Therianthropy]].

'''Therians''' are people who believe that they have an intrinsic, personal, and integral connection to (an) animal(s). 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, and do not generally give it a name, or use it as a game persona.

Therians may also be called '''''shifters''''', though this can be a contentious term as a growing number feel they do not actually change from one state to another, but maintain an equilibium between human and animal nature at all times. Persons who do not shift are referred to as contherianthropes.

== 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.

== 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.

== Therians and Otherkin ==

This has been a point of contention over the years, but most who accept the definition of otherkin as 'those who feel they are, in whole or in part, other than human' also accept that therians are a type of otherkin. The only defining difference between the two is that therians feel their otherside (theriotype) is a known animal, while otherkin feel their otherside is a fantasy or mythical creature. The line is blurred in cases where a person's otherside is a cryptid (ex: yeti, chupacabra, etc.), a person's otherside is an unnatural hybrid (ex: wolf-cat cross), a normal animal with abnormal traits (ex: a bright blue cougar), or an extinct animal (ex: velociraptor). Many otherkin experience spiritual shifting, and some experience mental-shifting. Some therians do not shift (contherianthropy). This makes the line between the two communities quite indistinct, even though they 'evolved' seperately.

== See also ==

*[[Otherkin]]
*[[Therianthropy]]
*[[Furry lifestyle]]

==External links==

* [http://www.werelist.com/ the Werelist]
* [http://therian.wikia.com/ Therian.Wikia]

[[Category:culture]]
[[Category:terms]]
[[Category:spirituality]]

Talk:Therian

2009-03-13T00:52:49Z

WingedWolfPsion: /* Two things I feel necessary to bring up. */

Talk:Therian

2009-03-13T00:51:57Z

WingedWolfPsion:

Therian

2009-03-13T00:17:26Z

WingedWolfPsion: Corrected some erroneous information and assumptions. (I am therian, and have been in the community since the days of AHWW in the 90s).

{{context}}
:Main article at [[Therianthropy]].

'''Therians''' are people who believe that they have an intrinsic, personal, and integral connection to (an) animal(s). 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, and do not generally give it a name, or use it as a game persona.

Therians may also be called '''''shifters''''', though this can be a contentious term as a growing number feel they do not actually change from one state to another, but maintain an equilibium between human and animal nature at all times. Persons who do not shift are referred to as contherianthropes.

== 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.

== 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!

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 [[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. Therians are, essentially, a type of otherkin. 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.

== See also ==

*[[Otherkin]]
*[[Therianthropy]]
*[[Furry lifestyle]]

==External links==

* [http://www.werelist.com/ the Werelist]
* [http://therian.wikia.com/ Therian.Wikia]

[[Category:culture]]
[[Category:terms]]
[[Category:spirituality]]