Otherkin is a collective term for an assortment of people who have reached the conclusion that they (spiritually, emotionally, mentally and physically) are something other than human.

The otherkin subculture is made up of people who usually believe themselves to be mythological or legendary creatures. It deserves to be noted that Otherkin is just 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. The word is an Internet-derived neologism primarily used by members of that subculture and is somewhat fluid in definition, sometimes being broadened to also describe those who consider themselves to be animals, aliens, extradimensional beings, and other non-human entities.

The general consensus of Otherkin shows the majority seem to have memories of a past life as another specific entity, usually a sentient being. A Therian on the other hand, typically describes their Therian nature not as a past life or a specific entity, but an animal type in general.

While, by this definition, Therianthropes fall into the Otherkin classification, there is a distinguishable difference between the two groups. Whereas most Otherkin are of mythical creatures, Therians are strictly animalistic and recognize their humanity as being an integral part of their existance.

With the basic premiss of the Otherkin concept, 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 surprising yet pervasive misunderstanding among Otherkin themselves, who point out the spiritual and psychological focus of the concept.

It has been postulated within the community that this confusion arises from those unfamiliar with the concept or having only a sketchy and perhaps distorted awareness; comparing it to psychiatric cases such as lycanthropy and dissociative identity disorder, 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.
Although the otherkin community is a diverse and loosely defined one and lacks an explicit ideology, some beliefs are especially common. Otherkin tend to have a number of New Age sensibilities and to be very open to supernatural concepts, particularly belief in the soul or spirit. Other common beliefs in the otherkin community include animism, Neo-Paganism, totemism, possession, reincarnation, and other paranormal events.

Some hold these beliefs not as a search for the truth, but as a way to help understand and explore themselves. Indeed, as the community has expanded and become more self-analytical in recent years, a number of otherkin have begun explaining their association with non-human imagery as nothing but an exercise to help become in touch with their true selves.

Most otherkin believe they have non-human aspects that are either spiritual or philosophical in nature. According to otherkin.net some claim that they are human in a physical sense but non-human ("other") in a mental or spiritual one. Some otherkin attribute this discrepancy to reincarnation or a soul for another species incarnated as a human.

There are also otherkin who believe themselves to be biologically non-human who consider themselves to be physically members of the species they associate themselves with, or at least directly descended from the species through intermarriage with humanity. This belief is rarer within the subculture and sometimes the subject of criticism from otherkin who do not share it. Some otherkin who do not necessarily claim that they are genetically non-human do profess to have non-human sides that have somehow influenced their physical bodies, according to otherkin.net.

Some otherkin claim to be combinations of different non-human species, such as elf-werewolf or dragon-cat hybrids. Others believe that they are able to mentally or astrally change between different types of nonhuman beings or even that all otherkin are capable of this.

Some members of the otherkin subculture have drawn parallels between their beliefs and transsexuality, resulting in the neologism trans-speciesism, the conviction that one is in a body of the wrong species.

Despite the general conviction in the community that otherkin are born, not made, there is no clear definition of what constitutes otherness. One effect of this is that anyone who asserts mainstream otherkin status is very unlikely to be contradicted by the community itself, though more specific claims, or attempts to ascribe specific qualities to all otherkin, are more likely to meet opposition.

The otherkin subculture describes the process of beginning to identify oneself as otherkin as Awakening. The process of Awakening has been compared to that of religious revelation or religious conversion. Depending on the individual concerned, it can be either a very sudden or gradual process, and can be a pleasant, self-validating experience, or sometimes a traumatic one.

Many otherkin maintain that their perceived non-human traits are innate, not acquired. In the Awakening process, they generally believe that something is being revealed about themselves that had previously been hidden. Otherkin frequently attest to lifelong feelings of alienation or loneliness, or of homesickness for places they have never seen or cannot identify. They may claim higher levels of psychic, magical or spiritual awareness; on the other hand, some claim none of these things.

In most cases, although there may have been prior vague feelings of detachment from humanity, self-identification specifically as an otherkin is triggered by encounters with or references to otherkin.

The community grew out of the elven online community of the early-to-mid-1990s, with the earliest recorded use of the term otherkin appearing in early 1996; however, from the context it appears in, the term seems to have been well established in certain communities by this point already. According to otherkin.net, the term was originally coined when it became clear that a new subculture of people identifying themselves as a number of different mythological creatures, such as fairies, unicorns, and satyrs, and not just as elves, was emerging.
However, the term has expanded in its meaning over time and is often used nowadays as a term to describe a number of distinct but related communities. Examples include the draconic, vampiric and therianthropic communities, all of which share similar core beliefs but, according to otherkin.net have members who do not consider themselves part of the overall otherkin community. Although some furry lifestylers (a subset of the furry fandom) also hold beliefs similar to those of the otherkin community, there is debate in the two communities over whether or not to consider them "otherkin" as well.

There is some overlap between many role-playing and otherkin communities, and some otherkin beliefs are similar to elements found in role-playing games and other fictional sources. Others at otherkin.net, however, stresses the difference they see between pretending to be a non-human and actually believing oneself to be non-human.

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Outside of their own subculture, otherkin beliefs are often met with controversy

When mental health professionals have encountered individuals who believe that they can transform into an animal or are otherwise non-human in some way, they have sometimes diagnosed the condition as clinical lycanthropy or some other mental disorder. Others outside of the subculture see a clear parallel between clinical lycanthropy and otherkin beliefs. There are currently no known psychological studies of the otherkin subculture evaluating the claims of either side.


Draconity indicates a state of being a dragon, draconic, or dragon-like. More specifically it is a term used by a subculture of people who believe themselves to be a dragon in a psychological, spiritual, or (rarely) a biological sense. The term "draconity," along with the subculture that originated it, seems to have arisen in the mid-1990s through internet communication media such as Usenet newsgroups (particularly alt.fan.dragons) and IRC. Although many draconic individuals interact online, and some only declared themselves to be dragons after finding this subculture, equally many dragons identified themselves as such far prior to knowing the subculture even existed.

Most commonly, draconic individuals base their personal definition of "dragon" upon traits they have found in spiritual self-exploration, which may differ greatly from the traits displayed by traditional definitions of dragons. Others will identify themselves with mythological standards such as European/Western and Chinese/Eastern dragons. Yet others adhere to the classifications found in works of fiction such as the Pernese dragons of Anne McCaffrey's novels and the classes of dragons as defined by Dungeons & Dragons and other related role-playing games.

The influx of dragons styled after role-playing game standards has become an issue of concern for long-standing members of the online dragon communities. The ease of use of many modern online forums for communications within the community such as IRC and the more descriptive MU* interfaces (such as Alfandria) has attracted a number of dragon fans who use the sites as a medium for roleplay purposes. There is some fear that this tends to dilute the population of "genuine" dragons and discredits the subculture as a whole. Being a fringe group, the draconic community is primarily visible online, but draconity-themed gatherings, often called "dragon gathers", do occur offline in various places around the world.

Draconity may be viewed as a subset of otherkin and is thus subject to the same questions regarding its exact nature and the ramifications of such a belief on the individual.

What is “being a therian or therianthrope” ?

Therianthropes may describe their nature manifesting in terms of their cognitive processes, their outlook on life, their inner reactions and instincts, 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. Detailed descriptions (as with all inner experiences) vary widely, with common descriptions being of a spiritual bond, the soul of an animal within, a belief that they have an atypical or atavistic neurology, or an emotional shading of the personality. The human and non-human aspects of the self may then 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 self-perception, identification or discovery over time, the ways in which a person describes his or her self-identification as a therianthrope vary considerably. Some therians pretend to carry physical traits of their animal in their human form. This is the case of the large black eyebrows or long nose of the lycanthropes. In the most sever forms, society would typically refers to them as freaks because of their unusual appearances. Many who report such a scenario do such as personal experience, and do not claim to understand its cause or be sure of their interpretation. Different therians may believe that the reason for this feeling is psychological, mystical, spiritual, neurobiological, or metaphysical in nature, or the result of some combination of these or other factors. The terms therian, therianthrope, and were are more or less interchangeable in the community, but there is a shift towards encouraging people to use the term "therian" instead of "were", to avoid confusion with the idea of fictional, mythological, or "hollywood" werewolves.

Beliefs about therianthropy Those preferring a spiritual understanding of this phenomenon may believe that they partly or fully have the spirit, or soul, of some type of animal. Such beliefs often overlap to some extent with aspects of shamanism or totemism, and may also draw inspiration from stories of shapeshifting in Celtic, Norse and Native American myths, among others. This is sometimes called spiritual therianthropy. Others may simply believe it to consist of having a stable, non-human animal side (or aspect) to their personality or nature. Explanations given vary, with some believing that this could be due to some sort of unusual neurophysiology, and others believing that in fact their genes are partially non-human (this explanation is unproven and usually considered scientifically implausible, and not favored by many). Of those who favor an atypical neuropsychology explanation, most do not appear to regard it as innately dysfunctional, only counting it so if it is disruptive to, or troubles, the individual's life and happiness.

Powers Most therianthropes -do not- have heightened senses nor do they possess traits like unusually sharp teeth, strange eye color, claws, etc. Therianthropes do not have the ability to physically change into animals, nor are they anything akin to werewolves, vampires, or any other such monstrous creatures. Therianthropy is a spiritual-mental experience and does not involve any sort of supernatural abilities or traits. Degree of identification 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 transsexuality. Species involved 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. This animal side can be really any animal, most common are predatory animals such as wolves, bears, foxes, jaguars, tigers, and cougars, but there are also reptiles, avians, other mammals, and insects. just to name a few. Because the majority of therianthropes identify often as big cats and wolves, some skeptics argue that, because of the preponderance of predators or other dangerous species, most therians are purposefully or unconsciously claiming inner association with impressive animals for ego-based purposes. There are also some individuals who identify with mythical species (e.g. dragons, elves, gryphons, centaurs and so forth), but those who fit more in the otherkin community than the therian community. Perceptive changes and integration/separation The different sides of a therian have some element of distinct and different processes and ways of being. The term shifting is often used to signify aspects of the collective shift of perceptions and cognitive outlook, and the changes to how they experience the world, following a change from human to non-human outlook or back. So for example, mental shift would describe the change within the cognitive and mental processes. This may be voluntary or involuntary, partial or complete, substantial or subtle, or may vary. Thus it generally refers to any manner by which, in changing this way, a therianthrope's nature is evidenced internally (to themselves) or externally to others. A controversial aspect of therianthropy is the subject of physical shifting (ie shapeshifting). Few people within the subculture doubt that shifts of mental and emotional perception may occur, however some therianthropes also claim to experience a subtle or gross physical change to their appearance. Whilst subtle physical and internal changes are everyday effects of mood and personality changes (eg eye focus, skin color, perceptions, neurological patterns and habits), most people, both in the therianthrope subculture and outside it, would seriously doubt that gross body changes to physical form can actually occur in this way. http://www.therianthropes.com/index.htm

Types of Shifting

Shifting is short fo shapeshifting, although the terms transforming, morphing, changing, and turning into can also mean the same thing. It can be defined as a complex social and mental altering of one's natural state into the shape/mood/spirit of an animal. It is so multifaceted that there are as many forms of shifting as there are interpretations of what shifting is.

Most of the times, when a therian refers to a "shift" they mean a mental transformation, either spontaneous or self-induced, from a human's state of mind to an animal's. Some therianthropes report that this happens to them more or less unexpectedly, or involuntarily, while others either have, or develop the ability to trigger or prevent them in themselves at need. Such a form of entertainment can be rewarding in the long run, either for an amusingly portable game or an insightful look into instinct and feeling.

A shifter is a person who can shapeshift. Shapeshifting is not, contrary to werewolf lore, a physical alteration. Some weres refer to themselves as shifters, a but shifting is not necessarily a requirement for therianthropy. Some therians, notably those who consider themselves contherianthropes, don't necessarily undergo shifting experiences.

There are three main types of shifters: therianthropes, shamen and polymorphs. Physical shifters are those who claim to change their physical shape into that of an animal.

Therianthropes and lycanthropes morph into their wereside animal whereas the polymorphs claim to be able to shift into a combination of several phenotypes. Shamen are wizards that ventures into the spirit world, through trance or meditation, and deliberately tries to become animal.



Astral shifting is the process where one’s leave his body and become that of another form, either by shifting the appearance of the spirit, or entering the body of another being on the 'astral plane'. This is higher plane of consciousness and it can take a lot of work to reach. Such shifts are often associated with "psychic" experiences such as : dream sharing, telepathy, clairovoyance, precognition, and psychokinesis. Astral Shifts are also said to be more spiritual in nature.

Astral shifters who shift can sometimes be seen as ghostly images, if they can manifest at all on the physical plain. Typically though, as in astral travel, they are generally unseen and pass without notice. They typically do not change form on the physical plain. They also remain human in appearance when they shift.


All living things have an aura, a kind of energy field that surrounds us and is generated by our 'life energy'. It is somewhat similar to what spiritualists call ethereal body because it exists on a different vibratory level than the physical body.

An aura shift occurs when someone believes or feels this energy field has changed shape to that of their were animal. Most people outside are able to sense an aura shift when it occurs, feeling some sort of dread or fear for the shifter.


Dream shifting is supposed to occur on a plain of existence known as the Dream plain, a plain of shifting landscapes, spirits and fantastic creatures. There are two types of dream shifting that has been widely accepted by the were community as a whole.

Lucid dreaming is a state that occurs while an individual is awake. Yet the perceptions of the individual are slightly askewer from the real world. It is akin to looking into a window, into another place. As with regular lucid dreams, Lucid Dream Shifting experiences are just as vivid, sensual, and very realistic, the closest thing you can get to a Physical Shift. The change is usually voluntary as the were knows he is awaken and shapeshift by true will and desire.

Dream shifting occurs while the were is asleep, and the majority of weres remember these shifts as dreams. Dream shifting usually occur during what is known as REM sleep (Rapid Eye Movement), period during sleep, when the subconscious remember the events of the day. This kind of shift can be involuntary but it is also possible to learn to induce them using meditation.

Totemic shifting is the process of shifting into an animal spirit through the use of meditation and Magick.

Totemic shifters are often shamans, or are involved in me form of mysticism that involves contact with animal spirits and possessed psychic powers. They call to the animal and invite them in, taking on the animal's senses and form, and all of it's abilities.


A mental shift or m-shift is an altered state of consciousness, commonly experienced by weres, wherein they take on a more animal outlook, feelings, or perceptions. M-shifts denote a change in one's mental state, not a physical, bodily change into a were-creature or animal. This usually results in more powerful senses and as stated, being more instinctual. Either way, those in the mindset of their animal will often

Some people report either heightened senses while other report that they either lose some capacity for speaking, or at least the desire to speak as much. Other will carry on the characteristics of their wereside in slight ways (especially method of walk, posture, facial expression, emotion). Anger and furry are possible when the animal side takes control of the actions and thoughts of the subject.

These changes in consciousness, whether voluntary or involuntary, are not always at the same level of intensity. Usually, the human mindset never fully vanishes. By the same token, many weres claim that even when not "shifted" the animal mindset is never fully dormant. It has been posited that involuntary m-shifts are more likely when the therianthrope in question is still coming to terms with their animal nature.


Shadow shifting is an illusionary change, a sort of mass hallucination where the subject appear to be something else. The person's attitude, posturing, even making animal sounds, can give off the image of a physical change.

This type of shift can even yield a sort of blur image of an animal (the shadow) when there is little available light.


Cameo shifting is taking on the appearance of the animal form. Yet according to a few accounts, the animal's abilities are not transferred in the shifted state. Instead, it is the appearance of the animal only. Cameo is also known as Skin Stealing, and Skin Shifting. The desired state is accomplished through magickal rituals an the skin of the animal that the individual wishes to become.

Of course, an animal must be killed and skinned, to provide for the animal skin used in the ritual. The majority of weres care about the environment and the animals that live within it. Therefore they find this particular act highly offensive and wasteful.


Berserkr shifting refers to the ancient Norse warriors that were used to fighting naked with fury and inspiration from the bear or wolf spirit. People who shift berserk are those who run into altered states of consciousness or trances for the purpose of fighting and killing, mainly warriors and assassins.

A popular myth states that some drugs can help achieve the berserk state, removing pain and fear. They would be used by soldiers (mainly from US and Israel armies) to reach the “condition orange” state.

Types of Therians, Otherkins, and Shifting

Types of Therianthropy

Shifting Therianthropy: This is the most common type of therianthropy. In this type the person still associates as an animal, but doesn't always feel it. A shifting therian will go in and out of feelings between more animal and more human. Think of it like a number line. A shifting therian moves along that line freely based on when and how intensely they shift.
*Note: When I say shifting I don't mean physically. See the Types of Shifts section below.

Contherianthropy: Contherianthropy is when a person is perfectly blended with their theriotype. Contherians don't experience shfting, rather they are in a constant half state between animal and human.

Cladotherianthropy: A cladotherian is someone who identifies as an entire branch of a species instead of a specific one. For example you have a tiger therian who has pegged their species down to Felidae Panthera Tigris, but a cladotherian may identify themselves as the entire Panthera tree, including tigers, lions, jaguars and leopards, or may go even farther and associate as the whole felidae branch.

Polyweres/Poly-therians: These are people who have more than one theriotype. This isn't saying they are a shapeshifter theriotype, rather they simply associate as two or more distinct species.

Types of Otherkin

Mythkin: These are people who associate as a mythological being or creature such as a dragon, fae, gryphon, or centaur.

Fictionkin/Mediakin/Otakukin: Fictionkin are people who associate as a creature or being from a work of fiction or media. For example a person claiming to be an elf specifically from the Tolkien universe would be a fictionkin. Otakukin are people claiming to be creatures or entities specifically from an anime/manga.

Multiples System: A multiples system is a person who shares their body with one or more entities. Multiples are different from people with dissociative identity disorder in that they are fully aware of the other entities, are able to communicate with them, and don't just black out when one of them takes control of the body.

Otherworldly-kin: These are people who believe that their -kin type is an entity not from Earth, but rather another planet or parallel dimension.
*Note: This is not an official term. This term was simply made up for this thread to denote people who associate as beings from another planet or parallel dimesion. The proper term for such people is simply, otherkin.

Types of Shifting

Mental Shifting: This is one of the most common forms of shifting. A mental shift is when a person's mindset, or way of thinking, becomes closer to that of their theriotypes.

Phantom Shifting: A phantom shift is essientially a therian version of phantom limb syndrome. During these shifts therians feel as though they have various limbs such as tails and ears, and sometimes will experience other sensations like fur, muzzle or even paws.

Dream Shifting: Pretty self explanatory. Dream shifting is when a person dreams they are their theriotype, or becomes their -type in their dream.

Astral Shifting: This form of shifting is done while astral projecting. During this shift the person's spiritual (astral) body becomes their theriotype.

Cameo Shifting: A cameo shift is when a person experiences a shift to something other than their theriotype.

Physical Shifting: By far the most controversial type of shifting their is. Most therians don't believe physical shifting is possible, however in order for this compendium to be complete it must have all of the shifting types. Physical shifting is, obviously, when a person's physical body changes shape to become the person's theriotype.

Book of Shadow Pages