Post by AmberSekhmet on Jul 29, 2005 12:19:49 GMT
Otherkin are people who believe themselves to be partially non-human. Otherkin is also a self-applied label for the subculture of such people. Specifically, these individuals believe themselves to have biological, psychological, and/or spiritual aspects of an animal, legendary creature, or some other non-human entity. Many claim to have the mentality and instincts of the creature they claim to be.
people were identifying as a number of different mythological creatures, such as fairies, unicorns and satyrs, and not just as elves. The definition of the term is fluid, sometimes expanding to include animals, aliens, and an assortment of other kinds, but the core definition of mythological creatures is agreed on.
However, the otherkin umbrella has expanded over time, and is often used nowadays to describe a number of communities with similar beliefs. Examples of these are the draconic, vampire and therianthrope communities — all of which share similar core beliefs, but whose members may not consider themselves part of the mainstream otherkin community. There are also elements of the furry community, sometimes called furry lifestylers, that hold such beliefs about various animal species.
Otherkin describe their non-human aspects as being either spiritual, philosophical or sometimes biological in nature. The spiritual and philosophical paradigms, especially, are seen as different and valid ways of being otherkin, rather than being in opposition to each other. There is more debate about the biological paradigm.
Sometimes a combination of non-human natures is professed, such as being both elf and werewolf, or angel and cat.
Some otherkin claim to feel wings, tails, and other organs from past incarnations that are not part of their human body. This sensation is similar to the "phantom limb" (phantom pain) condition, though not limited to human limbs; i.e. phantom tail, phantom wings, etc.
Otherkin often describe unusual behaviour traits that would not fit in with the mainstream of their culture. Although none of these traits are common enough to be considered identifying traits, there are some which are repeatedly mentioned by different members of the same otherkin type. Otherkin may describe strong traits or cravings which are not immediately associable with their type.
Therianthropes and vampires, especially, describe unusual cravings such as needing to eat raw meat or to drink blood. Many dragons describe a strong tendency to hoard, although this is a common tendency across Western society.
Therianthropes and furries may make animal sounds such as growling, purring and hissing. This may become an automatic response.
Otherkin most commonly believe themselves to be human in biology but "other" in spirit, often attributing this to reincarnation or a "misplaced soul".
The otherkin subculture describes the process of identifying as otherkin as Awakening. The process of awakening has much in common with that of religious revelation or conversion. Depending on the individual concerned, it can be very sudden or a gradual process. It may be validating or traumatizing. It may be associated with the recovery of past life memories.
Otherkin themselves state very clearly that their perceived non-human traits are innate. In the awakening process, they generally consider that something is being revealed about themselves that had previously been hidden. Otherkin frequently quote 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; equally, they may claim none of these things.
Awakening may be triggered by references in the media or in literature, or by the company of local otherkin. As the community becomes more prominent on the Internet, many otherkin awaken after encountering it. However, it is not uncommon for people to state that they awakened independently of the community, or before they had ever heard of the concept of otherkin.
Despite the conviction in the community that otherkin are born, not made, there is no clear definition on 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.
However, those who profess more unusual beliefs are likely to meet with controversy. One example of this is the otakukin, or otakin, community, who associate with Japanese media such as anime or video games. Some otakukin state that the media they have associated with remind them of past lives they have lived. There is a tendency for people to be accused of role-playing if their claims are considered implausible; this has been referred to as "subculture intolerance"
Medical perspectives
These unusual beliefs have led to frequent suggestions from both within and without the otherkin community that its members are mentally ill. However, while it is true that some otherkin experience mental illness, many otherkin contrastingly carry on stable, functional and productive lives. Because their doing so is contrary to the nature of insanity, this raises the question of whether any psychiatric diagnosis of otherkin based wholly or primarily on their belief would necessarily be either valid or appropriate, considering that clinical mental disorders are often characterized by various maladaptive behaviors.
It should be noted that those otherkin who have already been diagnosed with mental illnesses or disorders rarely consider this to be relevant to their otherkin status; indeed, many otherkin consider that their beliefs help to mitigate such problems, rather than being a problem in themselves.
The most common disorders quoted are schizotypal personality disorder and clinical lycanthropy.
people were identifying as a number of different mythological creatures, such as fairies, unicorns and satyrs, and not just as elves. The definition of the term is fluid, sometimes expanding to include animals, aliens, and an assortment of other kinds, but the core definition of mythological creatures is agreed on.
However, the otherkin umbrella has expanded over time, and is often used nowadays to describe a number of communities with similar beliefs. Examples of these are the draconic, vampire and therianthrope communities — all of which share similar core beliefs, but whose members may not consider themselves part of the mainstream otherkin community. There are also elements of the furry community, sometimes called furry lifestylers, that hold such beliefs about various animal species.
Otherkin describe their non-human aspects as being either spiritual, philosophical or sometimes biological in nature. The spiritual and philosophical paradigms, especially, are seen as different and valid ways of being otherkin, rather than being in opposition to each other. There is more debate about the biological paradigm.
Sometimes a combination of non-human natures is professed, such as being both elf and werewolf, or angel and cat.
Some otherkin claim to feel wings, tails, and other organs from past incarnations that are not part of their human body. This sensation is similar to the "phantom limb" (phantom pain) condition, though not limited to human limbs; i.e. phantom tail, phantom wings, etc.
Otherkin often describe unusual behaviour traits that would not fit in with the mainstream of their culture. Although none of these traits are common enough to be considered identifying traits, there are some which are repeatedly mentioned by different members of the same otherkin type. Otherkin may describe strong traits or cravings which are not immediately associable with their type.
Therianthropes and vampires, especially, describe unusual cravings such as needing to eat raw meat or to drink blood. Many dragons describe a strong tendency to hoard, although this is a common tendency across Western society.
Therianthropes and furries may make animal sounds such as growling, purring and hissing. This may become an automatic response.
Otherkin most commonly believe themselves to be human in biology but "other" in spirit, often attributing this to reincarnation or a "misplaced soul".
The otherkin subculture describes the process of identifying as otherkin as Awakening. The process of awakening has much in common with that of religious revelation or conversion. Depending on the individual concerned, it can be very sudden or a gradual process. It may be validating or traumatizing. It may be associated with the recovery of past life memories.
Otherkin themselves state very clearly that their perceived non-human traits are innate. In the awakening process, they generally consider that something is being revealed about themselves that had previously been hidden. Otherkin frequently quote 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; equally, they may claim none of these things.
Awakening may be triggered by references in the media or in literature, or by the company of local otherkin. As the community becomes more prominent on the Internet, many otherkin awaken after encountering it. However, it is not uncommon for people to state that they awakened independently of the community, or before they had ever heard of the concept of otherkin.
Despite the conviction in the community that otherkin are born, not made, there is no clear definition on 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.
However, those who profess more unusual beliefs are likely to meet with controversy. One example of this is the otakukin, or otakin, community, who associate with Japanese media such as anime or video games. Some otakukin state that the media they have associated with remind them of past lives they have lived. There is a tendency for people to be accused of role-playing if their claims are considered implausible; this has been referred to as "subculture intolerance"
Medical perspectives
These unusual beliefs have led to frequent suggestions from both within and without the otherkin community that its members are mentally ill. However, while it is true that some otherkin experience mental illness, many otherkin contrastingly carry on stable, functional and productive lives. Because their doing so is contrary to the nature of insanity, this raises the question of whether any psychiatric diagnosis of otherkin based wholly or primarily on their belief would necessarily be either valid or appropriate, considering that clinical mental disorders are often characterized by various maladaptive behaviors.
It should be noted that those otherkin who have already been diagnosed with mental illnesses or disorders rarely consider this to be relevant to their otherkin status; indeed, many otherkin consider that their beliefs help to mitigate such problems, rather than being a problem in themselves.
The most common disorders quoted are schizotypal personality disorder and clinical lycanthropy.
