I am a bit nervous posting here, although I probably shouldn't be. I want to know, what is your opinion on fictionkin? Both my girlfriend and I are fictionkin, but whenever I mention fictionkin I have many times been met with mean and horrible responses, claiming that neither my girlfriend or myself exist. It hurts, because I know that I exist, and I am sure my girlfriend knows she exists. I remember things that never even happened here, and when I hear such things like I don't exist it kind of hurts.

So I ask to you members, what do you think? I am not going to be butt-hurt or anything, I just want to know. :) Perhaps, if there are any other fictionkin here as well, although I most certainly won't attest to meeting people who aren't fictionkin as well (obviously <3)

Current Mood: chipper

Fortean Times - Special Creatures Of The Night Issue
"Fortean Bureau Of Investigation - Creatures Of The Night"
By George Binning - Issue 288 - Pages 40-42 - June 2012
http://www.forteantimes.com/

The Werewolf/Therian Community and Vampire Community is discussed on pages 40-42; including Greg's interactions with WolfVanZandt.

Tags: books

There’s been a lot of talk lately about the community needing a place to list gathers, mini-gathers, meetups. Something centralized, and that users can edit. Thing is, there already is such a place. A listing of upcoming events appears right on the front page of AnOtherWiki. I’ve been adding to it, regularly… I just added a new gather and a couple of new meetups to the list, making 9 gathers and 7 meetups that are currently listed. I’ll be adding more as I find them. You guys can too. It’s completely free to register, and any registered user can edit the wiki.

Tags: gathers

I'm not sure if I ever actually introduced myself here, so here goes.

( Read more... )
All of that said, I'm posting here today because I wanted to invite the folks here to participate in the creation of a new community resource: an encyclopedia by, for, and about Otherkin.  

I know there have been other wikis in the community, but I think this one is a bit different.  For one, it uses the familiar MediaWiki software just like Wikipedia.  For another, it's focusing on being an encyclopedia rather than a manual or a FAQ.  It's also only able to be edited by registered users, with a strong focus on keeping trolls out so that the information in it accurately represents the experiences of real otherkin.  Finally, there is a strong emphasis on citing one's sources and remaining objective in the journalistic sense, which will hopefully keep the encyclopedia as accurate and free of bias as we can make it.  

If you would like to participate in this project, please sign up here: http://anotherwiki.dreamhart.org

Tags: anotherwiki, community resources, introductions

Recently, I have been reading about lucid dreams, and the ability to use conscious dreams to create a "playground" in the mind at sleep, where we can be anything we want.

Of course, I immediately think to use this, to solve the problem of being in a body that I am uncomfortable with. If I can shapeshift in my dreams, then, I don't have to be as much stressed in the daytime, about not having my "right" body.

Has anyone else used lucid dreams to shapeshift, or to go "Home", etc.? If you did, did you think it was satisfying?

Tags: dreams, homesickness, questions, shapeshifting

I'm working on making a media list for aquatic Otherkin. I'm looking for books (fic or non-fic), movies, tv, music, etc, that watery critters can relate with. Would anyone like to share?

I only have two books right now, sadly. One is the YA series Daughters of the Sea (deals with Awakening), and the other is The Music Of Dolphins, but I haven't picked it up yet.

Hello,

Wulf Howl is doing a survey regarding therianthropy, in general, and its connection with psychological conditions, abuse/bullying, and a lot more.

We would appreciate it if members of the therianthropy would complete this survey and share it around; it will help us to understand the psychological factors of therianthropy, as well as how prevalent bullying and discrimination are in/against the community.

The survey can be found here:
http://wulfhowl.com/2012-community-survey/

We are accepting responses until November 12th 2012; shortly after, our results will be published.

No personally identifiable information will be present in our published results.

Thank You.

Good morning/afternoon/evening.  From the name you can probably guess what sort of 'kin I am.  I used to be a part of different communities of 'kin online, but I disappeared for a while and when I started to hit them up again, I was the only one there.  Hence, I start a livejournal and begin over.

Anyhow, nice to meet ya.

*Edit*

Not sure why, but the question of the day seems to added itself to this post, and I don't know how to get rid of it. :\

The purpose of this survey is to collect data on whether people with nonhuman identities (otherkin, therian, etc.) experience abuse that is directly related to those identities or the expression of those identities.

Please fill out the survey even if you haven't experienced this, as it helps the percentages to be more accurate. And spread it as far as you can! This survey is not trying to prove anything, it's just trying to find out if people have experienced this. A lot of people are saying "otherkin don't experience abuse for being otherkin", and I want to see if that's true.

Survey here.

I would contend that this is one of the most important academic papers ever written concerning the sociological and identity aspects of the Otherkin community.  Perspectives from Dan O'Dea, Gerbasi, Hesson, Kirby, Lupa, Mamatas, Nytemuse, Orion Sandstorrm, Sade Wolfkitten, Suscitatio (AVA), Sylvere ap Leanan, Th'Elf, and more are all part of this article.  It's well worth your time to read and I encourage everyone to either purchase a copy or request it from their local college or university library.

If interested, I'd also encourage you to to review Dr. Laycock's 2010 article through Nova Religio; Real Vampires as an Identity Group: Analyzing Causes and Effects of an Introspective Survey by the Vampire Community which is available at http://www.jstor.org/pss/10.1525/nr.2010.14.1.4  Joseph Laycock is the author of Vampires Today: The Truth About Modern Vampirism Praeger 2009 - http://www.amazon.com/Vampires-Today-Truth-Modern-Vampirism/dp/0313364729

---

We Are Spirits of Another Sort: Ontological Rebellion and Religious Dimensions of the Otherkin Community
By Joseph P. Laycock, PhD
Nova Religio - The Journal of Alternative and Emergent Religions
February 2012, Vol. 15, No. 3, Pages 65-90

Purchase Article:  http://www.jstor.org/pss/10.1525/nr.2012.15.3.65

Abstract:

Otherkin are individuals who identify as "not entirely human." Scholarship has framed this identity claim as religious because it is frequently supported by a framework of metaphysical beliefs. This article draws on survey data and interviews with Otherkin in order to provide a more thorough treatment of the phenomenon and to assess and qualify the movement's religious dimensions. It is argued that, in addition to having a substantively religious quality, the Otherkin community serves existential and social functions commonly associated with religion. In the final analysis, the Otherkin community is regarded as an alternative nomos--a socially constructed worldview--that sustains alternate ontologies.

---

SEE ALSO: NOVA RELIGIO ARTICLE (2010) CONCERNING REAL VAMPIRIES:

Real Vampires as an Identity Group: Analyzing Causes and Effects of an Introspective Survey by the Vampire Community
By Joseph Laycock
Nova Religio - The Journal of Alternative and Emergent Religions
August 2010, Vol. 14, No. 1, Pages 4–23

Purchase Article:  http://www.jstor.org/pss/10.1525/nr.2010.14.1.4

Abstract:

"Real vampires" believe that they must either consume blood or feed on "subtle" energy in order to maintain their physical, mental, and spiritual health. Recent scholarship has analyzed vampirism as a religious movement or as a cluster of "vampire religions." This article argues that vampirism should be viewed foremost as an identity around which social and religious institutions have formed. This model accounts for the mosaic of religious and cultural orientations held by vampires and acknowledges the vampire community's claims that vampirism is not a choice. It also facilitates a functionalist reading of vampire discourse as validating a new category of person.

I have recently posted a bulletin on Wulf Howl about some of the emails, posts, and other requests going around for therians to be interviewed for a television series or similar. I firmly believe that this is an attempt to exploit the community for the purpose of producing a high shock-value television show. Below, I have quoted the post on Wulf Howl containing evidence that supports my theory. Be safe, and don't give out info to these people! You may view the original thread on Wulf Howl here, it will be updated as we uncover more evidence.

From Wulf Howl:

Wulf Howl has recently had a user join under the name PRIMAL_researcher, who has private messaged a few users requesting they be interviewed for a television series on Animal Planet regarding their experience as a member of the therianthrope and otherkin communities. Our administration team was able to verify that this user was a representative of GRBTV, and was operating under the domain names of (http://myprimalbehavior.com/) and (http://primalprod.com/).

In case you weren't already aware, GRBTV is responsible for producing television shows of high shock value. This includes shows such as "Intervention", "Animal Hoarders", "American Occult" and more. We believe that many individuals whom have been casted for shows produced by GRBTV have been exploited - being told they were being cast in order to make their differences "accepted" or "understood", only to find out that they were made to look like freaks on national television - severely damaging reputation, and possibly careers of these individuals.

Upon searching the IP address they registered with, which for your reference, is 216.251.131.242, we found out via searching StopForumSpam that they had registered on another forum using an email at the domain (http://petfamily.org/), which seems to be an attempt to entice people into being cast for "Animal Hoarders", just in the same way they were doing to our community!

Due to this, we believe that GRBTV is only interested in shock-value, and that allowing them to seek interviews on Wulf Howl can only harm members of the community. For this reason, we have issued a ban on the user, and requested that members of their studio do not access Wulf Howl, or use any material here for their productions.

If you wish to be cast by them, it is up to each individual member, but we are not going to allow them to use Wulf Howl as a platform to exploit people and we recommend that you deny any requests from them to be interviewed or otherwise.

Please feel free to reference this thread on other therianthropy communities, or even copy & paste it.

"I hope you are well and thank you for getting back to me. The documentary we are hoping to make is a collaboration with the community where hopefully Otherkin / therians have a voice to be able to tell their story and be able to express themselves in order to educate the general public.

My interest in the Otherkin community stems from a development idea our NY office came about and we as the London office are now elaborating on and taking over the idea for a UK channel. The idea of the documentary is to allow individuals an outlet to tell others about themselves. The general public find cultures and communities that differ from the norm an interest and hopefully we can create an outlet for the community to educate an audience. Initially I am looking to speak to be about the community and learn however furthermore to ask individuals to take part in the show and express themselves. Our documentary will not be a comedy, laugh at them, scare documentary. It will be observational and insightful into the community and attempt to give an understanding of Otherkins.

We are not asking people who don’t want to be involved to be involved. We don’t want to “out” anyone not wanting to too tell their friends, families and loved ones. We feel the Otherkin community has not been (fairly) represented in the media and there is a misunderstanding of the community, they are often linked with furries and labelled wrongly.

We are going to create a fair and honest representation of the community and in an ideal world take some UK contributors over to the US in order for them to meet their counterparts and maybe the individuals who they speak to regularly online. This will be an observational documentary where the Otherkin will have opportunity to tell there story, explain there feelings and talk about the culture, community and perceptions that already exist.

I hope this goes some way of explaining what were doing and in part answer some of your questions. I am still desperately trying to source and speak to UK Otherkin who are interested in taking part and if you know of any one who may be interested it would be great if you could put me in touch with them?


Kindest Regards

Joe





p.s here are a list of generic questions I have been asking people it would be great if you get a minute if you could answer them?





What is your Therian/ otherkin name?

What is your therian/ otherkin identity?

How old are you?

When did you awaken / discover your therian identity?

When did you awaken?

Where abouts are you based?

Is there much of a Therian / Otherkin community where you are?

Are there meet ups?

How does the community differ to the states?

How prominent is the online community to therians / Otherkin?

Does your identity ever become physical attributes?

Some Otherkin / therians have tails / teeth that make them feel more like there Otherkin / identity – is this the same as you or do you differ?"

Honestly? This sounds OK to me.

I recently received an email from a joseph.john@zigzag.uk.com asking for phone interviews for a supposed documentary on otherkin; if you're at all findable as 'kin (such as listed in a directory) you may have as well. (post on 'Kin Speak on tumblr if you haven't seen it) As usual, I advise exercising caution if you choose to get in contact; according to Shangrila on the Werelist forum, the company is working with the tabloid National Enquirer (for a different show entirely, but doesn't speak well of their taste in partners or content).

Someone on 'Kin Speak suggested that if we want a documentary to be out there, otherkin should make our own, which I think is a pretty neat idea. Since these sorts of inquiries are coming round fairly regularly these days, maybe it's time?

Tags: media

So I'm kinda new to this whole journal thing. I am in the process of discovering, for once in my life, who I really am. I expect it to be a long process, but it is one I'm looking forward to. My dreams and such have always held the key, but I just wasnt ready, but now I am.
More soon.
-Nix the Raven

Current Mood: hopeful
Current Music: king crimson

In the article that I wrote yesterday, “Proposing the term ‘TOV,’” I recommend the acronym “TOV” as an umbrella term to refer to the therianthrope, otherkin, and vampire communities together. This term offers more clarity than using the word “otherkin” to refer to all three. The term “TOV” is also a more accurate representation of our diversity than the term “non-human.” In the article, I explain why. Please contribute your opinions and constructive criticism to the article's discussion thread.

Hey there everybody! I've started a blog at http://allvoxoflife.blogspot.com/ which focuses on shapeshifter lore from various cultures around the world. Go have a look. I aim to provide updates with a new variety of shapeshifter every week, cross-examining the multicultural views on this classic theme in folklore. This will ideally serve as a resource for writers who want to feature a shape-changer without getting too deeply mainstream...because, after all, it's not just werewolves!

Tags: blogs, shapeshifters

Download here or here (note in the first link, the updated download URL in a comment, I had to fix one page for an error. The main URL on that page goes to the old version and I can't edit it, but the comment has the new link).

I could not find a place to have a print version of the zine published that would not be super expensive. But, with the instructions on zinelibrary, you can make your own copy! For this issue the cover page and the last page will need to be printed separately. The zine is designed to be printed on US letter paper, each page will be half of a US letter page. So, the instructions at zinelibrary will work perfect.

If anyone has advice for where to get zines published print on demand and cheaply, I will definitely put this up.


So, you all want to know how to submit to the next issue, right? ^v^

Next issue's theme is Glamour and Spelling! Bring your most magical thoughts, poems and writings to our next issue! Ideas for glamourbombs are particularly welcome, as well as stories and articles that can be shared in a glamourbomb way, prayers and spells, reviews of fiction about glamourbombs and magic, thoughts on magical traditions that mention nonhumans and how accurate are they really (Faery Wicca, Dragon Magic...), costume tutorials... anything that's magical or full of wonder!

Anything "Spring themed" (nonhuman-focused rituals you like to do for Spring, your feelings about Spring as a nonhuman, etc.) is also welcome.

Submission deadline for Issue #2, Spring 2012, is March 1st. Send submissions to hakuchou at allusion dot net, or to my PM box on Dreamwidth, or my submit box on Tumblr, if you know me there.


Submissions can be:

• Essays
  
• Fiction
  
• Poetry
  
• Recipes
  
• Reviews
  
• Glamourbombs
  
• Meditations
  
• Rituals
  
• Tutorials
  
• Songs and chants
  
• Art
  
• Or anything you like!

For art, note that The Forest Voice is a black and white zine, so please submit arts in greyscale, or, be prepared that they will be coverted to greyscale. The Forest Voice has a "medieval illumination" style so arts in this style are particularly wanted, as well as other traditional styles like sumi-e, etc. But, your art can be in any style you like.

For essays, The Forest Voice does not have a lot of rules, but, I ask that you do not submit anything ableist, racist, sexist, cissexist, etc., and, people who submit should be open to a polite discussion of the content and an ask for them to edit their content if it does contain these things. Important note particularly that people might not notice: Saying that people can, or should "get over" things like dysphoria, bullying, stress, etc. is considered ableist here, because not everyone has the psychological ability to do these things.

People have been really nice about this with all your submissions! So, let's continue this way! ^v^

Okay, I admit I haven't paid a lot of attention to the vampire side of things, because I'm not a sanguine (the sight of blood makes me ill). And my few attempts to get energy from other people just drained me, so I'm not a psi vamp.* But I don't like sunlight (bright sunlight actually makes me literally sneeze), I sunburn easily, and I catch myself making hissing noises in response to sunlight and other displeasing things. Now, I'm the first to admit that I identify with so many kin-types that I might not have any vampire leanings at all (the "symptoms" FLOABW might be due to my other facets), and it may just be related to having a dark Goddess sharing my body with me, but I'd like to know if there are more types of vampires than just sanguines and psi-vamps.

So yeah, TL;DR = Are there any types of vampires other than sanguines and psi-vamps?

* However, I have been able to draw power from the earth. Or maybe it was the grass.

I currently have two sides to my draconic coin as it were.

I have one side, the self I created when I first joined draconic groups in response to unintentional peer pressure to have at least some idea of what my dragonself looks like, memories, etc... this form is what I dub the "flarecarrot" form.. so named for the screenname I was using then. Small (3-4ft long), arboreal, nonsapient, westernstyle, scaly. It represents both my logical, skeptical naturalist side (everything of this form is in context of making sense as a real biological creature) and my desire to exist without being able to speak or interact with others and thus avoiding emotional conflict and pain. This is the only form I've actually dreamed about but it didn't appear in my dreams until after I envisioned these things part by part. (Before then it was more that I was aware of wings and claws I never saw) I have always found the form unsatisfying in some way or another (hate the color, the size, etc). Always felt boxed in.

The second "Salfarro" is part of a longer story of me learning to let go of my literalism. Large, serpentine, feathered. Seems more intelligent than "flarecarrot", wiser, but more relaxed, serene, meditative. Restful. Represents the me I wish I could be. Still building this identity, feeling out its characteristics. I recently read the cladotherianthropy article and I am coming to think this is relative to my draconity as I have always felt this general sense (although I didn't realize it was possible), but I was afraid of seeming illegitimate amongst dragonkin for being, basically, a "cladekin." Which is kind of silly and ironic. I think I am a dragon, I know I am a dragon, why worry about what other dragons think? Why worry about seeming even more crazy?

I have always felt like a dragon but no image has ever concretely felt "right" and I never felt like I was a shapeshifter. In a way, you could say I've always felt like I am the essence of dragon. Not literally "the" essence of course, but always a deep sense of rightness with the basic qualities of dragons... even the contradictory ones. The things you feel and imagine when you think of "dragon." Claws, fangs, fire, scales, fringed beards, snakey length, bulky body, feathers, slender grace, smoke, mist, water, long tail, hoard, cave, nest, trees, air, mountains, slitted eyes, long tongue, earth.......

I am going to worry less about my dragonself. I swear on this. Just enjoy it. Any images are just images. Memories are just in my mind.

Posted via LiveJournal app for Android.

My apologies to anyone who has ended up reading my screwed-up posts. For some reason the LJ app is messing up the formatting on its own posting... but it can be real difficult for me to fix it on my phone and awhile until I get to a proper computer to fix it.

Tags: cladekin, cladotherianthropy, kin type: dragon