Therians As Otherkin?

[TheBlueWolfW.W.]

Just out of interest and boredom, does anyone think that Therianthropes should be in the Otherkin catagory? I don't think so...but then again, it does make sense..."Otherkin: a soul or body of non-human orgins"

Sounds like a Theiran to me, depending on your take of "why someone is animal."

Anyway, looking for some debate here. Should Therians be Otherkin, or should Otherkin be left to the mythicals?

[__Satori__]

Just out of interest and boredom, does anyone think that Therianthropes should be in the Otherkin catagory? I don't think so...but then again, it does make sense..."Otherkin: a soul or body of non-human orgins"

Sounds like a Theiran to me, depending on your take of "why someone is animal."

Anyway, looking for some debate here. Should Therians be Otherkin, or should Otherkin be left to the mythicals?

Perhaps I'm biased (I'm not therianthropic, but rather an otherkin mage), but I consider Otherkin as... well, Other. Are you human? No. Do you seem to be? Probably. So, to me, your general category would be Otherkin, and within that grouping, therian. Of course, by that logic even vampires would be Otherkin, but now that I think of it that does make sense too.

Ultimately, whether we're human or otherwise, we're all people... provided we have what humans naively call "humanity". For that matter, I know some humans who don't have "humanity".


Be well,

- Satori

[ThrasherCub]

..."Otherkin: a soul or body of non-human orgins"
Sounds like Therianthropy to me.

Therianthropy is having some sort of connection (generally thought of as having a non-human soul) with an animal. For the record angels, demons, fae, dragons, and aliens are all animals.

Technically so are humans, but we try to forget that. So unless you're a vampire or Red Wood-kin or something, you're probably a therian also.

Should Therians be Otherkin, or should Otherkin be left to the mythicals?
I go back and forth between the two words quite often since in most cases they are interchangable. However, there are some circles in which "otherkin" is used mostly for mythical or exotic kin (kin with things like dinosaurs are often shoved into the "otherkin" catagory by these groups as that's a little far-out.) and vampires of course.

The main reason why "otherkin" is starting to aquire a lame reputation is that it is often used by younger people than "therianthropy." For some reason many sites will explain "Otherkin" as "a spiritual connection with an animal, even a mythical one." and "Therianthropy" as this long-winded complex schpiel including many other words we as a group made up from Greek. Since "otherkin" is so much more straightforward it ends up being used by pre-teens who want to be special.

This makes it so it will be forever locked away into our brains that we've met four mature and interesting Therians over the age of 25 and approximately thirty Otherkin age 12-14 who all think they're dragon-elf-angel-mages descended of a royal line.

Idiots pick the word "Otherkin." So do smart people, but we don't usually remember that part.

[TheBlueWolfW.W.]

Thank you for your input, Thrasher. Appreciated, as usual.


Sounds like Therianthropy to me.
Yes...it does.

Therianthropy is having some sort of connection (generally thought of as having a non-human soul) with an animal. For the record angels, demons, fae, dragons, and aliens are all animals.
Yes, they are all animals. But it splits somewhere. That is the mythical part.

Sure, so if you're angel, elf, sylph, whatever, I guess you could call yourself a Therianthrope.

But those mythics and the other humanoids simply can't be put as Therianthropic because they're...well, humanoids. And as you stated, we don't like to think of humans as animals.

Getting to my point: dragons, unicorns, other mythic animals...they're animals. They can be Therians. But the others...predominatl y can't because they're humanoids. And who ever heard of a Therian whose theiotype is human or human-like (excluding monkeys and the like)? That is why mythic humanoids=Otherkin.

But I am getting ahead of myself here, which may be a good thing. I think mythics should keep to their own group. Therians can keep to their own since they are non-human animals that originated on Earth.

In closing, I guess I'm saying that any animal that isn't humanoid (excluding monkeys and the like) could be Therian. All humanoids and other mythics can keep to Otherkin.

But as I pointed out already, Otherkin are "a non-human body or soul." So, dammit, Therians ARE Otherkin. I just don't like the thought. But I am accepting it. I joined Otherkin Alliance today. I have a listing on Otherkin.net. Didn't I just admit to myself that Therians ARE Otherkin?

[MorganaFang]

But as I pointed out already, Otherkin are "a non-human body or soul." So, dammit, Therians ARE Otherkin. I just don't like the thought. But I am accepting it. I joined Otherkin Alliance today. I have a listing on Otherkin.net. Didn't I just admit to myself that Therians ARE Otherkin?

Where did you get that definition?

Personally I do not see myself as otherkin, but then again I prefer not to be lumped into any group because I don't care to be defined by other people that may also be apart of that group despite sharing similar beliefs.

[TheBlueWolfW.W.]

Where did you get that definition?


From a person named Saau something...I will find the site when I get a chance.

[Gilenea]

Wikipedia defines OtherKin closely to that as well. Check it out, Morgizzle Fizzle! :D

OtherKin Wiki article. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otherkin)

Therianthropy Wiki article. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Therianthropy)

Wikipedia pretty clearly states that OtherKin are mythical (ie: things that do not "exist") and therians are animals (ie: things that do "exist"). The one common trait between the two is that they both have souls that are not human. Then term "OtherKin" appears to be a more broad, blanket term for things with different souls. So, technically, therians are considered a "more real" sect of OtherKin culture.

Not that Wikipedia is the end-all of this discussion, but since it's rather accepted by most parties, figured I'd throw it in here.

Just my two cents.

Gil

[MorganaFang]

Not that Wikipedia is the end-all of this discussion, but since it's rather accepted by most parties, figured I'd throw it in here.


Yeah I actually did read that definition there and I'm still kind of dubious, after all wiki can be written by anyone and the person who wrote that article had a bias and cited mostly websites as their source.

Bwah I'm torn about this. I think I'll just stick with my answer to everything, perception. If you perceive yourself to belonging to either/and groups then you do, and vise versa.

I'm obviously not a big fan of Otherkin and would prefer not the have therianthropy fall as a subcategory to otherkin. The term "others" has been much in reference to the not so normal or natural, and mildly unearthly eeehhh whatever. Therian's seem more plausible since it is a more commonly excepted practice to have animal totems or believe you may have had a past life as an animal.

Basically though, just because these two spiritual philosophies fall into similar lines does not mean you have to instantly join one group. It's like an agnostic deciding to be a satanist just because he heard about a few things he liked rather than researching all of satanism.

[Gilenea]

Yes, but would you classify a person who has a "werewolf" soul as OtherKin or therian, as opposed to someone who relates to a purely "wolf" soul who called themself a werewolf?

There's a big debate about that.

Someone OtherKin feel that lycanthropes (for lack of a better term) are OtherKin and not therians. I suppose, for the most part, this could be true. A shifter (if they exist) may have the animal inside them, but that doesn't mean they relate to WOLVES any better than my next door neighbor does.

Many also consider therians who call themselves werewolves to be a misnomer. They are therians. Not shifters.

Thoughts?

Gil

[deathjoker]

The way I see it is this, otherkin fall into the realm of fantasy.

Sorry, but anyone who claims to have a "dragon" or "fairy" spirit is just blowing smoke. I know alot of people claim that they have these types of spirits or souls, but in the end I just look at them with the same attitude as I look at these kids nowadays calling themselves "werewolves" and "vampires".

I know I'll get heat for calling people out like this, but that's just my point of view. In the end Therianthropes have a pretty f_cked up belief as well. But hey, to each its own.

:D Death Joker :D

[TheBlueWolfW.W.]

From a person named Saau something...I will find the site when I get a chance.


Here we go...The site where I got the def. (http://realmagick.com/articles/23/23.html)

One day, we hope, the dictionary will read: Otherkin - a soul or body of non-human origins.

:)

[ThrasherCub]

If you look hard enough, the dictionary all ready has the right def. Other is defined as "something else," kin is defined as "relationship with."

But those mythics and the other humanoids simply can't be put as Therianthropic because they're...well, humanoids.
Which means they are still animals, since humans themselves are animals.

The only reason why folks with no outer-human connections aren't classified as "therians" is because it would be pointlessly redundant.

Therian: Human spiritualy related to ANYTHING not human (including humanoids)

Otherkin: Human spiritualy related to ANYTHING not human (including humanoids), or who is "differently human" as in the case of a vampire.

[DarkWolf]

I think TC has pretty much closed the topic.

It's straightforward and simple - and also redundant and lame. Who cares what labels you apply to. My goodness I could rant about all those claiming to be "Goth" because they dress in leather and like black - it's a label they call themselves and it's WRONG; goth is relative to the topic of a sect of germanic Christians who rose in power during the Roman era. Their Churches were actually beautiful and quite colourful. It's because of the false use of the term that the dictionary eventually added a new meaning to cover the teen craze version it is today.

Therianthropy and Otherkin is similar: just another label for something that may or may not fit. It's another way for the wannabes to claim how "speshul" they are like other goths, jocks, preps, and other stupid labels.

You are what you are. It makes no difference what you're "called".

[MorganaFang]

You are what you are. It makes no difference what you're "called".

Good answer!