lumilagopus

[lumilagopus]

The one vine of the pet arctic fox lying on the bed laughing hysterically? The purest representation of me.

Anyone else ever picture their ‘kintype in their place and just lose it because it’s so fucking amusing or funny?

I’m making lunch and imagining a spotted ‘yeen in the kitchen attempting to open a microwave with their jaws and just… this is great.

[lumilagopus]

It is Pisces Who...

Always knows something's wrong before you show it or say it

Can make anyone instantly comfortable around them

Makes you ask, "is there a zodiac sign for crazy?" 😛

Is the nicest person you know

[lumilagopus]

Probably a repeated question but it’s still a dilemma for me. Have we as otherkin figured out a non-therian version of terms like contherian, suntherian and vacillant therian? I identify strongly with the vacillant part but don’t want to go snatching the term therian with it.

[lumilagopus]

hey i'm very new to the community and i'm struggeling with figuring out what actually are kintypes and what are things i just relate to or just past lifes and i was wondering if you could give any tips or maybe help with terminology because there are so many words for different things and I was wondering if otherkin and fictionkin are might just not the terms i'm looking for

Hello! For terminology I really can’t recommend Kiera’s Alterhuman Dictionary enough! It’s so useful and easy to use: https://www.beyondhumanity.net/alterhuman-dictionary. It only offers basic definitions, though, and doesn’t go into detail about the concepts.

The most basic groups I suggest you look into are:

Alterhuman: An umbrella term for all people who have identities that fall outside of what’s generally considered a normal human identity. Otherkin, fictionkin, therians, otherhearted, and linkers (among many many other groups) fall under this umbrella.

Otherkin, fictionkin, and therianthropes: People who identify as a nonhuman or fictional being. The identification is often spiritual or psychological in nature (though it doesn’t have to be), and it can be partial or whole. The only requirements are that it’s an identification as a thing and that it’s an identity that’s inherent to you. ‘Inherent’ in this case means that you don’t actively choose to create that identity, and that you can’t force the identity to go away.

Otherhearted/otherkith: People who identify with a nonhuman or fictional being, to the point that it becomes a part of their identity. Otherhearted people do not identify as their hearttype on any level, only with. This identity is often spiritual or psychological, and it’s usually thought to be inherent like ‘kin/therian identities.

Copinglinkers/otherlinkers: People who have chosen to create a nonhuman identity. It is typically to help cope with difficult situations, though this is not necessary, and the identity can be created for any reason. The identity can be dropped voluntarily.

To reiterate: You do not have to belong to any of these groups to be alterhuman! To be alterhuman, all you need is to have an identity that falls outside of what society accepts as a normal human identity. These are just some of the most common identities that exist.

With that out of the way, onto the second half of your question: How can you figure out what you are?

I think the easiest way to look at it, is that each defined alterhuman group has a set of experiences in common. Some only experience a fraction of these things, and some experience all of them. Some experience things I haven’t even listed, but that still help foster a feeling of alterhumanity. Some experiences also overlap between the different groups, making it more difficult.

Typical otherkin experiences:

Species dysphoria - A deep sense of unhappiness from not being of the correct species. Can include having a different body, being perceived a different way, and being treated a different way to what you feel you should be.

Species euphoria - A deep sense of joy from being of the correct species. Can include modifying your body, dressing up and being perceived and treated like the correct species.

Shifting - A change in perception that makes you feel more like your kintype. There are many different kinds of shifts: https://aestherians.tumblr.com/post/164797991209/

Phantom limbs - Feeling like you have the body/body parts of your kintype

Memories/noemata - Remembering or ‘just knowing’ things about your kintype’s life

Instincts/urges - Reactions and actions that you don’t really think about, but that are very similar to those of your kintype

Wishing you were nonhuman - Self-explanatory

Dreams - Dreams where you are your kintype or are living your kintype’s life or interacting with your kintype

Homesickness - Longing for places or time periods or situations that you’ve never been in in this life

Self-perception - Picturing yourself as your kintype in your mind’s eye, drawing yourself as your kintype when you try to draw a self portrait, always playing as something resembling your kintype in games, etc.

Typical otherhearted experiences:

Familiarity - Feeling like your hearttype is familiar to you or that it’s like family, or feeling otherwise very close to it

Feeling like you should be that species but knowing you aren’t it on any level

Comfort - Finding contentmen, safety, satisfaction, or joy in your hearttype

Wishing you were nonhuman

Shifts

Typical copinglinker experiences:

Knowing you had an active hand in creating the identity - You don’t have to have been fully conscious of creating the identity, but knowing that you created it (even subconsciously) is a defining trait of copinglinking

Knowing you would be able to quit identifying this way - Quitting might not be comfortable or easy, but if forced to you would be able to push away the identity

Comfort

Shifts

Self-perception

Wishing you were nonhuman

The process of figuring out what kind of identity you have, and later what specific kind of nonhuman/fictional being your identity is tied to, is called questioning. Questioning yourself takes a long time, usually upwards of a year! Sometimes it only takes a few months, sometimes it takes several years, but no matter what you need patience. The three R’s of questioning are:

Record your day-to-day alterhuman experiences in a journal

Research related topics, such as animal behavior or the source material these feelings stem from, community history, other people’s experiences, philosophy, and spirituality, to name a few.

Reflect on your experiences and what you’ve found out, for example by meditating or by just letting your mind wander while doing other tasks

[lumilagopus]

@ashix-nellef

You can’t call “gatekeeping” when you simply don’t fit the description of a community or identity. It’s not gatekeeping to say “sorry, your cat can’t come into doggy daycare”. It’s not because they hate cats, or think cats are invalid, it’s because cats aren’t dogs and doggy daycare is specifically designed for dogs.

The phrase “kinning for fun” is an oxymoron. You can’t choose to relate to character and also identity as that character on an integral, non-physical level, any more than you can have dyed black hair and naturally black hair at the same time. It’s either a choice, or it isn’t. Neither one is better than the other, but they are different.

Can kinnies/people who “kin for fun” stop posting in the otherkin tag? Y’all are fine but you aren’t otherkin

[lumilagopus]

Can kinnies/people who “kin for fun” stop posting in the otherkin tag? Y’all are fine but you aren’t otherkin

[lumilagopus]

While my dysphoria has decreased significantly as I’ve gotten older, most of my species dysphoria now is caused by my lack of fox ears and thick fur. Especially in the winter, I have a strong desire to be fluffy, which is usually helped by wearing anything with faux fur or anything two sizes too big (which is easy to find sine I’m tiny).

Ears on the other hand are trickier, and I especially struggle with not being able to use them to emote. Wearing face masks has actually made the ear dysphoria more prominent as I keep expecting people to read my nonexistent ears to get my facial expressions. Wearing space buns helps a little for the feeling at least, and I have custom faux fur ears that I wear when I can. I’ll tilt my head a lot to compensate as well, but humans don’t really read ear position as a nonverbal cue in any capacity.

I used to have really strong dysphoria around my lack of a tail. It’s gotten much less severe over the years but still crops up from time to time. I have tails I’ll wear in private or out camping/hiking if I feel like it. I like gear because I enjoy dressing up and I have a pretty alternative fashion sense anyway, but it’s certainly not for everyone or for every situation.

The biggest problem I have concerning species dysphoria and my body image are my feet. I'm not phobic or disgusted by feet in general (it's a thing, i've known people with it) it's just ME I have a problem with. Like they're just far too many toes. Too inefficient and delicate. I would really just prefer hooves.

My dysphoric feelings manifest in weird ways. I don't have the desire to hurt myself and it's not something I dwell on constantly. But, its rare that I go barefoot in my own home. I almost always have socks or slippers on so I don't have to see what I think is wrong. I also hate he sensation of bare feet on floors and carpet. Just.. NOPE! I gotta have the sock barrier. I also prefer long pants that cover most of my shoes so only the tips of the shoe shows. Converse-like shoes with the thick coated tips are also weirdly comforting. But boots? Heels? Yes! They help SO much.

In what ways does species dysphoria manifest for you? What helps you feel a little better?

[lumilagopus]

You're a fool if you believe that animality doesn't have the potential/ability to impact more than one area of your life that you wish it wouldn't. People who say they use "Kin" to cope with things? Man, I need coping mechanisms to deal with being an animal. And I don't mean copinglink, that's another thing. Animality doesn't take a break for me. I cannot turn it off or on, I cannot dial it up or down, I cannot schedule it to come out or go away. Perhaps this is amplified by my being a Suntherian, but maybe not. I'm an animal literally every minute of every hour of every day of every year. Sometimes it's a bit less pronounced but never does it fully vanish. Not a single behavior of mine lacks animal influence. And no, I didn't plan it to be that way, that's just how it happened. Blah blah I'm an old stupid fuck blah.

[lumilagopus]

“Anthropomorphization” is a hot button word in dog training circles. Used to condemn inappropriate treatment of pets (think Tricky Woo, the Pekingnese in James Herriot, whose indulgent owner gorges him on fudge and pate), the term “anthropomorphization” is also stretched to encompass what would more accurately be characterized as EMPATHY. 

Any handler has a horror story or five to share about gross misinterpretation of animal behavior, through a solidly-affixed lens of human perspective. After a relatively brief stint in the trenches of the pet industry, I have a melange of eye-rollers I could share, but would prefer to forget. lolol. There’s no denying anthropomorphization is a fixture in popular perceptions of animals. We’ve all heard “if you’re cold, they’re cold”… applied to dogs who are naturally equipped with great dense fur coats and a preference for lower temperatures. Who YEARN from the frozen outdoors. It’s a classic example of applying human characteristics, customs, and idiosyncrasies to dogs - who as a species, have different priorities, interests, and adaptations. 

My objection springs from the inclusion of simple concern for an animal’s feelings, or the idea that that animals might experience pain, discomfort, or enduring emotional fallout, from a specific handling or training choice, under the header of “anthropomorphization.” Regard for an animal’s emotional and physical experience would more accurately be characterized as empathy. 

Anthropomorphization is the inverse of empathy. Anthropomorphization says, “I am going to put you in MY shoes.” Anthropomorphization says, “I am going to imagine how I would experience this situation.” Anthropomorphization says, “I am going to subsume your experience with my own.”

Humans and dogs are undeniably different. We have different desires, different forms of expression, different forms of communication, different behaviors we view as polite and different behaviors we view as rude. As primates we are vision-based, canines are olfactory. Anthropomorphization entails imagining how WE would feel undergoing a specific experience. This is obviously myopic - I wouldn’t enjoy chasing a ball for hours, I don’t fight on sight with squirrels, I have no desire to gnaw on a bone or sniff eons of pee. Yet I can see how those behaviors are important to my dog. I can find a way to connect and relate to those behaviors by acknowledging our different priorities, and imaging how I might feel undergoing a similar experience regarding a priority which may differ with our species in iteration, but is analogous in emotional experience.

That’s empathy. EMPATHY says, “I am going to put myself in YOUR shoes.” Empathy says, “I am going to imagine how YOU are experiencing this situation.” Empathy says, “I am going to strive to be cognizant of the ways in which we differ, and use those variations to find the ways in which we can relate.” Empathy says, “I am going to immerse MYSELF in YOUR perceptions, and the subsequent experience I can deduce.”

Ironically, the backlash against anthropomorphization often leads to people overlooking and disregarding an animal’s true physical and emotional experience every bit as much as “furmommies” and “pet people” strapping their understimulated pet to a stroller. (Really, how meaningfully does that differ from making your dog live its life in a box?) It’s horseshoe theory, with variation on theme. “How sad for those poor dogs, limited and misinterpreted and disregarded,” say Dog EnthusiastsTM re: pet people. “How sad for those poor dogs, limited and misinterpreted and disregarded,” we could also accurately say of many Dog Enthusiasts.

The correct answer to anthropomorphization is not tossing out concern for animals’ feelings, or revoking the concept that dogs experience emotions possibly as deeply and extensively as we do. (As Dr. Patricia Mcconnell says, for all we know, their emotional experience is even greater.) The answer is empathy - trying to view the world through an animal’s eyes.

Empathy is the more difficult answer. It’s more complicated than either anthropomorphization, or viewing dogs as completely alien. Empathizing with animals requires us to ask hard questions. Empathizing with animals requires us to strain our ability to perceive another’s experience. Empathizing requires us to deliberately perceive the manifest as well as the inconspicuous discrepancies between the human and the canine experiences, in order to arrive at our true similarities. 

I think it all lies in the catalysts. It lies in the expressions and so on, too. But my point is, the specific causes of our emotions may vary. But the broader concepts remain very much the same. The mammal brain is the mammal brain.

[lumilagopus]

Re: cumulative actions and parks.

We ask people to leave no trace not because we think any one person is going to singlehandedly cause tremendous harm by going off trail or littering or moving rocks or taking souvenirs. We also don’t think we can stop absolutely everyone by asking them nicely to follow the rules and respect the environment.

With the exception of things like arson or chemical dumping, the harm from restrained individual actions is pretty minor. One rock is one rock, one flower is one flower. But the difference between one plucked flower and ten million plucked flowers is ten million restrained individual actions of, “Oh, this is fine, it’s just one flower—what does it matter if I pluck it?”

A single person stacking rocks into decorative cairns isn’t going to kill every salamander. They may deprive a few organisms of shelter or dry out some eggs attached to a stone, but there are other eggs and other hiding places. But then someone else comes along and sees the lovely little cairn and thinks, “Cool, I’ll make one too!” and so do a hundred other hikers that day. Now it’s a trend. Now it’s on Instagram AJ’s everyone wants to try it. Now thousands of people come to the same place and build their own, and the entire streambed has been continuously disturbed and the habitat becomes perilous and barren.

But to you, it’s just one rock. Just one flower. Just one piece of trash. It’s “just one” to a million other people, too.

We can’t control a million people. We can’t control a hundred people. We can’t stop everyone from contributing to a problem, but we can restrain ourselves, and we can educate each other. The only choices we make are about our own actions, but those are cumulative, too. The people who cause harm on purpose with real understanding of consequence are few, and their impact can be mitigated if it’s just assholes causing problems.

[lumilagopus]

what the hell is wishkin

It’s kin slang! Here it is used in a sentence:

I wishkin would have wonderful and happy lives! Heart emoji!

Mod Party Cat!

[lumilagopus]

I experience this all the time, even moreso as I get older (and I know several other non-humans who have experienced the same thing). I struggle to feel connected with myself in general, let alone my spirituality, let alone a specific aspect of my spirituality like therianthropy. It’s, disquieting, to say the least, when you constantly feel like you’re “not therian enough”. Like maybe you’re just making all of it up, or it was a childish figment of my imagination.

But then I remember that being a therian isn’t just about the stuff I consciously know I’m doing. My non-human identity is integrated into everything I do. When I dance, I jump and bounce. I crouch when I feel unsafe. I walk on the balls of my feet. I wiggle a little when I’m so happy I can’t contain myself. All of this I do without thinking. For me, these are all little signs of my theriotype. My brain and my body move the way they do because they’re driven by the part of me that is more than human. Now obviously everyone experiences their therianthropy differently, but remember that your very nature is the result of your identity (hence the “integral, ontological phenomenon”). So even if it doesn’t feel as blatant as “feeling like x theriotype” or having specific types of shifts, your kintype is always a part of you.

The normal aspects of life as a therian are just as important as the unique ones.

My therianthropy tends to fluctuate. There will be periods where feeling like my theriotype is pretty strong and times where it's almost nonexistent. Every single time my theriotype doesn't feel as prominent I immediately start to doubt myself and my identity. It's basically an existential spiral. Like; "What's wrong with me?" "Have I just been faking this the whole time?" "Have I been doing this 'Therianthropy' thing wrong?" "What if they think I'm just a poser?" "I dont deserve to call myself a Therian!" And then the animality comes back making me feel really dumb for having worried about it for the 100th time.

I've been awakened for a few years now but I still struggle with the ebb and flow of how non-human I feel. It's not made better by the fact that I don't see similar feelings discussed at all. I'm sure it's because it's not as glamorous of a thing to talk about. Or at least I would hope that's the case, anyway. It's not as cool as a mental shift or phantom limbs. As a matter of fact it sucks to talk about because it just reminds me of the disconnect between my physical body and how I feel spiritually.

I'm not aware of how common this is or isn't but I kind of hate that this is how I experience things. It causes me too much worry. I'd prefer to feel more like a horse 24/7 but unfortunately that's not the case for me. I'm not afraid to admit that I'm a little envious of the Therians and Otherkin that always feel a strong sense of their kintypes.

[lumilagopus]

Sometimes I wonder how much of all this microlabeling and infighting over terminology is caused by there being too much talk about the otherkin community and too little about otherkinity.

[lumilagopus]

The Migratory Bird Treaty Act was passed in 1818 and makes it illegal for people in the US to “take,” which means killing, injuring, or possessing, migratory birds in most circumstances. That includes accidental take, such as in oil spills, bioaccumuliation of poisons, or building on bird habitat. 

New proposed rules would make accidental takes legal. This change would mostly impact industries (and of course, the birds that they kill), and has nothing to do with people who pick up bird remains on purpose.

[lumilagopus]

Mentally ill witchcraft: For your symptoms

It’s really common to find witchy mental illness/health related content that is catered towards specific illnesses (usually anxiety and depression). This is more catered to specific symptoms.

Witchcraft is to be used as a supplement to proper medical care, medication and therapy - not as a sole alternative!

Anger:

Amethyst anger release spell

Easy anger release spell

A quick way to cool anger

Anger dispersion magic tea

Anger reducing bath

Bath spell to release anger

“I channel my anger in a healthy, safe and productive manner” sigil

“My anger is under control” sigil

This masterpost

Anxiety:

Anti-anxiety shower spell

Soothing bath spell

Rainy day anxiety spell

I will be okay spell

Anti-anxiety spell jar

Anti-anxiety spell charm

Anti-anxiety tea

Brain Fog + Memory:

ADHD concentration spell bottle

Brainfog lifting

“Brainfog begone” sigil

Rosemary memory spell

Finding things/ memory spell

Memory and concentration spell

Memory enhancement sachet

Memory and awareness spell bottle 

Depression:

Post-depressive-episode bath spell

Ease my depression spell bottle

“Last hope” spell for depression

Anti-depression tea

Gems for depression

Disassociation: 

Spell for disassociation 

Witch’s disassociation bracelet 

“Anti-disassociation” sigil

“I am grounded and in control of my emotions + reactions” sigil

Fatigue:

Spell for energy

Energy gain spell

Energy jar

Energy bath

Crystals for fatigue

“No fatigue” sigil

“Energy” sigil

“I am energetic” sigil

“I have the energy to take a shower” sigil

Flashbacks/trauma

Spell to release emotional blockage

Piece by piece trauma healing spell

Healing from childhood trauma spell bottle

Spell bottle for reassurance 

“My trauma does not hold me back” sigil

Insomnia + nightmares:

Restful sleep and sweet dreams sachet

Sleep crystal spell

Stuffed animal sleep spell

Sleep easy spell sachet

Sleepy witch tip

Nightmare ward charm

Nightmare repellent

Nightmare prevention - crystals and herbs

Dream witch nightmare tips

Intrusive thoughts:

OCD assistance bath

Spell to ward against intrusive thoughts

Spell to control intrusive thoughts

Banish intrusive thoughts incantation

Banishing unwanted thoughts spell

Intrusive thought banishing spell

“I am in control of my OCD” sigil 

Panic attacks:

Panic attack relief pouch

Anti-panic attack spell earrings

Rose Quartz calming spell

“Ease my panic attacks” sigil

“I have less panic attacks” sigil

Paranoia:

Crystals for paranoia

“My paranoia does not control me” sigil

“I don’t let paranoid thoughts overcome me” sigil

“My paranoia does not affect me” sigil

Picking (hair, skin, etc.):

Ease skin picking spell

“I resist the urge to pick my skin” sigil

“I keep from picking” sigil

“My trichotillomania is under control” sigil

“I don’t pull out my hair or eyelashes” sigil

“I am in control and resist the desire to pick my hair” sigil

Mood Swings/Emotional Balance: 

Increasing your emotional tolerance spell

Crystals for BPD

“I regulate my emotions well”

“I am happy and do not have mood swings” sigil

If anyone has content on a category I wasn’t able to include, or for a category that is lacking, feel free to send it my way and I’ll get a part two started for this post! Click [here] for the chronically ill symptoms masterpost. 

[lumilagopus]

The “Are you Kin” Checklist

Or are you experiencing something else?  So you think you are Otherkin? Then this is the checklist post for you! Devised to help narrow down whether or not you fit the kin experience, have a sit down and check those boxes out! Disclaimer: These checklists are a simple guide to help narrow down the different experiences criteria. It is NOT a foolproof or validity based checklist for deciding whether or not you are these things.  - - -  The Otherkin Checklist ☐ You identify as non-human either partially or fully. ☐  The identity is non-physical in nature. ☐ The identity is integral and inseparable from yourself. ☐  The experience is involuntary and not chosen.  ☐ The identity is more than relating to or sharing traits with the kintype in question. ☐ The identity is not for roleplay, for fun or for coping; it does not come and go as wanted/needed. ☐ Awakening to being Otherkin did not change who you are, rather it solidified it. ☐ You feel whole or complete in this identity and can not turn it on or off. If you have checked all or most of these boxes, you may be Otherkin. If you do not meet most or any of these experiences that are integral to being Otherkin, you are not. Continue to the next list! - - - The Fictionkin Checklist ☐ You identify as a fictional character or species from media. ☐  The identity is non-physical in nature. ☐ The identity is integral and inseparable from yourself. ☐ The identity is more than relating to or sharing traits with the fictotype in question. ☐ The experience is involuntary and not chosen. ☐ It is not something done for roleplay and not done for “fun”. ☐ The identity is not chosen for coping; it does not come and go as wanted/needed. If you have checked all or most of these boxes, you may be Fictionkin. If you do not meet most or any of these criteria that are integral to being FIctionkin, you are not. Move to the next list! - - - The Therian Checklist ☐ You identify as an animal, including those that are extinct. ☐  The identity is non-physical in nature. ☐ The identity is integral and inseparable from yourself. ☐  The experience is involuntary and not chosen.  ☐ The identity is more than relating to or sharing traits with the theriotype in question. ☐ The identity is not for roleplay, for fun or for coping; it does not come and go as wanted/needed. ☐ Awakening to being Therian did not change who you are, rather it solidified it. ☐ You feel whole or complete in this identity and can not turn it on or off. If you checked all or most of these boxes you might be a Therian. If you checked little to none of these boxes then you are most likely not a Therian. Move on to the next list! - - - The Copinglink Checklist ☐ You choose to identify as non-human, or a fictional entity. ☐ The identity is consciously created or chosen specifically. ☐ It was created as a coping mechanism. ☐ You are able decide who/what you identify as. ☐ The identity is made that can come and go as wanted/needed. If you have checked most or all of these boxes you may be a Copinglinker. If you do not meet most or any of these criteria, then probably not likely. Continue on to the next list! - - - The Otherhearted Checklist ☐ You feel a strong connection or bond to another species. ☐ You feel related to the species but do not identify as it. ☐ The feeling towards it is familial in nature, or like that of a close friend. ☐ The species is important to you and brings you a sense of familiarity. If you checked all or most of these boxes you may be Otherhearted. If you do not meet most or any of these criteria, then it is least likely conclusive to that. Move to the next list! - - - The Fictionhearted Checklist ☐ You feel a strong connection or bond to a fictional species or character. ☐ You do not identify as the fictional being in question, but identify with it. ☐ You feel a deep relation to it and it is familiar in nature, like that of a family member or close friend. ☐ The fictional being is important to you and brings you a sense of familiarity. If you have checked all or most of these boxes, you may be Fictionhearted. If you only checked a few or none at all, then you are probably not fictionhearted.  - - - Thank you for taking the time to check out this post! I hope that this has laid out a better understanding to what makes up these different experiences, and maybe given you some insight on whether you fit any of these or not. If you have any questions about information on any of these communities, I am more than happy to help! -Azaphaer

[lumilagopus]

“Yes, nature is carefully managed national parks and vast boreal forest and uninhabited arctic. But nature is also the birds in your backyard; the bees whizzing down Fifth Avenue in Manhattan; the pines in rows in forest plantations; the blackberries and butterfly bushes that grow alongside the urban river; the Chinese tree-of-heaven or “ghetto palm” growing behind the corner store; the quail strutting through the farmer’s field; the old field overgrown with weeds and shrubs and snakes and burrowing mammals; the jungle thick with plants labeled “invasive” pests; the carefully designed landscape garden; the green roof; the highway median; the five-hundred-year-old orchard folded into the heart of the Amazon; the avocado tree that sprouts in your compost pile.”

— Emma Marris, Ecology Without Wilderness: Tending the Global Garden We Call ‘Nature’