"Otherkin is a subculture made up of people who describe themselves as being non-human or having a connection to a mythical archetype in some way, usually believing themselves to be mythological or legendary creatures. The word is a neologism primarily used by members of that subculture, and is somewhat fluid in definition, and in its broadest sense includes those who consider themselves to be animals, aliens, extradimensional beings, and any other non-human entities.

Most otherkin believe that they have non-human aspects that are either spiritual or religious 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 having the soul of another species."

Source: Wikipedia. (Please note that not all Otherkin believe themselves to be anything other than human, or that any part of them is animal. Otherkin can be broadened to incorporate such ideas as demonic possession/fusion, or therianthropy. Some other brief information can be garnered from www.otherkin.com)

I realize it's touchy but I myself like to entertain the thought that there is something not altogether human about some of us. For instance, I am approximately 25% Italian, 25% Scottish, and 50% Norwegian. My Italian side, the Bertoni family, had a purported Devil attached to their lineage. While I do not necessarily believe him to be Infernal, he most certainly is a very powerful spirit, and I have met with him more than once. At one time, he sought shelter in my physical form, and I'll leave that at that. Suffice it to say he's gone now, but I can still feel the familiar influence sometimes. If I had to cite an example of what he was capable of, I'd recall the story of the Devil of Hjalta-Stad:

"I asked him how loud he could shout. He said, 'So loud that the roof would go off the house, and you would all fall into a dead faint'. I told him to try it. He answered: 'Do you think I am come to amuse you, you idiot?' I asked him to show us a little specimen. He said he would do so, and gave three shouts, the last of which was so fearful that I have never heard anything worse, and doubt whether I ever shall. Towards daybreak, after he had parted from us with the usual compliments, we fell asleep.

Next morning he came in again, and began to waken up people; he named each one by name, not forgetting to add some nickname, and asking whether so-and-so was awake. When he saw they were all awake, he said he was going to play with the door now, and with that he threw the door off its hinges with a sudden jerk, and sent it far in upon the floor. The strangest thing was that when he threw anything it went down at once, and then went back to its place again, so it was evident that he either went inside it or moved about with it..."
(from http://gaslight.mtroyal.ab.ca/dreamX11.htm)

I wonder what other magically-inclined people think of this subculture?

I think our souls all contain aspects of other animals (real or not). Otherkin are simply trying to find a spiritual connection to these creatures. I don't think its a bad idea. It could be a useful tool for self-discovery. But where I have to draw the line is when people take it a bit too far and let their otherkin control their life. However this is true for all philosophies.

A well-thought out reply. It is true that all philosophies can take over your life, but becoming a zealot and becoming a fanatic are two very different things. I find that some otherkin find it very pertinent to allow the fanaticism to overtake their rational thoughts. Though, as a member of the otherkin forum over at the link I gave, I also found that the moderators like to ban those kinds very quickly.

Just wondering what the magic community thought.

I pmed you, check your pm.

Hehe, I checked, I replied. your turn.

I believe that a person can have experienced a lifetime (or several even) as any of the races covered under the Otherkin umbrella. But what they fail to realize is---they are HUMAN today. The soul is energy...is has no form other than what we make it..it is mutable. To claim one's soul is Elven, for example, is incorrect. One may have lived a life as an elf, but their soul merely retains those memories. Besides, to shun your humanity is to lose sight of why you were born here again in the first place. IMO, the Otherkin movement represents a threat to enlightment. It holds ppl back. Personally, I recall a lifetime as Tuatha De Danna. Does that make me otherkin? No. It is simply an experience upon which to draw knowledge and power. This day, I am human. The human experience, often disregareded, is acutally quite enlightening. It's shame many cannot see this.


Off my soap box now, lol. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blablabla.gif)

I put a great deal of stock into it, as I identify with being Otherkin. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

My views on it? I'm human. My DNA says so.
I identify with an animal, I feel that it's possible that I could have been said animal once. Possibly in a past life, or maybe it's just my totem animal and I have it all confused! *lol*

Anyway, my soul is a basically a junk drawer. I do not have the soul of a/an (insert animal/creature here). I have my soul. The main animal that identify with is something that helps me with my life and what I do. I learn from it and it guides me.

Now...the scary parts of the Otherkin circles--
After running an Otherkin site for 4 years, I've run into people who:

1. claimed to be gods
2. Hate humanity completely (self-hate?)
3. dream of returning to their true-form (O_o)
4. are here for some great all out war between good and evil (double O_o)

I tried to help these people understand that all was...just wrong, but they would rather threaten than listen. Unfortunately, these people attract followers.

While I like the idea of people with a similar belief system getting together and talking about it, it does have it's pitfalls. So many people start playing the "I remember you" game which hiders self-discovery...not to mention can also lead to dangerous situations. All too often, people conform for the alpha mentality, or just never learn any of their own answers for themselves, instead relying on someone else to tell them everything.

I did try hard to teach the people who once frequented my site that you can learn from anything that you think/believe that you were and what you are now. Even if, in a past life, you were a lowly pure-finder, there's some knowledge there for you to taken it.
Sadly, not many understood that.

I'm sorry if this was rambling and long-winded!

To my knowledge the notion of "Otherkin" was created some ten years ago by someone who used to hang out on the occult scene in the city where I currently reside. This was before I lived here but several of my friends were around at the time and were members of the same university occult society. The person responsible was, apparently, overweight, unattractive, unpopular and unsuccessful with members of the opposite sex. Her nickname was "Sad Sarah", for reasons that should be clear.

Like many people afflicted with the problems mentioned above she was much happier believing that on the inside she was a pretty Elven princess, and used to discuss this at length with anyone who would listen. Rapidly running short of sympathetic ears she took the course of action adopted by socially retarded crackpots the world over and built a website to give a name and form to her fantasies. Nobody who knew her took any of this seriously, but the internet being what it is she has managed to spawn a plauge of teenage goths with occult pretensions who believe they are half dragon and half unicorn.

Personally, I have never met a magician over the age of 20 who takes it remotely seriously.

Well Sarah created a wonderful notion of the "Otherkin" and underneath all her physical problems there was / is an Elven Princess.

I personally think that the cut-off age for true magicianship is 20. Anyone over that age automaticaly becomes a wizard. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/angel.gif)

I understand that too, but what I believe our freind was trying to explain was that some teens fall into this delussional phase (human yet non-human souls) that's very hard to give up believing themselves to be super beings destined for Greatness, I call it the superman complex.

Just my two pence (IMG:style_emoticons/default/scatter.gif)

its true...im still a teen...and maybe its the fact that im still young and I'll never die (at least thats what it feels like) that is the most intoxicating. Ofcourse im gonna invest in the long term....thats what exploring spirituality is for...but who isnt tempted to think they aren't human? its addictive, thinking you are more than what you truly are. I have to admit ive wondered myself...but i slap myself on the wrist, and remind myself that i am NOT the same animal/person i was in the last life. Otherkin? I know several otherkin...but I do not consider myself one. I think it is a very different concept then the regular "I was an animal in my last life," Its not even the same thing as having a familiar. I respect them for embracing their identity...its their choice ultimately if they are gonna continue adding on to their slate, or start a new as a complete human (tabula rasa stuff). As for the trend in hating humanity...thats unhealthy, but being otherkin is just an excuse...any selfrespecting HUMAN can hate humanity. Im sure there are humans who would rather think they are otherkin then deal with the association...but whats to say there arent legitimate otherkin too? Can there be otherkin that hate otherkin?