How Many Of You Put Stock In The Otherkin Philosophy? Options

"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 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)