The otherkin are a group of people who believe their soul originated as something other than human. The source of that origin as as varied as the individuals themselves. These can range from creatures of various mythologies. (i.e, faeries, dragons, vampires, etc.) to figures of more conventional spiritual beliefs. (i.e. Angels, Demons.) as well as but not limited to these and even more fanciful types. (i.e, Starseeds, extra-terrestrials, or any other variety.) The explosion of Otherkin groups and the spread of this belief is due in no small part with the accessibility of the Internet, allowing these groups to congregate and exchange ideas. Though the idea itself predates this media by a considerable number of years.
Each of these Otherkin types undergoes a process that is often called an Awakening. This awakening, according to several Otherkin sources is a process that brings about a spiritual transformation of the individual, taking them from their "Mundane" life and connecting, or in some cases reconnecting them with their "Other" selves and all of the attributes associated with it.
It is much debated as to the substance of this sub-cultures belief, as well as the mental stability of those who hold this belief. Often pro and anti Otherkin debates degenerate into namecalling matches with animosity on both sides.
Having listened to the different sides of the argument I can see valid points from both camps. The truth of the matter is this: It all comes down to what you believe. Belief, no matter how odd it may appear to any one else is strictly a matter of faith. The right to believe whatever you wish is just that. A right. If boiled down to its lowest common denominator, to denounce that which otherkin believe is to in essence denounce all faith. Why is it any harder to believe this person may be or have been an elf than it is to believe.. Oh say.. Some Jewish Carpenter returned from the dead? Or that some prophet moved a Mountain? Or even that a sea parted so slaves might escape Egypt? All faith defies logical reason. All of it. The use of any sweepingly general term is a poor practice, nor can a whole group be classified by the behavior of a select few. For example: Not all Germans are Nazis. This is not to say that some of these people don't have a mental illness associated with delusion or what not.. But to assume that everyone who has this belief is insane would be a gross misrepresentation. Generally one does not think a Christian crazy even though a ressurection, that claims of Christ's divinity cannot be proven. Nor should these people be unless the same yardstick is used to measure everyone.
Each of these Otherkin types undergoes a process that is often called an Awakening. This awakening, according to several Otherkin sources is a process that brings about a spiritual transformation of the individual, taking them from their "Mundane" life and connecting, or in some cases reconnecting them with their "Other" selves and all of the attributes associated with it.
It is much debated as to the substance of this sub-cultures belief, as well as the mental stability of those who hold this belief. Often pro and anti Otherkin debates degenerate into namecalling matches with animosity on both sides.
Having listened to the different sides of the argument I can see valid points from both camps. The truth of the matter is this: It all comes down to what you believe. Belief, no matter how odd it may appear to any one else is strictly a matter of faith. The right to believe whatever you wish is just that. A right. If boiled down to its lowest common denominator, to denounce that which otherkin believe is to in essence denounce all faith. Why is it any harder to believe this person may be or have been an elf than it is to believe.. Oh say.. Some Jewish Carpenter returned from the dead? Or that some prophet moved a Mountain? Or even that a sea parted so slaves might escape Egypt? All faith defies logical reason. All of it. The use of any sweepingly general term is a poor practice, nor can a whole group be classified by the behavior of a select few. For example: Not all Germans are Nazis. This is not to say that some of these people don't have a mental illness associated with delusion or what not.. But to assume that everyone who has this belief is insane would be a gross misrepresentation. Generally one does not think a Christian crazy even though a ressurection, that claims of Christ's divinity cannot be proven. Nor should these people be unless the same yardstick is used to measure everyone.
by Kia Reese August 12, 2008
Otherkin believe, for many reasons, that they aren't 100% human. Otherkin know they're physically human, and don't believe they can physically shift into their kintype.
Otherkin do shift in other ways. For example, mental shifting is the state of becoming more like one's kintype mentally, often with some mix of heightened senses, phantom limbs, having strong urges to act like one's kintype, etc.
Otherkin can feel as though they are an animal (therians/therianthropes), a fictional character (fictionkin/fickin), or an object or plant. One's type is discovered through a process called awakening.
Some believe they were their type in a past life, some believe they are in an alternate universe, some believe they are on a metaphysical level, or they may hold some other belief. There is no single "correct" way to be otherkin, so long as one identifies as, not with, something nonhuman.
Otherkin don't think it's oppressive for non-kin to wear animal ears, plantkin don't care if you cut grass or eat vegetables, and therians don't act as their kintype in public, as they know they're physically human and must fit into society. They're just normal people, only a bit less human on the inside. You may have been served coffee by a dragon this week without knowing. You may even have friends/family members who're otherkin. They aren't inherently mentally ill, and they blend in with society just as well as anyone else.
Otherkin do shift in other ways. For example, mental shifting is the state of becoming more like one's kintype mentally, often with some mix of heightened senses, phantom limbs, having strong urges to act like one's kintype, etc.
Otherkin can feel as though they are an animal (therians/therianthropes), a fictional character (fictionkin/fickin), or an object or plant. One's type is discovered through a process called awakening.
Some believe they were their type in a past life, some believe they are in an alternate universe, some believe they are on a metaphysical level, or they may hold some other belief. There is no single "correct" way to be otherkin, so long as one identifies as, not with, something nonhuman.
Otherkin don't think it's oppressive for non-kin to wear animal ears, plantkin don't care if you cut grass or eat vegetables, and therians don't act as their kintype in public, as they know they're physically human and must fit into society. They're just normal people, only a bit less human on the inside. You may have been served coffee by a dragon this week without knowing. You may even have friends/family members who're otherkin. They aren't inherently mentally ill, and they blend in with society just as well as anyone else.
I've been feeling leathery astral wings and horns lately, I may be dragonkin!
My cousin is otherkin, their kintype is a raccoon. Sometimes they wear a striped tail to feel closer to their kintype.
I'm fickin with Peridot from Steven Universe, when I get screentime it makes my day!
I'm caninekin, and no, I do not bark at strangers or pee outside.
My cousin is otherkin, their kintype is a raccoon. Sometimes they wear a striped tail to feel closer to their kintype.
I'm fickin with Peridot from Steven Universe, when I get screentime it makes my day!
I'm caninekin, and no, I do not bark at strangers or pee outside.
by Tallfox_kin October 29, 2015
I was fired from my job because I am a wolf otherkin and belive i am a wolf, so I growled at customers. OPPRESHION!
by Gamebag1 June 20, 2015
Otherkin is a spirituality in which one believes that they are the reincarnation of an animal. There's also a community who believe they are connected to space, called spacekin, and a community called fictionkin who are drawn to fictional characters.
Sometimes used as a coping method for mentally ill teenagers.
The otherkin community is overall very accepting and caring, albeit the ridicule they receive from twelve year old white boys who don't even know what otherkin is.
NOT TO BE MISTAKEN FOR FURRIES OR THERIANS.
Sometimes used as a coping method for mentally ill teenagers.
The otherkin community is overall very accepting and caring, albeit the ridicule they receive from twelve year old white boys who don't even know what otherkin is.
NOT TO BE MISTAKEN FOR FURRIES OR THERIANS.
by afauninaflowercrown March 29, 2015
Otherkin is a word for people who beleive, in one or many given ways, that they are something other then human. Mostly, this is in a spiritual sense. An otherkin individual may beleive that their spirit is anything fron ET's, Faeries, Angels, Animals, Dragons, Unicorns, ect.
I see many of the definitions listed here and feel alot of the predgidous is woefully misplaced. I am not an overweight web desighner at all, nor do I sit in my house or office and roleplay being " something else". I am a CEO of a very significant and large healthcare company, I have a large family and plenty of friends, and get out quite often, thank you. Kin come from many walks of life and may look like/resemble any 'Normal' person. Kin tend to be suspicious and even cold to 'normal' people for exactly the type of reactions outlined here. The unneccesary, immature, hateful comments by people who would rather not even stop to consider that the things they say may hurt other people. We have just as much right to beleive what we want to beleive as you do.
Before you go pointing fingers and critisizing how other people live their lives, turn that 'high powered' perception back on yourself. Maybe you'll see how much of an ass your being.
For those scattered few who wrote decent definitions in here, shame on you for not speaking up about this kind of immature definition. You are *not* helping anyone.
I see many of the definitions listed here and feel alot of the predgidous is woefully misplaced. I am not an overweight web desighner at all, nor do I sit in my house or office and roleplay being " something else". I am a CEO of a very significant and large healthcare company, I have a large family and plenty of friends, and get out quite often, thank you. Kin come from many walks of life and may look like/resemble any 'Normal' person. Kin tend to be suspicious and even cold to 'normal' people for exactly the type of reactions outlined here. The unneccesary, immature, hateful comments by people who would rather not even stop to consider that the things they say may hurt other people. We have just as much right to beleive what we want to beleive as you do.
Before you go pointing fingers and critisizing how other people live their lives, turn that 'high powered' perception back on yourself. Maybe you'll see how much of an ass your being.
For those scattered few who wrote decent definitions in here, shame on you for not speaking up about this kind of immature definition. You are *not* helping anyone.
by WhiteAngel May 05, 2006
Otherkin (n)
Literal meaning; Kindred to 'other'
Shorthand; 'Kin. (also used as a Suffix)
The Otherkin phenomenon is a young idea, being primarily silent as a concept until the mid to late 80s, coinciding with the popularization of the internet. And so internal understanding, interpretation, and methodology is fluid and actively debated. This malleable nature of understanding acts to confound concrete definition beyond the following general concept:
"'Otherkin' is an individual or community of individuals that Self-identify as being not completely human, or having been inhuman in a past life/incarnation. This idea is quantified through a combination of Personal and Shared Gnosis." It is a personal recognition of the enduring influence of a non-human aspect (Which can include terrestrial fauna, non-terrestrial fauna, incorporeal/spiritual entities, and mythical beings). Typically sourced in recognition of subtle influences to personality and/or behavioral predisposition. In some cases reference is also made to spiritual talent or natural aptitude towards specific practices. Particularly Shamanism/animism.
Otherkin may be loosely compared to other spiritual and philosophical ideas rooted in Shared Personal Gnosis and spiritual Self-realization such as Starseeds, Drop-ins, indigo children, and other practices based in modern new-age concepts.
Literal meaning; Kindred to 'other'
Shorthand; 'Kin. (also used as a Suffix)
The Otherkin phenomenon is a young idea, being primarily silent as a concept until the mid to late 80s, coinciding with the popularization of the internet. And so internal understanding, interpretation, and methodology is fluid and actively debated. This malleable nature of understanding acts to confound concrete definition beyond the following general concept:
"'Otherkin' is an individual or community of individuals that Self-identify as being not completely human, or having been inhuman in a past life/incarnation. This idea is quantified through a combination of Personal and Shared Gnosis." It is a personal recognition of the enduring influence of a non-human aspect (Which can include terrestrial fauna, non-terrestrial fauna, incorporeal/spiritual entities, and mythical beings). Typically sourced in recognition of subtle influences to personality and/or behavioral predisposition. In some cases reference is also made to spiritual talent or natural aptitude towards specific practices. Particularly Shamanism/animism.
Otherkin may be loosely compared to other spiritual and philosophical ideas rooted in Shared Personal Gnosis and spiritual Self-realization such as Starseeds, Drop-ins, indigo children, and other practices based in modern new-age concepts.
Full term; "I once lived s a dragon, and so now I call myself an Otherkin."
Shorthand; "I am a part of the 'kin communities."
As a suffix; "I once lived as a lion, And so now I call myself a Lion-kin."
Shorthand; "I am a part of the 'kin communities."
As a suffix; "I once lived as a lion, And so now I call myself a Lion-kin."
by Spiritrunner December 19, 2017
People who use role playing to escape from their problems, taking on otherkin personas as a cry for help from the masses.
They seek to employ attention whoring as a cry for help from other people.
They wish to be seen, loved and appreciated online because in real life they know they are invisible to the world and no one cares about cowards who cannot deal with their problems in a healthy way!
They say they are here to heal others but they are the ones really in need of healing...how can they solve other people's problems if they cannot even work through their own shit?
Otherkin identify as NON-human personalities only to just not look at their own fucked up human condition that needs real healing!
They seek to employ attention whoring as a cry for help from other people.
They wish to be seen, loved and appreciated online because in real life they know they are invisible to the world and no one cares about cowards who cannot deal with their problems in a healthy way!
They say they are here to heal others but they are the ones really in need of healing...how can they solve other people's problems if they cannot even work through their own shit?
Otherkin identify as NON-human personalities only to just not look at their own fucked up human condition that needs real healing!
Otherkin: "hi I am an angel, I am here to solve all your problems, currently I am going through a divorce and struggle for custody over my own child while I struggle with an unfaithful husband!"
Me: "uhhm if you are an angel of love and light why did you fuck up your marriage, why does your husband hate you, why do you have a failed family life, why is your personal life a mess? Yeah I bet your kid will really love you some day for leaving her dad!"
Another example would be:
Otherkin: "I am an angel here to save the world but I am too sacred shitless to deal with reality, so I stick with online role playing instead... It is people like me that give indigo children a bad aftertaste since when I am busy trolling and glorifying myself online you know I really don't have time to make a real difference out there in the REAL world."
Me: "uhhm if you are an angel of love and light why did you fuck up your marriage, why does your husband hate you, why do you have a failed family life, why is your personal life a mess? Yeah I bet your kid will really love you some day for leaving her dad!"
Another example would be:
Otherkin: "I am an angel here to save the world but I am too sacred shitless to deal with reality, so I stick with online role playing instead... It is people like me that give indigo children a bad aftertaste since when I am busy trolling and glorifying myself online you know I really don't have time to make a real difference out there in the REAL world."
by indigohater January 03, 2013