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Post by rowanashmore on May 21, 2007 1:54:06 GMT -5
Otherkin and Lycanthropes
Wow, these two conditions have caused more drama and thoughts than many other thoughts of paganism. I myself am fascinated by this topic mainly because of my own research done into it. It is clearly defined as a mental disorder but a non-dangerous condition of the mind. When I was in college I personally did some study onto it and found out some very interesting things, I will share now.
1, The majority of Otherkin I interviewed where sexual abused as children and remember calling to the spirit of the animal to keep them safe. This is the most interesting to me because of the idea of retreating to safety and then getting caught up in the illusion. I would never say that all otherkin were abused as children nor would I say all abused children are otherkin. It is just a interesting concept to ponder.
2. The idea of animal guides and spirits is certainly not a new one, I myself have called on the Raccoon for a while now, I am also the owner of a fox. I believe in the spirits of these animals helping us and leading us and residing beside us (a concept referred to as fetch.) I do not believe however these souls reside in us. There is a difference that I think is a important one.
Here is what a few sources have to say about the movements.
Clinical lycanthropy is defined as a rare psychiatric syndrome that involves a belief that the affected person is, or has, transformed into an animal. It is named after the mythical condition of lycanthropy, a supernatural affliction in which people are said to physically shapeshift into werewolves. The word zoanthropy is also sometimes used for the delusion that one has turned into an animal in general and not specifically a wolf. Researchers have noted that lycanthropy can be a part of normal culture-dependent behaviour
Neurological factors One important factor may be differences or changes in parts of the brain known to be involved in representing body shape (e.g. see proprioception, body image). A neuroimaging study[5] of two people diagnosed with clinical lycanthropy showed that these areas display unusual activation, suggesting that when people report their bodies are changing shape, they may be genuinely perceiving those feelings. Body image distortions are not unknown in mental and neurological illness, so this may help explain at least part of the process. One further puzzle is why an affected person doesn't simply report that their body "feels like it is changing in odd ways", rather than presenting with a delusional belief that they are changing into a specific animal. There is much evidence that psychosis is more than just odd perceptual experiences so perhaps lycanthropy is the result of these unusual bodily experiences being understood by an already confused mind, perhaps filtered through the lens of cultural traditions and ideas.
Otherkin is a subculture made up of people who consider themselves non-human or having a connection to a mythical archetype in some way, usually believing to be mythological or legendary creatures. Common creatures to which Otherkin claim some connection include angels, demons, elves, fairies, lycanthropes, and even extra-terrestrials.[1][2] The otherkin community grew out of the elven online community of the early-to-mid-1990s, with the earliest recorded use of the term otherkin appearing in early 1996.[3] Outside of their own subculture, otherkin beliefs are often met with controversy.[4] According to diagnosis criteria put forth by mental health professionals, the belief that one is an animal or can be turned into an animal is termed clinical lycanthropy[5], a delusion of varying severity and significance.
I am so very interested to have a discussion about this. I am so interested in the exploration of this topic. I hope others are as well.
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Post by Lady Anastasia on May 21, 2007 1:59:20 GMT -5
Great topic for discussion Row... I'm finding myself fascinated.. Do you have any more to add to it?
Also, it brings to mind... Vampires... Would those who believe that they are vampires fit into the Otherkin category?
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Post by rowanashmore on May 21, 2007 2:02:48 GMT -5
Great topic for discussion Row... I'm finding myself fascinated.. Do you have any more to add to it? Also, it brings to mind... Vampires... Would those who believe that they are vampires fit into the Otherkin category? That is a good question. Most modern day vampires suffer most probably from a blood disorder that causes them to crave blood It is more physiological then mental. Now the argument could be made that Psychic vamps could suffer from a mental disorder. But I will have to do some more research on that.
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Post by Lady Anastasia on May 21, 2007 2:05:41 GMT -5
Great topic for discussion Row... I'm finding myself fascinated.. Do you have any more to add to it? Also, it brings to mind... Vampires... Would those who believe that they are vampires fit into the Otherkin category? That is a good question. Most modern day vampires suffer most probably from a blood disorder that causes them to crave blood It is more physiological then mental. Now the argument could be made that Psychic vamps could suffer from a mental disorder. But I will have to do some more research on that. Ahh... well, then we will have another topic to discuss when you have a chance to look into it... lol
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Post by Senbecc on May 21, 2007 2:37:19 GMT -5
This part was of particular interest to me. When I practice "shape-shifting" I am fully aware that my body won't really change. However the physical sensations are hard to deny and there are times when others will mistake you for a bull in the field at night, or a large fish when your under water. Perhaps it is as mush the spiritual changing of the body's personal energies as much as the minds altering of state and being?
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Post by rowanashmore on May 21, 2007 3:48:35 GMT -5
I would think the key there is that you are in control of your faculties to know you are not really changing even though it feels like you are changing. I would say it could be compared to when a sane person wonders if they are crazy, if you wonder if you are you probably aren't. The crazy person will always deny they are.
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Post by theoccultchrist on May 21, 2007 4:10:47 GMT -5
I must be crazy then. I always deny to my co-workers that I am crazy...cause Im trying to aviod being committed. lol
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Post by Lady Anastasia on May 21, 2007 4:25:09 GMT -5
Hey Row... what if it's something like the brain miss-firing, and, sending signals to a place where the baser, animal instincts lay buried? I don't know if that makes any sense... Especially since I'm soooo not scientifical, but, it's just a thought that I had...
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Post by rowanashmore on May 21, 2007 4:33:32 GMT -5
The Id would be more reptile function basic brain waves no high end thought. It would be things like breathing, heartbeat things we cannot control. The primal part of who we are. It would still be a brain disorder though which sucks.
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Finn
Philosopher
Posts: 153
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Post by Finn on May 21, 2007 8:37:23 GMT -5
I think it is probably important to differentiate between people with "delusions," people seeking "wish fulfillment," and some of the "spiritual practices" from around the world. It is far too easy for them to become blurred when talking about this subject, and that is probably a detriment to all.
Lycanthropy (delusion): All mythology aside, this condition is a mental defect wherein the subject believes him/herself to be a wolf. It ranges from mild behaviors to psychotic. The person isn't making an intellectual choice, and is quite simply clinically insane.
Otherkin (wish fulfillment): The Otherkin and various people like them simply like the idea of being something exotic. They are, in effect, taking roleplaying and make believe to the next level. They are like the Star Trek fans that wear their Staf Fleet uniforms around in their mundane life and want you to refer to them by their rank. Without a doubt, a few delusional types are among their number (which is extremely dangerous as this feeds the psychosis), but for the most part these are just people who enjoy playing a very elaborate game. It is unfortunate that this game makes it impossible to tell the dangerous crazies from the benign ones.
Spiritual Practices: There are, however, lots of spiritual practices from around the world which involve animals, channeling animals spirits, and becoming an animal oneself. The practitioners of these rites are a very different breed. They do not, in general, view themselves as their animals in the flesh. It is something they "do" to touch the other worlds, not something they are in fact. The best Neo-Pagan comparison would be when witches call down the Gods/Goddesses, taking on their roles and identities for the duration of the ritual. Said people do not believe (hopefully at least) that they are the Morrigan, the Goddess, Thor, or whomever when they walk around in their day to day life. It is a specific rite or ritual wherein the divine is channeled, nothing more. It is also an interesting side note that most people practicing this kind of spirituality do not worship the animal (or animals in general) but see them as other denizens of the world with specific advantages (and some disadvantages). Most such people view being "human" as a good thing. To aspire to be an animal all the time would be a strange ambition to them.
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Post by Der Trommler on May 21, 2007 9:09:01 GMT -5
Just a thought....In some encounters with spirits, people have been posessed by the spirit. Would it, then, be possible for someone to be posessed by an animal spirit? If we followed that thought, there have been maladies (for a lack of a better term) that transform bodies internally or even extrenally... While I've never witnessed such in any case, I still think it could be possible. What's to say that our 10% used minds haven't tapped into the other 90% & we really can transform our bodies? Thinking in evolutionary terms, we have transformed many times. Anyway...just a thought...
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Finn
Philosopher
Posts: 153
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Post by Finn on May 21, 2007 9:30:22 GMT -5
Just a thought....In some encounters with spirits, people have been posessed by the spirit. Would it, then, be possible for someone to be posessed by an animal spirit? Belief that a person can be subsumed by a spirit is found in the majority of belief systems around the world. Some argue this is because insanity is universal and "possession" is an example of parallel cultural evolution. That is to say, different cultures are observing a phenomenon and coming up with similiar explanations for it based on the evidence. Of course, one cannot discount the possibility that these theories are incorrect either. [/color][/quote] Agreed. However, if we were to follow this line of thought, the condition is indeed an affliction, not a positive thing. This would also be why all cultures who believe in the possibility have means to try and extricate/evict the spirit from a human body. Whether you believe lycanthropy is spiritual in nature or you belive it is a psychological neurosis, it is degenerative. It interfers with a human beings ability to function in the society in which they dwell.
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Post by KittyLane on May 21, 2007 9:46:16 GMT -5
Great topic for discussion Row... I'm finding myself fascinated.. Do you have any more to add to it? Also, it brings to mind... Vampires... Would those who believe that they are vampires fit into the Otherkin category? When I was advertising for our site I found a great and realistic group of modern "vampires". Some of them do believe they are Otherkin. They will go into great detail on the how and the why of it all. I was stunned and kind of fascinated by these people. I do not have any personal experience with vampires, so who am I to debate them. As far as psychic vampires, yes I deal with those energy suckers alllll the time.
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Post by blackwolf on May 21, 2007 10:13:05 GMT -5
Well, Interesting Thread...Since Wolf asked me, and this thread started, because of my bringing it to the attention of others...And, I WAS, not am, currently, in that state, I was in, twelve years ago, thus, I have first hand experience, not an outsider's views, perception's, or diagnosis...I shall share this, for the informational benefit, of all....And, I would love, to be respected...
Firstly, Rowanashmore...Psychic Vampirism...Michelle Belanger...michellebelanger.com; She wrote the Psychic Vampire Codex...But,admittedly,she is, by some in the Vampire/Vampyre community, considered " fluffy ", because she does not advocate the imbibing of blood...Yet, there are others, angry, because she revealed, the basics of Psychic Vampirism...I will, when that thread gets started, and when I have time, speak of what I know, of the Astral Currents in the Blood/Dna, and what is really being fed on...
As for the Lycanthrope state, which I personally experienced...Firstly, within many cultures, it is believed, we evolve thru a chain of lifetimes, not, in a number of belief/wisdom systems, just human; Many believe we begin as stone, then plant, then animal, then human, then evolved human, then Gods...The Shamen, I have spoken, and interacted with, told me, I was a Wolf, in my Animal Life, and had not yet integrated that, in this lifetime...Perhaps, for others, this is also the case, I can not speak for them...I long ago, completed the integration process, however, without retual, I can now shift into that state, at will...And, it arises, under threat of harm, as my Protector Spirit/Soul, similar, though being clear, not the same, as a Manitou, a " bestial emanation ", from the back of the brain...However, this is one point, I can disagree with you on, Rowanashmore, being the person, in the experience...My "higher brain functioning", ability to rationalize, creative aspects, ability to Think/Visualize ( not hallucinate ) was still present, actually enhanced...Like kicking the brain into a higher gear...Yet, extremely cunning...On the hunt, you could say, yet with full consciousness, no loss of rational process... EXCEPT...and I emphasize this, when I was physically attacked...then, it was a temporary loss of present surroundings, translating into a primal rage state...Pure Animal, kill reflex...Funny, when I was growing up, I was taught, not to get in fights, but if someone persisted, in attacking you physically, or would not leave you alone, no matter what you tried, to just take them out...No second thought, as in military training...Then go back to whatever you were doing, before the incident; which is the philosophy, in some tribal societies...
One of the benefits, of my Wolf Soul, ( and animal souls, are a common knowledge, note I did not state belief, among native peoples, including old caucasian peoples...however, there are Irish, who believe, they are descended/evolved from wolves, not apes; And I am not going to debate that with them ) , is my ability, to smell a person, sometimes from a distance, and tell, what they are like...I can smell their " Energy Field ", " Soul ", " Essence " whatever you wish to call it...I can also, see better, in the night, than many of my friends, and my hearing, when I sense anything, " Out of Kilter ", boots up tremendously...
Now, this is where I would agree, with Senbecc, when he spoke of Shapeshifting...Yet I know it, from a different perspective...It is a shaping, of the morphogenetic field of the body, almost like a net, or grid...I can see the shimmer, of the grid, about 6 inches, from my flesh, let us call it the Etheric Body, which changes shape, and then, the body, appears to follow...The best way to describe it, would be, since I got on the computer, is when iI use the mouse, to move the toolbar, on the side of the screen...First there is the Shadow Line, then the screen shifts...
Now, crazy...O, I just love western, academic, left brain overboard, thinking, and terminology; ( I am being extremely sarcastic...for good reason ) ...The most popular way to " Frame " someone, is " If they deny it, then they are..." ; that is such a Catch 22...No,not crazy...matter of fact, more sane than most, since I do not participate, by conscious choice, in a left brain, consumer driven, competitive, militaristic, patriarchal based society...I keep myself, out of that loop, as much as possible...And that, is Animal Instinct, combined with Higher Level, brain functions...Now, again, I am asking for responses, to be civil...I have spoken from my direct experience...
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