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What Are Otherkin?
Otherkin is a collective noun for an assortment of people who have come
to the somewhat unorthodox, and possibly quite bizarre, conclusion that
they identify themselves as being something other than human. It is
also the label used by a number of communities both on and off line.
(The distinction between the two is not always drawn and can lead to
some confusion).
There are a number of ways people reach this conclusion, and a number
of possible explanations for it. On the face of it, it is a remarkably
difficult conclusion to reach, not only is the evidence scant at best,
but to define yourself as not human requires defining what human means
- an exercise which philosophers for millennia have failed to complete.
The following is a brief overview of some of the possible explanations.
[If someone wants to provide a piece expanding on a section, discussing
the overlap and interactions between different perspectives or
additional references, the submission form is here and I'll be happy to
include things. -Ed]
1 - Appeal to biology
There are a very few people who claim a biological difference from
humans. On the face of it this should be the easiest to prove - the
biological requirements for species are fairly well defined. Life is
rarely that simple and the existence of a subspecies that can
occasionally interbreed with humans is at least somewhat plausible.
Those that claim this tend to posit an initial technical, magical or
deity intervention for the initial pairing. Thus the most frequent (if
such a term can be used for such a small sample) such claims are for
some form of elves (generally Tuatha de Danaan or Sidhe - for which
there is some support in ancient texts), angels (for which there is
some biblical support) or oriental dragons (such as the royal line of
Japan claims).
To date, the variations encountered (including those unsupported claims
made that were not utterly impossible) have been explainable variations
and mutations of homo sapiens and improvable without extensive DNA
testing. (For which, if anyone ever volunteers an appropriate lab,
there are a number of volunteers).
Those claiming such tend to expect even less belief from the general populous.
2 - Appeal to spirit
By far the most common explanation from those who fit the definition
(even if they don't claim this specific label) is that whilst their
physical forms may be human, their essence, soul or equivalent term is
not.
Of those, the majority make their claim based on reincarnation - what
they have been in a previous incarnation so strongly affects their
current incarnation that they still identify with it. Obviously this
requires a belief in reincarnation, and in the transmigration of souls.
Both are reasonably common in a number of religions and spiritual
beliefs across the world.
The less frequent explanations are "nature of soul" (where one is
created as a specific entity, but failed to incarnate as such -
sometimes including the "ooops! missed!" theory of incarnation), and
"walk-in" (where the original spirit inhabiting a body vacated it for
one reason or another - frequently near-death or severe trauma - and a
separate entity took over).
Obviously this is a lot harder to prove, especially as the evidence for
reincarnation itself is rather sparse (some are documented to varying
degrees of veracity, such as the Dali Lama and a number of cultural
mythologies). It is also more open to both intentional and
unintentional abuse (see below).
People in this category sometimes (but by no means always) show signs of maladaption. The two main symptoms appear to be:
Problems not dissimilar to trans-gender issues - discomfort with the
physical form not because of gender but because of species. This seems
to be more common amongst younger people. (Many of the psychological
arguments for and against transgender apply here, though for the most
part the biological ones do not).
Phantom limbs - much as an amputee often gets sensation from the
missing limb, so do some who claim species that have appendages that
humans do not (wings and tails being the main ones). The conventional
explanation for amputees is misfiring nerves and obviously this is
implausible in this case. That such problems are psychosomatic seems
possible, however some do have physically observable side effects that
have to be handled (such as back muscle problems from 'supporting'
wings).
3 - Appeal to psychology
Another explanation posited is that of using the concept of other
species as a tool for self exploration. Thus one is not a member of
that species, but takes on the traits of that species to learn from it.
This could take the form of (at least the westernized distortion of)
Totemic belief, or of Jungian Archetypes.
For the most part those using such techniques deliberately know what it
is they are doing and do not claim the label. However, there are many
people who have not been introduced to the concepts (or have inaccurate
information if they have) and if they should find themselves in the
position of having a Totem (if such can happen outside the appropriate
culture) they may well mistake the effects as them being that creature
rather than having an association with that archetype.
4 - Escapism and mental aberration
The vast majority of people on encountering the concept (and a fair
proportion of those who subscribe to it) will favor this explanation -
it's certainly the easiest one. Anyone who has actually claimed a label
that fits under the 'Otherkin' category has seriously considered this
option (or should have).
The most frequent accusation is that all Otherkin are lost in fantasy,
they've played one too many D&D games and gone over the edge.
Personal study seems to indicate this is actually one of the least
frequent explanations. Most role-players know they are role-playing,
even if they are also Otherkin, and role-playing can be a very useful
tool in self exploration.
Escapism from what is seen as an increasingly hostile and unpleasant
culture (especially in the United States) is somewhat more plausible
and more common. The irony there is that modern society is becoming
increasingly magical - in what other era could you speak
instantaneously with someone a thousand miles away with a simple ten
digit incantation, see images from the past or distant present or rain
fiery death from the skies from half a world away? The potential for
being one step further than a mythological SCA is certainly there
however.
Not being "like them" is a much more common cause, whether "them" is
classmates, family, coworkers or everyone you meet. For some it's
perhaps real - Otherkin really *are* different. However the
relationship is not reciprocal - being different does not make one
Otherkin. The alienation that many teenagers go through, both as part
of normal human development and the social aberration that many
high-schools seem to be, can easily have people looking for an
explanation. For some it's that they are the only goth in a
conservative area, others have less obvious affiliation, but take a
deep interest in dragons and extrapolate.
The other side of that particular coin is looking around you and seeing
the many terrible things that humanity is capable of and deciding that
you are not like that and thus cannot possibly be human. (ref
"behaviors - differentiation by repudiation").
There are also those for whom it is simply wish fulfillment - is being
an elf not so much better than being Joe Smith who flips burgers at
McDonalds?
5 - All of the above
Whilst the above explanations are presented as distinct categories,
people do not necessarily fall into only one of them. There are those
who claim physical differences, and past lives. There are those who are
both in therapy for mental health problems and otherkin (and which is
cause and which effect is debatable).
In the end, without further evidence, it comes down to a matter of
personal belief. As personal beliefs go, it's relatively harmless.
If you either find this hard to believe, think we’re crazy, or any
other thing (such as “heathens”) you can leave now or suffer more
insane talk. But if you are open minded, another Otherkin, or
couldn’t stop reading this for some unknown reason, please join us at
Theyain.proboards42.com.
Sincerely,
Theyaěn.
This was taken from an article on www.Otherkin.net.
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