by Adnarel

*Terrestrial Otherkin

Kin whose affiliation is native and current to the earth’s current plane/realm, or was in recent history (in the case of extinct creatures). These include individuals who feel that they are either full animal spirits trapped in human bodies, or therianthropes, people who feel that their true form is blend between the ‘animal’ in question and humanoid figure. Others simply feel a close bond with the animal in question. Its simply unique to the individual.

Terrestrial otherkin, like most types of otherkin, generally struggle greatly with their humanity. They are, in essence, a being trapped in a completely different form than they were meant to be. However, they struggle much more so then any other type of otherkin, not only do they have to deal with the natural behaviors of their kin, but they also face that fact that their own kin are walking the earth presently. As a result, most terrestrial otherkin can feel the presence of their kin walking the earth. Imagine being cut off from a family you had come to know and love for years, but knowing that they were all around you, but you couldn’t be with them.

Terrestrial otherkin, as a result, often cope with feeling of depression , isolation, and lonlieness; perhaps longing to rejoin the society that they came to know so well. They feel confused in their physical “human” shell.

Some recommend a trip to the zoo to help terrestrial otherkin deal with the feeling of loneliness and isolation. I disagree STRONGLY with this. There is nothin worse then having to see your own kin behind bars or on display for people to gawk and stare at all day. Many of the animals in zoos are malnourished, lack the social interaction that is essential to many of their kind, and are generally unhappy. In addition, years of having to deal with the public has made these animals more docile then they naturally are in the wild. The best thing for both new and terrestrial otherkin to do is to interact with others. The internet is the best resource because of the wide variety of websites, Yahoo groups, etc. for otherkin. There are also gatherings hosted around the world for otherkin to come together to mingle and communicate with each other. Unfortunately, these events are hard to find locally. Many of them take place in spots like Yosemite, Yellowstone, and other National Parks. Otherkin.net generally lists when these events will take place. Unfortunately, kin with limited funds will find it difficult to make it to these gatherings.

As far as books go, I have never seen any out there that are specifically for otherkin. I find author Doreen Virtue to be a great author for otherkin. Especially her book titled “Earth Angels” . Also, any books about the ‘animal’ of an individual otherkin. New age books about shamanistic magic are also great and are well worth looking into. There are many different ways to explore ones kinship, find what works best for you.

The most common types of terrestrial otherkin are:

  • Wolves
  • Foxes
  • Jackals
  • Lions
  • Leopards
  • Tigers
  • Bears
  • Bats
  • Hawks
  • Eagles
  • Orcas
  • Horses

(Please keep in mind that there are many more, these are just the ones that I have come across in my studies and interactions)

*Non-Terrestrial Otherkin

These are kin who have an affinity for ‘creatures’ that are traditionally based in mythology. Most non-terrestrial otherkin claim to have originated somewhere else. Most often they feel that they are from another world, dimension, Plane of reality, etc. Many, but not all, believe this to some degree.

Some other kinds of non terrestrial otherkin have also theorized that they once walked the earth, but for an unknown reason, were either put or forced into human form. Of course, this theory applies for many different types of kinship, but I’ve heard it most from kin whose kinships are regarded as “mythical creatures”. (Fae and other types of ‘humanoid’ otherkin will be included in a separate section)

Non-terrestrial otherkin deal with issues slightly different then those of terrestrial otherkin. One of these is that non-terrestrial otherkin deal with the issue of trying to find their ‘true form’, since on Earth there are no tangible representations of their kin for them to relate to. For this reason, it is especially important for these types of otherkin to communicate with one another, and bounce ideas back and forth, and most especially for those who are newly awakened.

Support groups such as Otherkin Alliance, provide resources to allow otherkin help each other to find their true forms.

Examples of non terrestrial otherkin include, but are not limited to:

  • Dragons
  • Gryphons
  • Unicorns
  • Pegasi
  • Phoenixes
  • Hippocampi
  • Rocs
  • Kirin

*Elemental Otherkin

This was the best way I could think of to describe this group, so please excuse the terminology. ^^

These are otherkin whose kinships are with various beings that, unlike the first two categories, retain a semblance of the human form.

However, in human form, the tend to resemble their own true form. For example, individuals who are pixies might look rather like pixies. These types of otherkin often form close bonds with the above mentioned type of otherkin, as they, at one time, coexisted together. Many ‘humanoid’ otherkin, seem to harbor a deep loathing for humanity. They say many of their friends, human and kin alike, slowly get exterminated by mankind’s cruelty. Priestesses and medicine men/women were tortured and burned at the stake for their beliefs, and non-terrestrial otherkin seemed to pass on from this world into the realm of fantasy with the dawn of the Age of Reason. Witnessing these horrors made many of these otherkin bitter and distrusting. It is important for these types of otherkin to learn to control their fiery tempers, as well as their mischievious and malicious tendencies, especially when it comes to the environment. It ss important for all Elemental Otherkin to be connected to their element, be it Earth, Air, Fire or Water. Go for a walk in a park, Swim (even if its only a pool), stare deep into a candle’s flame, or go to a playground and swing for a while.

These kin, along with the aforementioned otherkin, (non-terrestrial) often make the greatest of friends. Indeed, some of them form bonds that last through these lifetimes and into the next. Once again, communication with different groups is important, since this group tends not to be as comfortable with people as other types of otherkin.

Examples of Elemental Otherkin include, but are not limited to:

  • Fae
  • Fairies
  • Elves
  • Sylphs
  • Sprites
  • Undines
  • Salamanders
  • Gnomes
  • Leprechauns
  • Dryads
  • Pixies
  • Mermaids
  • Selkies
  • Tree people
  • Brownies
  • Nymphs
  • Will o’ Wisps

Other types of otherkin

There are other types of otherkin, here is a brief list of the remaining types of otherkin that will be covered in subsequent articles after I do more research on them.

  • Angel-kin
  • Vampires (see the articles by zilchy)
  • Starpeople
  • Walk-ins