Enchanted Subcultures I Am Not Making This Up

Otherkin

Originally, this site focused solely on otakukin and soulbonders. However, in the interest of expanding its scope, I've decided to write a bit about otherkin. Most of this comes from a paper I wrote as a first-year college student for a class called Social Impact of Computer Technologies. That paper focused primarily on how and why otherkin form communities online. Here, I've excerpted portions of that paper and added new material to create a rudimentary general FAQ regarding otherkin. Again, this is a general FAQ providing a brief overview of who otherkin are and what they believe. If you've just heard the word "otherkin," either online or from a friend who self-identifies as such, this might be a place to begin.

So, what are otherkin?

An article on Kuro5hin entitled Otherkin: A Short Introduction provides a pretty concise way of defining the phenomenon:

"(N)on-humanity (at least spiritually) is the core belief of Otherkin. By far the most common seems to be the belief that they are a creature from mythology, like a dragon or an elf, although aliens and normal animals can be included."

That seems pretty straightforward. Otherkin are people who think they’re elves, dragons, and other mythological creatures. However, the Kuro5hin article was written by an individual who himself did not identify as otherkin, but, like me, was fascinated by the phenomenon. Thus, in it, we have a non-hostile definition of the community by an outsider.Obviously, not all exterior definition of the movement is so benign. Turning our attention to Urban Dictionary, we find an extremely negative, hostile definition of otherkin by non-otherkin:

"Crazy people on the internet who desperately try to make themselves seem cool by claiming to be a reincarnated version of some kind of popular, charismatic animal or a monster they heard about in a roleplaying game. Usually they justify this by insisting their daydreams have some kind of bearing on the real world."

This definition expresses much of the same things (non-humanity, mythological identification) as the first, except with a much more hostile slant. From both of them, you get a pretty good idea of what the otherkin phenomenon has stood for thus far. Otherkin are individuals who identify as something other than human, and, depending on who is saying it, this could mean many different things:

• It could be that the person has a strong affinity towards a non-human species or mythical being. Otherkinwho take this approach could be seen as an extension of the furry phenomenon. For otherkin, however, it generally goes much farther than, "The lion is my totem," or "I admire the capricious ways of northern European fae." The connection is much deeper, and makes up a great deal of the individual's identity.
• It could also mean that they believe they have memories of being something other than human in a past life. The majority of otherkin today seem to have this view. Some may have complex recollections of byzantine otherworldly social structures, even entire languages, whereas others might only have a few vague memories of having wings. Some even claim to feel "phantom limbs" that harken back to their original form. For example, an otherkin who identifies as a faery might mention an awareness of invisible wings on their back. There are accounts by otherkin of these phantom appendages interacting with the world, e.g. people and animals giving them a wide berth where their appendages would be, or the sensation of poking something with them.
• It might even mean that they believe themselves to be something other than human right now, in this lifetime. This seems to be relatively rare, and is generally confined to those otherkins who identify as humanoid entities, like elves. They claim to possess physical traits such as pointy ears, shifting eye color, or unusual body structure. Some claim an allergy to iron consistent with legends about faeries and elves. Those otherkin who ascribe to this view tend to either believe that they're a changeling (a non-human switched with a human at birth, a la The Moorchild) or that they've inherited non-human blood from somewhere in their family line.

If someone has told you that they're otherkin, it might be best to ask them what they mean by that. Do they believe that their soul is non-human, or do they believe that they're physically other? You might also ask about their kintype, or the entity that they believe themselves to be.

So, what sort of creatures do otherkin believe themselves to be?

The short answer is: anything and everything. As noted above, otherkin refer to the species/entity/creature with which they identify as their kintype. Less frequently, the term phenotype is used to convey the notion that while they may genetically resemble a human, they are not.

Some very common kintypes include elves, pixies, all variety of fae, dragons, angels, demons, and werewolves. Though the term otherkin is often taken to imply an identification with something mythic, people who believe themselves to have animal spirits (such as wolves, lions, or birds) often also identify as otherkin. I've talked to a vegan otherkin who considered herself a reincarnation of a factory farm chicken, as well as several people who believed themselves to be blood relatives of Bean Sidhe, the faery mistress.

As one might expect, some otherkin who congregate online claim to remember similar details of their past lives. This has led to communities like the Elenari, who believe they're a specific type of elves. This aside, there are many sites that exist merely to put otherkin with the same (or similar) kintype in contact with one another.

It is worth noting that many otherkin will insist that, at this moment, in this reality/lifetime, they lead the life of a human, and are more concerned with their current life than with any intuitions about past lives or their kintype. Popular figures in the otherkin subculture often warn newly awakened kin against investing too much of their present life in their otherkin identity.

What's this "awakening" business?

"Awakening" is a term otherkin use for the experience of realizing they they aren't human. As one might expect, there are as many stories of awakenings as their are otherkin. Some claim to have known from an early age that there was something different about them, or to have had dreams their entire life about their kintype. Still others will only admit to recognizing their otherness upon contacting otherkin online.

Some claim to have discovered their otherkin identity via Wiccan (or other pagan) rituals, and there are several notable stories about otherkin who "spontaneously awakened" upon hearing an otherkin language, or seeing a particular sign or symbol.

Not every otherkin has story of awakening suddenly; some claim to have known all along that they weren't human. There are even a few who claim to have always had memories of their past life.

But dragons and faeries don't exist! How can they believe that they are those things?

Many believe that their kintype once lived on this earth, but has since vanished or hidden. They may reference stories like Beowulf, Greek myths, or Celtic lore as evidence that faeries, elves, and dragons once lived side-by-side with humans. The lack of physical evidence (such as fossils) is usually explained by the suggestion that such creatures simply lack physical bodies in their natural state.

Some, however, believe that they're not originally from this world, and that the fae that they once were lived in a parallel dimension or another planet. In the otherkin community, it is popular to believe that an infinite number of universes, and, therefore, an infinite number of beings. Yes, this theory implies that somewhere, in some universe, everything from Tolkien-esque elves to intelligent antelopes exist, and that everything one can imagine is true.

Do otherkin just talk about their beliefs online, or does it go further?

In short, it depends on the person. I've met otherkin in person, so some obviously do tell their friends and acquaintances about their otherkin identity. I've known the occasional otherkin wandering around looking for stoned college freshmen to regale with tales of their powerful otherworldly life. Most, however, are only going to tell their close friends, if anyone. I've heard stories about otherkin telling their parents and being expelled from home, or, in the case of younger 'kin, being carted to a psychiatrist. If someone close to you has told you that they're otherkin, you should feel very trusted.

Whereas gays and lesbians refer to telling others about their sexuality as "coming out of the closet," some otherkin refer to revealing their 'kin identity as "coming out of the wardrobe," a reference to C.S. Lewis's popular Narnia books. When dealing with someone who has "come out" to you as otherkin, it is important to remember that they're still the same person they were before telling you. You may be curious about their identity (maybe that's why you're here!) or, you might think that they're sick and need help. Everyone will handle this differently. I personally recommend just letting it go, especially if the person who "came out" to you is just a casual acquaintance.

Do otherkin have (or believe that they have) magic(k)al powers or something?

A small contingent of the otherkin subculture claim to have abilities beyond those of a normal human. Some say they use forms of magic inherent to their kintype (ie, "dragon magick") but I don't think I need to mention that I've never seen any proof of this. As a specific example, the Elenari claim to practice a specific type of magic called "flowing magic" that involves "energies which permeate our reality and which can be caused to flow and used to make things happen."

In general, more otherkin believe themselves to have magical aspects than believe that they've got some kind of magical power. Vampire otherkin usually believe that they have a physiological or spiritual need to drink blood and/or drain the life forces of others, and the Elenari claim to have better eyesight than most.

Many may also follow pagan (or other) religions that come part and parcel with a belief in magic(k). It seems that the majority of otherkin don't believe themselves to possess any unearthly magical gifts. In short, no, otherkin aren't going to start throwing balls of fire at you if you criticize their beliefs.

Are all otherkin pagans of some sort?

Nope. I've met Catholic and even Baptist otherkin. It would probably be fair to say that otherkin are more likely to be pagan than most people, but that doesn't mean that they all are. Many pagan faiths believe in reincarnation, a belief that many otherkin use to explain their otherness. It just makes sense, furthermore, that people who believe themselves to be magical creatures will gravitate towards religions that affirm magic. It is worth noting, however, that not all pagans affirm the beliefs of otherkin. Some Wiccans, reconstructionists, and other pagans would consider the beliefs of otherkin to be "fluffy," or without merit. Some otherkin claim to remember bits and pieces of the native religion of their kintype, and may practice some form of that. Many kin regard the concept of organized religion with contempt, preferring instead to consider themselves spiritual.

What about dating? Do otherkin date non-otherkin?

Of course. The otherkin subculture is as of now so small that it would be impossible for otherkin to exclusively date only otherkin. Otherkin may or may not tell whoever they're with about their otherkin identity. Personally, I can't see how a relationship could be viable when something so important remains hidden. As one might expect, some otherkin long to meet partners who identify with their kintype. Some, particularly in the Elven community, search for their soulmate, whom they believe they've met in a previous life.

Recently, a website called Otherkin Dating has opened to provide those who self-identify as otherkin with a way to meet sympathetic partners. Otherkin Dating boasts to being "100% elven-owned and operated." Users who create a profile on the site may list their kintype, interests, languages (including "Celtic," "Medieval English," and "Ancient Persian,") as well as their personal appearance.

Do all these creatures get along? Do otherkin who believe they're demons get along with angelkin?

It varies. Like any subculture, there are tensions within the otherkin community. From what I have seen, the biggest contentions concern fantastic claims, like someone saying that they can physically shapeshift into a wolf. Not all otherkin will validate eachother's claims, and many can be somewhat skeptical at times.

When it comes to tensions between different kintypes, again, it varies. A small contingent of the otherkin community, apparently taking their cue from movies like Underworld, believe werewolves and vampires to be mortal enemies, and behave as if this were the case. As one might expect, this kind of appeal to fiction often comes under fire from skeptical otherkin and outsiders. In general, though, otherkin tend to get along, and are at least willing to listen to eachother's claims. There is much emphasis in the otherkin community on putting forward a unified front against detractors.