What are otherkin? Otherkin are those who identify as nonhuman beings. This may be explained through reincarnation, psychology, mythology, spirituality, or rarely heritage. Most otherkin don't identify physically as nonhuman, although some may feel that way due to delusions or other mental health phenomena.
Most otherkin identify as beings from myth, although any kind of being is possible. Fictional beings might also take up residence in the community; whether these are truly fictional beings or simply a remarkable coincidence on the part of one's kin has yet to be seen. Animal otherkin are called therians- these are people who identify as animal beings. What an otherkin identifies as is called a "kintype", and some can have multiple kintypes.
Otherkin often experience what is termed "shifting". This is not the shifting of physical shifters, but non-physical shifting, where one might experience the nature of their kintype. There are many different kinds of shifts from mental (where one takes on the mindset of their kintype) to astral (where one shifts on the astral realm) and even phantom (where one feels the limbs of their kintype), but physical shifting is out of reach for most kin.
Many otherkin experience dysphoria or discomfort around their species and being human. This discomfort is why some otherkin might seek out ways to become nonhuman, or wish to appear as their kintype. Species dysphoria can be treated by a mental health professional, and 'kin groups can help one feel less isolated.
It's not all doom and gloom for all otherkin. Some otherkin are more spiritual with their 'kinity, however, and do not experience species dysphoria. These kin often experience spiritual shifting, astral experiences, past lives and other like phenomena. For these kin, spirituality and being themselves is at the forefront of their 'kinity.
After a very long journey of pulls, spins, and wanting to be something bigger and better, I fully awakened to being a Raven. Yes I am a Wereraven.