Introduction To Therianthropy

"People who are a worthless waste of matter. They spend time thinking they are an animal and arguing with normal people. I have a friend who was once one, and he says they are just a cult trying to get you into new religions." --666, from Urban Dictionary

"Therianthropes (also known as: weres, werecreatures, were(animal species) and therians) are people qho have spiritual connections with a given type of animal.
They differ from Furries in the sense that furries want to be the animal, and therians "are" the animal. Often therianthropes feel that they share some part of themselves (mind, soul, etc) with their animal, essentially feeling that their "two halves" are one in the same.
Therianthropes, by definition, do not:
-- enjoy bestiality
-- draw/create "furry porn"
-- wear fursuits
-- have actual, diagnosed mental issues
On the whole, most of them are pretty well-adjusted. Generally, any weres that seems a bit "off" is probably either 1) a troll, 2) 14 years old and not quite understanding what they're getting themselves into or 3) just plain dumb.
Therianthropes do not think they can turn into animals in a physical sense. If you here one speaking of "shifting" or "changing" they are most probably either speaking of mental shifting (where you go into a trance, much like meditation) or dream shifting (dreaming you are an animal). Anyone who says they *can* turn into an animal physically is either crazy (lycanthropy) or they think they're being funny/cool." --Ice Wolf, from Urban Dictionary

"A human being who feels that their soul/mindset is not that of a human, but that of an animal. Also referred to as transspecies, animal people, therians, weres. We have some human instinct and thoughts, and some animal ones. The word for the condition of being a therianthrope is 'therianthropy.'" Quil, Absurdism, from Urban Dictionary

The opinions quoted above are both taken from the same website and show the wide gap that can exist between people concerning therianthropy. It can range from the unexperienced to the very experienced, and can be quite informed or rather rude. As with any group considered to be 'insane' and 'odd,' acceptance and understanding can be hard to find, much less real knowledge about the subject. Opinions and views can differ, and can cast smoke screens on the subject.

There are those pagans that say therians are simply misguided shamans, and others say they're simply insane. If you were to speak to some, they would say that therians are possessed. There are other thoughts as well, ranging from mild to violent. As with all humanity, it can change and twist from person to person, as people put their own experiences into the pot. It can be a great tangle, and it can take a long time to straighten the mess.

When you look at the word 'therianthrope,' the term is clearly derived from two Greek terms meaning 'beast' (therion) and 'man' (anthrôpos). When the two terms combine, you come up with a english translated term of 'beast-man.' It hints at the state of an animal being human. While the origins of the term is unknown, it is widely used in the therianthropy community.

Therianthropes are also known as weres, werepeople, therians, animal people, shifters as well as by their animal terms, such as lycan for wolves.

What is Therianthropy?

An therianthrope, or abbreviation of 'therian,' is a person who feels themselves to be some sort or animal in mind/soul. These people are well aware that they cannot take the form of that animal, but they feel themselves as that particular for a time, being able to think, act and behave as that particular creature. There are two catagories in terms of therians: those who believe they are humans able to function as animals, or animals in human bodies who are able to function as humans.

A therian can be any animal, from rats to wolves. It is not limited to a particular species of animals, or even a general type. 

For an example, if a therian is a wolf, they could be a timber wolf or some other type in that canine family. If they are a feline, they can be a panther, tiger or lion. It is not limited to just being a cat, dog or even a rat. There are specific types that puts the therian in different catagories within a general lable, such as feline for cats and cannine for dogs.

Traits and Charateristics of therians

In all honesty, the therians do not possess common traits and charateristics shared by the majority of them, save for their animal sides. Whatever else they have in common is often mundane, and in no way tied to therianthropy. When listing the traits and charateristics of therians, one would have to venture into the different animal types, because the traits of therians differ because of their major animal type. Therians typically have traits of the anmial they are. If they are wolves, they will have traits and characteristics of a wolf, as it would be with felines, avians and such.

The one trait that is among them all is the tendencies to take on that animal--to be their animal for a short time, or even for long periods of time, as the effects don't come and go. Therians typically have some of their animal with them always. It manifest as odd dislikes, to strange reactions in certain situtations, to a resemblence to their animal. It can differ from person to person, so a list cannot be created, as it would be VERY large.

However, therians do have a tendency to be VERY close to animals and nature. They also tend to exhibit the behavior of their wereside from time to time. While they do have a human mind, with human rationale, there is a touch of an animal that rises to the surface every now and again. The animal like behavior tends to be something that's always been with them.

Who are therians?

Despite what a person can think, that all therians are delusional teenagers and insane people, a therian can be anyone. It's not limited by age, nationality or belief. You can be a hardcore skeptic, yet still be a therian. A priest can even be therian. They can be anyone and everyone you are familiar with, have heard of and so on.

They are still human, living in a human world, and they can do anything they put their minds to, as anyone can. They arn't limited to their therian natures. You can even be the child of a therian and never know it. Being of an animal spirit, while gives you a few animal qualities, does not take away the fact that you're in human form now.

Therians still raise families, still have lives, careers and whatnot. Being therian doesn't change that; it just provides a unique outlook on life.

What does it mean to be therian?

There is nothing in the world that could ever give you the feeling of being therian. While the words can be told you, and a picture can be painted in your mind, it takes away the true feeling of it. If you had never felt anything similar to it, you can never grab that feeling--that rush--that life. Like any experience outside of your own, you can never truly know what it's like to  live it--to have it as your own, but you can try. Otherkins and therians are almost exactly the same, in terms of having an experience you have to live to truly understand.

Being therian isn't easy, and you're not provided with a choice in the matter. Therianthropy isn't a path you can choose or a religion you convert or are born to. You are not tampering with 'supernatural forces.' In fact, you're not tampering at all; you are existing. It is like being human, a part of you that you cannot tear away or pretend that it isn't there.

Being therian is feeling the beast inside of you struggling to the surface. It's feeling the need for that freedom, for that abandonment of humanity and giving in to that animal side. It's feeling the freedom, the power, the speed--the animal that you are. It is in that sweet indulgence of that animalistic behavior--in the sweetness of being yourself.

It is in the blissfulness of feeling the wind in your face, the dirt beneath your feet, and the wildness of nature around you. It's in the knowing that you're not bound anymore by human rules and behaviors. It's the blissfulness of the hunt--the thrill of the chase. You feel it in you, around you, as you.

It is your animal. It is you and you are it.

Whether you are canine, feline, avian, reptile or other--it is in the depth of your soul, as you are, and it struggles against those bonds of humanity like a caged animal would.

Can a person become therian?

At this very moment, I am going to ask you a series of questions. If you answer them honestly, then you will know the answer to the question above. If you answer dishonestly, then you have problems and need to seek medical attention immediately. Be prepared for the questions, and the easiness of the answers.

Right Here--Right Now--can you become a rose, or a rock or your computer screen? Can you change your DNA, or your gender? Can you become anything at all, right now, other than yourself?

Therians are born, not made. It is something that you are born with, and it's always inside of you. It doesn't matter what you do, how far or how fast you run, it's always pressed there--an itch on your soul. You can try to ignore it, to pass it off as nothing, but it's always at the back of your mind...that little voice in the back of your head saying, 'I am different.'

Are Therians Insane?

As with Otherkin, the therians do have an 'awakening.' As they progress, they may question their sanity, and even come to the conclusion that they are completely insane, but denial and shame seem to be a more popular balance beam for the therianthropy community. Since being 'different' isn't widly accepted in society, as well as their love of being their wereside, therians tend to develope a shame, however deep, for what they are. They try to sort of push it aside, writing it off as childhood silliness.

They can repress the urgest, thoughts and behavoir, but they can't do it forever. It can, and most likely will, emerge at some point. The reactions can differ from therian to therian--from introverted shame to anger to hate to depression. I have met some therians that outright denied themselves for very many years, going to doctors for treatments and so on, and only accepting their natures after they try to end the problem by ending their lives.

Then again, there are therians that have very little problems with their natures (those are mostly the ones that really don't care about fitting in or conforming to society's norm). They are out there, and do crop up every once in a while.

The fact that they do struggle with it, do feel the same, do question the fact that they are insane, can be a testement to the fact that--no--they arn't insane. If they had been insane, their behavoir would be more irrational, and more delusional than it is. It is often that the insane don't know their insane, so they have nothing to feel shame for and don't question their sanity. It is often that the insane have a 'I'm not crazy! I am right' mentality rather than a 'Am I insane? Am I right?' mentality.

There can be those that are mistaken, and do have genuine diseases, but there are also very sane, and rationale, therianthorpes (full term for a therian).

How do Therians become aware of their nature?

When a therianthorpe reaches puberty (although, some do awaken later or even earlier), the feelings, urges, thoughts and behavoir begin to emerge more fulling to a focused clarity. It is at this time that the therian becomes truly aware of themselvs, and this 'wereside.' They start to realize things about themselves that seemed to be clouded before. They start to explore, question, or even deny---it depends on the person.

Since therianthorpe awakenings are not my specialty, let us read the words of a therianthrope about awakening, rather than read mine:

"Steadfast Awakening
Weres who have actively known of their identities since small children often learn to balance themselves at a young age. The were takes the definition of Therianthropy as a lifelong explanation of their behavior, actions, and thought.
The result of this would be the the child withholds this personal and keeps the secret of feeling nonhuman quietly. They have a strong tendency to be introverts because of this shame experienced at such a young age.

Suppression Awakenings
Repression is the act of blocking unwanted thoughts or feelings unconsciously, where as suppression is the conscious act of doing so.
Weres who "Awaken" to their animal nature may have repressed their urges until the discovering the Therianthropic community.
The Child who does this unconsciously will upon being brushed off by close friends will change their beliefs and behavior.
They will feel guilt for being associated with a childish, shameful activity and shun it into the back of their heads, thus suppressing the wereside until reading the articles and receiving kind encouragement from well-established weres, a part of the mind unlocks themselves, because acting like an animal is acceptable again. The individual is plagued by dreams, daydreams, and overabundance of shifting, because that part of themselves is OK to let out into the real world." Madd, from Trueform

 I do not agree with the entire article, but the part about awakening is accurate. As a recommendation, I do suggest you read this page, though.

Is Therianthropy a religion?

As I have heard, this is still in heated debate in the therianthropy community. There are those that say 'Yes, it is!' and others that retort back 'No, it isn't!' with the arguments for and against escalating with each come back. It's been in debate for years, and will probably be in debate for years to come. To be very honest, I can only speak from my own knowledge and experience in this section. There are people who think differently.

A religion usually possessed the following standard traits:

• A deity/god
• Holy text (prophecies, creation myths, guidelines for living life, ritual instructions, etc)
• Basic philosophy (basic guidelines on how to live life and such)
• Belief in some supernatural power
• Pays homage to a deity/god (prayer, church, etc)
• Congregations
• Formal Customs (rituals, sermans, holidays, special clothing, etc
• anybody can join

While there are those people that have tried to make a therian church, therianthorpy, when untouched and untainted by others, lacks a diety to worship. Yes, you can argue that the wereside ('wereside' is a term used to describe a therian's animal half) would take the place of the diety, turning it into self-worship, but the therians do not pray to their weresides, nor do they set up shrines, paying homage and whatnot. They do not have a holy text with prophecies, creation myths, guidelines for their lives and whatnot. They do not have instructions for rituals, such as baptisms. Unlike a religion, where anyone can join, a person cannot just join therianthropy. They must be born to it.

There are no formal customs in therianthropy. While the wereside can take on a guiding role, such as in a totem, the therian chooses that. It is their own personal belief. There are therians that take their wereside into their own religious faith, such as paganism, christianity, islam or one of the others. It is THEIR chioce, and it does not reflect on the entire therianthropy communty.

Is Therianthorpy a religion? I would have to say no.

Can a wereside be a mythical animal or an extinct animal?

While I am not sure about mythical animals, such as gryphons and dragons, I can say that the wereside can be an extinct animal. For an example, there are wereraptors out there. They are not in large numbers, but they are out there. A therian's wereside is not limited to animals that are currently alive and populating Earth. The wereside doesn't even have to be an Earth animal. The animal can be from some other planet.

An animal is an animal, no matter what planet it happens to come from.

When you step into the realm of mythical animals, such as dragons, you are getting into delicate territory. There are some dragons that are animals. They have no language, no culture, no rationale outside of the animal spectrum of things. Then again, there are dragons that have langauge, culture, rationale and so on. The same goes for gryphons and some other mythical weresides. 

When it comes to mythical animals, it is ultimatly up to the person to choose if they are otherkin or therian.

Are therians capable of shapeshifting?

When a person typically thinks of shapeshifting, they normally think of hollywood and their messy transformation from human-to-animal and animal-to-human. While there are movies that have remade the famous transformation a bit tidier, you will probably still think of the messy, seam busting, gruesome transformation that was hollywood's original. You will see that sort of transformation in music videos, cartoons, movies, shows and even captured on T-shirts and in comic books. It's everywhere. It's as unavoidable as the IRS.

In regards to therianthropy, though, shifting isn't a hollywood dream. There are different types of shifts that are possible, and some that are in debate. A therian doesn't typically physically shapeshift into their animal side. While there are claims, there isn't any proof that I have come across. There are several types of shifts as follows:

• Astral Shift
  An astral shift is the process of shifting on the astral plane. The astral plane is said to be a different plane of existence parallel to our own. It is there that our thoughts can shape that reality. When walking the astral plane, the therian is able to take their animal shape there. They can do whatever they wish on the planes, even manifest onto the physcial reality. They typically go unseen, though, as ghost walking between realms. They can be felt, but normally not seen, much like ghost. The shifters of this catagory may or may not have psychic abilities. These short of shifts have no effect on the physical body.
• Aural Shift
  Aural shifting occurs when the energy of the person's shift to that of an animal. These sort of shifts can be felt, maybe as an uneasyness towards the therian, or a sense of something different. It's rare that these shifts have an effect on the physical body. Typically, these short of shifters do possess psychic abilities, but it's not a requirement.
• Bi-Location Shift
  A bi-location shift allows a therian to change into their animal side, but the two sides split into two. While they are their animal side, their human body is still there, in a different location. The solidity of the form differs from therian to therian. In other words, the person can be in two places at once, but one doesn't look like the other.
• Cameo Shift
  Cameo shifting can be compaired to putting on a costume. The person will look like the animal, but won't have any of the attributes of that animal, such as the strength or speed.
• Dream Shift 
  There are two types of dream shifts that exist: Lucid Dream Shifts and Unlucid Dream Shifts. The word 'lucid' indicates that the shifter is aware that it is a dream, and that they can do whatever they wish within that dream. The word 'unlucid' indicates that the shifter is not aware that it is a dream, nor do they realize that they can do anything in the dream. In the waking world, the dream shifter appears human because the shift doesn't occur on the physical. The dream shifter can also appear human in the dream, until they choose to take there animal form. There are instances with shifters that they can only take the form of their phenotype (wereside), but there are also shifters that can take on any form. It differs from therian to therian.
• Etheral Shift
  An etheral shift occurs in the first layer of the aura. While there is the aura shift, where the whole aura changes, an etheral shift is limited to the etheric body. The first layer of the aura is like the physical body's blueprint. It is very close to the body, and fits like a second skin. If a person is able to see auras, they may be able to see this shift as it occurs. In these shifts, the physical body is separated from the etheric body, which enables it to interact with the physical world; It can hunt, walk, pick things up, play around, etc. While I am not sure if it is true, there are those that say a person can physially touch the therian's etheral body.
• Mental Shift
  When a therian preforms a mental shift, it means that they take on their animal mentally. They will have the thought patterns, behavoir, mentality and so on of their wereside in this shift. A mental shift is limited to the mind, and usually has no effect on their physical form. It is the case that the therian may be a little stronger, quicker and possess heighted senses due to the power of the mind alone, but that is all. They can retain their human mind in this state, but there are instances where the therian does not keep their human minds. In this case, it is VERY dangerious, because they are, for all means and purposes, their animals. They will react, think and behave as animals. A mental shifter does have a flexible mind. That is what enables them to take these shifts. They may also have psychic abilities due to their shifting abilities. Despite what the medical community will say, these shifters are not insane. They will not rampage through the town killing people and whatnot. This shift is a choice, not an involentary action. Do NOT tease or torment them. It is not funny, and they just may react.
• Phantom Shift
  The phantom limb sydrome is when a person losses a limb, but the brain still tells the body that it is there. The person will feel that limb as if it is acutally there. It will hurt, itch, be cold just as a normal limb would, but it is not there. A phantom shift occurs when the therian feels limbs that are not there, such as wings, tails and other things. They will feel as if their body is that of their wereside, but it will not be there. If they have tails, they can wag their tails, and if it's wings, they can move their wings. The limbs are felt as if they are acutally there, but they are not. It can be fustrating, annoying and very upsetting for the therian for many reasons. A therian will strongly want that form in reality, and it can be very upsetting to feel as that animal, yet not be that animal. It can spark sadness in the person because it reminds them of what they no longer have. During these shifts, the physical body does not change. There are many therians that wish they could take their animal forms. To feel the animal body as if it is real, yet it isn't, can be a very cruel blow to any therian.
• Physical Shift
  There is V-E-R-Y little known about physical shifting, but it is rumored to acutally exist. A physical shift is when a therian takes on all aspects of their animal, become their animal in every way. The physical shift is the one that is most popular with people, and the one that is most misunderstood. Those that are rumored to acutally be capable of physical shifting are often ridiculed and disbelieved. Since hollywood's popular werewolves movies, and cartoons, comics and other things, the life of a physical shape shifter is not easy. It has been rumored that they are the most hunted as well. Humanity is not kind to what it does not understand. There have been rumors of harm done to physical shifters, but there is nothing I can prove. The physical shift can vary. In rage, it may not take a full effect. There are instances where therians claim that hands, feet, eyes, or some other body part will change. I am not an expert on physical shifting, so I therefore have to do some digging. When more is known, I will extend this definition.
• Sense Shift
  A sense shift occurs when a therian is able to change their physical senses to equal that of their wereside. The body can remain human in appearance, but may take on more animalistic characteristics at others. Since each therian is different, the shift will vary from person to person. The most common sense shifts are in hearing, sight and smell. The sense shift can also be related to bi-location, where the therian is able to use the senses of their wereside.

There are many different shifts that I have not posted, or even know about. The above is just a few that I have come across.

What are the most common misconceptions?

As with any community, there are common misconceptions about therians. Some of them are laughable, and some of them just leave you wondering how in the world they turned up. The misconceptions are as follows:

• Therians are super powerful monsters
  The whole idea of therians=superpowerful monster is a myth. Therians are people. They are not monsters and they are not superpowerful. If you hit them with a baseball bat, they will hurt just as any other person/creature would. Being therian does not make them invisible. If they say they are, then they were watching too much television.
• The full moon causes therians too shift
  While the moon does produce energy that can energize a therian, or they can experience more shifts during this time, the full moon does not in any way cause them to shift. This is a hollywood lie. While it works in the movies, it does not, sadly, work in real life.
• Silver has ill effects on therians
  Again, this is a hollywood lie. It looked good on the movies, but there's no truth to it. There is a possibility of a person being allergic to silver, but it's not a bane for therians--just that particular person.
• Therians are furries
  Therians are not to be considered furries. It can be insulting to a therian to be reffered to as a furry. While they can share similar beliefs, therians are the animal, while furries enjoy donning costumes of the animals and pretending to be one. They do not shift in any way, and anyone can be a furry, but you have to be born a therian to be a therian. As I understand it, furries are more of a sexual fetish. Therians do not indulge in 'furry porn.' While therians may draw their weresides as human like, it does not indicate in any way that therians are furries.
• Therianthropy, Lycanthropy and Clinical Lycanthropy are the same
  Clinical Lycanthropy is a disease and Lycanthropy is the ability to tranform into a werewolf. They are in no way related to therianthropy. While the possibility of physical shifting is still in debate, lycanthropy is still different, because 1) it is exclusive only to wolves and 2) it is never said to be a full shift. It is something from myths, legends and folklore.
• Therians can spot other therians
  While there are some rare cases, it isn't a normal thing for a therian to be able to spot another therian. It is, and has always been, hard for a therian to be distinguished from a normal human.

As I come across more misconceptions, I will be adding to this list.

Are there types of therianthropy?

Believe it or not, there acutally are types of therianthropy. While there is the standard therianthropy, there are others that are slightly different. While there may be more than I am listing, these are just the few I am currently aware of:

• Contherianthropy
  Contherianthropy is the state a type of therianthropy where the therian is incapable of shifting. They live in a constant state of a particular shift, so they simply are. The shift that most of these type of therians live in is a mental shift. It is rare to find another type, although I am sure they are out there.
• Suntherianthropy
  While contherianthropy are incapable of shifting, a therian that falls under the title of 'suntherianthropy' is constantly shifting. They are shift sliders, sliding from one shift to the next constantly. It is unclear what causes this, but it does exist. It can be one shift at a time, or several at once. It differs from person to person.
• Cladotherianthropy
  Cladotherianthropy is a term used to describe a therian that has a connection with all the animals in his general phenotype. If they are canine, they will have a connection to all canines. If they are feline, they will have a connection to all felines and so on.
• Polytherianthropy (AKA Polywere)
  Polytherianthropy, also known as a 'polywere,' is a type of therian that has more than one pheno type. While they may be a wolf, they can also be a eagle or a rat. They do not posses just one phenotype, but several.

Overview

Admittedly, therianthropy can been seen among the number of farfetched as well as hard to accept ideas and beliefs. There are many beliefs, in fact, that can be seen as far-fetched and hard to accept--from evengelism to otherkin to paganism. When it comes to those opinions, it honestly isn't a unanimous opinion. There are those that accept it and those that do not, and those that never will accept it.

As people, we are all unique from one another. If we were all the same, the world would honestly be very boring. It is in our diversity that makes our lives worth living and enjoying. It also helps us to learn and grow as individuals. It provides situations that enables our self-growth into a much better person. It is our choice to learn, though. We cannot be forced to learn, to understand, to accept. There are many things that are left up to us to do. 

We learn. We grow. We explore the mysteries of our own existence. We find things to explain these feelings, thoughts and whatever may be compiled beneath our skin to make us who we are. We can believe in science, or we can believe in religion or even spirituality, but we all believe in something, or a combination of things. We are people, and beliefs is apart of who and what we are. We cannot escape them any more than we can escape our DNA or family. They are apart of us and shall always be that way. Therians possess something, much like otherkin, that they will never escape. They can run from themselves, as fast and as far as they wish, but they will never escape. It is not a second skin they possess. Therianthropy is their skin and one cannot live without their skin.

"If it looks like a human, walks like a human, talks like a human...well, one out of three ain't bad." ---anonymous quote, from Yiaolani