Shifting: A Basic Guide
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Our-Elysium.com (and it's writer) aren't responsible for any incidents/occurances that may result in the use of these practices. These exercices are educational material, and are in no way intended to mislead, harm or provoke violence in others. The further reading and use of these practices releases Our-Elysium (and it's writer) from accountability over anything that may result in misuse, practice or misunderstanding of this educational material. You read, use and/or practice the following of your own free will.
Shapeshifting.
In order to entice the human imagination, the process of shapeshifting was fluffed up and glorified by movies, writers, artist, legends and myths around the world. They feature shapeshifting as gruesome, bloody and painful looking.
The reality of it is less than a Hollywood dream. The therianthropes (technical term for members of the therianthropy community) take these Hollywood glorified shifts and brings them down to a more acceptable level. From mental shifts to physical shifts, Shifting: A Basic Guide will take you through all you would need to know about the therianthrope's version of the shapeshifting.
What is Shapeshifting?
In the introduction article, there was a brief piece on shapeshifting, as seen by the therianthropes. It was there that the few major shifts of the community were covered (and explained), but there was no real depth as to what shapeshifting really was.
In the animal-sided community, the basic term 'shifting' is applied to the action, intentional or accidental, when a therianthrope leaves the normal scope of the human psyche to take on the more primal, instinctive and emotional/survival driven psyche of an animal.
Any shift type requires a flexible mind, concentration and strength of will. When you shift, you're litterally shedding your human self to become, in part, the animal of your chose or phenotype.
Who Can Shift?
In short, everyone.
Shapeshifting hasn't been unheard of outside of the therianthrope scope, but it does seem to come easier to them than it does to anyone else. While some otherkin are capable of shifting, not all of them have the natural knak for is as the therianthropes display. As for 'normal' people, it may take a while before they can do it.
With practice, patience and persistence, it can be done.
What are the Shift Types?
There are many types of shifts, but the following are the commonly known ones:
- 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.
The three major shifts a therianthrope often expience are the mental shift, the astral shift and the phantom shift. The next below those three are the physical shift, the dream shift, the bi-location shift and the etheral shift.
The mental shift is the one most therianthropes take when they transition to their animal-side.
Can Therianthropes Shift to Any Animal?
Yes and No.
Typically, a therianthrope will have the capability of shifting to only one animal. This animal, be it predator or prey, is identified as their 'phenotype.' Therianthropes are their phenotype, and often adopt 'werenames' related to their animal.
In the community, there are your normal therianthropes, then (to my knowledge) three types of therianthropes after that: contherians, polyshifters and polyweres.
A contherian is a therianthrope that is stuck in a constant state of shift. They, for whatever reason, are stuck with both sides of the coin, often tilting from one to the other, but never falling on a single side. These therianthropes will never be able to fully adopt a human psyche, but always be stuck between the animal and human mind. Whether or not they can shift remains to be seen. Personally, I've never met a contherian.
When broken down, the term polyshifter translates into 'many shifts.' While a 'normal' therianthrope have a single phenotype, a polyshifter won't have one at all. These individuals have the ability to choose what animal they wish to be, and even have the capability of shifting to that animal. Typically, a therianthrope can only shift to one animal, and that is their favorite as well as their phenotype. A polyshifter can have a favorite animal they shift to most often, but they're not limited to that one animal.
When broken down, the term 'polywere' acutally translates as 'many man.' (Historically speaking, the term were can be derived from the old english terms of 'weri' or 'were.' The term 'were' is a prefix meaning 'man' and was used for words such as werewolf, which then translated it as man-wolf. The term 'weri' means 'to wear,' so the term werewolf could also mean 'wearer of wolf skin.' The modern term 'polywere' eliminated the relation to beast and created a word that could translate as 'many man' or 'to wear many.') While a normal therianthrope has only one phenotype, a polywere can have many phenotypes. These are the animals they identify as, and are able to shift to.
The causes of these different states of therianthropy are unclear, but they do exist.
What are The Dangers of Shifting?
While shifting can be fun (not to mention cool), it can also be dangerous. There are several things you should avoid, and many you should be cautious of. If you value you're life, you'll read this section rather than skip over it. Please keep in mind that this could save your life, or someone else's.
One of the key problems with shifting is the fact that you're taking on animal instincts, emotions and reactions. If you're a calm person, it doesn't matter, but it can be trouble for people who already have strong emotions with a dominant personality. Since the constant practice of shifting should improve your skill at it, you could begin to shift to an animal state more often and more naturally.
To speak plainly, you may shift, without realizing it, in response to certain things. A few good examples are situations that cause you to become angry, upset, possessive, loving or any other numerous emotions.
In a normal state of mind, you'll react like your human side. However you deal with those situations, as a human, won't alter. You'll be able to rationalize things, deal with emotions, make logical decisions and so forth.
If you begin to shift more often, and more naturally (with less concentration), you may begin to react to those situations as an animal, or a cross between human and animal. You may begin to become more violent, emotional, dominant or any number of things. In those situations, you'll react as an animal and not a human.
I advice you to keep notes on your behavior as in a normal state of mind, without shifting. Then practice your shifting, and take notes on your behavior afterwards. Be careful to note differences, and keep track of your own mind, health and safety. If you notice changes happening rapidly, or people notice your personality changing, take a break from shifting and evaluate what happened. Be careful to stay balanced and sane.
If you experience ill effects from shifting with more frequency and intensity, cease practice immediatly. I also advice you to seek medical attention.
When ending a shift, please remember to fully shed the animal half. Give yourself time to adjust to the human side again, making sure you've fully adapted your human side and can function properly. Activities such as driving should be avoided at least half an hour (to an hour) after a shift. When you become more familiar with it, and are able to control it, these precautions may be unneeded.
Please remember to do your research. If there are stories written by (other) therians about their shifting experiences, read it! Information is valuable, and the more you know is the better!
How do you Shift?
The first section described shifting as "leaving the normal scope of the human psyche to take on the more primal, instinctive and emotional/survival driven psyche of an animal." It went on by saying that flexibility, concentration and strength of will were required to shift. You later learned that anyone can shift, but it may come easier to some than others.
Since we've covered the basics, we'll now go on to study two simple exercises designed around different types of visualizations. We're going to cover more than one because different people will require different focus points. These exercises aren't the only way to shift. Please remember to be creative, and come up with your own that you feel works for you.
First, though, let's take a brief look at grounding and centering.
- GROUNDING & CENTERING
- If you're a energyworker, pagan or psychic, you'll probably know how to ground and center. In case you don't though, we'll go through a simple exercise you can do anywhere you feel comfortable.
When we speak of centering, we're speaking of the action that will gather your energy into yourself. Feel your energy around you, in you and all over you. If it helps, imagine a cloud of light. When you have that in your mind, imagine drawing it in. Imagine it rushing in like a wave, and calming down to turn into a pool.
When you feel you have centered yourself, gather your energy and imagine them like roots growing into the Earth. Like the roots of a tree, drive it deep, and imagine yourself cycling energy into the Earth, and back into yourself. Imagine it filtering you.
Do you understand? If not, please click here.
The brief look at grounding and centering was important for your next two exercises. It creates a foundation to build on, and keeps you safe while shifting.
Before we go on to learn the two methods, pick your animal. For the excercise, I'll pick a panther.
- SHIFTING METHOD ONE
- The first method we'll learn is visualization through sensations. While some people can focus by imagining the occurances in their mind, there are those that do better when they imagine feeling the occuraces. This method goes well with people who work better with the five senses. For the first method, let's focus on the senses.
Before we begin the shift, we'll start with relaxing ourselves, centering and then grounding. Continue when you feel relaxed.
If you've chosen an animal, focus on it without thinking of anything else. Bring up the way it would feel, it's behavoir, it's personality, the color--everything you can about that animal. Focus on it.
With that in your mind, imagine the feeling of your animal coming over you. Start with the instincts, behavoir and personality. Let your mind slip into the mind of your chosen animal. Feel it overcome you, and move as your animal mind wills it. Relax, and sink yourself into it. Let it overcome you.
In the next step, feel the fur and the limbs of your animal. Since I have chosen a panther, I will feel the paws, with their sharp nails, and the fur, soft and sleek, bursting over my skin. Imagine the feel of your animals face growing out of yours. Combine that with your animal mind, and give yourself over to it.
Shed your human self, and feel the body of your animal. In my case, the panther.
If you didn't work well with that method, prehaps a more visual method would be better for you. Remember, though, be creative. If these don't work for you, come up with your own. As long as it works for you, that's all that matters.
- SHIFTING METHOD TWO
- The second method we'll learn is based on images. There are some people who focus better when they experience things through their mind's eye, rather than feeling it through their body.
As we did before, try to relax, center and ground. These are important. Proceed when you feel you're able.
The second method will require you to close your eyes. If you've chosen your animal, please bring up a detailed image of it now. See it in your mind. Add as much detail as you can--feel, smell, behavoir, etc...
If it helps, you can imagine yourself and your animal in a place of your chooseing. When you see your animal, walk towards it and place yourself near it. Examine it, taking in the details, and focus on your animal.
When you feel you've studied your animal long enough, reach towards it. Feel it beneath your hand. Imagine yourself melting into your animal, and it melting into you.
Imagine your animal and you merging as one, melting into each other until there is only you and your animal in one form.
When this is complete, imagine yourself merging into your animal. Become it. Let the animal melt into you and take over the human half.
Relax. Become the animal.