Happy Almost Beltane!

Jfc let me touch this before some weird conspiracy theory pops up

On the whole debacle, since it's revving up-

• Silvër and her pack (what everyone is calling "the p-shifters of 2020") are not All P-shifters Ever, and were disliked by other members of the community. She deleted and remade because other shifters were getting on her case, and eventually went silent because she was unable to handle the pressure. Her pack has never been "every p-shifter", nor does every shifter agree with her opinions.

- Additionally, most shifters don't approve of abusers or cultists in the community. It's why Silvër was ran out of it, along with other abusers. It's why when dodgy people appear shifters tend to avoid them or disperse elsewhere, and why shifters do warn others about cults and unhealthy groups.

• "P-shifting has never been used in a derogatory sense": It is literally considered a trait of "fake therians" in some spaces. It is not a positive thing in the therian and otherkin community to be a p-shifter. People get banned for claims of p-shifting. People literally refused to interact with Xem directly because the post was made by a p-shifter. This is the definition of derogatory.

• Reclaiming a term: if by "reclaiming" you mean "using it in a way that isn't abusive" then actually yeah, I don't have an issue with that. Which is what I've seen most who want to reclaim the term want to do so for. Like, p-shifting doesn't inherently equal abuser - there's multiple groups who have used the term without forming unhealthy groups or packs, so it's not inherent to p-shifting as a concept. (See the Were vs. Therian debate and Social Media Sites part of The Shifter Timeline.)

• I thought p-shifters weren't delusional! You're changing your tune!": I can't speak for Silvër and her pack's views, but I still don't believe all shifters are delusional. While the definition of clinical lycanthropy necessitates delusions, a p-shifter is ANYBODY who claims to physically shift. P-shifters can't ALL be delusional because there's a wide variety of reasons why someone (even incorrectly!) might consider themselves a shifter. I've written about it before. I personally don't have a problem with delusional or schizospec people considering themselves p-shifters as long as other shifters aren't pushed out of the community, something I mentioned when I said, "as long as other shifters aren't defined out."

▪︎The claim that "P-shifters are purposefully targeting endels and delusional people": How? The shifters here (excluding Silvër and her defunct group) are not a pack. There's no concerted hivemind or effort to do anything, most of us are quite scattered honestly. As far as I'm aware most of us either post in our own tags, have warnings for delusional and clinical folk, or block them. This also goes both ways, so delusional folk can (and do!) also block us if they see something they cannot handle.

If we wanted to target endels, wouldn't we be posting in their tags? Wouldn't we be privately contacting endels with sensitive materials? Wouldn't we be making a concerted effort to make their lives miserable? And for what - an acutely psychotic person is uncontrollable (from what I know) so making them suffer in that fashion would only appeal to a sadistic abuser. Yet this is online, meaning that anybody trying to abuse others in that fashion would not even get to see that. How does that benefit anybody?

Those using the p-shifter label currently seem to be doing so because they're uncomfortable with the label of "clinical" or implying that their shifting is in any way false. Which tbh is fair, and since I do feel they have grounds to the label (it's not like they weren't already considered p-shifters by the community in some instances) I'm not bothered by them "reclaiming it". That's my reasoning, anyway.

Gentle and friendly reminder that not every label is catered to specifically you, and you/your experiences only.

Heavy /not being rude/ for the title.

It may be a hard pill to swallow, but some labels are meant to include certain demographics you want to stay away from, or dislike, and that is okay. Some labels are going to cater to a widespread of demographics that you may not even like, or care to interact with that side of it. Another reminder that many labels are umbrella terms for specific, different, experiences, even if it's not explicitly stated. No two beings will be identical in every way. The beauty in this community, is that things can change. Things are fluid. Identity is fluid. Biology and physicality is fluid. It isn't always static.

"Physical nonhuman" means many, many things for many different nonhumans. Some physical nonhumans are only physically nonhuman, but mentally human. Some physical nonhumans aren't fully nonhuman. Some physical nonhumans are fully nonhuman in absolutely every way. Some physical nonhumans weren't always nonhuman. Some physical nonhumans have traits that others consider nonhuman. Some physical nonhumans are physically nonhuman to cope. Some physical nonhumans experience delusions that allow for them to be physically nonhuman. Some physical nonhumans are physically nonhuman due to transitioning. Some physical nonhumans are born physically nonhuman. Some physical nonhumans can shift between human and nonhuman. Some physical nonhumans are nonhuman in a non-literal sense, and reclaim their body as physically nonhuman.

Physical nonhuman does NOT just mean the last sentence. It isn't always metaphorical for some folks. For some creatures, it's absolutely literal, and is to be treated as such. If you experience physical nonhuman in a non-literal sense, I think that's actually really cool, and I recognize you as physically nonhuman, regardless! However, it is not an excuse to push out those who literally are physically nonhuman. Sanism doesn't fix anything. It doesn't make you look any better.

"Yeah, I identify as physically nonhuman, but I don't literally think I am. That's when it's clinical zoanthropy."

"I'm a holothere, and all holotheres know they are biologically human."

"I'm physically nonhuman, but I think we shouldn't enable delusions by calling clinical zoanthropes and other delusional folks in the community nonhuman. They aren't actually nonhuman if they have a delusion."

"P-shifters don't count under the label physical nonhumans because p-shifting isn't real."

"Most physical nonhumans actually know they're human. They just physically identify as nonhuman non-literally."

"Physical nonhumans don't experience delusions regarding their physicality."

^ Examples of what it can look like to throw out a good portion physical nonhumans from their own community. Communities made for them. Forcefully assigning labels onto folks who are only presenting as themselves is very weird, in my opinion. Don't come into communities expecting them to cater specifically to you, and then pushing away existing community members for the sake of "reclaiming" a label to look more "sane".

Making blanket statements like these do more harm than good. There's a reason why physical nonhumans, especially on this site, are getting angrier and louder about the tireless disrespect, even indirect disrespect. It's disrespectful to come into a community, choose to learn absolutely nothing about said community, and then proceed to push out anyone you think doesn't fit your narrative of what physical nonhumanity should look like. It's disgusting.

Holothere, especially on Reddit, began losing its meaning because self-proclaimed holotheres would use the label, and then go on to claim that biological nonhumans aren't actually included. Girl, are you the coiner of the term? Did the coiner tell you that? Did you even read the Carrd? The Carrd that's literally on the front page, and one of the top search results on Google when you simply type in "holothere"? Did you? Did you look into the community and read and take time to digest our experiences, and accept that every holothere is different? Words cannot describe how *frustrating* it was to see a Reddit post that discussed the term, only for other holotheres to kick ME, a holothere, out of my own community. The term was literally made for me in mind, too? Like wtaf.

Again, there is NOTHING WRONG with being figuratively physically nonhuman. I can see why someone would do this for various reasons, and I think you guys count. This isn't directly JUST concerning these nonhumans who identify that way, but this is definitely directed towards nonhumans who decide to push each other out for the sake of sanism, and as a result of ableism. Let's face it, denying a delusional individual's right to autonomy of the usage of a label, or usage of something that makes them comfortable in their delusions is ableism. Pushing out delusional folks because they are experiencing something you consider not real is ableism.

Absolutely nobody is forcing you to interact with delusional nonhumans. If you decide not to, that's cool, but don't erase them because you don't like what they have to say. Don't erase physical shifters and automatically discredit them just because you don't believe in physical shifting. Don't armchair diagnose and mislabel literal physical nonhumans just because you don't think it's possible outside of a metaphorical/figurative experience. That's where the issue lies. It isn't about how you experience your identity, but folks with this type of physical identity do tend to be very exclusive and close-minded when it comes to physical nonhumanity. It very well seems to be in a way to make themselves look better. It's easier for most non-physical nonhumans to digest in most spaces.

Please, for the love of everything, DO NOT try to push someone out of a community that is literally meant with them in mind, simply because they seem "weird", "too intense", "delusional", or "scary". We wouldn't be so scary if you would listen, and kill the idea that we need to latch onto the idea of "being normal" in order for us to be taken seriously.

Music Magick

Music has long been recognized as a powerful tool for evoking emotions, altering consciousness, and connecting with the divine. In the realm of witchcraft, music can be used to enhance rituals, set intentions, and amplify energy. Here are some ways to incorporate music into your magickal practice:

• Listening to specific songs to help you get in the right mood and mindset for the spell/ritual you're going to perform.

• Creating/charging sigils.

• Magickal choreography (casting spells by dancing).

• Use music to guide a meditation, or meditate on the song itself, its meaning, and what emotion it represents.

• Using beats/rhythms to induce a trance state.

• Sing your incantations.

• Keep music on in the background while doing your craft or studying magick to raise your vibration and improve your results.

• Audiomancy; divination through music (ie: specific lyrics or songs playing at synchronistic times).

• Create playlists for/with the deities and spirits you work with. This can be used as both an offering and an invocation.

• Listen to angry music while doing baneful magick to amplify your rage.

Hi! Wolf nonhuman here! I had a few questions if you don’t mind!

What was your awakening process like? How’d you find what you look like as a fox/your subspecies?

Hello! My awakening process was pretty quick and a little over nine years ago. It all happened very quickly, within a week at most and a few hours at least. I came across some YouTube videos I was recommended about teen werewolves, specifically the news reports about that one guy with the long two-toned hair. The recommended videos under that led to videos about therianthropy, which led to a very quick "oh, yeah, that's me".

My subspecies feels obvious but did take awhile. I live around Appalachia, so I live near my natural habitat, but figuring out that over any other nearby region really came down to gradual research. I never really looked into it super specifically until recently, but when I did, I looked into comparisons between different subspecies and what resonated with me.

My appearance specifically has always been instinctual. My human body is ginger, and for me, I consider my animal self to be the same. Differentiating between a paler red and darker red really was just a matter of over time figuring out what features do and don't feel like me. There's a number of photographs that have the right legs or fur length or tail, and those things just kinda piqued a certain part of my brain, like seeing a picture of myself I forgot about.

If you're looking for advice on how to find these things yourself, I recommend going with your gut and researching. Thanks for the ask!

Wolf shifter here 🐾.

Do you have any tips to getting motivation to start shifting again??

hi!

I think something that might help with motivation is going back to the beginning of your journey and why you want to shift in the first place. what are your goals and dreams and what do you want to achieve by shapeshifting? I feel like surrounding yourself with feelings of empowerment and inspiration could help jumpstart motivation and help you get back on track.

also, triggering m-shifts or surrounding yourself with themes or feelings relating to your instincts/species etc could help too. for me, having m-shifts or phantom shifts inspires me to want to p-shift.

if you have stuff like masks, tails, ears, or other things that can make you more wolf-like, it might help to dress in the colors of your wolf side or put things on that makes you look like a wolf. for me when I put on ears or tails I always wish they were physical and when I wear brown clothes (bc my fur is brown) I tend to wish it was my fur, so putting things together to make yourself look like your wolf self might help with motivation to shapeshift so that you CAN have your ears/tail/paws/fangs/fur again.

if anyone else has any other tips, feel free to add on!

The constant battle of: I want to lay on the ground and become one with nature vs nature has bugs and I’m kinda freaked out by those and don’t want to swat them away.

the trees you grew up with have not forgotten you. their branches still whisper your name in the breeze and their roots remember the paths your feet once traced through their shade.

Simple Ways to Practice Magick Everyday

Say a small prayer or do a short meditation before you get out of bed in the morning.

Write down dreams or visions you had.

Stir your first cup of coffee or tea counterclockwise to banish negativity and bad luck or clockwise to bring positive energy.

Draw daily tarot or oracle cards (you can also use a pendulum) for guidance.

Cleansing yourself and home using sound or smoke.

Ancestor or spirit offerings

Pick out your clothes, shoes, jewelry... ect with intention.

Write a sigil or petition paper and burn it.

Take a ritual shower. You can spice it up with candles, herbs, and crystals, or you can simply step under the water and imagine all the negativity and bad energy washing off you. You can also recite a chant.

Every time you look into the mirror, say an affirmation

Take a walk outside and ground yourself to Mother Earth.

Dance!! Dancing is an excellent way to rise the energy, and it helps with opening the sacral and solar plexus chakra and getting in touch with the inner child.

tip jar

I saw a dead elk yesterday.

Her carcass was bare

not even a month old and already

stripped of hide, muscle, flesh

reeking of death

reeking of new life.

I saw where coyotes chewed

her ribs, her neck,

each leg separate, strewn far from

the body they once supported.

The legs go last, always, fur still visible

above the hoof as insects burrow beneath.

I flipped her skull over, peered at

her dull, cracking teeth.

She lived, ate, for at least 5 years.

She probably had a few calves.

Does she know her death is good?

The end of one life,

the start of a million more.

Nobody wants to die,

but I think she knows.