Guys I Was Looking At Old Alterhuman Websites And Found One From 2002 Talking About Physical Shifting

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.

Y'all know it's okay to just try stuff in witchcraft, right?

Across the internet, I see a lot of people who seem to be asking for permission to do what they want. While I see some validity in getting wisdom from others, I worry that the people asking these questions might miss out on the experience they could get from going ahead and making a good faith attempt.

"Can I do this spell even if I don't have rosemary?" I don't know. Try it!

"Can I use fruit juice as an offering to my goddess?" I don't know. Ask her!

"Can I include a pocket watch in my magic?" I don't know. See if it works!

Of course, it's not a good idea to jump in and try something that could be harmful, but if you're not hurting yourself or others and you're not appropriating from a closed practice, just give it a go! You're allowed. You're a witch with magic and power and discernment of your own. You don't have to get permission from a bunch of internet strangers. Have fun trying new things!

"How can I be a witch/pagan without falling for conspiracy theories/New Age cult stuff?" starter kit

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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.

Hey! Wolf shifter here.

How do you know if you’re developing at a slow or fast rate after the awakening? When does the awakening finish? Is it after p-shifting?

Thanks!!

hello again!

I think in my opinion, "awakening" just means self discovery, and it depends on each person as to how short or long the process takes regardless if you've achieved some pshifting progress, whether that be a fully complete shift or not, but I assume that once you shift completely and see/feel your true form, that this is probably when the self discovery or awakening phase of your journey starts to close bc then you can see what you are for certain. I'm sure for some folks this might not be the case though because everyone is different and has different experiences/paths to take.

as for development, I'm not sure how to answer? if you're actively working on shifting or growing extra limbs you're bound to see more progress than someone who takes a lot of breaks or doesn't put in much effort, if that's what you mean.

I had the fortunate experience of working in a tea cafe for over 8 years while finding my footing in my craft. Tea has become such an integral part of my practice, and it'd be super rad to open my own witchy cafe and metaphysical shop someday 🖤

I feel like not enough people know that you can just go do witchcraft. Like yeah, all the pretty and aesthetic things you see online can be really expensive, and if you live in a place where witchcraft is frowned upon it can be hard to hide things, but your practice can literally be anything you want.

Part of my practice is making friendship bracelets with colors of what I want to manifest. I learned morse code and tie my goals into the bracelet. It look like a normal bracelet, no one would know the difference unless I told them. Your manifestations and spells can be verbal and whispered to the wind, your sigils can look like doodled stars or stick figures, your altar doesn't need to be anything more than the tools you use (if you even need an altar). You can put spells together based on what you have and what the things around you mean to you.

You do not need to buy things for witchcraft or have a very visible practice, just do what feels right for you. Your practice is what you make it.

The funniest one star review of Wicked I've seen so far

Wolves by DeerandFox

Some little things I've learned over a decade of witchcraft:

If you are feel called to work but are tired/drained, sit outside. Take in all the energies around you. Nature can help charge you

Every witch does a little bit of a bunch of types of magic but sticks mainly to one or two in general. You usually won't be eclectic forever. You'll find what magics work best with you.

Never be lazy or cut corners with spirits. Always be respectful and always tell them to leave when you're done

When you see a plant or ingredient with a long list of properties, there are different things at play. Season of collection, the part of the plant, the health of the plant, etc all play a role in impacting which properties it will carry.

Don't call on spirits unless you have confidence and control

Be careful with sea/water magic. Get into it gently and slowly until you have the energy figured out because it can get out of hand quickly.

Adding a little pinch of magic into your breakfast can make a major difference in your day.

Your personal emotions/feelings over something will impact a work

Planting some plants is good, not only to have a garden, but the dirt helps cleanse you too. Get all dirty and muddy. It's good for ya

Not all trees are nice

The more you listen to your intuition, the easier it will be to tell it apart from your anxieties and worries

Incense is very easy to make which is why it's usually cheap to buy. But you can find a million tutorials online on how to make your own personal incense which is great if you want a spell to take effect over a while but also want to infuse the fire energy in it.

The more you work with something the better feel you get for it. Cinnamon goes in almost everything i cook and most of my spells because me and cinnamon just get right along

Your path is yours and no one else's. It will look like yours and no one else's