Connecting With Nature

Hi! Werewolf/wolf shifter here.

Is it possible to be both a were and a vampire?

hello!

yes, it's completely possible, as I've heard that vampirism (sanguinarian, aka those who drink blood, and the energetic type that takes energy spiritually from people or things) is more of an addition to an individual rather than a species of its own and can occur in any nonhuman species as well as humans!

Wolves by DeerandFox

Set the fires. Bury your doubts. Rise like something ancient remembering its own hunger. Dance barefoot where the wild things grow. Crown yourself in petals and stems. Breathe in with the winds, throw a kiss to the storms, run like the rivers and creeks in your space

bit of a rant

TW: mentions of cults/toxic behavior

the biggest thing that I see when folks bring up physical shifters/nonhumans/mythicals are cults or toxic people/behavior. yes, there will be the few that are shitty individuals or people that hurt/traumatize others. but I think that people fail to see that in or outside of this community, those shitty people exist anyways. in fandoms, clubs, groups, out on the street, etc. the demonization of individuals who are physically nonhuman is extremely harmful and unnecessary. the real problem is the individuals who actively hurt others, not the community as a whole. you take multiple bad experiences and cast it over the entire community, how is that acceptable or fair? why do you fail to see the bigger picture, the entirety of us? isn't it easier to be open minded, to realize that there will be horrible people all over in the world and not just within pshifter spaces? and yet you decide to focus and target us.

you don't have to like us, you don't have to understand us, but we were standing beside what we now know as modern therians and otherkin years ago (those who don't believe in being physically nonhuman). we were a part of therian and otherkin groups regularly. we were a part of your spaces, and I'll never let you forget it. you don't have to like us, but that doesn't give you the right to demonize or erase us.

this is why learning about history is important, this is why being able to archive things is important, this is a part of why I've made it my own personal job to make a timeline and collect information geared towards physical nonhumanity; so that we may never be erased. your hatred will never erase us, and you'll never silence our voices as long as we live.

Herbs and Flowers Magic Properties(tbc)

Rosemary - memory, anxiety, sleep, cleansing, purifying, learning, healing, love, lust, protection, wisdom, mental power

Turmeric - healing, strength, vitality, purification, abundance, joy, prosperity

allspice - healing, energy, love, luck

pepper - courage, protection

sage - health, immortality, longevity, protection against negativity, protection, purification, wisdom, wishes, anxiety

bay - divination, good fortune, healing, anxiety, money, prosperity, peace, protection, happiness, purification, love, tranquility

oregano - peace, love

parsley - protection, power, strength, lust, purification, prosperity

garlic - protection against evil eye

cinnamon - aphrodisiac, passion, love, luck, prosperity, success, spiritual vibrations, energy, purification, healing, protection

cayenne - healing, removing blockages, protection, strength, motivation, courage

clover - fidelity, protection, love, money, success, animal protection, luck

pine - health, healing

nutmeg - money, prosperity, good luck, protection, psychic abilities, happiness, love, health

cloves - healing, love, friendship, cleansing, protection, abundance

thyme - health, courage, eliminates nightmares, attracts loyalty, affection, psychic abilities

ginger - energy, speeding things up, love, prosperity, success, power, healing

mint - avoid jealousy, dreams, protecting, prosperity, joy, fertility, purification, love, success, lust, travel, money, luck

chamomile - love, healing, stress-relief, calming, sleep

lavender - purification, concentration, love, healing, sleep, dreams

jasmine - divination, innovation, attraction, dreams, love, beauty

mugwort - psychic powers, protection, lust, fertility, prophetic dreams, divination, relaxing, tranquility, banishing, consecration

peach blossoms - luck, prosperity, romance, love, passion, affection, harmony, peace, health, longevity

peony - protection from hexes, luck, prosperity, business success, attracts fairies

rose - divine love, self-love, friendship, healing, domestic happiness, lasting relationships, closeness with nature, divination, tranquility, harmony, psychic ability, spirituality, protection, luck

lemon grass - openness, communication, clear mind, love, luck, libido, psychic abilities, calming

chrysanthemum - longevity, mental clarity, optimism, protection, solving mysteries, soothing grief

pink Himalayan salt - purification, grounding, abundance, prosperity, self-love, cleaning, growth, protection, peace, calming

palo santo - cleansing, positivity, good fortune, creativity, love

sweet orange - optimism, charisma, confidence, restoring aura, attracting love, fertility, abundance

bergamot - protection, purification, calming

ylang ylang - sexual attraction, persuasiveness, peace, love, anxiety and depression relief, fairy magic

geranium - prosperity, happiness, healthy pregnancy and fertility

eucalyptus - purifying, cleansing, good health, protection, negativity

sandalwood - calming, anxiety, purification, protection, healing

anise - peace, tranquility, awakening of psychic awareness, luck, spiritual connection, psychic and magic power

jojoba - healing, protection, purification, grounding, meditation, love

frankincense - cleansing, energy, uplifting, inner peace, balance

peppermint - mental clarity, prophetic visions, success, prosperity,

cedarwood - love, growth, longevity, psychic powers, healing, money

tea tree - cleansing, protection, uplifting, energy, memory, love

vanilla - sex, calming, good luck, love, empowerment, happiness, growth

catnip - beauty, happiness, attraction, love, friendship

Witch tip::

Eat a tarot card to gain its powers

10 Things About Our Life as Traditional Witches That Seem Fictional

1. Our talismans disappear into thin air when we no longer charge them with incantations. Not stolen. Not misplaced. Disappeared.

2. Our tarot cards are fiercely loyal to us. When someone touches my decks without my permission, bad things happen to them.

3. We have a standing order for vengeance against people who do or say malicious things to us. We don’t need to cast a curse each time.

4. We make difficult deals all the time. That’s why manifestation is safer than sorcery. It doesn’t require you to give anything back for a wish.

5. We cannot go a week without eating native food. It would weaken our ties to our lineage. Our magic would stop working.

6. We can decide not to pass on our gifts to our children. Sometimes they have the wrong temperament, or are too weak to handle it.

7. There is a hierarchy that emerges naturally. Even if there are some who are older than me, they will call me “Ate” (elder sister) if I am more powerful than them.

8. We can try to learn a craft, but if it’s not meant for us, we will fail. Likewise, we can ignore a craft all our life, but if it’s meant for us, we will shine in it anyway. By craft, I mean divination, healing, spells and the like.

9. We recognize other people who have supernatural powers. It’s not as vulgar as seeing a light above them or seeing a shadow tailing them. We just know. So far, for me, it's never someone with Zodiac sign tattoos or moon earrings. At least in my country, magical people don't make it their personality.

10. We subtly talk about the craft to those who don’t believe, because a part of them always wonders. And that faith — no matter how faint — helps feed our magic.

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.

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!

I basically had introduced some basic "rules" to shifter communities. I don't expect it to be used too often but they are general and common sense, so most people would be doing them without thought…

The Pillars of Shifters

Secrecy __

Not only is this way of life private, intimate, and personal - our language, identity, and beliefs are often looked at with scorn and disgust. Do not make shifting a spectacle, a form of power, or an emotional leverage. Mates who aren’t shifters have little business telling our stories, myths, and lives just as much as a shifter with false information. Our place and history is ours to share.

Color __

Shifter life should be full of color, diversity, and inclusive narratives. We may not be fully human, but we can understand color and race between the individual safety, care, and respect for all and everyone. Most shifters have diverse roots from all over, many are queer, so our identity has always been filled with color and acceptance. Diversity is our lifeblood.

Preservation __

Understand that these methods and theories play a larger role in the belief of shapeshifting and the long-term transformation practices of previous and future cultures. Participation is key, regardless of reward. Strive to archive everything and anything, whether in public or private, strive to share, publish, and create future communities with others when needed. Strive for archiving our mythology and research.

Living __

For shifters and mythicals of all kinds, live your life the way you are intended by your own soul. You are the only one in charge of your mind and emotions, take care of yourself. Our shifter lifestyle and nature exist purely by luck, you must then use it wisely and use it to aid you, other shifters, and your family.

Control __

Never deny who you are as a shifter. Never allow it to dictate your actions. Never allow shifting to become a burden, so that it infests you or creates trouble. Do not become obsessed with being a shifter, do not lose yourself within the supernatural nature. Do not forget what raised you and what world you entered. Shifters are not monsters or liars, practice self-control and passion.

Protection __

Common knowledge in bushcraft, survival skills, cooking, and baking, and technology will save your life. Use sense when you shift and record results. Understand your current surroundings and live now for the future you dream of. Stand for innocent shifters in busy crowds, create art and restrict access to private matters. Your mythology and information should be yours only.

Packs __

Packs, groups, pods, covens, flocks, etc, have a purpose: Safety _ Family _ Responsibility _ Freedom _

Without or corruption of said purposes tarnishes not only our spaces as shifters, but destroys our chances at diplomacy, friendship, community, and respect. As a leader or active member, you have to assert peace and compassion. In our communities, these groups have been poorly used as a means of power. Never let selfishness run our communities. Never let fear of the unknown rule valuable connections.

Territory __

Establish official shifter groups and territory as a means of deepening our cultural impact and safe spaces. Shift from online to offline, engage in physical joy. Respect and obey the shifters of the land you approach, connect and be wary of the owners when needed. Never enforce yourself as authority of a land you don’t know the history of.

Accountability __

Take criticism, honesty, and comments with understanding to their core message. Disregarding your fellow shifters as “haters” for pointing out bad behavior is childish and silly. Become responsible for your issues, and the people you introduce into your circles. Fixate on gaining stress-free maturity, and curating your spaces when troubled. Becoming argumentative towards non-shifters and fools turns you into a clown, a jester who dances for the audience who already see you as the joke.

Theories __

Give space and respect to anyone who could and would believe in any shifting theory for any reason. Our ideas need preservation and development, archival is our only hope. Theories do not need to be fought over.

For any additional rules to be added, all shifters would have to agree to specific and isolated rules that create unnecessary divide. These pillars, as provided in written form, are as undivided and general as possible to allow for freedom within niche groups. If one group does not follow one pillar, what stops them from following the next one? Absolutely nothing, and no group should be forced to abide.

Azriel Pierce 2024~