Customer Reviews

A Field Guide to Otherkin

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Well, I've finally finished Lupa's "A Field Guide to Otherkin," and I must say that I am quite impressed. It is written from the perspective of an otherkin, but she has taken great pains to treat the subject impartially. There is a meaty Bibliography that those who wish further reading will find very useful.

Topics covered in the book include such things as theories of being 'Kin, including personal psychology, metaphysics, personal mythology, energetic resonance, and the genetic thoughts. Therianthropy, Vampirism, and several other types of 'Kin are mentioned in the book, and some types of 'Kin have whole sections devoted to them, with information drawn from collected surveys.

As to the surveys, having tried to gather research on a different topic before with this method for college, I can understand how hard it is to get a good sampling of any community. One hundred thirty one, including her own response, is far more than I ever got for my alienation report. I was very surprised by the breakdown of the 'Kin types that responded, for example I thought that there would have been far more kitsune than the single response from that type received, although the greater number of wolves I did expect. Perhaps some day she will have enough information and additional responses to put out a second edition.

Magic and Spirituality is also touched on this this book, and in quite a responsible and adult manner to my finding. Thoughts on how to become 'Kin to the Other as well as the possibility on how to stop being 'Kin are presented, and the same goes the the opinion of one unbiased psychologist.

One of the things that I liked best about this book is that the author highly stressed self-exploration, common sense, and a large dose of salt.

Whether one is 'Kin themselves, suspects that they may be, knows someone that is 'Kin, or just interested in the phenomenon and/or experience of being 'Kin, this book I would consider a must read.

Truthfully, I wasn't really expecting to get much out of this one as opposed to her "Fang and Fur, Blood and Bone." Well, I was wrong. I have spent some time haunting the edges of the Otherkin community, and I was one of the 130 survey respondents, so the basic information wasn't new. That being said, I still learned a /great/ deal from the book. More importantly, (in my humble opinion, anyway), it inspired some more self reflection and musings that will be chewed on for a while.

Lupa's writing style, as I've come to expect, is fluid and conversational, making the book very pleasurable to read. The entire text is peppered with anecdotes from Lupa and the survey respondents, as well as plenty of outside sources. Everything was covered very nicely, with plenty of different views given. Each of the Otherkin "types" is given a chapter, and while the mythology/lore opening sections occasionally went into a bit too much detail, they were overall an excellent part of the text I wasn't expecting.

I highly recommend it for both Otherkin and curious non-kin. The origin theories chapter is definitely a must-read for anyone wanting to discuss Otherkin seriously.

I am in love with this book. I wasn't sure what to expect from a book about the Otherkin, but this exceeded all my expectations. It is concise, yet flowing and fun to read. It presents the material quite clearly, which is saying something when you consider how differently the opinions and theories and experiences can be in the vast and sometimes odd world of the Otherkin, Otakin, Mediakin/Soulbonders, and so on, just to name a few. It certainly helps clarify what forms the experience takes, even though the author is careful to say that she can't cover everything and that no one belief or opinion or theory about it is the Right One.

I hope, as the author also expresses the hope, that this bodes well for future books about Otherkin and what it means in our lives and society and spirituality. Greater acceptance, at the very least.

Highly recommended to those who already consider themselves Otherkin, Otakin, Otakukin, or Mediakin/Bonders, and to those who suspect that maybe this is what is happening to them. There are references to websites included, as well as info on conventions for Otherkin, and its a good place to start looking for others to get together with and to share experiences with.

Eyes, ears, and mind open Lupa has taken the care and craft needed to honestly represent a guide to a very fluid fringe population. I would recommend this book to anyone both curious and not already decided against the possibility that a small fraction of individuals have slipped under the ends of the bell-shaped curve so many use to define normal.

For parents, I would say that the majority are going though a phase in their self discovery. Sometimes moving to an edge and looking back from a very different perspective one discovers new facets of who they are. Don't panic (or try to force strict conformity) but do insist that communication will remain open and that being "other" is not a free excuse for either parent or child.

For myself, I have been mostly an observer over the many years looking back from the fringe of the fringe and seeing both mind and imagination explored openly and in what seems a very positive light. Earning my living employed to move things that are at first only imagined into reality (Engineer) and being a Grandparent of a very imaginative child.

Thank You Lupa

Vampires. Therianthropes. Angels. Demons. Dragons. Things that some people have probably never heard of. All of these have two things in common: They are a part of the mythology of some culture or other, and there are people out there who claim to be these incanations of thesethings. Collectively called Otherkin, they are a loosely associated group of people who say that they are not human. The author spent a number of years researching and interviewing Otherkin and compiled the information into a whirlwind tour of the subculture, covering a number of different points of view and interpretations of the phenomenon. This book is well thought-out, and gives a number of possible interpretations of the phenomenon, from the psychological to the mythic, from organic abnormalities to genetic quirks. If you have an interest in sociology, subcultures, or the occult you would find this book of interest.

"Fang and Fur, Blood and Bone" was only the beginning... For those who seek answers as to why they feel as if they are animals, or those who have ever wondered why they think they have wings, "A Field Guide to Otherkin" is your solution!

Lupa, a wolf therian, member of the Otherkin community, and magician, has brought us a informational book regarding this unique subculture. Ranging from kitsune, to Vampyres, to elves, to dragons, to a wide variety of animals, Otherkin are alive and ready to be heard.

Using her wonderful "on the fence" writing style, Lupa has given us a well written and researched "Field Guide" for not only understanding those who might be Otherkin, but for possibly understanding ourselves.

Although the spiritual/magickal connections to being Otherkin are discussed, Lupa has done amazing research into the psychological connectioins as well. Science and magick have long been thought to be seperate, but they are indeed intertwined, and Lupa has brought them together wonderfully.

Besides Lupa's own wonderful research and writing, she has also included a guest essayist, and many wonderful quotes from personal correspondences and responses to a survey that she circulated in the Otherkin community.

If you have ever thought you might be something other than human, or you do any work in the magickal community, this book is a must read.

Thank you Lupa, for giving this text to us, and for helping those people who needed it deeply.

first...

dear kin and open minded explorers of truth,

... it is only fair to state that we are mentioned in this book over a dozen times and that alone makes us love it. Aside from that, it really is the best and most comprehensive book on the subject and is a must for those interested in the otherkin subculture (although these elves prefer to think of ours'elves as an alternate culture, or independent culture, we are not really sub to anything unless you are using the work sub in it original form to mean above, or more subtle or refined). This is a thorough and well written tome on the subject and has our highest recommendation.

kyela,

the silver elves

[...]

I found the book Field Guide To Otherkin by Lupa to be an intriguing and informative book. It helped to understand a few things about myself. I would highly recommend it to others who have a strong affinity for certain animals or peoples both real and fantasy.

Lupa has worked tirelessly (okay, mayhaps a bit tired)on the creation of this book!! I must say, Kudos to Lupa for so concisely and intelligently explaining and expanding upon a ...let's face it...Difficult subject to introduce to people without them thinking you're absolutely crazy!! The statement that "I was an imaginary creature/mythological creature in a past life."...rarely goes over well with even the most open-mined of people!

When I started reading the book soon after it came out, it didn't take long before I felt this kind of "inner exclamation of "YES!!", complete with accompanying elbow movement. There was this kind of collective Awe and satisfaction that the story of our community had ACTUALLY gotten out there. And it was Lupa who did it!!

Violin Goddess

This is the second book written by Lupa. The first is "Fang and Fur, Blood and Bone" which isn't really what it sounds like. It's about animal totems and astral shapeshifting. The Field Guide was written based off of questionaires that the author sent out to Otherkin: Shifters, elves, dragons, etc in this this life or other lives (reincarnation). Whether or not you believe in the possibility (which I do!) it is a very enlightening book and may help people who have always felt a little lost in this world. The questionaire Lupa sent out is printed in the back and, you never know, maybe you'll learn something about yourself. Also includes a lot of websites to check out.