The Whispering Forest

Merry meet everyone! Names Shayfox or Shay and this is my own personal blog for all the things that interest me. Mainly Witchcraft (I see myself as a Solitary Ecclectic Witch) and as a storage place for my recent drawings. I draw mainly Anthromorphs and Animals and consider myself a furry, though do not participate in the dress up (yet...) Back on the witchy side of things I'm a Gemini (sun) Libra (moon). Tend to work best with crystals and divination and am a sucker for anything historical or linguistics related.

[thesilentshayfox]

Peace ☮ Family 👩‍👧Dogs 🐩 Art 🎨

[everythingfox]

same

[thesilentshayfox]

This is adorably amazing!

[my-witchy-journal]

✨ Some Herbs, Flowers and Plants in Witchcraft✨

ALLSPICE: increase energy, love, healing, luck

ANGELICA: protection, purification

Benefits for health: improve digestion

ARTEMISA: dream divination, clairvoyance

AZUCENA: sentimental improvement, progress, peace  

BASIL: economic success, money, prosperity, peace, protection, happiness, purification, tranquillity, love

BAY: fosters loving vibrations, protection, wards off negativities in a home, success, wisdom, divination

BAY LEAF: protection, purification, healing, strength, good fortune, money and success

BIRCH: protection, purification

BLACK PEPPER: protection, courage  

CALENDULA: happiness, prosperity, love, psychic power, harmony

Benefits for health: treat skin irritation (like eczema, bruises, scars, scrapes)

CARAWAY: protection against negativity, health, mental abilities, fidelity

Benefits for health: antitheft

CARDAMOM: passion, sex, intimacy  

CARNATION: cosmic energy, magic, disease, protection, strength energy, luck, healing

 White: peace, healing

Red: sex, love, passion

Yellow intellectual movement

Rose: disappearance of disagreements  

CHAMOMILE: brings love, healing, relieves stressful situations, prosperity, peace, healing, harmony, happiness

Benefits for health: sooth stomach problems, calm headache, calm nerves

CHICHWEED:

Benefits for health: astringent,  cooling (topically), demulcent, relieves itchiness

CINNAMON: aphrodisiac, passion, love, luck, prosperity, success, raises spiritual vibrations, purification, energy, healing, protection

Benefits for health: antimicrobial, aromatic, astringent, mild stimulant, relieves wind

CLOVE: protection, purification, mental ability, healing

COFFEE: intellect awakening  

COMFREY: health, healing, protection during travel, prosperity

CUMIN: protection spell

DAFFOIL: luck, fertility, love

DAISY: love, flirtation, hope, innocence

DANDELION: divination, interaction with the spirit world, wishes

Benefits for health: bitter tonic, diuretic, liver cleanser,  mild laxative

DILL: good fortune, tranquillity, prosperity, lust, protection

ELACAMPANE: protection, luck, dispels negative vibration, plant spirit communication

EUCALYPTUS: health, healing  

FENNEL: longevity, protection,  healing,  purification  

GARDENIA: harmony, healing, love, peace

GARLIC: protection against evil eye  

GERANIUM: protection, happiness, mental clean up, fertility, love, healing, courage

GINGER:

Benefits for health: fight cold, calm stomach, suppress nausea

HAWTHORN:

Benefits for health:  antioxidant, heart  tonic,  lowers  blood  pressure, relaxes blood vessel

HIBISCUS: divination, dreams, love and lust

HERBABUENA: money, prosperity  

HYACINTH: love, happiness, protection

INCENSE: Spirituality

IRIS: wisdom, valour, peace, harmony, love

IVY: protection, healing

JACINTO: overcoming old pains of love  

JASMINE: divinatory dreams, sexuality, moon, feminine energy, seduction, sensuality, love, meditation, spirituality, harmony, prosperity

LAUREL: success, glory  

LAVENDER: love, peace, restful sleep, clairvoyance, happiness, healing, money, passion, protection, relief from grief, longevity, meditation, harmony, tranquillity, purification

LEMON: happiness, love

LEMON BALM: love, success, healing

Benefits for health: antidepressant, antispasmodic, insect repellent, relaxant, relieves  wind, topical  anti-viral

LEMON VERBENA: love, purification

LILAC: protection, banishing negative energy

LILAS: purification, love  

LILY: helps memory, love, protection, elimination of hexes, rebirth

LILLY OF THE VALLEY: enhances concentration, mental ability, encourage happiness    

MADRESELVA: helps remove the vices and addictions

MAGNOLIA: love

MANZANO: love, happiness  

MARJORAM: happiness, protection, love, joy, courage, health, money

MIMOSA: divinatory dreams, love

MINT: avoid jealousy, dreams, protection, prosperity, joy, fertility, purification, love, success, lust, travel

Benefits for health: calm headache, stimulate appetite, aid digestion, antiseptic,  antispasmodic,  diaphoretic, mild analgesic, mild bitter, mild sedative, relives wind

MEADOWSWEET:

Benefits for health: antacid, anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic, astringent

MUGWORT: psychic powers, protection, increases lust and fertility, prophetic dreams, divination, relaxation, tranquillity, banishing, consecration (*Do not ingest, and do not even handle if pregnant*)

NAIL: Protection spells  

NARCISO: Love

NARDO: Love

NETTLE: protection, healing, lust

NUTMEG: Money, prosperity, good luck, protection, psychic abilities, happiness, love, health

PANSY: divination, communication, happiness, love

PARSLEY: Protection in general, power, strength, lust, purification, prosperity  

PATCHOULI: Money, sex  

PEPPERMINT: Purification

PINE: Health, Healing  

POPPY: tranquillity, fertility, prosperity love, sleep, invisibility, money, luck

ROMERO: Longevity, purification, prosperity

ROSE: Love, encourages closeness with nature, healing, divination, tranquillity, harmony, psychic ability, spirituality, protection, luck

Red: passion, peace, welfare  

Yellow: commitments  

White: spiritual love

ROSEMARY: love, lust, promote healthy rest, protection, improving memory, wisdom, health, healing, mental power, purification

Benefits for health: calm headache, stimulate circulatory, nerve and digestive tonic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antispasmodic

SAFFRON: money, physical movement  

SAGE: longevity, wisdom, protection, dispels negative energy, purification, health, immortality,               wishes

Benefits for health: calm anxiety,  antimicrobial, antioxidant, astringent,         digestive tonic, oestrogenic, general  tonic,reduces sweating

SALVIA: money

SANDALWOOD: spirituality, healing, tranquillity, sexuality, desire.  

SNAPDRAGON: protection from illusion or deception, reflect negative energy

STAR ANISE: peace, tranquillity, awakening of psychic awareness , Luck, spiritual connection, psychic and magical power  

SUNFLOWER: sun, sun energy, happiness, success, health, associated with welcome and family, fertility

THYME : health courage. Eliminates nightmares, Attracts loyalty, affection, psychic abilities  

TULIP: prosperity, abundance, protections, love, happiness

VANILLA: sex

VALERIAN: protection, drives away negativity, purifies sacred space

VERBENA: calm headaches, eases stress, divination, prosperity, reversal of negative activity

VIOLET: peace, hope, harmony, protection, luck, love, sleep, tranquillity, encourage peace among people, calm nightmares, fertility, abundance

WATER LILY: happiness

YARROW: healing, divination, love, promotes courage and confidence

Resources: 

Wicca Herbal Magic by Lisa Chamberlain

Charms, Spells and Herbs by Esteban Portela

The Green Witch by Arin Murphy-Hiscock

Grimoire of a Kitchen Witch by Rachel Patterson

[thesilentshayfox]

For the B.O.S!!!

[thesilentshayfox]

Ever want a quirky caricerature of your dog, cat, bird, ect. but lack the artistic skill to do it yourself? I'm here to offer my services to anyone interested, my name is Shayfox and I'm a new mother with a bit of time on her hands offering low price pet caricature drawings for those looking for a simple yet thoughtful gift for anyone who loves pets (or pets themselves!) Artwork starts at just $5 and can be shipped, framed and/or wrapped. Perfect for the upcoming holidays! All proceeds helps support me and my blossoming family.

All artwork above is done by my hand, dontcha know!

Hope your day is wonderful!!!

[thesilentshayfox]

I know its late, but Sep. 28th marks the day we became an official family. Say 'ello to baby Nyla!!!

[orriculum]

hey yall this is the 4th annual samhain giveaway!! winner will be decided October 30th, 2019, Samhain. 12:00 EST. i’ll message/inbox you, will ship international!

must be 18+ to enter!

need to be following this blog to win!

please don’t reblog to giveaway blogs please! (nor tag it as one)

winners will be chosen randomly by an online number generator

please answer within 24hrs or a new winner will be picked 

H A P P Y   S A M H A I N 👻

[thesilentshayfox]

Defiantely would call myself a bit of a kitchen witch now that I'm on maternity leave XD Medan and Pups approves. Happy Mabon everyone!!!!

[leodrune]

the magick of besoms

besoms are a witch’s ritual broom; they are excellent tools for cleansing, blessing and spellcasting. i personally find besoms to be just as useful and integral in my craft as wands, if not more.

in tradition, besoms were made with sacred woods; a shaft of ash, twigs of birch as bristles, and strands of willow to bind it together. ash brings prosperity and protection, birch for cleansing, and willow for lunar goddess magick. of course, different woods have different properties, and based on what you want your besom to embody, you can use any of these woods:

alder for decision making and courage

ash for health and prosperity

cedar for power and strength

hawthorn for fae magick and rebirth

hazel for creativity and knowledge

maple for longevity and luck

oak for truth and protection

there are many ways to use a besom in witchcraft. a common use is to cleanse a ritual area or space before casting spells, by literally sweeping away any residual energies (though the besoms doesn’t have to touch the floor - leave the dust sweeping to the household broom!). similarly, you can cleanse your home by sweeping the energies up and sending them out the front door. if a guest brings negative energy with them for a visit, simply sweep the area in which they resided after they’ve left.

besoms are also protective. simply placing one by your front door is a powerful protective charm of its own. placing it under your bed is one way to prevent nightmares or harmful energies from influencing your dreams. 

lastly, besoms are a symbol of unity, marriage and love; traditionally, pagan weddings involve the couple jumping over a besom as a part of the ceremony. for this reason, hanging a besom in your home can strengthen a relationship, bring marital harmony, or draw a powerful love to those without it.

[qedavathegrey]

The Witches’ Web

It’s no secret, I have a strong connection to spiders, and as such, find myself working with strings, thread and yarn often. Knitting, braiding, macrame – it’s something I get from my grandfather, I imagine, who had countless books on knots and his own penchant for cordage. Of course, his stemmed from being bedridden with a broken back in his formative years. I was lucky enough to pick up the hobby without being confined.

This particular project came out of the blue. One day, having yarn and a large portrait frame at my disposal (with nails jutting from the back in disarray), I wove myself a web – it was messy, but in time, I found myself repeating the process again and again: without reason. I would simply hang them or stow them away for lack of any use. It was only after a time that I discovered their many uses.

Foremost, they work well as snares for any unsavory spirits, especially when protective charms are woven or placed within them. Feathers, chicken feet, and bones all hold very well, but you can also add in ribbons, strings, beads, whatever works for you. Alternately, they can be used in works of control and binding, imparting subtle or aggressive influence on a situation or individual. Such can be done by fastening a photos and/or personal affects/concerns into the web. Lastly, and my favorite use, is that there is an innate interconnectedness and within can be found the manifestations of one’s destiny. It isn’t necessarily an art that I can describe, but with patience, you may be able to attune to what the web can show you. Trace the strands and follow.

Things You Will Need

Frame – this can really be anything; I’ve used picture frames, embroidery hoops, wreaths, willow rings, though I have found that sturdier, even frames make for a tighter, more uniform web; square or round, either work

Cordage – yarn, twine, thread (though I recommend using cotton, as synthetic is usually too slick to hold with friction), embroidery floss (my personal favorite), etc.

Optional: trinkets, curios, charms, etc.

Instructions

Secure some anchor strands to the frame. The number doesn’t matter, though the more you use the more intricate the pattern (but the longer and more complicated the process). These strands should extend the diameter and meet at a central point: the first strand is simply secured on both sides, and the subsequent should be looped around the central point so as to have a concrete point to work out from.

Next, cut a long strand. To get an estimate for how long it needs to be, simply wind it over the top of the strands in a spiral of roughly the shame size as you wish to create. You don’t lose much in the process, so there’s no need to allot excess EXCEPT that you’re going to need to anchor the final strand to the frame, as well. Better to have too much than too little. 

You will then need to anchor the thread through the center. My preferred method (when using embroidery floss or yarn) is to thread the cord onto a needle (as you would when embroidering – i.e. no need to double it up) and knot the end. Bring this through the center (carefully, to check to make sure the knot catches) and then move out along one the the strands and make another securing knot. This is where you will begin, so go out only so far as you wish the smallest point of the spiral to be. This will vary based on the size of the web you’re weaving.

Remove the needle (you could keep it on, but I find it just gets in the way of things) and move the string over the next strand, then bring it around and under the same anchor. Continue this process, spiraling outward. It can take some time to get the hang of it, and don’t fret if as you go the more central strands develop some slack, as once you’re finished, the threads can be spaced out. It is important, however, to continue the spiral in the same trajectory, even when the strands gravitate toward the center. If you compensate, you’ll wind up with a loose weave. Just continue to follow the growing spiral.

Once you’ve made it to the edge, fasten the strand over the top of the nearest anchor, and you’re done! Voila!

photo: this is just a small (somewhat messy) one I made today, as my others are still packed away, though if you really have literally nothing to do, I’m sure you could find a picture of my giant one in my archive

[orriculum]

Methods for Spells

TO BIND- wrap in black thread, drip wax over, or seal in a jar and hide it in the dark.

TO BANISH- burn an effect to ash and sweep off the back door step, cast it out a window, or bury in the ground and spit on it

TO ENCOURAGE-  plant it by the front door/steps, bury by a window, or place it on a windowsill

TO HIDE- place in a jar painted black, cover with cloth and bury, or wrap with a ribbon

TO CLEANSE- bury it in a bowl of  salt, burn herbs and pass through the smoke, or lay it in a moonwater bath

TO GLAMOUR- leave under the full moon, hold its reflection over a mirror with herbs, or 

TO WISH- place before a candle and blow it out, drown a coin in water, or let seeds blow into the wind

TO COMMUNICATE- (with a spirit or deity) - anoint a candle, leave out offerings, or open the front doors and windows

TO WARD- leave part of the spell in four corners, draw lines around the protected area, or plant an object of projection in the north, east, south, and west edges

TO CURSE- spit on it, drag your nails down it, or stick sharp things in it

TO DISCOURAGE - plant or bury by the back door, or burn to ash

TO JINX- say it three times out loud, or say a word the same time as someone else

TO MANIPULATE - use wax, use poppets, or tie several strings to pieces of an effect

TO BENEFIT - light a candle, charge a crystal, or create a talisman

[ex0skeletal]

Slavic Bestiary by Lucas Staniec

[beclectic-witch-moved]

Color Correspondences

For the past week or so I’ve been working on a list of color correspondences for my Book fo Shadows and with all the work I’ve put into it, I thought it might be nice to share!

Red

Element: Fire

Planets: Mars, Saturn

Astrology: Aries, Scorpio

Anatomy: Blood, Bones, Nails, Teeth

Symbolism: Action, Ambition, Competition, Confrontation, Courage, Defense, Energy, Health, Leadership, Life, Motivation, Passion, Physicality, Power, Protection, Self-Esteem, Sexuality, Survival, Triumph, Vitality, War

Orange

Element: Fire

Planet: Sun

Astrology: Leo, Sagittarius

Anatomy: Bladder, Digestive System, Kidneys, Pelvis, Uterus

Symbolism: Action, Ambition, Artistry, Attraction, Communication, Concentration, Consciousness, Creativity, Energy, Happiness, Intellect, Investments, Justice, Legal Matters, Materiality, Messages, Opportunities, Sealing, Strength, Success, Unity, Vitality, Work

Yellow

Element: Air

Planets: Mercury, Sun

Astrology: Libra, Taurus

Anatomy: Digestive System, Gallbladder, Liver, Lower Back, Spine

Symbolism: Adventure, Attraction, Beauty, Beginnings, Charm, Communication, Concentration, Confidence, Creativity, Divination, Flexibility, Friendship, Healing, Imagination, Inspiration, Intellect, Learning, Memory, Persuasion, Positivity, Productivity, Success, Travel

Gold

Planet: Sun

Symbolism: Abundance, Accomplishment, Achievement, Artistry, Attraction, Divination, Divinity, Energy, Fortune, Giving, Healing, Health, Justice, Luck, Luxury, Masculinity, Positivity, Prosperity, Receiving, Riches, Soul, Success, Talent, Understanding

Copper

Symbolism: Business, Career, Fertility, Growth, Money, Passion, Success

Green

Element: Earth

Planets: Mercury, Venus

Astrology: Aquarius, Cancer

Anatomy: Breasts, Circulatory System, Heart, Lungs, Respiratory System, Shoulders, Spine, Upper Back

Symbolism: Abundance, Acceptance, Artistry, Beauty, Beginnings, Connection, Cooperation, Employment, Fairies, Fertility, Garden, Growth, Harmony, Healing, Life, Luck, Marriage, Money, Peace, Plants, Prosperity, Protection, Relationship, Spirituality, Success

Blue

Element: Water

Planets: Jupiter, Moon

Astrology: Aquarius, Capricorn, Pisces, Virgo

Anatomy: Ears, Lungs, Mind, Neck, Throat

Symbolism: Achievement, Astral Projection, Awareness, Calming, Dreams, Fidelity, Focus, Happiness, Harmony, Healing, Immortality, Introspection, Luck, Meditation, Ocean, Organization, Patience, Peace, Protection, Sleep, Spirituality, Tranquility, Truth, Wisdom

Indigo

Symbolism: Ambition, Dignity, Divination, Guidance, Happiness, Meditation, Psychism, Spirituality, Truth

Purple

Planets: Jupiter, Mercury, Saturn

Astrology: Capricorn, Gemini, Sagittarius

Anatomy: Bones, Ears, Eyes, Face, Nervous System, Respiratory System

Symbolism: Ambition, Astrology, Clairvoyance, Communication, Divination, Divinity, Friendship, Healing, Intelligence, Intuition, Journey, Justice, Kindship, Knowledge, Meditation, Memory, Messages, Occult, Power, Protection, Psychism, Responsibility, Secrets, Spirit Communication, Spirituality, Tension, Wisdom

Pink

Planets: Mars, Venus

Anatomy: Muscular System

Symbolism: Action, Beginnings, Birth, Blessings, Calming, Compassion, Emotions, Energy, Friendship, Harmony, Healing, Honor, Love, Morality, Nurturing, Passion, Personality, Relaxation, Romance, Self-Love, Success, Unity

Brown

Element: Earth

Astrology: Capricorn, Scorpio

Symbolism: Animals, Beginnings, Blessings, Concentration, Construction, Decisiveness, Endurance, Fertility, Focus, Friendship, Fruitfulness, Generosity, Grounding, Harvest, Health, Homestead, Locating Lost Items, Materiality, Nature, Neutrality, Psychism, Security, Stability, Strengthening, Telepathy

Black

Planet: Saturn

Anatomy: Bones, Teeth

Symbolism: Absorbing, Banishing, Beginnings, Binding, Creation, Death, Defense, Discoveries, Divination, Elderly, Endings, Farming, Fertility, Grounding, Justice, Learning, Materiality, Neutralizing, Patience, Potential, Protection, Rebirth, Reversing, Scrying, Space, Stability, Truth, Understanding, Unhexing, Wisdom

Grey

Symbolism: Cancellation, Contemplation, Glamour, Loneliness, Neutrality, Stalemate

Silver

Planet: Moon

Symbolism: Communication, Connections, Divination, Divinity, Dreams, Everlasting, Evolution, Femininity, Gambling, Intuition, Journey, Luck, Meditation, Pathways, Psychism, Rivers, Stability, Victory

White

Planet: Moon

Astrology: Pisces

Anatomy: Brain

Symbolism: All Purposes, Auras, Balance, Breaking Curses, Connection, Cleansing, Cycle of Life, Energy, Enlightenment, Faith, Freshness, Healing, Infinity, Information, Innocence, Light, Peace, Potential, Precipitation, Protection, Purity, Relief, Spirituality, Truth, Unity, Youth

[heatherwitch]

STOP REPOSTING

I’m sorry, but it’s not that fucking hard. Even if you weren’t the one who originally stole it, when posting something here it’s your duty to find the original and stop the spread:

You can do reverse image searches, just copy and paste the image into your search browser.

You can spend some time searching Tumblr/whatever site for the original using key words within the post.

Search for the OP’s URL/signature within the post.

It’s very rare that I find a post/image that has been reposted so many times that I can’t find the source, so don’t make excuses.

When you should do this:

When you find a image and want to post it, but notice there is no credit to OP.

When you see a screenshot of a Tumblr post. FIND THE ORIGINAL.

Photos and other art. SIGILS ARE ART.

When you’re sharing something from a different site. You may be wondering “how do I do that?”. First of all, ask the OP if it’s okay, when applicable. Secondly, ADD A LINK TO THE ORIGINAL, YOU SACK OF POTATOES.

When you repost something to this platform, with permission, or when you utilize someone’s work in something, add some little (x) or [X] or “click here for the original artwork” at the bottom. It’s not that hard to do.

But what is reposting? I’m just an innocent little bean?:

Reblogging. When you see a post, you like it, you click the reblog button. Full credit to the OP is there because it’s linked and mentioned automatically multiple times in the post. You’re giving the OP the notes, the attention, the credit they deserve.

Reposting. When you see a post, you like it, you steal it. You take the effort to screenshot it, copy and paste it into your own post, etc. Perhaps there’s still credit to the OP listed somewhere within the original post, but this is NOT OKAY TO DO. REBLOG THE ORIGINAL. In this scenario, you are getting the notes, the attention, and likely the credit, that OP deserves.

This post breaks it down as well, with visual aids.

Keys to stopping the cycle as a reblogger:

(THIS APPLIES TO EVERYONE, EVEN YOU, YOU NON-REPOSTER):

Think critically. Have you seen a VERY similarly worded post before? Hmmm…

Pay attention to screenshots, especially of tumblr posts. Find the original.

Whenever you see a photograph circulating, click the OP’s URL at the bottom. Chances are, their caption was deleted.

Sigils. Familiarize yourself with the popular sigil producers out there. Learn to recognize their work. You will find reposts of their work.

Same with other artists. Think the work looks familiar but not from this blogger? Hmmm maybe time for an image search.

Pay attention to photographs that look professional quality that don’t appear to be taken by the OP. Ask for the source.

Take the time to find the original (look through the comments to see if someone already has). Link the original with something along the lines of:

“This has been reposted. PLEASE DO NOT REBLOG THIS VERSION. Click here for the original version! [X] Creators deserve credit :)”

Now, all this being said, I definitely don’t catch everything. I have reblogged stuff that was reposted in the past, and I will in the future. If you notice, PLEASE tell me! It is never intentional!!

[thesilentshayfox]

Reposted cause I don't like being told how to live.

[deactivated-blog]

Hello everyone! Welcome to a very unique installment of my annotated bibliography series!

You may or may not have heard of otherkin, therianthropy, and related concepts. Defined loosely, these terms tend to refer to people who have a sense of identifying as something other than human on a spiritual level.

I’ve mentioned a few times on this blog that I, myself, am an otter therian. I discuss this in detail here, so have a look at that post if you’ve no clue what I’m talking about. 

It can be hard to find useful, sensible writings on the otherkin or therianthropy phenomenon, both today and historically. While non-human identities have had a place in many cultures worldwide throughout time, this can be hard to learn about if you’re not in academia. 

Beyond that, there just aren’t a lot of published works about the modern otherkin community, either!

In this article, I’ve compiled a sort of reading list for therians, the therian-adjacent, and anyone else who may be interested in nonhuman spiritual identities.

This is not a “recommended reading” list. Instead, it includes all the books I’ve personally read that either mention otherkin and therianthropy, or are otherwise pertinent to the topic.

For the sake of completeness, I’ve included some books which, while relevant and perhaps influential, I wouldn’t personally recommend. Conversely, some of these books are excellent.

While I won’t be assigning star ratings to these books, most are followed by short descriptions as well as my general thoughts on them.

I’ve divided this list into three parts. The first focuses on otherkin phenomena in general. The second lists more distant, outside perspectives that mention otherkin the otherkin community.

The third section is focused on general animal and shifting-related magic. I include those books because, while not all otherkin practice any sort of magic, most of my readership on this blog likely does. It is a witchblr, after all.

General Otherkin Information

A Field Guide to Otherkin, by Lupa. The author of this book, Lupa Greenwolf, originally identified as a wolf therian herself. Later on, she concluded that her experiences fit better with totemism than therianthropy. This book collected a lot of first-hand experiences from the otherkin community, though, and is still worth checking out.

The Book of Satyr Magick: Otherkin Shamanic Sorcery, by Lotuswolf Satyrhorn. This one, though it has “otherkin” in the title, seems to have been written by someone who doesn’t quite grasp the concept. Considering several parts are devoted to picking (yes, as in choosing) a “kintype,” I would say this book is mostly geared towards witches interested in astral shapeshifting rather than actual otherkin sorts. The author just seems to use the word “otherkin” as a catch-all for non-human interaction out-of-body.

Earth Angels, and Earth Angel Realms, by Doreen Virtue. These two books were written back prior to Doreen Virtue’s conversion to evangelical Christianity. While neither use the term “otherkin,” they describe the same phenomenon using the term “earth angel.” Very New Age, with an emphasis on eschatology, positing that “earth angels” are here to save the world or something.

The Psychic Vampire Codex, by Michelle Belanger. Covers the concept of the psychic vampire as understood in the modern alterhuman community. As a witch, I will often recommend this, and other Belanger books, to those interested in picking up energy work. This book in particular gives a good foundation for manipulating and sensing energy, regardless of whether you consider yourself a psychic vampire.

The Magic of Shapeshifting, by Rosalyn Greene. This is really an awful book, and I cannot recommend it one bit! Some in the therian community claim that the author plagiarized existing therian sites when writing. To me, that’s not even the main issue and it honestly reads like the author fabricated a lot of what she wrote just to sound interesting and mystical. She also seems to believe in physical shapeshifting, for reasons never well-explained.

Outside Perspectives

The Veil’s Edge, by Willow Polson. A sort of dark, yet New Age volume, this contains a small section on otherkin near the end. It situates us as “guardians of the veil” and, like Doreen Virtue’s work, argues that otherkin are on a mission of sorts here on earth.

Not in Kansas Anymore, by Christine Wicker. This  book is essentially a journalist’s account of skipping around the country, gawking at “weirdos” like witches, otherkin, and therians. Very, very sensationalist, but contains a bit of a snapshot of the alterhuman community in the mid-2000s.

Your Next Door Neighbor is a Dragon, by Zack Parsons. Purports to be the experiences of the author as he goes on a journey to investigate internet subcultures. Most of it seems to be fictitious, though, and plenty of things mentioned in the book definitely never happened. Notable because Parsons creates a couple of otherkin characters (likely not based on real people) to project his own view of our community onto, and two chapters focus on them.

Animal Magic

Fang and Fur, Blood and Bone, and Engaging the Spirit World, and also DIY Totemism, all by Lupa. Lupa, as mentioned above, isn’t a therian, but she is one of the best authors out there when it comes to animal-related magic and mystic practices. Of note: DIY Totemism actually includes advice and a ritual for finding/connecting with your theriotype. The rest will probably only interest those who are pagans or animists, but they give interesting contexts for animal-human spiritual connections either way.

The Art of Shapeshifting, by Ted Andrews. This is supposed to be a book about learning to connect with animal spirits. It does a tolerable job of explaining some of the basics of meditation, invocation and other practices. Mostly, though, the author focuses overly-much on dancing, and argues that only those who dance can truly be shifters (rather than just “dabblers”). A lot of it is appropriative or tries to pass off the authors’ unverifiable personal gnosis as indigenous lore.

Witches, Werewolves, and Faeries, by Claude Lecouteux. This is a dense academic tome packed with medieval (and earlier… and later…) accounts of shapeshifting, astral projection, animal identities, and more. It’s not an easy read and probably you’ll have an easier time if you’re accustomed to reading academic works. Some of the historical anecdotes are interesting in an otherkin context.

I hope you found something new to read amidst this list!

I’m not including any books about past lives outside of the usual otherkin-related repertoire. Such books are certainly applicable to many of us (therians, etc), but I plan to make a separate bibliography specifically for past lives, so stay tuned for that.

If you’re interested in seeing previous installments with books on other occult and witchy topics, check out the #annobib tag on my blog! Also, if you click the links above to purchase any of the books on Amazon, I get a bit of pocket money from their affiliate program, which is cool. 

[arethinn]

Agree about Not in Kansas Anymore and Your Next-door Neighbor is a Dragon.

Kansas is still interesting to me from a community-history perspective, since I was at the Kinvention North she attended, although I don’t have a specific memory of  her being there; and fortunately I was not present for some of the wilder, kinkier stuff that apparently went on behind closed doors.

Dragon is just terrible, for pretty much the reasons you describe. If he actually met with any otherkin, he found some pretty awful examples. :P

The Veil’s Edge is actually an inside perspective. Willow was around in the mailing-list community of the time when the book was published in 2003, and was a member of (at least) Westkin and TirNanOc. She also published an article in Fate magazine in 2001. (I don’t know whether or not she still considers herself otherkin or some other equivalent term. I haven’t seen her active in any of the places I am in quite some time, but of course that’s not conclusive.)

[thesilentshayfox]

New Altar Box!!! This one even has my own lil talisman I found at a farmers market and charmed later. It's my fave cause it doubles as an athame. The two white jars are eggshell ground fine and course. The black and red jar are filled with my own Black Dust and Be Gone Powder scraped together in my mortar and pestel I realized is more than just decoration ^-^ coupled with my new gemstone runeset this Box of Shadows is my life now O-O

[thesilentshayfox]

Art dump from my new B.O.S. Pictures of our current family and we're proud to announce the expected arrival of a Non Furry Baby to our family ^0^ We're all super excited and can't wait for our lil Samhain babu!!!! May the goddess who blessed us with this expectant watch over us and new family!!

[thesilentshayfox]

I just finished the panels for the introduction of Jake and Vento's comic. My hand is cramping and I need to go re-establish myself into reality cause I've been drawing for over four hours straight. Worth it imo.

Anyways this is literally how Jake and Vento meet XD

These are all done by me and I own the characters and their emerging story. Please don't copy, steal, trace or reproduce without permission.