-Introduction-
Looking for guidance as a therian? Just curious about therianthropy? Well, this guide should help you. As a therian myself I know how tough life can be. Especially when trying to control shifts in public- trust me, I've been there.

First, there are several kinds of people:
-Therians
-'Wannabe' Therians
-Otherkin
-Stereotypical Therians
-Non-believers
As you read on I will give further information about each 'class.'

There are many reasons as to why someone would want to be, or even think they are, a therian. There is no definate answer, but many different opinions and reasons on it. This guide will cover the different answers, theories, stereotypes, and the different kinds of therians.

-WHAT IS A 'THERIANTHROPE?'-
A therianthrope, often known as a Therian, is one who deeply believes they are a animal residing on Earth. (These are NOT to be confused with Otherkin, who believe they are dragons, fairies, unicorns, and whatnot.)

Many believe that when a living being dies, whether it be human or beast, it's soul finds another body at birth or merges within one. Others, usually doctors and psychiatrists, believe it's an identity disorder called: Disassociated Identity Disorder. Of course, there's many other reasons.

-WHERE DID THEY COME FROM?-
As humans we have been facinated with the beasts around us since the beginning. Take ancient gods for example:
-Anubis: Jackal-headed
-Sekhmet: Lion-headed
-Thoth: Ibis-headed
-Seth: Animal head with a long, curved snout.
Shamanism is another subject often associated with therianthropy. Many believe that this is where it originated.

In Chinese mythology, and many others, they tell about 'Ugly, dog-headed men' that roamed about kiIling and eating people. This is how Hollywood tends to portray therians, but I can assure you, that is not how therians behave- or even look like.

-HOW DO I BECOME ONE?-
This is not something you can choose, you are merely born with it.

Although, there are Inherited Therians. These are 'normal' human-beings who have spent so much time around therians that they begin to feel different. This is NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH AWAKENING!
If you suspect you may be a therian, talking with other therian(s) is a good way to get help and guidance.
If you are a therian, you'll know. You will feel a sense of family with the animal. Many describe this feeling as an uplifting sense in your chest, or relief when you see or come in contact with your Therio-type('Spirit' animal). Some confuse this feeling with Bestiality, or arousal caused by an animal, but I can assure you that they are completely unrelated.

-FAQ'S-
Q: Can a therian transform physically?
A: No. This is impossible. Some people truly believe they can physically shift, but one cannot alter their DNA. Some people claim they see and feel themselves shifting (ex. Hands are paws, they have a tail, etc.) but this is called Phantom Shifting, which will be discussed later.

Q: Am I, and all therians, human?
A: Physically, yes. But your spirit, soul, and belief says otherwise.

Q: Can I be a Therian and Otherkin?
A: Of course. Otherkins are mainly 'Fairytale creatures' and Therians are Earthen animals, but there are mixes between the two.

Q: How do I know if I'm a Therian?
A: You'll know. But many experience the Awakening around ages 10-16 or when you hit puberty. Of course, there's no limit to when you could discover. Some find out earlier, while some later. Many will know through their behaviour, thoughts, and dreams of being a certain animal.

Q: Can an animal have a different soul?
A: Yes. My own cat tends to 'bark' at things rather then meow, and he often displays canine behaviour.

Q: Can my animal be of the opposite gender?
A: Yes, although this is fairly rare.

Q: Why are there so many wolf therians?
A: Hollywood. They make the wolf the poster child for any kind of 'were' animals or shifters. Many people who suspect they are therians assume they

This helped me a lot! I always believed that I would be better off as a cat since I sometimes, without thinking, act like a cat, even in my sleep. But the thing is, I haven't hit you know what, so I can't be sure....

Thank you for elaborating. I feel a deep bond with cats, no matter what species. I've done reading up on Turkish Vans, and I think I actually know one. It's a stray that hangs out at my uncle's property. (he feeds stray cats leftover food scraps) Now that I think about it, I see that kitty more often than the others and it's the only shy one I've managed to pet. (there are 3 shy kitties that are only more social when a specific cat I've named Holly is nearby.) Pretty sure it's a Turkish Van, and I kinda like it more than the other shy cats.

I also feel uplifted and weird when I do realise I have acted like a cat or even if I think about cats

are a wolf. Many find out they aren't, but even then there are still many wolves. Why? Well, wolves used to roam widely until man began to slau.ghter them. Where did those souls go? It makes sense, because there aren't many wolves left, those souls find other bodies, such as humans. My wolf soul could be in me for this reason, or perhaps another. But, of course, it's mainly media and legends that cause people to believe they are wolves.

As this guide continues, it will explain:
-THE DISCOVERY-
-How Will/Do I Know If I'm A Therian?
-Extinct Therio-types
-Finding Your Animal
-Learning Your Animal Name(s)
-Totems and Guides
-THERIANTHROPY-
-Formes
-Different Types of Therians
-Otherkin
-Spirit Borrowing
-Furries
-Therianthropy and Religion
-SHIFTING-
-Types of Shifting
-Am I Ready?
-How to Shift
-Voluntary Shifting
-Involuntary Shifting
-Tips To Prevent A Shift
-Taking Care of Yourself And Animal
-LIFE AS A THERIAN-
-Coping
-Leading A Normal Life
-It's Okay Not to be A Therian

Oh and sometimes I dream that I'm a calico she-cat....

-OTHER-
-Terms and Definitions
-Daemonism
-Multiplicity
-Cameo Shifting
-Fictives
-Joining A Pack/Form

Awesome... this makes me want to stop shoving down the eagle in me </3 Maybe I'll let her out... Now I feel bad D:

But wolves aren't even the most endangered animal. Why not more Oregon Spotted Frogs or California Condors? Or even exctinct animals?

I've been doing my own research and for the sake of diversity, could I amaybe use the therian tags for my own guides/opinions/rants/etc? As a domestic cat (Tonkinese) therian and quite possibly a mouse/rat, it'll be helpful to have other opinions floating around :3

@Quad:
Of course there are those, I was just explaining about how the media has influenced many people.
@Passion:
Sure! You can use #TheriansUnite c:

Oh, and Quadri, I plan on talking about that later on ^^

Ah. I see. 'Cause hecka lot of dinosaurs died. XD

Oh, okay. (I'm easily confused by this stuff, I deeeply enjoy nature, but I'm pretty sure I'm human, through and through. XP)

XD yeah Quad

Also, when do you guys think the next chapter should be uploaded?

I used to phantom shift a lot. o-o It feels so good, but it's also awkward in public, when your feet feel like talons, you have feathers, and your arms are wings... you sometimes don't know how to function >XD

@Dream:
Agreed xD
And when someone steps on your tail... owwwwch ;n;

Aw man, I hated when someone would grab my wings and pull >.<

Sometimes I imagine having a tail and swishing it around. Or having claws and flexing them. Both feel very natural. Hey MCR, I have a question. How would animals react to therians? Especially animals that are the therian's Therio-side?

And now I really wanna go to my uncle's house to see that cat
I wanna start calling it Patchouli because it's got patches even though I think my cousins call it Portabellum

I will be explaining how animals react to therians later on. But my cat, Tiger, often helps me when I begin shifting in my sleep. He knows what happened one night when I shifted and went out in the forest... *shivers*

Oh, I think you've told me this before........ It's okay, MCR. *pats your back*

I was feeling particularly catlike a few days ago and my dog started barking for no reason. You think that might mean something?

Animals usually react kindly to me... however, rodents dislike me, my gerbil Hobey was really weary around me. Birds and butterflies seem to follow me XD

I have a great affinity with cats. My dog's fine with me, and I seem to be perfectly okay with other animals.

I'm like, the animal whisperer >XD

Everything's fine with me, although when I was a baby the lions and tigers at the zoo would rub against me through the cage. c:

*and
not although <xD

I was at the zoo once, and there was a thing where you could feed the birds nectar. I was feeding a particular bird and it actually climbed onto my hand to drink from the cup of nectar.

Another time, I was wearing a floppy woven hat because it was summer and the sun was unforgiving.We stopped at the polar bear area and it tried to eat my hat through the 8-inch thick glass. XXXXD

That's adorable, Quad! XD When I was little, we were fishing in the bayou, and I was sent to get snacks... I went walking to the van, and I look up... there was a wolf standing 2 feet away. I looked into it's eyes, it looked like it wanted to tell me something. I tilted my head a few times in one direction, and she left...

Quad? No it's me, Phantom! D : : : :

D': I'm sorry, Phantom! You and Quad have the same color icon... I'm so so so sorry!

HOW TO DEAL WITH AWKWARD PUBLIC PHANTOM SHIFTS PLS

I had one today on the bus. Sitting in the tail... >/////<

It's okay, Dream. Honest mistake. I kinda wonder if I may be polytherian. Dunno, though.

this sounds quite interesting. not sure if im one or not, i imagine i have a tail, and sometimes ears and paws, quite a lot. but ive never heard of this before.

huh... Sometimes I can imagine myself with a tail or wings, but I didn't even know therians easily can do this. What exactly is shifting?

Sometimes I feel like I have fangs and a snout. Then I usually hide, cuz I start to feel really irritable and for some reason, like I wanna cuddle a puppy. I don't even know.

I'm still a little bit confused, though I have always been good with animals . Though I do have a fear of fish......;m; so scary....I am really good with the feral cats in my neighborhood and my own dogs (and turtle ewe). Though I still don't know wether I am one.

haha, this reminded me of a few days ago when i was watching something about dogs, when suddenly i felt whiskers and a long snout!! i was like "?? how do i human" the fur was a red color, i just know it...
i also have a fascination with dogs since i was young, and i love barking :ooo im not sure if im therian or not, but if i am maybe im a dog or a red fox?