Dragon Shifting and Contherians

Shifting seems to be a very common part of the therian community, but I can't remember if I've heard of dragons shifting or not, so I thought I'd ask. Is shifting among dragonkin common? I'm counting any kind of shifting in this; mental, phantom (full body, not just feeling limbs), astral, dream, and any others. I was also wondering if these shifts are always consciously intended or if they were sometimes unexpected? Has anyone done a lot of shifting?

Also, I've come across the term contherian (constant balance between therian and human parts and thus no unexpected shifting), and was wondering if con-dragonkin or con-otherkin might be a term that would fit any dragons out there?

For outlook on the world, I'm equal parts 'human' and 'shinoar' but I don't consider it shifting. I do have chronic phantom bits that end up being the entire body, but varying areas have varying intensities and durations. The majority of the head is there all the time, but everything else has emotional triggers that bring them flaring to full life.

For the most part I view both human and dragon as one in the same when it comes to my identity. I’m rather whole (having once been splintered) and happily delight in both the draconic and human tendencies which take turns or simultaneously shine threw me.

I say I shift when I experience things like phantom limbs and a more draconic energy radiating threw and about me, effecting how I may come across or even represent myself (typically, this occurs when I’m bulling someone, showing affection, or during seduction). But I never see the shift as being anything drastic since I feel in such harmony with it on both sides (so much so it’s hard to type that there is even ‘sides’, and not just ‘me’).

I have met dragon otherkin online who had fancied calling themselves something along the lines of a contherian. Personally, I don’t like to bother with extra terminology that I feel is excessive and unnecessary.

chaitea Wrote:Personally, I don’t like to bother with extra terminology that I feel is excessive and unnecessary.

Seconded. Since shifting isn't an integral assumption in the otherkin community like it is in the therian one, you don't need a term to differentiate people who don't shift... and besides, I think the therian community uses superfluous terminology anyway.

The otherkin community has its own share of problems; it doesn't need the therian community's problem of nitpicking, excessive terminology on top of all that, IMO!

Meirya Wrote:Seconded. Since shifting isn't an integral assumption in the otherkin community like it is in the therian one, you don't need a term to differentiate people who don't shift... and besides, I think the therian community uses superfluous terminology anyway.

The otherkin community has its own share of problems; it doesn't need the therian community's problem of nitpicking, excessive terminology on top of all that, IMO!

Contherian, suntherian, clandotherian anyone? <!-- s:lol: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_lol.gif" alt=":lol:" title="Laughing" /><!-- s:lol: --> You're probably right birdy in that too many names spoil the pot (or whatever that saying is).

I don't use the term Contherian myself. I make no distinction between "Me...dragon." and "Me...human." I experience shifts of all kinds. Dragons have been known throughout history to be shape-shifters. I believe I experience this in my humanity as cameo shifts, phantom shifts, mental shifts etc...And it seems my draconic nature likes to shift as this happens quite a bit and it's not something I try to do. However, this is my theory and it may have nothing to do with being Kin or spirits. I'm fully aware that there may be a natural explanation for it.

Shifting is possible but not necessary. Personally I have shifted, which i mentioned in my intro thread:

Quote:My posture changed, my voice changed, my eyes turned partially gold. I was still myself, i knew this wasn't another being like a dragon totem spirit(though he hangs close often enough). This was me but this was me different. I scared my ex just about witless. Not to the point that she felt endangered but the girl was far from expecting it.

I'm sure once i figure it out i'm sure i could do it at will. Though i don't believe this has specifically to be with being dragon, though it may help. I am dragon always, its who i am, but i don't always put that to the forefront. Which tends to make people underestimate me.

I still can't pull a shift at will. I can hold of from doing it too much in a situation where it would be the opposite of helpful (like, oh say presenting a patients chart or inserting a needle) but otherwise my slight shifts come and go as typically someone's moods would (depending on a mix between how i feel and/or what atmosphere i happen to be in).

If i ever try to do one on purpose, it just feels forced with a fake ring to it.

I generally don't shift, the dragon and human part are mostly "fused" so there's not much shifting outside of phantom shifting.

--Sarah

Iago had intense mental and phantom shifts into what we thought was a dragon.