Elaferi

Elaferi is a culture that upholds the beliefs and practices of metamorphosis, nonhuman mythology, and ferine transition.

It is not an alterhuman term by default so that it includes anyone and all who believe in such practices, which are not exclusively spiritual or metaphorical. This culture is established to engage in conversation around specific forms of shapeshifting, specifically the literal, physical kind, without prefacing such experiences with "i swear it's not a delusion" or another term, as elaferi hopes to bridge all of them together. Elaferi culture is made to be straightforward and plain about what someone shapeshifts into and if they plan to fully become such.

Elaferi also does not equal animal or nonhuman but "lacking human characteristics", which can include humans.

If you wish to say "I am elaferi," you would say "I am a (your species)⚚✶(verbally: ferilan.)" An example, "I am a human⚚✶." This is to be straightforward about your species and your identity.

Ferilan believe this about shapeshifting:

- it is mystic and meta/physical

- its properties are made of aura/energy that is converted into physical sensations

- can be gifted, cursed, or given by illness - or simply a ferilan is born with it

- it's structure begins as psychosomatic that becomes literal, physical with practice and embodiment

- embodiment is recommended to begin after aligning the 6 senses over time to confirm that permanent transition is what you want

Ferilan believe they have one or more auris that are sensed physically either as an veil or internally, that is expressed through practicing shapeshifting and through literal embodiment. When those bodies are conjoined or mutated into one, it is the result of embodiment.

Ferilan terminology:

- energy is a balanced force that is physically sensed.

- ferilan means "people, those of elaferi" in elaferian. it is verbally pronounced as ferilan but always visually shown as ⚚✶ at all times.

- auris is an energy based body that is physically expressed.

- embodiment is the act of using tech and practices that express the auris through material means permanently.

- elaferian is the ferilana language.

- dormancy is when the auris is not felt for some time, which can cause depressive symptoms.

- feeding is the act of funnelling or transferring energy into the physical senses.

- evaluations are systems used for self reflection, usually right after a shift.

- shapeshifts are literal, physical happenings that change the body, but not permanently, and are used to prepare for embodiment or to flicker.

- flickering is the act of putting your 6 senses into an(other) auris, usually between multiple of them.

Elaferi cultural structures surround:

- long-term pressure based body modification

- aural healing and shadow work

- witchcraft, literal magick and natural medicinals

- diy or die, repurposed parts, goods and items

- biohacking and transhumanism

- animality and feral lifestyle without sacrifice to needed mobility aides

- gender, sex, and species is abolished in society, exists only personally and for titles/honorifics

- solarpunk, oceanpunk

- anarchy and anti-consumerism

-anti-psych

- legal recognition

- bodily autonomy and freedom of informed choice