Conclusions

Summary

The Otherkin exist, as do a number of other groups that engage in some combination of fantasy narrative and digital cultures. The Otherkin appear to have a reasonably significant constituency, across a number of countries. They are a community, albeit one that exists primarily online in a variety of virtual locales. Moreover, they utilize fantasy icons found in multiple sources and available through a wide selection of media. Most importantly, these fantasy icons are integral aspects of their metaphysic. In this, the Otherkin seem unusual insofar as they tend to utilize the icons outside of the text rather than relying upon specific textual manifestations.

It is also clear that the beliefs of the Otherkin show continuity with elements of the occultural world. Ideas such as channelling, reincarnation, magic, otherworlds and energy are apparent within the community, and hold a firm and established location within occultural thought. Most particularly evident in the context of Paganism, many of the ideologies of the Otherkin mirror or extend re-enchanting notions of the world not just into this, but other realms as well. On the other hand, the Otherkin also bear some resemblance to popular cultural engagement, albeit with a difference of intention in terms of the attribution of mundane and the metaphysical meaning. The particular fantasy icons, the basis of community affiliation in terms of interest, and the depth and passion of engagement with narrative are all shared between the two types of engagement, and suggest a significant and perhaps formative relationship.