Types of shifting

There are many types of shifting, with there being 3 main types.

Mental shifting (M-shifting) - describes any shift in mentality and psychology towards that of your phenotype. This can range in strength but in most Mental shifts the therian still retains cognitive thought and control.

Physical shifting (P-shifting) - describes any shift that physically transforms the therian into their phenotype; fully or partially. This is by far the most controversial type of shifting due to physical shifters' seeming reluctance to provide evidence. However there are many to believe that P-shifting is possible (myself included). The reason for the reluctance to provide evidence might be due to the difficulty of the shift making it unreliable to provide evidence (just because a therian has p-shifted once dosent mean they're suddenly able to on the spot)

Spirit shifting (S-shifting) - describes any shift that transforms the spirit of the therian into that of their phenotype.


Most of these other types of shifts fit into the category of one or more of the 3 main types of shift

Phantom shifting (Ph-shifting) - A type of shift in which the therian developes phantom limbs of their
phenotype. Phantom limbs are the feeling of a limb that's not
actually there physically. Though its more common to hear about
phantom shifting parts of the body that dosen't overlap the physical
body (e.g. tails, wings or ears) its possible to phantom shift any
part of the body (e.g eyes, paws, muzzle). Some consider it a transition between spiritual and physical

Aura shifting - A type of Spiritual shift in which the therian's aura changes its shape and properties to that of their phenotype

Sensory shifting - (Not to be confused with sense shifting) A type of light M-shift in which the therian's mood becomes animal like in general. This results in the therian feeling alert with a
heightened sense of their physical body. A sensory shift is usually the first type of Voluntary shift a therian experiences.

Astral shifting - Describes any type of shift that takes place in the astral plane rather than the physical plane.

Dream shifting - Describes any type of shift that occurs during a dream. Many consider it a form of astral shifting

Camo shifting - Describes any type of shift in which the therian shifts into an animal other than their phenotype (e.g a wolf therian shifting into a cat)

Persona shifting - An uncommon type of M-shift in which the therian assumes a different personality towards that of their phenotype. This may allow a therian to access different memories, thoughts or even skills that the therian dosen't have access to unshifted.

Sense shifting - (Not to be confused with sensory shifting) Sense shifting describes a type of passive possession in which the shifter connects to an animal to gain insight into their thoughts, emotions and sensory information (such as vision). The shifter can not control the animal's actions.

Bilocation shifting - a type of physical shift in which the therian goes into a trance and materialises another body of that of their phenotype. The therian is in control of their phenotype's body leaving their human body without the spirit, mind, ect (much like possession). The phenotype body is connected to the human body so if the phenotype body sustains an injury or even were to die, the same would happen to the human body; however this only occurs upto the moment of death so any further injures to the phenotyoe body won't show on the human body

Magickal/magical shifting - describes any type of shift which is triggered by a magic ritual, magic spell or an enchantment (such as a wearable item like an amulet or a belt).

Posession shifting - much like a sense shift but the therian has control of the animal being possessed. However since its a further degree of possession it's much more dangerous to perform and can harm the therian should the animal fight back. It is also harder to perform and maintain for along time without consequences

Emotional shifting - Describes any shift which is triggered by a strong emotion such as stress or anger

Sleep shifting - describes any shift that occurs at night while the therian is asleep. It one of the most difficult shifts to determine if it has happened due to the therian being asleep while it happens.

Combo shifting - a type of shift that can only be performed by a cladotherian. It is a shift towards multiple phenotypes at the same. It can be the same type of shift or different types of shifts (e.g mental shift as both wolf and cat or mental shift as wolf and spirit shift as cat)