The Shift List

Term

Description

Astral Shift (ALS)

You astrally leave your body and become that of another form, either by shifting the appearance of the spirit, or entering the body of another being on this plane (this too is included in the Walk-In section, and overlaps with that of the shapestealer definition below).

Attributes Shift (ATS)

Adapted from D.J. Conway's section called "Shapeshifting" from her book "Animal Magick." 

Specifically, this deals with the section on shapeshifting, which in her book is a misnomer, simply because it deals with a Mental or Spiritual shift instead of a PS which is most associated as  meaning "shapeshift." 

Essentially, this is a mixture of 
the Mental, Physical, and Aural Shift, in varying degree (That is to say that One or Two could overshadow the other(s), or the repressed one(s) appear to be nonexistent).  Unlike the types of shifts (being separate) noted above, this type of shift can give you attributes of _any_ animal/spirit guide (not necessarily that of the wereside, or your personal spirit guide). These 'attributes' can be in the form of a physical (for example: "strength"), aural ("senses") or mental ("cognitive abilities").

Aural Shift (AS)

The aura (if you can see them) takes on the shape of the animal/wereside.  I've also heard that with the AS, the person can take on some characteristics of that animal, mentally, but not a total mental shift.

Bilocation Shift (BS)

Also known as the
Apparition Shift

In this shift, the "spirit body" of the were in question leaves the "physical form" and reforms itself outside of the human body.  The "new form" the spirit takes is a physical form (as opposed to the Relocation Shift)

The shifter can be both awake or completely oblivious to what is occurring during this shift

Dream Shift (DS)

The dream shift can occur in both the lucid and non lucid states.

This is sometimes the most common form of shifting, at least, for those that can remember their dreams.  This is exactly how it sounds, shifting while dreaming.  It could be any of the  mentioned forms of shifting here, the most common being the Physical Shift (below).

Mental Shift (MS)

A condition known to affect "weres" (even if said humans don't know about their awereness) when one species within their own spirit or soul is dominant over any other. In most cases weres are generally in their human mindset.  The actual shift occurs when the mindset changes from human to animal (e.g. Wolf) or Vice Versa. A mental shift can also occur with a physical shift, whereas you change  in mind or soul, as well as in body. 

Personality Shift (PRS)

This is one of the more recently developed terms I've seen used on the newsgroup.  From what I can tell of this, the personality will shift into one resembling a certain animal's personality. I think, however, that it is referring to a shift into the habits/personality of a species but retaining the human mindset.  (E.G. a wolf would want to remain in a pack setting, a lemming would jump off a cliff, etc.).

Phantom Shift (PHS)

This is a very 'popular' type of shift among Weres today.  This  shift is often mistake for a Partial PS, or a prelude to a PS.  In this shift, the were feels fur, pawlike hands, tails, movable ears, etc.  The Non-shift term for this phenomena is "Phantom Limbs." The actual "shift" is feeling the  body changing to that of the wereside, but not on a truly physical level.

Physical Shift (PS)

The stuff dreams are made of...  This shift alone, for those who believe, is a goal for the majority of "Weres" want to experience.  This is indeed going from form A to form B with the body as the artistic media.  A shift in body, many weres feel with the PS, they can become what they truly are on the inside, now reflecting on the outside. 

Relocation Shift (RS)

The shifter can be both awake or completely oblivious to what is 
occurring during this shift.

In this shift, the "spirit body" of the were in question leaves the "physical form" and reforms itself outside of the human body.    The relocation shift either produces a ghostlike body, or one that cannot be sensed by others.  (Sometimes confused with the Bilocation Shift)

Shadow Shift (SWS)

This type of shifting should not be confused with the PS.  This is a term to be used for the type of shift that occurs when only the appearance shifts.  This usually takes place when there is little available light, a sort of mass hallucination if you will, but whatever the case, the object being focused upon, appears to  be something else.  Unlike the PS, this type of shifting is "looks only," you wouldn't gain any extra senses, or characteristics from  this... it is, in fact, very similar to just putting on a fursuit (but without the suit). 

ShapeStealing (SST)

Also known as 'Skinwalkers' and 'FleshDancers,' this is a type of shifting feared the world over.  They can manifest themselves in a variety of ways.  They can just merely take on the form of another entity.  Some claim that the shapestealer must kill the person, animal, etc they wish to take the form of.  This could also include Walk-Ins, whereas, they leap into the body of the one they wish to steal, essentially taking it over, and may or may not kick out the 'original.' (That particular method however is also in many references describing the 'astral shift').

Spirit Shift (SS)

This type of shift has several meanings attached.  I will not split them up at this point in time.  Here goes:

A spirit shift takes place when Spirit Guides are present.  The actually shift is either: A. the guide leaves and another takes its place, B. Your soul "merges" with the spirit guide, C.  The spirit guide changes it own species/looks.

A spirit shift is also the merging of the two (or more) "sides" of a were's spiritual body.  For example, if a separatist were is a human and a wolf, the merging into an "anthro-wolf" form would be a spirit shift.