Berserker shift, also known as feral shift, is when a therianthrope experiences a shift that typically pushes away human empathy and logical decision-making for a short amount of time. This is often due to overwhelming surges of animalistic emotions, most commonly anger, that overtakes the individual’s human side. These shifts are often thought to be dangerous and uncontrollable.[1]
The Norse origins of berserker shifts describe it as the "ability to induce a state of possession by his kindred beast, acquiring its strength, fearlessness, and fury.". [2] And trances/altered states of consciousness are methods to enter a berserk shift, most commonly used by warriors for the purpose of going into battle.[3]
There are discussions around the term on AHWW throughout the 1990's, but most were to explain the term's origins in Norse mythology and explain that emotions, anger, and rage are human traits.[4]
- See also: Shift (Therianthropic)
References[]
- ↑ "Terminology & Lexicon" Kinmunity, by Naia Ōkami, July 18th 2020 - https://www.kinmunity.com/articles/terminology-lexicon.1/
- ↑ "Berserkers and other Shamanic Warriors" Norse Mythology for Smart People, by Daniel McCoy, 2012 - https://norse-mythology.org/gods-and-creatures/others/berserkers-and-other-shamanic-warriors/
- ↑ "Berserkr Shifting" Therianthropes United, December 18, 2007 - https://web.archive.org/web/20071218234913/http://www.therianthropes.com:80/berserkr_shifting.htm
- ↑ "question about lycanthropes" Alt.Horror.Werewolves, November 17th 1992 - https://groups.google.com/d/msg/alt.horror.werewolves/WU1jL5Ey5Zs/JhiKORWQGwMJ