There are a number of theories for what causes the transspecied? condition, depending on your view of how the soul works. Chances are that many of them may apply to certain people. These are some of the most common:
- My soul was specifically created for some species, but have incarnated as a human. There are a number of possible reasons for this: perhaps my species no longer exists, or perhaps I was dragged here by some mystic force, or maybe I just decided I wanted a change of pace. This is the most popular theory, and is especially common among elves, dragons, and other "mythological" otherkin, who frequently claim their species was wiped out in one way or another.
- I've incarnated many times as an X. I did it so many times that my soul "got used to it", and I haven't been a human enough times for my soul to get used to that. If I keep coming back as a human, it will eventually go away. This theory is commonly used to explain hybrid 'kin, who may have lived many times as a number of creatures, but is also popular among those who do not believe the soul has any specific species.
- I was deliberately made by [deity] to have a nonhuman soul but live as a human. This is not a terribly popular theory, but is common among Christian otherkin, as well as those who do not believe in reincarnation.
- My psychology has developed in such a way that I have a powerful link with a certain totem animal. The link has become so strong that I effectively am that animal. This belief is most common among the therian community (though, perhaps, even there it comprises a minority).
- I have nonhumans somewhere in my ancestry, that is, I am physically and genetically nonhuman. Before the Europeans came, Native Americans often claimed to have certain animals (bears, wolves, etc.) in their bloodline. Nowadays, however, those who claim nonhuman genetics are usually met with skepticism, since no such claim has ever been substantiated.
New otherkin shouldn't worry too much about figuring out why they're otherkin, since there are far more pressing matters - not the least of which is determining with reasonable certainty whether or not one is otherkin at all.
~ Skatche