I'm still not very 'experienced' on the whole shifting, although I have had a few, most being rather minor, with a few more prominent ones.

It does seem odd how, when people talk about shifting, the most common emotion associated with it seems to be anger. For me this isn't something I can get my head around, as I rarely ever display anger, or even get angry at things! However, I do think that emotion does play a big factor in shifting, usually involuntary shifting. For me personally, I find I get some form of a shift occuring when I'm in an environement, or in a mood where I feel at ease, comfortable and content. In my case, this is usually at my girlfriends place, that feeling of trust and acceptance I think alows me to feel comfortable, and I can just be 'myself' entirely. I have had slip ups though, which has created awkward moments...such as an incident whilst having my hair cut.

My point is though, yes emotion I believe does play a big part. Although in my case, and in my opinion, a lot of other peoples cases, anger won't be the main emotional factor to it. Feeling content, happy, upset...any, theres a vast amount of emotions a person can have.

A random thought thats just popped into my head: It could just be me overanalysing the idea of anger being this popular emotional trigger to shifts but, I think the image of a 'transformation' or shift, has been influenced by popular ideas that people are exposed to, and then anger just becomes the auto 'trigger' to shifting. Although it isn't a 'werewolf' or 'werecreature' example, "The Incredible Hulk" is one example of anger being a trigger to some sort of transformation, or a shift as it were.

I don't know about shifting and being angry but I throw my opinion everywhere else that I'd hate to spare this thread as well

I could understand losing control and something happening that is a shift, but I wouldn't say that every time one loses control that it would be a shift. Something specific would have to go along with it that would differentiate it from we Mainstreamers do when we experience similar levels of rage.

There's one time that I could have under gone a sort of shift because it was a pretty intense bout of rage and it over took me to the point that I wasn't even thinking about what I was doing-- I was just doing it. It only lasted a minute but if I had to define a "beastly" rage, that would've been it (however brief and mild <_< ). I think it would be more like the berserker shift that WVZ mentioned because I can easily see how it would benefit in battle. Even though it happened so quick, everything seemed so slowed down (it was like something from the Matrix, where you can just see what's happening and react accordingly). At one point I had fallen on the floor in the gymnasium and I had huge bruises on my knees but I never felt any pain from the fall.

I guess to try and steer my mindless rambling on topic, as a Mainstreamer I have been pissed off enough that I have brought on some kind of shift. Which now that I think about it, if this can be considered a sort of "shift" (berserking), then I really don't see any reason why a Therian couldn't get upset enough to provoke some kind of shift (like a mental shift or whatever).

No problem.

I wish I could point you in the right direction for books and links online, but I never used such resources as I was lucky enough to belong to the Pagan community, so I learned everything first hand. I will try to go online and see what I can find for you that sounds viable.

Southpaw, no. Astral and Dreamtime are not the same thing.

The astral plane is a plane other than ours. That is, you are actually sending your spirit into another plane. Dreamtime is the time in which you are in a deep enough sleep (called REM) where you fall into your subconscious and thus dream. Now, there are those that can dream walk, or put themselves in other people's dreams, but these people are few and far between. This world is just as dangerous as the astral, if not more so because you can easily get lost in another person's subconscious. Astral isn't as easy to get lost, but you do have to be careful because, although you regain the ability to fully shift along with all of it's benefits, other's there have also regained their latent abilities and can be quite powerful. Also, there are things that live solely on the astral that are very dangerous. If you can learn how to handle yourself and stay out of trouble however, it can be a pleasant place to be. Take in mind though that, as crimsonwolf said, you do have a strong will to to survive for a long length of time on that plane, so you need to try to not be there for too long. Best thing to do is have someone there who can pull you out of it (kinda' like wake you up, but not jarring. Just have them talk to you and tell you that it's time for you to come back and all of that.) or you can set some sort of alarm calling you back. The more you do it the better you are able to tell how long you've been gone and can come back. Also, a vast majority of people won't remember much of what happened on the astral plane once they are back on this plane, so don't panic if you do it and then don't remember.

I guess I'm making it out to sound scarier than it really is. But these are all truths, so you have to know them. I guess it comes so easy for me even though I'm so young because I was taught how to do it when I was only about 9 years old. It's the benefit of growing up with people who still believe in and practice older ways.

I suggest and this is from personal experience that you learn basic magic, start with white magic since it causes the least amount of harm to the user. When I asked my teacher to help me go to the astral plane he told me the same thing and after I got the basics down he started to teach me. From what my teacher told me the principles of magic are the same as the astral planes, but in order to stay there for long periods like my teacher he told me that you then have to learn the ancient ways and when I say ancient I mean the you have to be able to actually be able to read and comprehend the ancient's language. I personally am able to stay in the astral plane for about 6 hours but that's only because I have started learning the ancient language. If you feel that learning from a shaman is the best way to go I'll check with my teacher and see if anyone is in your area

Ah well I spoke with my teacher and he said that all the more experienced shaman's in your area are busy right now but he did say that if you really wanted to learn that he doesn't see any problem with me coaching you through the basics though the only problem I see is I live n michigan and I am preparing my way of life to change since my daughter will be born in about a month

One more offtopic post because it would seem I have no way of contacting Southpaw to give him the answer to the question he asked.

No, I don't have an account on werelist, though I suppose I should look into it. I've heard a lot of people talking about it. However, you can email me at unrequitted_dream@yahoo.com.

Okay. Back to topic.

I can't really think of any time in particular when my wolf came out when I was angry. Then again, I very rarely get angry. However, my wolf does tend to come out a lot during sexual acts between my mate and I. Again, never had a shift where like, my hands turned to paws or anything, but eyes change colour and I ACT more wolf. It's a mental thing. I do sometimes feel like I'm turning into a wolf, but it only feels, never is. Though that whole feeling like I'm actually turning into a wolf has never happened during sex (thankfully...I think I would honestly be kinda' freaked if it did.) that tends to just...happen sometimes.