Astral Plane
The amorphous background jumped into clarity when I focused on it. I could see the reflections of several worlds: buildings, meadows, forests. It was all there at the same time like triple-exposed photographs, perfectly mashed together and yet I could see them as different places.The Astral Plane is a place of spirit and mind. It can be travelled to by Humans and spirits of lesser power, but not by Gods or God-creatures.~ Too Wyrd
Too Wyrd Spoiler
The only exception to this is Huginn & Muninn.
I wandered through the strange, shifting surroundings of the astral plane, absently watching plants growing and transforming into gusts of wind, or melting into water like paint. I wasn’t really walking so much as I twitched my legs reflexively, and I glided in between the oak trees literally dripping leaves.
I watched spirit-beings appearing and disappearing from view. Some were creatures of the astral plane, such as animal totems, nature archetypes and spirit guides. Many of these creatures could, and would, visit mere mortals in the “real” world, but they existed here first.
A fox-like kitsune sped by, whirling its multiple tails around like a fan to propel itself forward. No doubt it had gotten the idea from popular video games and anime-like shows. Or perhaps the shows had gotten the idea from the kitsune. Many astral creatures loved to provide inspiration for some of the more fantastical forms of human media.
The smug look on the creature’s face told me it enjoyed the playfulness of its travel, whatever the source. I smiled at it, but drew my energy close around me so as not to attract its attention. Kitsune were often wise and could be helpful, but they were just as likely to mess with a visitor for fun. Despite the Asian origins of the Kitsune legends, the creatures were just as mischievous and troublesome as the Fae of Europe. Sometimes even more so.
I moved on, clenching my toes into a point to give myself a burst of speed. I knew the movement was an illusion. There wasn’t movement in the astral, so much as positioning relative to something else. Because of this, it was only a split second before I was far away from the kitsune.
Rolling in a spin, I moved across a grassy plains area, only the grass didn’t just move like water, it was water. The green stemmed waves crashed against a rocky outcrop where a group of mermaid-like air-swimmers lounged. They flicked their long tails to set the silky banners of their fins to waving in the winds, laughing at the game that only they understood.
A loud barking sent them soaring through the air, swimming like the mermaids they resembled. I saw a canine bounding through the grassy lake. It pounced on the outcrop and stood yipping until it was satisfied the air-swimmers had been thoroughly routed.
The creature spotted me, and I watched its tongue flop out of its mouth as it gave me a huge canine grin. I waved an acknowledgment to the manifestation of Coyote the Trickster and moved on. As with so many beings in the astral, it was best to give the being both respect and a wide berth.
~ Nicola, Fluffy Bunny
Characteristics
The Astral Plane is primarily characterized by its reflective nature and its responsiveness to human thought and emotion. The reflective nature means that it mirrors the "real" world, if often symbolically. Despite their being a strong connection of place, it is easy to travel long distances in the Astral Plane due to the responsiveness of the realm. The Astral Plane responds actively to human thought and emotion. This allows humans to travel simply by visualizing a place or "leaning" on the emotion of need. However, this responsiveness isn't limited to travel or discovery. Negative emotions can manifest as spirits quickly and easily in the Astral Plane. While injury is seldom carried back to the "real" world, it can be painful to experience an attack while in the Astral Plane. The Chains That Bind SpoilerI struggled with the emotions roiling within me, trying to get them under control. If I let them go too long, the astral would reflect those feelings.
A dark blob of something that looked like tar or mud appeared at my side. It opened a huge maw of sharp teeth and snapped it down on my arm. I threw back my head and howled in pain and fear, wresting my limb from its grasp.
It released me with a juicy sucking pop, and I stumbled back a few steps into something squishy. I turned to find another of the creatures ready to engulf my upper body. I screeched and dove away from the Fear.
Others appeared, some the black dripping blobs, others, like wispy shadows flowing over me. One shadow wrapped itself around my throat while a smaller blob clamped down on my calf.
I opened my mouth to scream again, and another shadow slipped into my mouth, filling my head until I thought my skull would burst from the pressure.
~ Nicola, The Chains That Bind
Using the Astral Plane
The Astral Plane can be useful for finding answers. This is done one of two ways. The first is to find a spirit guide or other spirit creature who can teach you. This can be risky, as many trickster spirits love to jump in on such an interaction, often offering to teach a lesson which ends up more as a riddle or a harsh experience. The second is to use the responsiveness of the Astral Plane to search for clues. This is possible because the Astral Plane tends to hold energies of a place on the Astral side, exposing things of importance that would be hidden in the mundane of the "real" world.Geography
The Astral Plane reflects the physical aspects of the "real" world, but in a surreal and even metaphorical way. Symbology is as likely as a direct copy, and colors, odors and textures are often reflective of the energy of the place.
Fauna & Flora
All life is representative of the spiritual nature of the "real" world place that is being reflected. This can include animal totems, spirit guides, and fantastical creatures that represent the spirits of the land and the people as a whole (as opposed to individual people).
Often, the plants of the Astral Plane will reflect the energy of the land reflected. Decaying, bright green plants often indicate some kind of energetic evil or corruption. Lush crops indicate balance and productivity.
Insects and birds expand upon this symbolic reflection.
Alternative Name(s)
The Mirror Realm, The Fae Wylds
Type
Dimensional plane
Related Myths
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