In every witchcraft movie, picture, or book we always see our witches and wizards having an animal by their side - be it the classic black cat, an owl, raven, or toad.
These animals we call familiars and in this post, we will learn all about them and why does every witch seem to have them.
Historically, in European folklore familiars were believed to be supernatural entities that assisted witches and wizards. They were believed to be kept as a witch’s attendant, given to her by the devil or inherited from another witch. Familiars were depicted as a low-ranking demon, imp, often taking the shape of animals and pets, but sometimes they take a humanoid shape. Most often they take the shape of small animals, such as cats, rats, dogs, ferrets, birds, frogs, toads, and hares. Sometimes even wasps and butterflies, as well as pigs, sheep, and horses. One type of familiar is Agathion it appears in the shape of a human or an animal, or even within a talisman, bottle, or magic ring.
Familiars also taught witches how to do magic and were used as advisors. Witches used them as spies thanks to their shapeshifting abilities. They could find lost objects and some witches used them for divining. Familiars could also pinpoint bewitchment or help with diagnosing a health problem.
In modern days Neopaganism believes that pets, wildlife, or invisible versions of familiars act as magical aids.
Most data regarding familiars comes from the transcripts of English and Scottish witch trials and the Essex court system. The familiars were believed to suck blood from a witch’s fingers or other parts of her body such as a mole or a wart. That is why during the European witchcraft trials a suspected witch was searched for the “signs” of a familiar feeding off of her. Association with a familiar spirit was used in the Salem trials as evidence to convict suspected witches.
In the Bible, familiars were depicted as necromancers' and sorcerers' spirit guides.
But how does a witch even meet their familiar?
The most important thing to know about getting a familiar is that they choose you not the other way around.
According to British narratives from the Early modern period, there were three main types of encounters.
Spontaneous appearance of the spirit while you are just going about your day, doing something even incredibly mundane.
They would be given to you by a pre-existing individual, who might be a family member or a more powerful spirit or witch. They could also be given to you by your deities.
Or you could perform an actual ritual to invite a familiar to work with you.
Now if you go with the third option there are several ways which you could do it.
One is through meditation and asking for it or to be shown the way to go to find it from the Divine or deities you work with. You could also visualize them coming as a light to you.
Another way is through spells and rituals. You can use crystals, sigils, candles.
Whatever you do, be patient as these types of spells require time and patience, let it come to you.
Each familiar and the animal or form they show themselves in holds a symbolic meaning. Similar to spirit animals and totem animals. But Familiars are not the same as those two although the definitions mostly overlap. The main difference is that spirit animals may be with you only in spirit while familiars are with you physically.
A spirit animal is an animal that comes to you at a specific time to teach you a specific thing or to help you with a specific task.
Totems are those animals that you have had an affinity for or worship or you just find similar qualities to your own with.
familiars are living creatures that bond with a human and assist with metaphysical lifestyles they are our soul mates. I will talk about what different animals symbolize in different posts. If there is an animal you want me to write about don't be afraid to contact me!
Featuring in many fantasy stories, familiars are magical creatures with impish characteristics that would form beneficial to both sides pacts with witches to work on magic together. They could be both animal or human and are proved to form deep soul connections with their witches that is why some consider them soul mates.
Oh, And don't forget, they choose you!
Blessed be Witches!
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