Furry friends or demons in disguise…
The Oxford dictionary defines a familiar as “a demon supposedly attending and obeying a witch, often said to assume the form of an animal.” This association with demons can be traced back to the days of the witch trials. During the witch hunts, familiars were believed to be given to witches by the devil. The most common animals that were deemed familiars were black cats, dogs, toads, and other small animals. These were said to be the preferred vessels for demonic entities to embody. Unfortunately, if someone who were on trial owned a pet, it was not uncommon that their “familiar” stand trial as well after defending their owner in some way or resisting capture by the townspeople. As a result, many animals were executed alongside those declared to be witches during this time.
A woodcut from a 1720 history of “witches and wizards” Photo Credit: Wellcome Library
However, not all traditions perceived familiars in this light. In medieval European folklore, they were described as supernatural entities that assist witches in their magical practices. Many Scandinavian countries believed they were spirits of nature. They saw them as fairies, dwarves, and other elementals inhabiting the bodies of animals. In shamanistic practices, they aren’t physical beings but rather thought forms or spiritual entities. They travel astrally and serve as magical guardians that protect the shaman from psychic attacks on their journey. Contemporarily, in Western countries, rather than being demons in disguise, they’re considered to be animals that people feel a spiritual connection to. Many Neo-Pagans will deem their fluffy companions familiars because they feel an emotional and psychic connection to them that assists their pet in attuning to their personal power. Very few maintain the perspective that there are spirits or demons inhabiting the body of their animal friend.
So how does one determine if their pet is a familiar? Before diving down that rabbit hole, I want to make it clear that not everyone needs a familiar. Some may not have, need, or want, a familiar and that is okay. It does not make your practice any less valid. Everyone has their own unique path to follow.
However, if it does align with your path, know that your familiar will find you at the right time. Your paths are likely to cross at an unexpected moment. It could be due to the psychic connection the two of you share but be sure to rule out any mundane reasons for the encounter before accepting the conclusion that it was fate. Consider the time of year and how often they have come by (if at all). Are they really there because they are drawn to your energy? Or is your beloved neighborhood stray only coming around once a week in the evening when you’re off work because your neighbors are tossing their Taco Tuesday leftovers at that time?
If you already have a pet, you can work on strengthening your psychic connection with them. Some ways of doing this is to tap into your empathy to try to better understand your pets reactions to certain things. Learn their means of communicating and try to make sense of what you perceive to be their thought process. You can also meditate with them in your lap or nearby so you can focus on tuning into their energy. This does not guarantee that it will turn them into your familiar but will strengthen your bond nonetheless which can still be very beneficial. Additional methods to enhance your connection can be found in books such as Ted Andrews, Animal Speak.
Many claim to feel an immediate, undeniable soul connection and note that there is an inherent understanding of one another. They may have been resistant towards previous owners but with you, you’ll be two peas in a pod. You’ll likely be able to tell that there is something unique about them. It may feel as though they enhance and/or amplify your energy while you engage in your magical practice. Some will also be eager to get involved. If they do so, please ensure that the necessary precautions are taken to keep both you and your pets safe. It’s always enjoyable to have the company of your furry friend but things could get messy when you factor in smoke, potentially toxic herbs, and an open flame. Some will be fearless when it comes to the elements and keen to offer their assistance. They also may possess a calm temperament and display psychic abilities. You could be able to telepathically communicate with them as well. This is by no means a comprehensive list of criteria to determine if your pet is a familiar, merely some commonly recognized traits.
While you can not necessarily go out and buy a familiar or choose the type of animal it is, some traditions believe you can attempt to draw one in. It will be as though you are sending out a signal to Spirit or the Universe that you are ready to be united. If it’s the right time, then you may be lucky enough to encounter your familiar shortly after. One method of drawing them in is through meditation. Sit down somewhere quiet and allow your mind to wander. You may encounter many different people and items but focus on meeting your animal companion. Take note if you encounter any.
Remember that familiars choose us. Not the other way around. According to Sarah Anne Lawless “[Animal familiars] select you, not the other way around. Everyone wishes their familiar was a bear, wolf, mountain lion, fox — all the usual suspects — but in reality this is usually not the case. In most cases an apprentice witch or shaman starts with smaller less powerful animal helpers and over time as their power and knowledge increases they acquire stronger and more powerful animal familiars. Keep in mind that the size of an animal does not reflect its power as some of the most powerful animals are also the smallest. In cases of true hereditary witchcraft or shamanism animal familiars can be inherited from a dying elder as they have a vested interest in you as family. Even though you cannot select one, you can seek them out and invite them into your life, but you cannot request which animal they will be.”
Regardless of whether an animal you own or encounter turns out to be your familiar or not you should always treat them with the same respect, love, and kindness nonetheless.
Sources:
Wigington, P. (2018, December 31). Wiccan and paganism: Do you have a magical animal familiar? Learn Religions. Retrieved October 11, 2021, from https://www.learnreligions.com/what-is-an-animal-familiar-2562343.
Magick, C. (2020, December 4). Is your pet a familiar? The Spiritual Garden. Retrieved October 11, 2021, from https://www.cultivatemagick.com/is-your-pet-a-familiar.
Kim. (2019, December 22). A Witch’s familiar – is your pet more than just a companion? World of Magick. Retrieved October 11, 2021, from https://www.worldofmagick.com/post/a-witch-s-familiar-is-your-pet-more-than-just-a-companion.
Summerland Spirits 