There are many misconceptions about what, exactly, familiars are. Here’s a short little guide on what a familiar is, how to contact/recognize your familiar, and a few do’s and dont’s.
Familiars, also known as “familiar souls,” are (usually) the animal companion(s) of a witch. More often than not, these animals possess human-like tendencies, a certain wisdom about them, that is nearly magical or supernatural in nature. These animals are often more sensitive to paranormal experiences and help aid the witch in spells and rituals (if willing). Familiars mostly take the shape of domestic house pets: cats, toads, dogs, birds, etc. Though less common, familiars can also be human or humanoid. They are solid, not just spiritual, and it is important to recognize them as actual beings rather than just tools to be used in witchcraft. Familiar souls can often appear in many forms over the witch’s lifetime. The soul will often travel as one animal’s life comes to an end and another’s begins.
How do I contact my familiar?
Patience in finding a familiar is key. The familiar comes to you, not you to it. Familiars are either gifted to the witch or show up without warning of their own accord. Familiars can also be passed down through generations, especially in families of hereditary witches. Your familiar will show up when you least expect it but need it most.
•Respect your familiar as a living being and give it the care it needs.
•Ignore your familiar’s needs until you require something of it in a ritual.
•Give your familiar space when performing a ritual and allow it to come of its own accord.
•Force or physically move your familiar so it may participate in a ritual.
•Allow your familiar to roam free whilst performing magick, only moving its course when it comes across something dangerous (I.e. open flame).
•Cage, antagonize, or neglect your familiar for the sake of magick. Not only is that not how magick is performed, that is animal abuse.
•Spend time with your familiar in order to form a stronger bond.
•Force yourself into the animal’s space when it wants to be left alone.
That’s it for now! Good luck finding your familiar soul(s) and stay Witchy!
