Familiars- During the days of the European witch hunts, familiars were "said to be given to witches by the devil," according to Rosemary Guiley's Encyclopedia of Witches and Witchcraft. They were, in essence, small demons which could be sent out to do a witch's bidding. Although cats -- especially black ones -- were the favored vessel for such a demon to inhabit, dogs, toads, and other small animals were sometimes used.
In some Scandinavian countries, familiars were associated with spirits of the land and nature. Fairies, dwarves, and other elemental beings were believed to inhabit the physical bodies of animals. Once the Christian church came along, this practice went underground -- because any spirit other than an angel must be a demon. During the witch-hunt era, many domestic animals were killed because of their association with known witches and heretics.
During the Salem witch trials, there is little account of the practice of animal familiars, although one man was charged with encouraging a dog to attack by way of magical means. The dog, interestingly enough, was tried, convicted, and hanged.
In shamanistic practices, the animal familiar is not a physical being at all, but a thought-form or spiritual entity. It often travels astrally, or serves as a magical guardian against those who might try to psychically attack the shaman.
Today, many Wiccans and Pagans have an animal companion that they consider their familiar - and most people no longer believe that these are spirits or demons inhabiting an animal. Instead, they have an emotional and psychic bond with the cat, dog, or whatever, who is attuned to the powers of its human partner.
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Here in our house we have a few different pets some that used to be considered familiars are no longer in our house because of bad habits they started and sorry but this momma is not putting up with it! We currently have 2 cats the live inside and 3 outside as well as 2 dogs and a ball python. Not all of our animals are "familiars" some are just family pets. There are a few however that have made familiar status!
My son and daughter both have their own familiars. My son who is going to be 2 in June has set claim to cat that we took it that came from my grandmother his name is Midnight. When Midnight first came to us he HATED my son! He had never been around any kids in his 5 1/2 years of life. But after about the first month he came around. And soon found out that my son was the one he wanted to hang around with. Probably because my son is always sharing food with him and is always finding something for him to eat. Never the less Midnight is always with son. Right now he is asleep in his bed and thats where he pretty much sleeps all night if the door is open!
My daughter who is about to turn 3 in a few weeks has her own familiar also (but I have to say we sort of share her!) My daughter has taken to a little back cat that we took in and named Tonks (YES, Tonks from Harry Potter!) She is a wild a spirit just like my daughter and always into mischief! She is the youngest of all our animals and where ever my daughter is you can bet that Tonks is not far behind. She is actually curled up of the play room floor with her watching TinkerBell. Those two love each other.
Then there is Jedi my German Shepherd we have been through it together let just say that, he is always by my side during rituals and is always their when you need a shoulder to lean on! I can look into his eyes and see his soul and the love we have for one another is unlike any animal I have ever had, its hard to explain but if you have experienced it then you know what I am talking about. That boy is my best friend, my guide and he has a piece of my soul! I know that in lives past he was by my side and we always find each other. He is truly something amazing and special. We had a scare with him on the 6th of February right at the time Mercury went retro Jedi had his first (known to me!) seizure! So far it has just been the one and we are praying that it was just a one time thing. But the vet thinks he may be epileptic and this may be something that we have to deal with for the rest of his life every so often! Talk about scary!
Well know that I am about to cry thinking about Jedi and I's connection an what is happening with his health! Those are my families familiars and our stories. You may have noticed that my husband doesn't have a familiar and thats okay! He is more of a wild animal man and likes to enjoy the view of wild animals from afar. Anything he doesn't have to feed or clean up after and he likes it! ;)
In some Scandinavian countries, familiars were associated with spirits of the land and nature. Fairies, dwarves, and other elemental beings were believed to inhabit the physical bodies of animals. Once the Christian church came along, this practice went underground -- because any spirit other than an angel must be a demon. During the witch-hunt era, many domestic animals were killed because of their association with known witches and heretics.
During the Salem witch trials, there is little account of the practice of animal familiars, although one man was charged with encouraging a dog to attack by way of magical means. The dog, interestingly enough, was tried, convicted, and hanged.
In shamanistic practices, the animal familiar is not a physical being at all, but a thought-form or spiritual entity. It often travels astrally, or serves as a magical guardian against those who might try to psychically attack the shaman.
Today, many Wiccans and Pagans have an animal companion that they consider their familiar - and most people no longer believe that these are spirits or demons inhabiting an animal. Instead, they have an emotional and psychic bond with the cat, dog, or whatever, who is attuned to the powers of its human partner.
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Here in our house we have a few different pets some that used to be considered familiars are no longer in our house because of bad habits they started and sorry but this momma is not putting up with it! We currently have 2 cats the live inside and 3 outside as well as 2 dogs and a ball python. Not all of our animals are "familiars" some are just family pets. There are a few however that have made familiar status!
My son and daughter both have their own familiars. My son who is going to be 2 in June has set claim to cat that we took it that came from my grandmother his name is Midnight. When Midnight first came to us he HATED my son! He had never been around any kids in his 5 1/2 years of life. But after about the first month he came around. And soon found out that my son was the one he wanted to hang around with. Probably because my son is always sharing food with him and is always finding something for him to eat. Never the less Midnight is always with son. Right now he is asleep in his bed and thats where he pretty much sleeps all night if the door is open!
My daughter who is about to turn 3 in a few weeks has her own familiar also (but I have to say we sort of share her!) My daughter has taken to a little back cat that we took in and named Tonks (YES, Tonks from Harry Potter!) She is a wild a spirit just like my daughter and always into mischief! She is the youngest of all our animals and where ever my daughter is you can bet that Tonks is not far behind. She is actually curled up of the play room floor with her watching TinkerBell. Those two love each other.
Then there is Jedi my German Shepherd we have been through it together let just say that, he is always by my side during rituals and is always their when you need a shoulder to lean on! I can look into his eyes and see his soul and the love we have for one another is unlike any animal I have ever had, its hard to explain but if you have experienced it then you know what I am talking about. That boy is my best friend, my guide and he has a piece of my soul! I know that in lives past he was by my side and we always find each other. He is truly something amazing and special. We had a scare with him on the 6th of February right at the time Mercury went retro Jedi had his first (known to me!) seizure! So far it has just been the one and we are praying that it was just a one time thing. But the vet thinks he may be epileptic and this may be something that we have to deal with for the rest of his life every so often! Talk about scary!
Well know that I am about to cry thinking about Jedi and I's connection an what is happening with his health! Those are my families familiars and our stories. You may have noticed that my husband doesn't have a familiar and thats okay! He is more of a wild animal man and likes to enjoy the view of wild animals from afar. Anything he doesn't have to feed or clean up after and he likes it! ;)