There have been a number of requests for more information concerning the idea of animal familiars. It’s surprising how much misinformation, or just bad information, there is out there. While it’s fairly easy to cover established Christian theology from the Middle Ages, it’s harder to arrive at a contemporary consensus about what an animal familiar is. As usual, we find ourselves at odds with the accepted and traditional ideas of animal familiars in popular Pagan and Wiccan thought. Honestly, to us it seems like people have pulled a lot of the most popular ideas out of their butts.
Historically speaking, during the days of the Inquisitions, familiars were said to be given to witches by the devil. 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.
According to the ancient Witchcraft Act of 1604, it was a felony to: “consult, covenant with, entertain, employ, feed or reward any evil or wicked spirit to or for any intent or purpose”, an act that “The Witch-Finder General” Matthew Hopkins used with zeal when extracting confessions. Hopkins also used the “Malleus Malificarum“, the so-called Inquisitor’s Handbook. Though the Malleus offered no instruction concerning familiars in the interrogation and trial of witches, it did acknowledge that an animal familiar “always works with the witch in everything”. As such, it advises the inquisitor never to leave a witch prisoner alone, “or the devil will cause him or her to kill themselves, accomplished through a familiar”. With this in mind, Hopkins would tie the witch up in a cell and leave them alone, while watching secretly for their arrival. If so much of as a fly or beetle approached them, it was deemed proof enough that they were indeed witches.
In contemporary witchcraft, any thoughts of animals as “demonic spirits of evil” have been left far by the way side, though many modern witches still use animals when working with magick, utilizing their primordial instincts and psychic abilities “to attune with nature and deities”. Animals are sensitive to psychic power and vibrations (maybe because things which are self-evident haven’t been taught out of them by well-meaning but misguided “teachers”), and are welcomed into the magick circle when power is being raised or spells are being cast. They’re also used to aid scrying, divination and spirit contact. When working with magick, animals act as a guard in psychic defense for they react visibly to negative forces and harmful energy.
We here at PaganCentric don’t think of animal familiars as spirits which can, or should, be used as tools in magickal rituals. Certainly an animal might choose to be present during a ritual and make its presence known in ways of its choosing, but it should never be included and thought of in the same way as you think of an athame or a candle. In short, the animal should be a willing participant, of its own accord, or it should be left out of your calculations altogether. Or, in other words, don’t be an ass.
But this doesn’t address the idea of what an animal familiar is. Does it?
Our primary divergence of thought where familiars are concerned is mostly a conceptual one. We’ve met many Wiccans and Pagans who think of familiars in terms which have an uncomfortable similarity to what Christians believed in the Middle Ages. Sure, they don’t use such archaic, misleading words as “demon”, but their conceptualization certainly seems to be that of an entity which is somehow separate from the normal existence of an animal; that of a spirit entity which inhabits an animal and serves as a spiritual guide. We think this is so much bunk, because it assigns a supernatural origin to something which is perfectly natural.
The gist of our disagreements come down to the idea of a soul. If you believe in souls, it’s certainly acceptable to embrace the idea that animals have souls as well as people. And if animals have souls, it’s perfectly reasonable to intuit that those souls might return again and again; hence our conceptualization of “a familiar spirit”. If you’ve been Aware for long and have always had an affinity for animals, you no doubt have noticed that while you’ve known dozens of animals, sometimes there are animals which are just different somehow. More aware. Smarter. Animals which do not seem like animals at all, but are like little furry people. And through the years you’ve no doubt noticed that as those animals have lived out their existences, they seem to return in other incarnations later on. This is the idea of “a familiar spirit”. At least as we see it. The forms and functions might change, but the spirit returns. You know it when you feel it.
What are the purposes of spirit animals? Who can say, really? You’ll find no shortage of people with ready explanations. But all humans can do is guess. We don’t know. None of us do. We’re ants describing rumbles in the dark. It’s unlikely these familiar spirits are demons in any way. Unless, of course, your concept of demons is anything that is aware but isn’t human (in which case nearly all animals are demons), or something that is supernatural and not tied to a physical reality (in which case we are all demons, since we merely inhabit the vessels of our bodies, without being our bodies).
Animal familiars are fellow travelers on this earthly plane. Nothing more. Nothing less. Certain spirits will return to us time and again because we are as familiar to them as they are to us. We are drawn together. Perhaps they are connected to a higher existence and were sent here to keep an eye on us and keep us company. Perhaps they are spirits which were drawn to us and our myriad possibilities. Or perhaps they’re just exceptionally aware animals. It is, after all, only human arrogance that reduces intellect and reasoning to traits only humans can possess, however much evidence might accumulate which proves such acumen rather common in the animal kingdom. We’ve known human beings who were dumb as rocks. Is it really that much of a stretch to conceive that there might be exceptionally bright and intelligent animals?
In the end, it is perhaps quite possible that like attracts like. Just as we are invariably drawn to associations with other people that we cannot explain and which in hindsight seem unlikely, if not miraculous, so too are we drawn to certain familiar spirits, and them to us. It doesn’t have to be jotted down in some moldy old book as supernatural and profound. Just as you simply are, so they simply are. You’re fellow travelers on the same dusty road, and should be glad for the company. Don’t over-think it.
As I’ve been writing this, my current familiar, a cat named Hannibal, has been watching me type. He doesn’t normally take much interest while I’m at the computer desk, preferring to sun himself in the sun through the bay window. But now he watches me with interest, and perhaps a hint of amusement. Maybe he doesn’t know exactly what I’m writing, but he knows that I’ve been writing this with him in mind. Or perhaps he’s just hungry. I may never know. Humans have a need to explain things which cannot be explained, rather than just accept the obvious on its own merits. I have no doubt that Hannibal is more than a mere cat. And I’m equally certain he’s been with me in other incarnations. When he’s gone, I am sure I will see him again. We don’t have to define that or explain it. I am his and he is mine, and we are friends. That’s really all I need to know about it.
In the end, we believe folks should discard the archaic idea that animal familiars are somehow supernatural beings who have been sent to guide us. This is not to say that we can’t learn from animals. I remember once when I was trying to cross a swollen stream, I saw my cat on the other side of the stream, watching me patiently as I slowly realized that he was sitting right across a line of partially submerged stones that I was able to step upon to get across the waters. Was that a supernatural encounter, my spiritual guide taking care of me and helping me to return home without getting wet? Or was it just an intelligent animal friend pointing out the obvious thing that my limited human perceptions was not picking up on? I don’t know. I was grateful for the help, and thought no more of it than that.
Our existence is wonderful. We live as an extension of the possible. Our potential is beyond our understanding. So much of the world and reality lies outside the limitations of our perception. And this includes animal familiars. We don’t need to understand them to know that they are, any more than we need to understand oxygen in order the breathe. If you have an animal familiar in your life, put aside your dusty old books and just go sit with them for awhile. I’m sure they’ll enjoy your company. And if you can shut up your analytical human mind for a while, you just might learn something about what it means to exist in the moment and be.
I was just looking for some information about familiars and came across your perfect article. It was awesome, and exactly what I was looking for when I typed ‘familiars’ into Google. The idea that my cat is a demon is like – uh, no, so not resonating with me, but your words struck a chord so thanks so much for writing this. 🙂 x
I couldn’t agree more! I love her interpretation!
Thank you so much for this. There is too much contradicting information and so much that is confusing. Thank you for keeping things simple, straightforward and open!
I had to say goodbye to my animal familiar today…and I wanted some comfort in why i always thought of her as my ‘familiar’ in a positive, beautiful and connected way instead of the negative. Thank you for such a wonderful, thoughtful, and really perfect article. I had kitty for only 11 years, but I really do understand that i was hers and she was mine. And instinctively, I spent many, many lovely moments with her, where we just ‘were. Thank you, I am bereft, but I now feel a little more comfort and a lot of my kitty’s soul. Blessings to you.
I often wonder if the idea of a familiar was also part of the Viking belief system. Each Viking had an animal associated with them on a spiritual level – as a totem or a spirit-companion. It could protect them, help explain personality traits in the person, and also indicate a person’s weaknesses. Vikings did not just worship different gods, they had a complex system of physical vs. non-physical manifestations of their personalities.
“Humans have a need to explain things which cannot be explained, rather than just accept the obvious on its own merits. I have no doubt that Hannibal is more than a mere cat. … We don’t have to define that or explain it. I am his and he is mine, and we are friends. That’s really all I need to know about it.”
Love this, just two souls sharing their existences together.
Thank you for this piece.
Thirteen years ago I moved into my studio. I have watched the tree grow to it’s fullest and the birds that lay rest within it’s branches. Around 10 years ago a female dove befriended me. She would sit upon my sill and coo. He daughter 2nd generation guardian dove came around about 8 years ago and would spend hours with Magik Kitty. They were dear friends. Feb. 2015 a terrible freeze came. We lost heat in our building and I decided to close my window once heat was restored in case it happened again. Two afternoons prior Dovie came with a small one. She stayed for a long time deeply peering into my eyes. Then she was gone. When the ice melted sadly Dovie had not made it. A proper burial was given her. Baby Dovie came and cried her song. Weeks went by and I fed her. I never feed the doves only water but it was the deep of winter and Baby was left in my care. She never grew larger. I feed her sunflower seeds. She has a friend now. And Magik is also gone. Baby Dovie and Panther my rescued friend with paws spend hours together and I am blessed with the empathy of Baby Dovie as I am leaving my precious home and cry a lot. Baby cried and cried with me all day last week. I now keep as best I can my tears in check. Baby deserves a happy life. She comes for breakfast each morning and dinner in the evening. Panther makes sure 0735 and 1830 Baby Dovie has her meal of organic sunflower seeds. I have a friend that will be her keeper when we go. My neighbor sharing the fire escape will be given a note of this story of love in hopes to protect her always. She is special she could not grow up and needs a watcher. As her mother watched over me. Blessed be.
Beautiful story…heartbreaking.
Thank you for sharing.
Well wishes.
Blessed be.
Kat
I recently had to say goodbye to one of my animals, a chihuahua who I always felt a different, stronger connection with. I always thought of him as my familiar. He was such a kind, gentle soul. He always felt more ‘human’ to me than my other animals, all of which I love deeply, he was just different. I can’t wait to see him again 🙂
Completely identify with your story. Thank you for your uncomplicated writing.
When you shared about your kitty I thought of mine. My dear sister friend Shera is one of the best things that has ever happened to me. She is a beautiful soul inside and out. She recently showed me her protection of me. Another cat growled at me and she came running and did her thing. I am protective of her too; and she knows that. I love when she looks into my eyes. Occasionally I’ll give her a hug and she hugs me back. My heart feels an immense sense of joy that’s hard to describe. She is a gift beyond measure. I love sharing and doing life with her. My little seven pound wonder♡♡♡
I have never practiced any type of “magic” but on tv yesterday, I watched a show dealing with black magic, and decided to look up stuff on it just out of curiosity. Anyways, I was reading spells – and the one that stood out to me was congouring a cat familiar. I love cats, so had to type in what it was into Google. Ran into spooky things talking about demons until this article.
I just wanted to say this way very neat, and I enjoyed reading this – I’ve got a black cat and a calico, and my calico girl often reminds me of exactly what you wrote about. She seems more of human then any cat I’ve had in the past, and she often protects me. She is always by my side, day and night. Maybe she is one of these that you speak of, I don’t think of her as a demon . Or any cat in that case, all cats are precious.
The shamanic animal guides seem a natural extension of their corporeal counterparts. Any thoughts on the possibility that whichever animal someone’s familiar happens to be could be a designated corporeal member of that animal’s spiritual archetype?
When someone says they’ve been given a vision by Tiger or Swan or whichever? They’re referring to something that surpasses individuality.
Jungian psychology delves deeply into similar provinces of consciousness as those explored by shamans world wide. Which makes these experiences strangely divided between experience, results and the tenacious doubt of ‘What If?’.
Defining what Spirit is, what Mind is, etc… We can’t know these things with any certainty, of course. Opinion and perception do act as a bridge which connects us to discovery, though!
Thanks for the well written and perceptive article 🙂
I like your belief of “familiar animals” and that humans and animals can be “familiars” to each other. I’ve always believed in having a personal “animal spirit familiar”. Except that I have one for every direction, or element except metal. For instance: my water “animal” is a dolphin, my air is an owl, my earth is a black leopard, and my fire is a tiger. If it were possible, I’d choose a dragon as my metal–or at least a lizard. ;D So what do you think of having animal “spirit” familiars?
Whatever feels right to you IS right. Doesn’t matter if it’s been written down in a book somewhere.
Totally agree. That’s always been my understanding. If a teacher or guru says something I don’t just take it for granted I only take what resonates with my heart. That’s the force of belief I am creating my next business on. I don’t have much money but believe it needs to be done and if it’s meant to be I will be able to set it up. Love the St. Patrick’s day blog. Thankyou for sharing and can you add me to your list if there is one:-)
Thank you X’s 3 for your uncomplicated writing in such a complicated world. At my ripe old age of 57, this complicated Christian mom has decided to go on her own exploration that definitely doesn’t go along with what I’ve always been told. I’ve always been extra sensitive, been different, just not like other people, and so on and so on you get my drift. Which led me 2 this article finally! Everything that led to this article was getting so complicated I thought oh my gosh! Everything is about demons and cats and spells, which, I am very interested in the less evil stuff, don’t get me wrong. But, your article made sense and really touched my soul and it really made me feel good about how I feel about my beloved animals. I also have a special feeling about nature too. With that being said, thank you once again! okay,now on with my journey!!?!!
I’m glad if this helped in some small way. If I can offer any advice, it’d just be to go your own way. The only difference in your path and organized religion is that once upon a time someone wrote down their ideas about how things work, a lot of people agreed with it, and then it was suddenly a religion with rules. All religion really is, in my opinion, is one person stumbling across a Truth that resonates with them, and walking that path. And if they tell people about it, then you might establish a religion. But they all spring from the same source – human beings exploring. Don’t be afraid to walk your own path. 🙂
Hi I have a year old chihuahua and for the past week our neighbors directly downstairs have been praying and I hear them casting out daemons. I’ve even heard strange noises. My puppy has been acting different. Lathargic somewhat scared. Do you have any feedback? Thank you
The dog could be picking up on the spirits they are using. Ask them to stop politely- if they act like they don’t do it, ask them to stop becuase it’s loud.
If that doesn’t work, try cleansing the area with sage & herbs. Use salt water and scatter it/ spray it around your room/ near the neighbours’ apartment.
Also, get your dog checked at the vets! It could be nothing to do with the daemons (who are often harmless, it’s demons you must fear) and everything to do with a potential disease your dog has.
I,too, am a 58, a seeker on this wonderful journey which could have never happened 50 years ago. My animal familiar was Shadow. I still cry when I hear his name and/or miss him. He was my everything. Mornings were his,although he would lay in whatever room I was in.He would nap with me-right next to me. He talked and while I didn’t understand his language,nor did he know mine, we had deep conversations. He wanted to be with me and I with him
However, I have a question. Shadow would break my circle.he would just waltz in whenever. Any ideas,?
What a lovely piece of writing! I wanted to share a story with much less skill but direct relevance to your topic… The Finding of the Familiar
My wife and I walk a local trail that wanders through the woods and low hills.
One day, we arrived at the park’s entrance (no one else was around) and started walking towards the bridge that led to the trail.
Suddenly a tiny shadow appeared across the stream and started jogging along it.
We paused on the bridge and noticed him, at once concerned and excited – he was clearly a black kitten.
He basically bee-lined straight towards my wife. She picked him up and they hugged, instantly in love.
We continued our walk and he walked along side us, occasionally mewing to be picked up when he got tired.
There was a real feeling of magic in the air that morning and other things happened to reinforce that feeling as we honorably attempted to seek out a potential owner seeking their lost cat near by.
But he was certainly not lost, he was indeed found forever.
Thank you for this information. I have been curious about a kitten my husband brought home for me last month. I have another cat and a service dog. Despite my connection to the others (particularly my service dog) there is something different about the kitten. I was recently in the hospital and the night I got home my husband went to get me coffee from the same shop we go to at least twice a day. When he got there one of the employees was playing with the kitten. She said the cat just showed up and there were no others around. I have tried to convince my husband to take in almost every stray I’ve ever seen. He always responds with a firm no. But he said he felt like she was meant for me after he noticed we have the same unusual eye color and she has a peculiar spot on her neck which made him think of the rare birthmark on my arm. Plus she appeared randomly when i was sick and needed cheering up. I couldn’t believe he would take in a stray. But ge was right it does seem like she was meant for me.
I recently lost what I would call my ‘animal familiar’. I have been feeling terrible loss and pain and some guilt for not being able to ‘save’ her. I rescued her from a shelter in May of 1996. She was my constant companion. I know this sounds weird but there were times I felt we were connected and I always knew what she needed. I had her for the best 20 years and almost 2 months of my life! I am angry at myself for not realizing how sick she was until it was too late. By the time we got to the emergency vet and they took her in back they said she was gone. I wanted to be holding her. I didn’t want her to go alone. They left me in a room with her and I cried hysterically apologizing to her for not helping her sooner. I couldn’t stand to see her gone but it was so hard to leave her. They made me paw prints and gave me a little of her fur to keep. I wasnt ready to let her go and I’m still in pain over a month later. I was looking online hoping I would find information about what happens to animal spirits and would I feel her pressed against my leg at night anymore? I haven’t been able to sleep thru a night yet altho when she was alive she needed my constant care even thru the night. She had arthritis in her legs and couldn’t walk well but always made it to her box. She could no longer jump so I had to carry her up n down from the couch. She developed cataracts in one eye but she was almost 20 and I couldn’t afford her surgery. I have fallen on hard times. I lost my job, used my savings to keep a roof over our heads while I looked for work that hasn’t come. I had to move into a tiny hallway in a not very nice persons home temporarily until I could get back on my feet. She never liked this person and never left our little space. She would hiss if they tried to pet her and this person said I ‘made her too dependent on me and attached to me’. This is a person who 5 years ago told me to start preparing to lose her! >:/ Anyone who knows anything about cats knows you cannot ‘make’ them do anything. She was always there for me and so in the last year I was still there for her and more so. I hand fed her, gave her water (since she couldn’t see well I had to) I tried not to leave her unless I had to. When i did I was told she would always cry. Even when she was younger. It was always the 2 of us and we shared such an amazing bond! I never thought I would have that with an animal. Sometimes I think she hung in there because she knew I’d be a mess (like I am) without her. I talk to her at night especially around 3am in case her spirit is here. I wish I knew. I wish I knew how to move on. I am devastated and guilt ridden. I can’t even imagine replacing her or getting another cat again. I hope she knows how much I loved her. I’ve been searching online about animal spirits and like the OP wrote – I came across summoning spells and things about demons. Then I found your article by chance also. Thank you for sharing it. It gives me some comfort to think I may see her again one day. Maybe I need to grieve more, I had her for half of my life! She was part of me and we had an unbreakable bond that at times seemed almost human like. I will miss her terribly and try to learn how to go on without her. She was more than just a ‘pet’. Some people don’t understand why I am so upset. I just hope she forgives me for not taking her sooner. Maybe I could have saved her. That wasn’t how I wanted her to go, without me next to her. Maybe she knew I couldn’t handle watching. I don’t know… anyway, thank you for letting me share my story and get out some of my grief. It’s so consuming especially at night. I take comfort in your words and hope that I do see her again one day.
I know how you feel…I met my familiar in a strange way….It was nearing Chrismas I was around 12 back then, I remember wishing I had a guide and someone who I could rely on to make me feel better when I was down. A day before Chrismas I remember my mom and brother walking up to the door. As soon as they opened the door there was a blurr of black. When I turned around there stood a black cat with amazing really yellow eyes I named him shadow. My parents let me keep him and we bonded immediately. He seemed to sense whenever something was wrong. I remember one day I was in my room and shadow hopped onto my bed and he did not want to leave so I let him stay. Later on I started to feel nauseous and I got really sick and had to stay in bed for days. Shadow never left my side my parents had to force him off the bed so he could eat. A few days later I was finally able to stand shadow would look at me with almost cautious eyes. I know this sounds strange but I use to talk to shadow and I swear he understood because he would always look at me and not look away until I finished talking once again it may just be me. I spent a year of happiness with shadow but that happiness could never last when I found shadow dead he had blood so I new it was possibly the doing of a car. I felt devastated it felt like I lost one of my family members. I remember I spent the whole week depressed. I hope one day our souls can be reunited.
I recently lost what I would call my ‘animal familiar’. I’ve been feeling terrible loss, pain and some guilt for not being able to ‘save’ her. I rescued her from a shelter in May of 1996. She was my constant companion. I know this sounds crazy but there were times I felt we were connected. I always knew what she needed. I had her for the best 20 years and 2 months of my life! I am angry at myself for not realizing how sick she was until it was too late. By the time we got to the emergency vet, they took her in back and said she was gone. I broke down. I wanted to be holding her. I didn’t want her to go alone. They left me in a room with her. I cried hysterically apologizing to her for not helping her sooner. I couldn’t stand to see her gone. It was so hard to leave her. They made me paw prints and gave me a little of her fur to keep. I wasnt ready to let her go. I’m still in pain over a month later. I was looking online hoping I would find information about what happens to animal spirits. Would I feel her pressed against my leg at night anymore? I haven’t been able to sleep thru a night yet altho when she was alive she needed my constant care even thru the night. She had arthritis in her legs and couldn’t walk well but always made it to her box. She could no longer jump so I had to carry her up n down from the couch. She developed cataracts in one eye. I couldn’t afford surgery. I have fallen on hard times. I lost my job, used my savings to keep a roof over our heads while I looked for work that hasn’t come. I had to move into a tiny hallway in a not very nice persons home temporarily until I could get back on my feet. She never liked this person and never left our little space. She would hiss if they tried to pet her and this person said I ‘made her too dependent and attached to me’. This is a person who 5 years ago told me to start preparing to lose her! >:/ Anyone who knows anything about cats knows you cannot ‘make’ them do anything. She was always there for me and so in the last year I was still there for her and more so. I hand fed her, gave her water (since she couldn’t see well I had to) I tried not to leave her unless I had to. When i did I was told she would always cry. Even when she was younger. It was always the 2 of us.We shared such an amazing bond! I never thought I would have that with an animal. Sometimes I think she hung in there because she knew I’d be a mess (like I am)without her. I talk to her at night especially around 3am in case her spirit is here. I wish I knew. I wish I knew how to move on. I am devastated and guilt ridden. I can’t even imagine replacing her or getting another cat again. I hope she knows how much I loved her. I’ve been searching online about animal spirits and like the OP wrote – I came across summoning spells and things about demons. Then I found your article by chance. Thank you for sharing it. It gives me some comfort to think I may see her again one day. Maybe I need to grieve more, I had her for half of my life! She was part of me and we had an unbreakable bond that at times seemed almost human like. I miss her terribly. I don’t know how to live without her. She was more than just a ‘pet’. Some people don’t understand why I am so upset. I just pray she forgives me for not taking her sooner. Maybe I could have saved her. That wasn’t how I wanted her to go, without me next to her. Maybe she knew I couldn’t handle watching. I don’t know. Anyway, thank you for lettingme share my story and get out some of my grief. It’s so consuming especially at night. I take comfort in your words and hope that I do see her again one day.
I recently buried my familiar. He was by my side for 21 years and was my best friend. My love for him transcends time and space. I find it absurd that he isn’t here anymore. I don’t know if he has been with me before but I know that my soul is connected with his. My youngest child is 21, as was Dart (my cat). I was blessed and given such a gift when that little scrawny cat was brought to my door by some neighborhood kids. What a dance we shared. I love you little man, I think about you every day. My soul misses you.
I lost my familiar many years ago. His name is Shadow. He is a black, long-hair with deep green eyes and he and I are still intimately connected. I am crying as I write this though he passed to the spirit world more then 10 years ago. I still look for his physical presence, his purr, his look, his head “butt” to my soul. I have cats now and I love them dearly. All of them are adopted as was Shadow, but my current friends do not connect with my soul like Shadow did. Maybe someday, before I die, (I’m 58) shadow will help another soul friend/familiar come to me.
Thank you for sharing. I understand what you mean about how Shadow ‘connected to your soul’. That is how I felt with my cat. I cannot imagine getting another cat because she is irreplaceable. We had such a deep connection that I’ve never before experienced with a pet. (I am 47 and had other cats when I was younger.) It’s only been 2 1/2 months so it’s still so fresh after 20+ years together.
I hope that you can find that connection again one day with a familiar. I still can’t imagine having that again. She was with me close to half my life and was a comfort through many of my best and worst times. My heart is broken. I miss her terribly. Sometimes I feel that I should have seen it coming and I have tremendous guilt over that. It happened so fast. I was in such shock and pain. I just thought she had gotten sick when I brought her to the emergency vet… I am still having a hard time and sleep is impossible at night.I miss her head pressed against my leg and her little paws on top curled around it. She slept with me every night. I wish I could feel her again. 🙁
sending love xxxxxxx
I had a small Mai coon when I went to bed I would always leave my door cracked so that she can get in my room and in the morning when I left for school I would still leave my door open for her and she would always sleep on my bed while I was at school and when I came home I’d let her follow me in the garage to play video games and watch tv and when she got cold I’d cover her up in a blanket and when I was depressed she always made sure I was ok and I did the same… She was my baby girl.
I too lost my familiar, meeko, due to a treat recall I did not hear about until too late. But, I can proudly say my familiar found me again very fast in a kitten brought to me as a rescue from an unsafe house about two months after my meeko passed. I wasn’t ready for her but something in me was drawn to her. She is most certainly my meeko in another cat.
These stories really touched my heart. I’ve been struggling with how I identify, though I’ve been teaching my daughters about the Greek gods. Today, a pagan friend of mine came over and met my cats. There are four in the house. Two kittens. My mother in laws old cat, and my cat. My cat is very shy, and doesn’t come out if there are strangers. Ever, but today he did. As soon as my friend saw him, she called him a familiar. He was curious, even sniffed her hand, and watched her so intently.
I’m not familiar with familiars as I was raised in a strict Christian house, and have only recently found my own way. So I read some of these stories, and it made me realize how insane our story is.
I had been asking my husband for years for a cat, but the answer was always no. We had two dogs. Two kids. Too much to do. I had married into the dogs, and I wanted a cat of my own. I would ask, and he would say no, but one day, I just threw it out there, not expecting any different than usual, but he said sure. So I researched. I knew black cats were harder to adopt as we’re 6 month old cats and older, so I looked those those and picked a few out.
When we got to the adoption event, the others didn’t click, any my cat, he was a scrawny, ragged looking little kitten. A kitten so ugly that they were almost giving him away because people had bought out the other kittens and older cats first. I wasn’t sure at first, but I felt guilty. He needed a home, and I hadn’t bonded with my carefully selected black cats. So, we took him home. Named him Byron after the poet and started a process I refer to a spoiling him pretty.
Every night, slept next to me, and every day when I got home from work, he was waiting by withe door. He was always with me. As he got older and realized I would always be around, he got more independent, but he will always take my love. Even now. I have bipolar and chronic migraines. He always knows when I need him, and what to do to help. I haven’t even had him a year and already I feel like he’s a part of me.
I don’t know what having a familiar says about me. If it means I’m a with or what, but I don’t care. I’m just grateful to have him in my life.
I am truly grateful for this advance on familiars. Even as I write this, my two familiars Midnight & Twilight, scurry around my feet (they’re rats).
I was always drawn to animals as a child, and I formed an unlikely friendship with a chicken named Sky. Originally I was going to get a brown hen, but having not formed a liking to any of the chickens in the shop I was ready to leave. Then I saw her.
That girl caught my heart from the start. She was always there for me, in my most needed moments, and I was always there for her. When I needed courage, she gave me hers. When she fell ill, I nursed her. She laid her very first egg while I was holding her, and laid several more whilst in my grasp.
She died when a fox came into the garden. She died fighting the creature- it lost an eye to her that day.
I never held her back. I lay her deep underground and told her to be free, to go to the sky and wait for me. I loved her like a sister, and I feel she felt the same around me. She never ‘acted’ like a chicken. She wasn’t stupid.
Since then I have never met her again. I believe she took my words to heart and now waits for me in the sky. I have met many, many animals over my lifetime, with each I have a extremely powerful bond, but none are quite as strong as Sky.
I have a 24 years old cat I rescued at 3 weeks old. She shows no signs of old age other than fading yellow color (torti) . She doesn’t accept other people and only one very large black lab mix pup…they are best friends. I have friends and family that have never even seen her !
She is by my side ALWAYS unless someone comes to the door…she hides !
My Dad always said she had Devil eyes…golden.
I cannot bear the thought of not having her in my life. I have taken her simply EVERYWHERE with me…even on a mountain, off the grid in a tent 2 years ! Over 7 states ! Happy together!
Could she be my Familiar ? I am 70 years old.
Thank you for this post. It gives alot of straightforward information. I for one, am a HUGE animal lover and they tend to choose me,if that makes any sense. For instance, I was at the Humane Society 20+ years ago looking for a cat. I’m tall and my line of sight did not notice a flame tip Siamese until he reached out and grabbed my hand. He chose me and I brought Dante’ home. He was almost 20 when he passed a few years ago. Broke my heart. Another instance, I was looking for a new horse. A gentleman was selling all his horses due to illness, 40+. I was looking at a pretty little chestnut Arabian mare with flaxen mane and tail when something behind me pulled my ponytail. When I turned around I found a 3month old, mousy brown and white pinto filly. I petted her and walked away. I didn’t want a young horse so I continued on looking at some of the other horses. When I turned to go back to the barn that little filly was right behind me. She had followed me some 40 feet from her mother. I bought her on the spot because I feel she chose me. One last instance, this past Memorial Day, my husband and I were at the local winery. We went to leave and stopped to talk to a friend. I got that feeling like I was beginning watched. I turn around to find a little 4 week old orange tabby cat and in my head I hear “my name is Dexter”. I was stunned for a second then walked over picked Dexter up and asked the owner if they wanted to keep him. Well, he came home with me. I know to alot of people I must sound like a crazy person but I assure I’m not. These are just 3 examples of many.
i am a Grey witch and i lost my Familiar two days ago a week after my wedding to the most amazing husband dark wizard and a week before christmas Storm was taken way to soon from me, and the way she went is so brutial we live at a busy road.
she ran into the road which she never does and they rode over her multiple times when i saw her i was hysterical when she was in the cat hotel as i could not look after her for a while i would dream about her hearing her call me, i could feel it in my bones i need to get my Calico Tortoies shell back, i finally got her back she is so lovable always holding your hand when it is on her tummy, nudging my hand to rub her more she wanted love 24/7 she purred while i rubbed her, always was by me talking to me and never leaving my side. i am taking her death very bad it like she knew what i was thinking the whole time, there was nothing that could calm me but as soon as she was by me i became calm, when i got her back my heart was whole it was not empty. when i saw her lying there in pool of blood and all her insides lying out all i could think is she was hit and hoping mommy would help her but i did not know something happend to her, my whole world crashed at that moment my heart felt like someone had ripped it out. she was a cat but a child in a cats body i wish we had more time with her, we buried her and i have been burning a candle everyday since she passed, also when ever i did spells she was always there by me. as long as she was on my lap and getting alot of attention she was the happiest cat on earth, i see her and hear her i feel her by me since she left the world
Is she a familiar or a pet and I she is a familiar were u born with her our a god gave her to you
Awsome post. I’m lying down and Emi is sleeping on top of me resting in my belly. The name means: “heaven sent”.
She is s black cat with one white whisker… I found out my wife was into a death cult and after a car try to run me over, she left the next day. Then Emi appeared and she pulled me out of whatever it was that I was in.
She was outside in the street and she began stroking herself to my feet and legs. I said: I have to run some errands, if you are still herr when I get back, you will love with me” I went and did my groceries, came back and there she was waiting so I took her home.
I didnt believed in any of this before she arrived and after my wife set me up as a sacrifice.
I’m still here…jokes on her I guess…
I lost my familiar black cat Morpheus, on “easter sunday”. He was in pain, was 21 yrs old. He looked into my eyes, begging for his time here to be done. He was reduced to skin and bones.
I knew that a drive to the vets would provoke such fear and suffering… I chose to provide him a peaceful end, in the sunbeam, with me at his side.
It was the hardest thing I ever HAD to do, in a life of much difficulty.
I miss him terribly.
He never killed anything. The kill instinct did not exist in his kind soul. People who did not care for cats, or that we hadn’t seen in years asked about him, & really loved him.
He had a higher resonance, & love, higher conciousness than any feline I have ever met. My mother swore she saw him furrow his black “brows” the first time they met.
There was something almost human about him. I firmly believe he will evolve up in the energy/spirit realm, he earned that in his time here.
He was always by my side, or on me. My significant other lovingly called him my appendage.
I know we will meet again, even if only in energy, the ether.
My best friend forever.
I should add that part of my family has a history of being Italian gypsies that roamed the mountain range in Italy.
There is American indian tribe.
Also a direct descendant of “The Wickedest Pilgrim Father” who was executed.
I am a self described “natural witch”
Morpheus was at the door every time I came home.
When I felt threatened at home, he would sit in front of the front door and growl occasionally.
What an amazing friend!
I had a tabby named Scout for nine years. He wasn’t the first cat in our home, but unlike any other he immediately took to me and I him stronger then any had before. We were inseperable. Sadly, last August he succumbed to inoperable cancer.
Thank you for writing this!
I have been following my own spiritual path for quite some time, and I’ve always had an affinity for animals. Many times I have experienced bonds with friends and family members pets that typically show aggression towards everyone but their owners.
I have been fortunate in my life to have met several animals that display the type of intelligence and sort of otherworldliness.
The two that stand out the most are dogs I had at different times while I was growing up. My Rottweiler Babe was the first, and I loved that dog with everything in me! She was brilliant and kind and she looked after me and showed me such love. She passed away when I was 6 but I can still feel her from time to time.
The next was my little Jack Russel Jack, that dog was so much more than a dog. He was literally my best friend for 16 years. He had an understanding and intelligence about him that was truly wonderful. I recently had a reading at a local psychic fair, and the first thing that the woman said was that she saw a little white dog around me. I burst into tears, as she described my little Jackiepooh to a T, and she told me that he was truly an angelic spirit that was sent to me to teach me and guide me. Well that he did and I miss him very much. I don’t know that I’ll ever see him again in this life, but I truly hope that I do.
Currently my cat Fae is a familiar to me. Once I embraced my path I felt drawn to the idea of having a little kitty around but I never actually searched to get one. My best friend and I went to a honey festival with the intention of getting some great local honey and products that were made from it. As we were preparing to leave, a lady had pulled out a wagon full of kittens, they were all so cute but I was drawn to one. A little long hair tuxedo kitten with emerald green eyes walked right up to my hand and I’ve been in love ever since. I purchased a book about familiars and when I was reading about it I told her she needed to work on her familiar skills and laughed. She stood up from her post on the edge of my sofa, glared at me, sneezed at me and slowly strolled off with her tail straight up as if to say kiss my butt lol. She is my baby and I wouldn’t trade her for the world.
I don’t know about people who believe familiars are a tool for spell work, they obviously have no idea what it is to have a familiar in their lives.
I do believe that they are heaven sent to help us on our journey through this life. To give us love and support, and to give us someone to love and support. Partners.
Thank you!
I lost my ferret Lucy in a weird accident two years ago. She liked to slide down the back of the bed, and after making the bed one night I had pushed it too close to the wall. The next day when she was running around she slid down the back of the wall and the bed frame was only millimeters too close to the wall and she accidentally hung herself. She was my familiar. I had never felt such a strong connection with an animal. After putting intent into the universe that I wanted a ferret, a friend who originally owned her who could no longer care for her gave her to me. She would sleep with me, lay on me and take naps, she was quite calm with me (which ferrets are generally not calm creatures). I am wondering if someone could speak about dark energy taking our familiars away from us; how and why they could do this? I had very bad sleep paralysis and negative vibrations in the apartment that Lucy died in. There is a different energy in the new house that I live in, and odd things have happened, but the dreams have stopped since getting my cat Jasper.
Thank you for your positive but cheeky take on familiars! The archaic Christian info is a bit creepy.
As Halloween approaches (and because I have a black cat) I thought it might be cute to paint a sign with a black cat that says “familiars welcome” but it got me wondering what exactly might I be “welcoming” to my home!?
I am an amateur at practicing magic and often just do what feels right rather than following any special recipe. Something feels a little off about creating a sign that welcomes spirits… art in itself is something that take energy and creates a messages, much like a spell.
My black cat seems to know when I am practicing and joins me on her own accord more often than not. It gives me a very profound reassurance she is my familiar. So perhaps I should just be happy to have my own real Halloween cat and nix the “familiars welcome” decor. I hate the thought of welcoming in an unwanted spirit or demon. Thoughts? Advice?
I found my familiar in February. I moved to a new town three years ago and I’d never felt so lonely, until my family and I walked into a pet shop (we didn’t have any pets, my mother just wanted to see the animals) and saw the guinea pigs they had there. Usually I’d never consider buying from a shop, I’d always go for adoption, but I couldn’t resist this one guinea pig who was sitting on his own in the corner of the cage just glaring at everyone. My mother took a while to pick one for herself but for me it was instant.
Now he’ll happily cuddle up under my chin every night and tuck himself into my hoodie pocket, but he’ll never be so affectionate towards anyone else, and we formed a strong bond since day one. He knows when I’m sad and just need to cuddle, and he knows when to be cheeky and cheer me up. Every time I start to feel lonely he’ll climb up my arm and push his head against my face and try to tuck his whole body under my chin. I told the universe I needed a friend, now I have him and I couldn’t be happier with him.
My cat passed away tragically yesterday.Two mediums said he,was my familiar. All I know is he,was,special…and beautiful and Im not seeking knowledge about familiars
I lost my Familiar Sylvester many years ago and just 2 days ago my neighbor whom fosters ferals, i was drawn. Too his house only too find my Misty Blue Shes 5 month’s old and is indeed a very special kitty I feel we r meant too be in such a short time she. Is definitely my cat, my son and my 91 year old mother have both tried warming up too her, shes friendly as can be but continuously follows me everywhere and stays in my room At 54 Ive had many cats but Sylvester and now little Misty truely are my Familiars. Both talkers, cuddle bugs Im so happy I found her !! And finding this Article was the best i too googled familiars and read about demons No not my Misty Shes definitely. My witch cat though for sure Shes Special All black, even her whiskers ty again Blessed be )0(
I stumbled across this while reasearching familiars so thank you ! Im a baby witch trying to learn about this stuff because ive always believed my cat is my familiar ! My mom who has practiced witch craft in the past had a dream about me having a gray cat about 2 years ago. Now at that point i had legit been asking for a cat for about 13 years and she always said no. But this time she brought us to a ladies house where he was living. The lady told us to never to get love from him, or cuddles or any attention as ge was a mean cat. Then he came from no where and immediately rubbed agaisnt me.He follows me around like a shadow, he sitting here in the sunlight next to me as I type. Hes very quiet but has a wide range of facial expressions ( if that’s possible XD ). I wouldnt say hes very majestic as hes a exotic shorthair,has breathing problems, and never opens his eyes but hes been a comfort for me and seems like more than a cat. I might sound stupid when I say this but I feel like he can see the ghost in out house and puts a barrier between me and it.
I came here, because my cat of 15 years passed away in my lap today. Our bond was almost inexplicable, even “cat people” didn’t understand it. He was a skittish, angry cat. He hated everyone and everything from the time he was a kitten… Except me. His name was Poe. He loved me like I’ve never seen a cat love (besides one, that I’ll mention later). He spent his life on my lap. He knew when something was wrong with me and wouldn’t leave my side, even to eat. If we were moving, introducing him to new pets, or any manner of stressful experiences he would just look up from my lap with a watery eye and find his contentment. He put his life on the line numerous times attacking people or animals which threatened me, and even defended my husband when his dog attacked him. In his last moments, he ran across the floor, climbed on to my lap and looked up at me with that watery eye to say goodbye. Only one other cat, from my childhood ever seemed to really connect with me. She used to walk me to the bus stop every morning and be waiting there when I got off. She would stand guard at the foot of my bed, angrily hiding and growling at night things I didn’t see. She would follow me on every adventure and protect me from any threat, but she was hit by a car 2 years before I found Poe. While Poe was passing our newest kitten stayed near him/us. Then, within an hour of the burial this kitten (which had never sat on my lap or even acknowledged me at all) leaped into my lap. He sat in the crook of my arm while I walked around the house (just like my Poe used to). It was strange. Poe was sick for a long time and it felt like he waited until I had a new worthy protector. I can’t explain why, but it seemed felt very much like “passing the torch”.
TUXI Buddy : ( bye bye