Familiars

Dead 03/28/19

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Quick Info about Familiars

~ It is actually more common for witches to have humanoid Familiars with bestial traits in folklore ~

~ We all know the Black Cat stereotype? Well, there is actually more s of dog-shaped spirits as Familiars in folklore than cats. Turns out mans best friend is a witches best friend too ~

~ Familiars can and do leave. It is also normal for a witch to have more than one in a lifetime ~

~ Familiars are not predetermined in folklore like many theory behind things like spirit guides ~

~ Roles of Familiars include protection, spying, teaching, attacking, and aiding in spell work ~

~ Familiars expect reciprocity. Usually in the form of blood, energy, or a foothold ~

~ Despite the initial 'scratch my back and I'll scratch yours' relationship, witches can have very close relationships with their Familiars. It just usually isn't instantaneous ~

Thanks Stlene

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Check out the Wiki Below for a more in-depth look as well as sources!

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Sources

My sources are in the Wiki linked below. It features a more in-depth look at Familiars. As well as the modern concept of 'Magickal Pets', compare and contrast, how to get one of each, and some more general info.

Images

All gifs from Giphy

Stlene & Her Hair by me done in the ibisPaintx app

Background

Linked Wiki Entries

Familiars & Magickal Pets

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Comments (9)

Bird in the Tree

I mean if people believe that a familiar has a physical form it's not really your place to tell them they are wrong. There are just as many stories and sources which place familiars as spirits with a physical form. If you want to make the distinction between familiar and magickal pet, that's your choice. Just as it's anyone elses choice to use the term familiar in a different way. And the idea that familiars had physical forms isn't new either, at least as far back as the 1640's there was a common belief and superstition that pets could be familiars. Prince Rupert, a royalist commander during the English Civil war, was believed by the common folk to have a familiar in the form of his dog which followed him everywhere (even into battle). I mean most of the sources which describe familiars as spirits also state that they are demons, which specifically want their witches to deny the Christian god and tend to work for Satan. So shouldn't your descriptions be for demonic spirits who take the shape of animals? Or what about the descriptions of feeding the familiars from a third teat, or physically feeding them milk, bread and ale. There are many points you choose to ignore, so why tell others what they can and cannot ignore? It's fine if you want to use this as your definition, maybe less fine to force that opinion on others. It's a very subjective matter and one which I would say is far from having any correct answer, at least with the knowledge available to us.

1 Reply 03/29/19

Dead Author

The depictions of Familiars as physical involves the theory of possession of which I mention in the source material. Familiars are actually closer linked to Fae lore in the original folklore prior to witch hunts when paranoia and generally wanting their neighbours dead caused people to actively look for possibly possessed animals.

However, the point of this post is to be quick facts that act as a reminder of Familiars and a gateway, not the full scope. Hopefully leading one to the other post (and more sources/personal research) which then says why/what the distinction between a random animal/pet and a Familiar. Those things include a pact and a bunch of tasks of which a physical animal isn't capable. A Familiar in folklore is much less a type of spirit and more a role a spirit being can take. I even know of people that have ed pets as their Familiars in death. I specifically reference folklore because I am aware that the modern belief exists and I actually point to a modern concept that fits the modern belief of pets being connected to ones craft while not smothering the folklore behind Familiars.

3 Reply 03/29/19

Bird in the Tree

Reply to: Dead

My point is that they are not 'facts'. Emma Wilby makes associations between fairies and familiars in her book but it's hardly conclusive evidence. All of her sources are from the Witch Trials, so she's making assumptions from things that people said under distress or under torture. None of that is concrete enough evidence to call these ideas facts. Again, it's an opinion that has some backing but it's not enough to undermine other people's opinions.

0 Reply 03/29/19

Dead Author

Reply to: Bird in the Tree

It is not singularly Wilby that connects them to Fae lore but honestly, this is all moot as I don't state that they can't be physical. Just that they are distinctly different from physical pets and animals in their folklore with an emphasis on them being spirit beings. Now you are free to dislike my wording (I'll change the heading to 'info' since you don't like 'facts') anything you inferred from it, or whatever but honestly, I do not care. I never stated that the modern theory was wrong in this post and specifically state that I am talking their folklore in the other one with the conclusion being personal opinion where I specifically reference my feelings on the matter.

Now as lovely as I have found this conversation I have 8 am classes and it is nearing 11:30 pm where I live so I am turning my notifications off and leaving it that way until I get up in the morning. You can continue commenting if you want but it's not going to be a back and forth.

3 Reply 03/29/19

ThePsychicWidget

Would a house brownie be considered a familiar?

0 Reply 03/28/19

Dead Author

Familiars are significantly later in folklore and while usually tied to Fae folklore I would say no for 3 reasons.

1) the relationship is one of knowing reciprocity. Brownies in folklore ditch if they think they are being paid. You actively make a pact with a Familiar which isn't usually the case for Brownies.

2) a Familiar is tied to a person, not a household or location like a Brownie is.

3) Brownies range of tasks are centred around the home vs a Familiars tasks are more centred around a witches craft.

1 Reply 03/28/19

ThePsychicWidget

Reply to: Dead

Yeah that’s what I was thinking, although I had still heard some stuff about brownies and familiars that made me a little confused.

Thank-you for responding <3

1 Reply 03/28/19