witches, wiccan, druids, and pagans!?

Question

do you have a *familiar* if so how did you get it and what is it's purpose with you and the craft? i just got one a few minutes ago but i dont know about it do you think i might make it mad, doubting it i mean?

Answer 1

Animal Totems, Familiars, Power Animals, Spirit Guides and more…
What are they, is there a difference?

There can be a lot of confusion about what the above words mean, and what the difference between them may be. I’ve found that a there can also be a lot of debate over this. I have broken it down according to my own studies and opinion, anyone is welcome to disagree or add to this explanation.
Amimal guides, Totems and the like are and are not “traditionally” part of the Wiccan or Witchcraft Traditions. I am not trying to be confusing here, some Witches work with them and some don't. Personally I feel that those who do not are truly missing out on a wonderful experience and not meeting their full potential. Most commonly they are deeply ingrained in the history of Native Americans, Shamans and other tribal organizations and traditions, but developing a close relationship with such energy is also of benefit to any Witch.

Familiar
This word is believed to come from an Olde English or European context, probably what the old Celts, Druids, and peoples of Europe and Great Britain, once called animal spirit guides. Over the centuries, is has come more to mean a actual animal, usually the family pet, who acts as a helper and guide with magical works. Generally when this word is used, that is what is meant, a real animal that lives in the Physical World. Sometimes, this word is used more for a Spiritual animal that is not a being in the Physical realm. I find the double usage to be confusing, and prefer using it only to mean the pet or critter that lives with you and may join you in your Circle at home.
Often a person's "pet" that has a very close connection with them is considered a familiar. They tend to be very individualized, addressed with personal names, like “Fluffy”, rather than as "Cat" or "Raven Spirit."
The biggest misconception is that your familiar must be a cat, or even more stereotypically, a black cat. Any animal of any species can present itself as your familiar. In fact, the form your familiar chooses to take may be a message in itself, and may be completely unexpected. A familiar may arrive in the form of a family pet, but they should not be treated that simply. They are independent spirits that must be respected and honoured.
Familiars can fill many different roles in your life, including that of teacher, friend, healer or assistant. Familiars tend to be viewed as involved with witchcraft and magical circles, in fact, they are said to heighten the energy of a circle. You will develop a strong psychic bond with your companion, and he/she/it will likely show a clear interest in your ritual work. I can't really go into too much detail on how a familiar might become part of your life, or how it may assist you with your spiritual growth. Each person’s relationship with his or her familiar is special, unique and individual.
Sometimes you need to search out your familiar, but other times they will find you. You cannot summon a familiar but you can invite one. Meditation or scrying are two methods that may help you locate your animal companion. They may arrive in your life when you call, or just when you are in need of them. The flip side to that is that they can also disappear from your life if you no longer need their help or guidance. I would say that most familiars stay with a person for a good many years, typically the life span of their animal hosts. But don't be surprised if they move on unexpectedly.
During the Burning Times, animal familiars played a sizable role in the prosecution of 'witches'. It was believed at the time that all witches had an animal companion, which was really a demon in physical form. Seeing an animal in relationship with an accused individual would often be considered evidence to their witchery. Even something as meaningless as a mouse or fly in their jail cell. Even today, many non-Pagans who don't understand our beliefs consider any Pagan's animal companion to be an evil spirit in disguise.

Animal Totem
The term Totem has been borrowed and slightly adapted from the Native Americans by New Agers, witches, modern Shamans and the like.
Native American and Celtic shamanistic beliefs are strong on animal symbols. These symbols are referred to as "totem animals" or "power animals." You'll often hear the two referred to synonymously, but those that follow traditional Native beliefs explain that a Totem Animal is one that is with you for life, often an animal with whom you share a connection, either through interest in the animal or your resemblance to or shared characteristics of the animal in question. A Power Animal or spirit animal is a spirit in animal form that comes through with a specific lesson for you, and will change throughout the course of your life.
Totem animals are connected with shamanic teachings. They tend to be viewed more formally than familiars. They are often addressed as "Wolf" or "Bear Sprit" with physical wolves and bears seen as manifestations of the singular wolf or bear spirit.
We each come into this world accompanied by an animal spirit - a significant indicator of our personal power - that walks with us on our soul journey through space and time. These Animal Spirit Guides are very personal totems since they strongly reflect our inner spiritual nature.
One could have several of these Totems since they guide us along our path and give us courage and strength in our journey. I have heard that you can only have one as well, different Trads for different folks, I guess. In some Traditions, you have nine Animal Totems, these animals are found in 7 directions around your spirit: East, South, West, and North, Above, Below and Within. The last two animals are walking beside you at all times; your Right Side (male) and your Left Side (feminine).
These animal beings may be any type of animal: of the Earth, of the Sea, of the Air, extinct in this realm, seemingly "mythological" etc., though they generally are not insects or domesticated animals. Though a Totem animal can have a distinct gender, age and personality, it is representative of the entire genus or species. For example, if your animal Totem happens to be Bear, the spiritual power and guidance comes not only from that one specific bear, but also from the entire genus or species of Bear. Also, there is no hierarchy of power animals. No particular animal is more power-full or more beneficial than another.
Totem Animals are only helpful and never bring harm, no matter how fiercely they may present themselves. They are here to help us. Though your Totem is available to help you in times of crisis, illness and/or danger, they can also offer guidance and support in your day-to-day life. Totem animals often awaken our creativity as well as the ability to perceive the beauty and magic that surrounds us. Shamans may call upon their Totem animal(s) for many reasons: in the diagnosis of an illness, to assist the shaman in spiritual journeys through other realms of reality, to bring power to a ceremony or to provide needed information and teaching.
Calling upon your Totem animal can be as simple or as elaborate as you want. However, the most important ingredient is your intent and focus. You can call out with your voice or quietly in your heart. You can simply repeat its name or recite many beautiful words of welcome. Whatever you do, be sincere and not frivolous in your request.
In building a relationship with your Totem animal, it is also beneficial and important to often honor your animal in some way. Once again, this can be as simple or elaborate as you want. In general, gifting the animal with your attention is a way to honor and respect it. The simple act of silently greeting your animal in the morning as you wake and, for a few moments, opening yourself to being receptive to any information your animal may have for you can be a transformative experience.
Giving thanks to the animal for Big Dreams you may have, drawing or creating images of the animal as well as physically exercising your animal by inviting it into your body as you hike or swim are also ways to honor your animal Totem. In this way, the Totem animal has the pleasure of experiencing the material world. It is important that the animal feel welcome and appreciated. Shamans often honor their animal allies by singing of the animal and\or inviting the animal into their body and dancing the animal. This is not mere imitation, but transformation.

Power Animal
Let us examine the title "power animal."
The word "power" has a number of meanings. It can be defined as "an energizing force"--like nuclear power. Power can also mean "to have control over" or "to exert mastery." Another meaning is "authority to govern."
There is a further definition, however: "the ability to perform work." This is the definition that applies to power animals and to Shamanics. Power--shamanic power--is an ability to perform specific work! Now let us examine the word "animal." According to dictionary definitions, an animal is "an intelligent creature that possesses life, sensation, and the power of voluntary motion."
A power animal is an energy-pattern--or energy-system--that appears in animal form and possesses sensation and the power of voluntary movement to carry out its inherent ability to perform the specific work it characterizes. A power animal is the very energy-pattern of ability or abilities that the animal form characterizes!
According to shamanic understanding, we each have a number of power animals, for they are patterns of natural abilities and potentials that are inherent within us. A principal power animal is one that has prominence. They may appear at separate times throughout your life or perhaps alternating in appearances, all to teach us lessons we need to learn. This could be viewed as a hierarchy of Power Animals: from everyday spirit They are helpers/reminders to "mother-father" type figures in the spirit realm who guide, watch over and train us throughout our lives.
Witches and Shamans cannot always work with physical familiars due to many reasons. Perhaps the most common one will be space limitation. Let's face it, who can keep a tiger in his/her house? Therefore, many witches work with their totem animals in the Astral/Upper Realm or the Lower/Under World.
Power Animals are not specific animals but mystical powers. Power Animals are sought in trance, during a Shamanic Journey into another Realm. Witches choose those animals that closely represent their higher selves. In other words, Power Animals are chosen by their affinity to the witch, or the witches need at the time.
For example, a witch may choose the animal that lends to a specific kind of magick. Maybe the spell needs some "medicine" from the Snake. Some animals are associated with the quarters. Sometimes these energies are activated with the quarter calls. Power animals are great advisers. So if you are confused about something, call the Wolf!
The Shaman or witch to help them during a particular situation in the Astral/Upper realm, or the Lower Realm/Underworld calls upon power Animals. They are different from Totem Animals in that they usually come only when needed and then go away again.
A Power Animal is not an external entity that can somehow take possession of you. You possess it, for it is an internal energy-pattern that has attributes similar to the animal species it characterizes.

Animal Ally or Animal Guide
Any of the above.

Spirit Guide
Spirit guide is an even more general term than animal guide. It can be used to encompass totem spirits, familiars, animal guides and other various and sundry spirits such as "ghosts" and "angels." Basically any non-physical creature that serves as a protector and guide can be called a spirit guide.
Spirit Guides are entities - physical and non-physical - who have chosen to aid others on the path to spiritual enlightenment, as we are about to ascend to higher light -the evolution of consciousness - our natural state of being. Many spirit guides have had incarnations on the physical plane, as well as other realms. They, like you, exist multidimensionally.
As they exist in higher frequency - they are beings of light that may, or may not, physically appear to you in humanoid form or another know form, such as animal, so you mind can conceptualize them better.
Spirit guides 'speak' to you in many ways. Sometimes they are the little voice you hear in your head - your thoughts.
Often times they speak to you in dream state, meditation, altered states of consciousness, through the synchronistic things that occur in your life, through, art, music, dance, or acting.
If they really want to make a point they will create a synchronicity in your life so you will sit up and take notice. Synchronicities, in general, are experiences created by your soul to bring you into greater awareness of what is occurring in your life.
YOU and/or your spirit guides create the synchronicity in a higher realm - then you manifest it in third dimension. If you meet someone by accident - it is because your soul and theirs has made a decision to meet. There are no accidents. Everything is part of a giant web - sacred geometric blueprint.
Spirit guides travel interdimensionally as they have no physical form.
We are more aware of meeting them when we sleep. At that time we remove our consciousness from third dimension - moving to faster moving frequency - faster than the speed of light to connect with that other realms of existence.
It is here that we work with our spirit guides and plan what we will do in the physical realms when we return to 'wakefulness' - place our conscious mind back in our physical bodies - when we get up. Some seem dreamtime as Real Time - as that is where the true decisions are made. In third dimension we play out the events - hence this is dreamtime.

Guardians
In Wicca, guardians known as Watchtowers are called. These guardians are held hostage in each of the four corners or directions of the circle: East, South, West, and North. They are set there to guard and protect the circle. The origin of the Watchtowers lies in Cabalistic magick, and thus demonstrates the roots of Wicca in the OTO. This calling of the Watchtowers usually takes place during what is known in Wicca as "Calling the Quarters."
Traditional Witchcraft does not utilize the calling of Watchtowers; it does however, call Guardians. These Guardians are often the spirits with whom a person feels comfortable with and has developed some form of a relationship with. Possible guardians might be one of the Ancestors, a "spirit guide," or other spiritual entity with which the person is familiar.
Some traditions call guardians, whereas others do not. Guardians are often called to protect the sacred area. As many traditions do not have specific boundaries for their sacred area, the guardians can roam the area freely and protect the area from unwanted influences. In general, they are not necessary, but still a good idea.
Guardians can be spirits of the land or Ancestors that the Witch has communicated with or worked with in the past, and whom they know wish to assist and participate in their work. Others will call on spirit guides to act as Guardians. Not all Traditional Witches use Guardians, but those that do choose who they will call on very carefully.
Many people that work in systems other than Wicca who do not have things such as the Watchtowers, view the calling of the Watchtowers to be on par with holding the entities hostage for the ritual because of the way that they are often summoned of "commanded" to be part of the circle and not asked or communicated with previously. In ritual work with the Traditional Witch, there is often no set boundary for the work area, so the spirits and Guardians that are called on for ritual are allowed to roam freely around the person rather than reside in one specific spot.

Household Guardians
The idea of every household having a guardian spirit came from mostly European belief. The household guardian is a spirit sent to protect the home and it's occupants. A guardian will watch over the assigned house for as long as it stands. When people move out, the guardian most often does not follow them to their new home but stays with the house and begins to watch over the new family that has moved in.
Household guardians are thought of as spirits, ghosts, fairies, and even in some cultures as gods. They are thought to live in evergreen trees in the yard, under the porch, in cupboards or under appliances. However, the favourite spot for the household guardian to reside is reportedly under the stove. This is believed as there is always a stash of missing items hidden there thought to be collected by the guardian and also because it is a dark, warm, and a secluded part of the home.
The guardians can be male or female but the most common form is a kindly elderly lady. They appear to dislike loud, violent people and detest the lazy. It is said that they bring bad luck to the residence of the house who are violent and that cause pain and trouble to others. They are also known to pinch or scratch the lazy individuals in hopes of getting them motivated to get up and get something done. If you ever see a bruise or a scratch on yourself and you have no idea where it came from, chances are it is your house guardian trying to tell you to get some task done that you have been neglecting. They are also said to help keep the home tidy, the houseplants healthy, and the children and pets safe and happy.
It is reported that the guardian will alert the occupants of the home to danger by vocalizing, banging, or getting their attention in some other way. She/he will also protect your children and gently watch over them while they sleep. It is said however that if the children have neglectful or lazy parents, the guardian will tickle the feet of the children as to wake them up at night to create a hard night for their parents.
If you wish to please your household guardian try placing a crust of bread under your stove and ask him/her to stay as long as they choose and to watch over your family with a loving heart. Every so often offer a treat to him/her by placing a bowl of cream, honey, or some bread on the counter, overnight. Play soothing or lively music in the home to please and to entertain the house guardian as well. Make sure that you place plants and flowers in your home in every room, if you can, to make your guardian feel comfortable and welcome.
If you wish to acquire a household guardian place a bowl of honey, and milk on your doorstep and say something like, "dear house spirit, please come into my home and make it yours too. Bless this home and all who enter it. Be welcome here." It is also said that hanging cloths outside on a clothesline will attract them or leaving your shoes outside overnight will attract them as well.
It is wise when moving into a new home to always give an offering to the house guardian of honey, flowers, incense, or similar and to ask that they stay and become part of the new household. Burn purifying incense and light a blue candle to ensure a peaceful start to your life in your new home with its guardian spirit.
Sometimes, objects and plants and such will take one the role of a household guardian, or perhaps to put it better, as household guardian will choose to reside within a household item, such as the tree out front.

Animal Magic
Animal magick is the use of an animal for its symbolism and energies. Much like using a certain color candle for a spell, one may place a picture or carving of an owl upon the altar during a spell asking for wisdom.


By Juniper

Sources: Michael Harner’s “The Way of the Shaman”, About.com, geocities.com, Author Kenneth Meadows, altnature.com, Pine Siskin, “Fire in the Head: Shamanism and the Celtic Spirit” by Tom Cowan

Answer 2

No. Pagan refers to anything that does not follow main stream religion. So if you believe in a Divine Feminine, energy from Source, multiple aspects of God you're considered a pagan. As for the familiar it only has the power you attribute to it, just like prayer, meditation, smudging and any other ritual.

Answer 3

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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For the Linux distribution, see Familiar Linux.
In early modern English witchcraft, a familiar spirit, commonly called familiar (from Middle English familiar, related to family) or imp is a spirit who obeys a witch, conjurer, or other users of the supernatural, and serves and helps that person. Although they may not be as intelligent as their masters, they are often as intelligent as the average human. Familiars often perform domestic duties and help in farming, but also aid the person in bewitching people. If they look like ordinary animals, they can be used to spy on their masters' enemies. These spirits are also said to be able to inspire artists and writers (compare with muses). Some reclusive wizards rely on familiars as their closest friends.

Familiars were mentioned in Shakespeare's Macbeth, as the witches called their familiars. Many other works have utilized familiars. The most common species identified as familiars are cats, particularly black cats, owls, dogs, and sometimes frogs or toads. In later cases, familiars moved to more ethereal forms, often taking the shape of a "black man" thought to be representative of Satan.

Familiars are an identifying characteristic of early modern English witchcraft, and serve as one feature setting it apart from continental or New World witch crafts.

Familiars are generally animals or such beings. They usually have some magical power, or are simply there to advance the story. In many modern fantasy stories, a magician's familiar is a magical creature, such as Vlad's flying lizardlike familiar, Loiosh, in Steven Brust's Vlad Taltos series. Furthermore, in many cases the power of the familiar is directly proportional to the power of the magician. The form taken by the familiar is also influenced by the personality of its master as in the His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman, though the comparison is not perfect, the nature of Pullman's dæmons being dissimilar from standard notions of a familiar. The relationships between familiars and their masters vary by story. Some familiars do not have free will and are nothing more than tools of their masters while others are willing servants who can make their own decisions and would leave their masters if mistreated.

Familiar spirits are referenced in the Bible: "A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be upon them." Lev. 20:27, KJV.

Answer 4

I don't have one, though in Asatru people are encouraged to seek out their personal flygia (totem spirit...sort of like a familar but not quite). Familiars are supposed to help enhance your practice by being a combination of guide and assistant. If you don't want to make it mad, simply try to involve it more in your ritual work and such. Listen to it, watch it.

Answer 5

I never got issued a familiar I ended up with kids.

Answer 6

sorry i don't have a familiar

Answer 7

Your dealing with evil. Just so you know.