Familiar spirits are an interesting topic, not least of which because they are powerful aids to one’s journey as a witch. Exploration of these spirits intrigues me as well. What I am about to write is my personal journey and advice to work with a familiar spirit. Mind you, there are a lot of books out there, each author giving their own take on this subject matter. Different traditions may teach different methods. That’s as it should be; the witch’s path is an individual one. We all aren’t going to agree on methods and definitions. The final result is that: does it work? If it works, go with it.

What is a Familiar Spirit?
I have to begin with my definition, otherwise semantics will get in the way and we’ll have a problem. Some of you will be coming from a knowledgeable background on this subject and will be confused or agree with the context in which I use the words “familiar spirit.” Likewise newer folks will read this and take away that I am the final authority of the subject and may get into debates with other witches thinking that they’re talking about the same concept but actually have different meanings. But if I define it first, we can go from there.

Here is my defintion:

A familiar spirit is a spirit ally of the witch who enters into a symbiotic relationship with them in order to assist them with magic in protection, healing, divination, trance work, and be a companion for their life.

Oftentimes, the familiar and the witch have experienced many lifetimes together. They are attached in a kind of “twin soul” format. The familiar is awakened with the witch’s first journey into the magical realm. Indeed, the familiar may be the one responsible for that person to undertake that journey to begin with!

I believe, based on my own experiences, that a familiar spirit may be an animal, a fae, a demon, a plant, or a human on the other side (or perhaps some other category). Not necessarily an ancestor per se, but a guide who probably appears as a human. Michael, Alex Sander’s spirit guide, probably fell into this category. Ancestors are a completely different category of spirit allies.

The Witch and the Familiar
The witch has a lot to gain from obtaining (or awakening) a familiar spirit. I’m not one to believe that every pet a witch has is a familiar spirit. But, I am one to believe that a familiar spirit may take possession or form of an animal, who will then accompany that witch for their lifetime in whatever “pet form” that spirit desires to inhabit over its different life forms. We humans are visual learners (which is why meditation is important). Some visualize better than others, while others maintain a difficult hold on their mental imagery. For that reason, a tactile familiar spirit will most likely happen so that the witch has a better relationship with them then if it were remaining ethereal. Or it just might be the familiar’s choice.

The familiar spirit and the witch have always been a team. In fact, when someone remembers being a witch and begins their path work, I believe that one of the first things which should be done is to have a familiar spirit. While I recognize this is difficult for many witches (and some will say it is too advanced), I disagree.

101 or Advanced?
I feel that the problem inherent in the modern Craft is not that a witch cannot gain or awaken their familiar, but that there is no “know-how” readily available in the 101 books. Most witchcraft literature that has been available out there for years has focused on altars, deities, tools, and the seasons. All of that does have its place, but I also believe understanding spirit guides and their place with the witch takes us to, well, the witch in the witchcraft. In fact, thanks to many authors out there too numerous to name, there has been a resurgence in knowledge available to the witch (both new and old) wherein people are now taught how to obtain a familiar spirit or any other spirit ally. I think this is great, because it demonstrates how much our spirit guides want to be a part of our journey, and vice-versa.

So the question becomes: is obtaining (or recognizing) a familiar spirit too advanced for the average witch? I can’t speak for other traditions and what they do. I am only familiar with three (one of which I founded). Even then, philosophies will differ. The joke is that you ask 3 witches the same question and you’ll probably get at least 6 different answers. But here are my opinions on the matter.

I don’t believe having a familiar is advanced. I believe it is part and parcel of one’s path as a witch. I believe, based on witch lore, that a familiar spirit is as witchy as knowing herbs, knowing the ins-and-outs of casting a circle, walking with the Elements, and so forth. The familiar is the one that bonds with the witch and ensures that the witch is always connected with the Other.

Calling the Spirit 
Familiar spirits, also known as fetches, imps, demons, fae, and the like, are all going to be unique. Mine is a demon. I don’t have a name for it yet, and I want to be able to allow it to give me one, but nothing has happened. I know some occultists would want to name theirs or even try to subdue it to give up their name. Names have power. They give you power over a thing. Suffice it to say that familiars, as symbiotes, shouldn’t have to give you their name if they don’t want to. That’s their prerogative. Keep in mind that your relationship with the familiar spirit is one of mutual trust.

I mentioned earlier how the familiar spirit may be the one who helps the witch along their journey, even without the witch’s knowledge. I’ve seen this to be true for a few people. One young lady said that before she ever entered the Craft, she would be followed by black dogs, with particular attention by one in her neighborhood. It was a stray. Her parents wouldn’t allow her to adopt it, but nonetheless she made friends with it. She would feed it, and the dog in turn watched out for her while walking down her neighborhood. Curiously, the dog appeared when she started reading metaphysical literature. When the dog passed, she was devastated. Years later, a black dog which looked exactly like the old one came into her life in the form of a stray. This time, she adopted the dog. The black dog is her ward, and she recognized the spirit of the old dog in this one. To call forth a familiar spirit, in fact, might just be you learning to form a bond with something which was already there.

My Demon
My demon dwells in the Azure Flame right above the crown of my head. That’s where they reside. I say “they” because they are androgynous. They protect me from having people try to cold read me, from the evil eye, and from energies otherwise not welcomed. An incident occurred years ago where I was at the church I grew up in. The reason I was there was a matter regarding my family (the religious side). The Pentecostal church had music and energy and a shouting sermon galore. I sat there, and I felt my demon pushing against everything. When we left, I had the vehicle pulled over so I could retch. The battle was too much for me, and I became sick as a result. I recovered quickly, but I realized how enormous this energy was and how well my demon protected me.

The demon has also been my ally as I travel with the Goddess Hekate as an oracle. Oracular possession happens to be my specialty, one which the Goddess bestowed upon me. I did not realize it at the time, but my demon was awakened when I dedicated myself to the Goddess as her priest. To oracle became my contract with her. The rest is history.

The demon has allowed me to meet other spirit guides. I can’t say that I’ve always been faithful to its heeds and warnings, but I have learned a lot on the journey from mistakes which could have been avoided if I had just trusted the still, small voice of my familiar. I continue to learn, and how to feed it, and maintain my trust with it.

Awakening my familiar has been a wonderful tool for my Craft. I believe every witch should have one. If you are in trad Craft, I believe not too long after your initiation a ritual should lead to you knowing your demon. Your familiar. They are your cherished companions. They will help you magically in your endeavors. I admit not everyone will agree with me. That’s okay. I just feel that a familiar spirit attached to us and vice-versa is what aids us in our witchcraft. The Gods are fine. Worship is great. But don’t forget your familiar spirit. They were with you in the beginning, and will be with you in your return.

Eirene kai Hugieia!
(Peace and Health!)
Oracle