Read our magickal #WiccanChat recap below, and feel like you were part of the magick! Follow us on Twitter, and be sure to join us on Twitter every Wednesday at 11am Central time! We cover a new Wiccan topic every week!

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Icebreaker: What was the first pet or entity that you claimed as your familiar?

Answers from the Wiccan Community: 

• “IB: I have always had an affinity with cats. Even ones that people said were dangerous or would attack people would just walk up to me and purr, allowing me to pet them and hold them. Even ones that were shy or afraid of people would walk up to me. #WiccaChat” – @CoreBelote
• “IB: I Think my cat George, I was the first one to see him born and he’s always been mine, he once watched me do a ritual then decided the chalice I used was a good water bowl. #WiccanChat” – @PaigeofMaces 
• “IB: my first familiar was my cat Yoda. I was 14. He said silky solid black.” – @skylee_sullivan

Q1: What is a familiar?

Answers from the Wiccan Community: 

• “A1: For me, it has two definitions. First, an animal with whom some part of my personality identifies, like Hawk or Dolphin. Second, a domesticated animal with whom I live and consider family. Of course, as an animist, I think of them all as family.” – @madrabanrion
  
• “A1: I like the definitions I see here and agree it can be any animal, reptile ect. I’ve just personally been drawn to cats in my everyday life. #WiccanChat” – @leAmazing_1

See all answers here!

Q2: How do you find a familiar? Do you find it? Does it find you?

Answers from the Wiccan Community: 

• “I think we all have various daimons attached to us… some ppl can see them, some cant. But we all have the ability if we open our ‘eyes’.” – @seanmacdhai 
• “A2: I never went out searching for my familiar. I was looking for a cat for myself but he became so much more. #WiccanChat” – @MysticShae 
• “A2: I feel like they find you. Even if it’s a Pet you select, your spirit recognizes his spirit and you connect at that moment. #WiccanChat” –  @skylee_sullivan

See all answers here!

Q3: How do you know when an animal or pet is your familiar?

Answers from the Wiccan Community: 

• “A3. Its a deep connection that you share. Like your souls are connected an unbreakable bond. You can talk to them in your head and they listen. They know when your sad, happy, or in danger with out seeing you. They love you endlessly. #WiccanChat” – Secret Account
• “A3: When I started dating my boyfriend, his beautiful black cat bonded to me instantly after being described as standoffish. When they both moved in, my home felt complete. I feel and understand her energy we both know how to comfort each other #WiccanChat” – @JuliaCostumia

See all answers here!

Q4: Does a familiar have to be a cat or domesticated animal?

Answers from the Wiccan Community: 

• “A4: No way! Especially considering the same animals aren’t domesticated or even found everywhere! It’s more about souls and species :)” – @FatFemnistWitch
• “A4: I dont think so at all. If you look at historical Witchcraft, familiars were often spirits. And real animals could also be frogs, lizards, and snakes. — Check out “Cunning Folk and Familiar Spirits” by Emma Wilby for some really good academic examples. #WiccanChat” – @seanmacdhai 
• “A4: I don’t think so at all. I wish I could choose a unicorn as mine. But I doubt my boy would like that. But in all honestly I don’t think it needs to be a domesticated animal at all. #WiccanChat” – @MysticShae 

See all answers here!

Q5: Are regular cats often confused with familiars?

Answers from the Wiccan Community: 

• “A5: I think its one of those stereotypes that have stuck. Cats and humans have a long history together, almost as old as humans and dogs. Which is odd that dogs are rarely associated with witches. I guess dogs are just too domesticated? #WiccanChat” – @PaigeofMaces 
• “A5: Historically? All the time! “She has a familiar” was sometimes cited as evidence that a woman was a witch! It is less common now, though. #wiccanchat” – @futharkvillage
• “Yes, exactly! In America in the 18th century, people were accused of being a witch if they had goats or rabbits with weird markings, since they must be familiars! Interesting that familiars were often common animals that anyone could own. Made it easier to accuse the innocent.” – @seanmacdhai

See all answers here!

Q6: How can we safely include non-familiar pets in our magick?

Answers from the Wiccan Community: 

• “A6. I include my Spiritual familiar in multiple ways. He is for protection. Both physical and spiritually. So that being said he travels with my when I Astral Travel both in the physical world and spirit world. And he protects me during my spells. #WiccanChat” – Secret Account
• “A6: When in doubt, ASK the animal if they want to participate. Never force them toward flame, food, or oils. If they are curious, protect them from harm if they get too close. Clean up after the magick, whether indoors or out, to ensure the health & safety of the natural environ.” – @madrabanrion
• “A6: Use heavier candles than you think you need. Put them in heavy candle holders. Put them on heavy tables. Put them in heavy cauldrons. Familiars can be taught to help us in our magic, but they are still animals, and still sometimes knock things over. #wiccanchat” – @futharkvillage

See all answers here!

 

Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with us! If you missed it, we look forward to seeing you next Wednesday!

Have any comments or answers to these questions? Leave a comment below!