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Witches' Familiars in Medieval Times and Today
Sep 13, 2010 Joy Richardson
Do you believe in magic? For thousands of years people have not only believed, but have asserted that magic would be impossible without a little help from their familiar.The spooky black cat may be the most common example of a witch's familiar. But neo-Pagans say their familiars offer emotional support and physical healing.
Animals are the oldest concept of the witches’ familiar. The most common types of familiars are cats, dogs, owls, and toads. However, familiars can also be mice, bats, or wolves, to name a few.
In medieval times, people thought that the familiars of witches were devils in disguise. The most popular concept of the familiar is the image of a spooky black cat.
Familiar Fear of the Middle Ages
During the Middle Ages ordinary house cats were regarded as diabolical beasts and as omens of evil. Superstitious people believed black cats could change shape and help perform spells for a witch.
Familiars were considered as dangerous as witches, as they looked like normal animals but could spy or wreak havoc without being easily detected. It was widely accepted that familiars behaved in unnatural ways and performed tasks such as running errands and bringing messages.
There were four methods believed to be used in obtaining familiars: by gift from the devil; by gift from a fellow-witch; by inheritance; by magical ceremonies. Of these, the second and third appear methods are thought to be confined to the domestic familiar.
Pet Ownership as ‘Proof’ of Witchcraft
In 1604, the Witchcraft Act was passed in England. The act made it a felony for anyone to associate with a witch. It was common practice to identify it as a familiar, to prove the person's guilt. Sometimes simply having a close animal companion, such as a cat or dog, was considered proof that a person was indeed a witch. A person accused of witchcraft could be sentenced to die if an unsuspecting animal made an appearance during a trial.
Animals were tortured and suffered along with their human counterparts. During the Salem witch trials in 1692, two dogs were tried, convicted and hanged for being a witch’s familiars.
Familiars Inspire Writers, Painters
Today, neo-Pagans believe familiars can help modern witches identify negative energy that may be present. It's also believed that a familiar can lend its energy to your purposes or rituals. Cats are still the most popular choice, but they are not always black.
Neo-Pagans say familiars can offer emotional support, physical healing, and special insight. Some believe a familiar can offer inspiration as a muse, to inspire writers and painters.
Usually you must ask a familiar to lend its energy, although sometimes it is given automatically, some say. It’s possible to seek a familiar through meditation, but most neo-Pagans do not believe that familiars can be summoned at will.
Sources:
Adler, Margot, Drawing Down the Moon, Beacon Press, Boston, 1979.
Sacred Texts.com “The Witch-Cult in Western Europe”, accessed on September 13, 2010
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