The Black Cat Conundrum: Familiars in Witchcraft
As sort of a precursor to this post, I would like to point out that yes, I do own a Black Cat. He’s maybe 20 lbs (really big…but not necessarily overweight…), and entirely black except for random hairs of white scattered throughout. Because of those white hairs, his name is Bubbles. It made sense to me when I was ten. I *also* have a gray tiger-kitty, he’s striped gray-white-black, his name is Bongo. I have a dog, who is probably the closest thing to a familiar, who is a doberman/german shepherd mutt of some sort, named Elvis. I have another dog, Winnie, who is as dumb as a pile of bricks, but lovable - she’s a lhasapu-beagle mix. We also have, caged, a leopard gecko named Caleb, and a cockatiel named Charlie.
As witches, or as pagans, or as any sane minded individual, we grow very easily attached to animals which sit with us at night, beg us for food, shit in our shoes, and are generally pains-in-the-butt whenever you don’t want them to be. My first ever online username, still used today in a lot of my endeavors, was petlover4life. I love and respect my animals, and what I have with them is a special connection. But what makes an animal more a familiar than a pet? I think it can be summed up in the level of “involved” that the animals get into your spiritual life.
Do they attend ritual with you? Or sit quietly outside the door, waiting for you to finish? Do they always stare at you knowingly? Or nudge you at just the right time during a meditation? Wake up in the middle of the night to patrol for things that you know only they can see? When you talk to them - do they answer back? Are they intelligent?
The funny thing about animals is that they don’t exist as we do. When we draw the magical circle and recite our words, and put our walls of energy up - our cats, and sometimes our dogs, can pass right through without disrupting the energy. This has been commented on by at least a few people I know, and I have seen it myself. Cats are known in Egypt as sacred - and they are meant to pass between the worlds with ease. Some Egyptians, as I’m sure you all know from history class, would even embalm their cats.
It is no wonder then, that you would choose an animal to help guide you between the worlds on your journeys as a witch. It is no wonder, also, then, that throughout common history up until recently, the monotheistic world decided it appropriate to change that which was most sacred - cat - into something most feared and, at times, despised.
Yet, you can’t just go out and buy a cat, or a dog, and expect them to be your companion in your endeavors. Some of my animals don’t fit the criteria to really be familiars. I think, in terms of finding a familiar, a kitten, or a puppy is probably most easy. You train them from early on to be your friend, and what to do around candles. Because, let’s be practical, no one wants to go to the vet with a singed animal and shrug, “They shouldn’t have touched the candles!” The rest - however far you take it - is up to your relationship with the animal. Out of my animals, only two of the four free-range are really in that sort of relationship with me to be considered familiars, or craft working partners.
It is much like working with a coven, or a partner in the craft: a fellow high priest or priestess. The bond that develops is one that cannot necessarily be described. Be warned, however: the deeper you love, the deeper you feel the loss - whether you are going on vacation, traveling away from home, or one of you is passing from this world into the next. Be warned, also, that many times, after a familiar has passed on, you will have recurring dreams of them. I still dream of my first close companions.
A familiar is not a demon rose up out of the ashes - at least in my experience. There is no bloody summoning ritual in Wicca to get an animal which you will control and bend to your whims. Perhaps you’ll find a cat, or a dog, someday, in the middle of nowhere, with no explanation or tags, and that animal will become your familiar. But I’m sure much of what we need by familiars can be fulfilled with a pet store, constant love, and affection, and careful meditation regarding the issues at hand.
Great! My cat IS a monotheist: in his opinion he himself is the only god in universe - or at least at our home. I noticed this when he startet to drink water from the calice on my altar. Finaly he broke the figurines of go and goddess by throwing them off the altar…
Hello I have a question. For the year and a half I have been followed by a raven. This creature has never been hostile, however the Raven does not get close to me. The Raven prefers to sit at a distance and watch me no matter what I do. The thing that scares me a little is that Ravens are a social bird, yet when I see the Raven He is always alone. I say I have been followed because it does not matter where i go I constantly see him. When I go on roadtrips I can see the Raven flying away from the car but in the direction I am going. The Raven always makes it to whereever I am going. The Raven even was with me during winter, a time when ravens and all the ravens in my area have left for warmer climates. My question is why does this Raven follow me, and what is it trying to teach or tell me?
Hi. Ravens are generally associated with the Mother Goddess’s crone form, Hecate - at least in my tradition. I know that in New York, where I live, there are often black birds - ravens and crows - which are present regardless of the season.
You say the creature is always there. Is it in collective reality? Do others see it? Or is it in your individual sight only?
My best advice to offer would be to meditate on the animal. Ask it to speak to you, to tell you what message it brings.
It may also be your totem - a signal of good luck, or that you’re along the correct path. I often see mine - a Red Tail Hawk - before I leave for any large trip or momentous occasion, as well as when I’m having an off day, or a really on day.
I hope that helps!
That interesting about them being there year round. When I say the creature is always there I mean that it is everywhere. Everyone can see him. When my girlfriend and I started dating she thought I was nuts, but now she wholeheartedly believes and finds it just a tad creepy that a “wild animal” in her eyes would follow just one person. Thank you for the advice I will have to try that if i can find a place to meditate. You are saying that it could be my totem; do totems usually pick the person? Your red-tailed hawk, when did you first start seeing it? Does the creature come to you if you call it? Is it a companion during rituals and other times of magick use? Did he/she have a message? If so what was it? Does it bring you new information constantly if you listen to him/her? I dont mean to pry. I have just seen this Raven of mine so long without contact that the bond you share with your Red-Tailed Hawk seems facinating, and I want to learn all I can about creature bonds.
Totems pick the person usually, yes - we don’t get to look through a book and go, “Ooh! A Dolphin! That’s my totem!” This isn’t to say you can’t have more than one totem.
The red tail I’ve been noticing all of my life, and it is always a memorable occasion. It is not always the same bird. The few times I’ve asked to see the animal, I do usually get positive results, whether it is seeing the animal or the remains of its last meal or a feather (lol).
I do not often see the Red Tail during rituals - but I have seen other animals during rituals - like coyotes - which hold significance as well.
Usually, the red tail speaks to me of comfort. But it also speaks to me of duty - where I am along the path and where I must go.
Treat the animal with respect - begin saying hello to it. If you like the animal, a way to keep it with you and open the lines of communication is to find out everything you can about it. What are its habits if its in a group? Begin decorating your surroundings with images - carvings, statues, pictures, computer desktop.
The more you immerse yourself in a totem’s imagery, the more you’ll get out of the connection.
[...] to our regularly scheduled program. By the way - there’s a discussion going on on the post: The Black Cat Conundrum which you may want to check [...]
are there instances of your familiar protecting you. Are they supposed too?
I wanted to know what do you do if a black cat pass you.
how do you make your unlucky back to normal.
Crowdel - I’m sure there are plenty of instances of your familiar protecting you. My dogs and cats both often stare, hair raised, at something I cannot see.
D - black represents mystery and the sacred, and cats represent the feminine and the sacred. Be thankful you have been blessed with the presence of such a wonderful companion, especially one as noble as a cat, to cross your path.
acutally, i am having a similar situation like that with the Raven.
For the past month I have seen this cat everywhere. I open my apartment door and he/she is there, i go to my car (which is never in the same spot, and I actually changed cars 2 weeks ago) and I see him or her. This happens almost every day. I feel like this cat has chosen me as an owner, and I have no say in the matter. Just yesterday I went to get into my car and he came up and started cuddling next to my feet and purring (not meowing). I looked at him and said, “pumpkin (my name for him cause he is light grey with orange spots) i need to get into my car” so he stops. and then he goes and sits behind my car. as if he doesn’t want me to leave!
I am not pagan (however, i am not close-minded and i am open to ideas), but my best friend is. she told me that I have a familiar. What do i do? What does this mean?
Well, it seems indeed that the cat has adopted you. I would suggest adopting the cat before it kills you while you sleep.
lol, cats are great companions, and regardless of spirituality, they often look at you in such a way that you can almost hear them speak to you. What do you think the cat wants to tell you?
Cats can be friends, they can be sisters and brothers, they can be children. If you’ve taken the time to search out a resource like this on the web, chances are that you have an idea of what the cat wants to tell you - you’re just not sure whether or not to accept the idea that the cat is talking to you, or the cat represents something in your spiritual path that you have to figure out.
Advice remains as ever: meditate on the cat. Spend time with the animal. If it doesn’t have an owner, maybe you should let it into your life. They make wonderful companions, feet warmers…lol
Is the cat perhaps representative of something else that is staring you in the face, but you are not letting into your life?
I hope I’ve helped a bit
you have helped a lot thank you…and randomly in the middle of the night last night -like 3 am-(while he was meowing loudly under my window, which is next to my bed) i grumbled, “samson, go away…i will feed you tomorrow.” the strangest part? he went away…i’m positive the cat is a he, and i have never-even thought of that name for him. and yet it came to me in my dead sleep.
everyone else in my life agrees with you, the cat has indeed chosen me. i am most likely adopting him this weekend or within the next week!
thanks for all your help, and i will still be visiting this page to hear other people’s updates too…