Reposted from @eastandalchemy There are different theories on what makes an animal a familiar instead of a standard pet. 🦉 For me, I see the familiar as a spirit (housed in an animal body) that came here to work with us and assist in our spiritual progression and magickal endeavors. Which is a relationship that will likely look different for everyone. Some Witches tell me that one of their cats or dogs insists on sitting and watching their spells. Others say their animal has a fondness for crystals, plants, or certain ritual tools. 🪄 And in some cases, a familiar might speak to you. In the 90's and early 2000s sitcom, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Sabrina casts a spell that draws in perhaps the famous familiar ever--a black cat named Salem. Salem talks to Sabrina with words; there are no meows or purrs to translate, which seems to illustrate the easy flow of communication between a Witch and her familiar. On this week’s episode of Magick & Alchemy by @tamedwild, @k8belew and I discuss the history and lore of our magickal companions. We talk about the fear and stigma surrounding black animals (like the cat, raven, and spider), the unlikely relationship between the toad and the broom, and also the role of the snake, owl, goat, and dog in mythology and witchcraft. Even if you haven't had a chance to listen to the episode quite yet, I would love to hear YOUR theories about familiars. How do you communicate with them? Do you have any pop culture faves? Any preferred rituals to extend an invitation? 🐈‍⬛ As always, so grateful for @themoonincarolina for the vision and Julio Montero for the masterful edits. 🤍 📷: A few of my favorite campy, sassy Salem moments, all via Pinterest.

Reposted from @eastandalchemy There are different theories on what makes an animal a familiar instead of a standard pet. 🦉 For me, I see the familiar as a spirit (housed in an animal body) that came here to work with us and assist in our spiritual progression and magickal endeavors. Which is a relationship that will likely look different for everyone. Some Witches tell me that one of their cats or dogs insists on sitting and watching their spells. Others say their animal has a fondness for crystals, plants, or certain ritual tools. 🪄 And in some cases, a familiar might speak to you. In the 90's and early 2000s sitcom, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Sabrina casts a spell that draws in perhaps the famous familiar ever--a black cat named Salem. Salem talks to Sabrina with words; there are no meows or purrs to translate, which seems to illustrate the easy flow of communication between a Witch and her familiar. On this week’s episode of Magick & Alchemy by @tamedwild, @k8belew and I discuss the history and lore of our magickal companions. We talk about the fear and stigma surrounding black animals (like the cat, raven, and spider), the unlikely relationship between the toad and the broom, and also the role of the snake, owl, goat, and dog in mythology and witchcraft. Even if you haven't had a chance to listen to the episode quite yet, I would love to hear YOUR theories about familiars. How do you communicate with them? Do you have any pop culture faves? Any preferred rituals to extend an invitation? 🐈‍⬛ As always, so grateful for @themoonincarolina for the vision and Julio Montero for the masterful edits. 🤍 📷: A few of my favorite campy, sassy Salem moments, all via Pinterest. https://instagr.am/p/CV6W_sXNh7h/