Common Familiars Who Help Witches Do Magic

by Amreen in Paranormal, April 6, 2009

A ‘familiar’ or as it should be known a ‘familiar spirit’, was believed to be a form of spirit which either took the form of an animal of inhabited the body of an animal. Familiars were said to be given to the witches by the devil or by other witches. They were believed to help assist witches in their activities. People even believed that the familiar was the source of the witches power.

Here are some of the most common familiars:

Cats

In ancient Egypt cats were regarded as holy and in other cultures they were seen as being psychic. Either they were the bringers of good fortune or bad luck/evil omen.

Black cats in particular were often seen as evil. Maybe because in the dark it is very difficult to see them thus giving the black cat a mysterious reputation.

During the Middle Ages in Europe many women who were spinsters and living alone were accused of witchcraft. Many of these women kept cats as pets for company. As cats were sometimes seen as psychic this was seen as enough basis to ‘prove’ that the woman was a witch.

Toads

Toads were said to be the preferred shape of the devil and his demons and which is why they were the most popular of all familiars. Sometimes the devil himself would appear to the witches in the shape of a toad. Witches would kiss the toad’s mouth.

Ravens

Ravens in many cultures are thought to bring bad luck and associated with death. Ravens are said to be shape shifters and humans are sometimes changed into ravens by a curse.