Worries about Familiars...

[Alanea]

Though I have always had a connection with my totem animal, I had never really felt the need to give it a lable, name, or seek it as a familiar. Until recently. I declared my spiritual path in October of last year. I've spent the time between now and then reading anything and everything I could get my hands on. It wasn't until around the beginning of January that I happened into a "New Age Gifts" store to sift through all of their bargain books. On the shelf was the book "The Witch's Familiar." I had been talking to a Wiccan friend of mine for at least a month by that point about wanting to know more about familiars, and here was this book!

I bought it and never looked back. (I also spent another $75 there on essentials...really! :halohead: )

After reading the book, (I figured I should read it completely before I did something I couldn't reverse), I started to worry. The use of seals and the possibility of something going very wrong scared me. I'm not very experienced in spellcasting...so I don't really trust my skills enough to invoke a familiar in this way. I've given it a lot of thought and meditation. I have been unknowingly collecting representations of my totem animal for years now (oil burners, statues, candles, jewelry, etc.)...and feel a lot of the time I have a deeper connection with it than I do with a lot of the people in my life. I know there is no requirement for a familiar, but I really think I'm meant to have one.

I know that I shouldn't proceed until I've gotten over this feeling of "What if I screw up?" Any advice?

[dragenfly]

I think above all you should always trust and listen to your insticts, if you feel you are still unprepared then you probably are, but remember you have to start somewhere. Keep it simple your first time keep your ritual and your words simple. You will build the skill as you go and just keep educating yourself on the matter its the best thing you can do. READ READ READ and ask questions a lot of questions and often. You will see your confidence building as you gain more knowledge. Dont be scared instead be cautious. Blessed Be x3

[Alanea]

I'm definately feeling a little better about it. Since my post I've done more reading on the subject. I was thinking that I would do a bit more spellcasting in general before I work on a ritual for a familiar...just to get my confidence up.

Thanks so much for the advice! :)

[Nepheria]

You don't need a spell to call forth your familiar. It can be as simple as calling the familiar forth in meditation or dreams. I've read most of the Raven Grimassi's 'The Witch's Familiar' and in all honesty, I've never applied any of it between Aradia (my snake) and I. I will not do any spells that are directed at her--She has a say so. If I was to do a binding spell between her and I, I would not feel it was right. If you're speaking about Astral Familiars, it sounds like you've already got one and all you need to do is reach out to it. Embrace it through meditation, not necessarily books.

A familiar isn't made, it just comes when it pleases to do such. Look into the energy around yourself, look into the animals around yourself--What sort of vibes are they presenting to you?

Blessings,
Nepheria.

[Alanea]

That's interesting because I was under the impression that I had to use the spells and seals in the book. I would actually be a lot more comfortable if I didn't have to.

As far as Kiba, I know he's always been there for me...watching over me. I suppose I was moreso confused about my next step. That will be something I'll have to meditate on. I'd like to think I shouldn't have to use seals or spells to be closer to him.

BB

[SacredWithin]

Though I have always had a connection with my totem animal, I had never really felt the need to give it a lable, name, or seek it as a familiar. Until recently. I declared my spiritual path in October of last year. I've spent the time between now and then reading anything and everything I could get my hands on. It wasn't until around the beginning of January that I happened into a "New Age Gifts" store to sift through all of their bargain books. On the shelf was the book "The Witch's Familiar." I had been talking to a Wiccan friend of mine for at least a month by that point about wanting to know more about familiars, and here was this book!

I bought it and never looked back. (I also spent another $75 there on essentials...really! :halohead: )

After reading the book, (I figured I should read it completely before I did something I couldn't reverse), I started to worry. The use of seals and the possibility of something going very wrong scared me. I'm not very experienced in spellcasting...so I don't really trust my skills enough to invoke a familiar in this way. I've given it a lot of thought and meditation. I have been unknowingly collecting representations of my totem animal for years now (oil burners, statues, candles, jewelry, etc.)...and feel a lot of the time I have a deeper connection with it than I do with a lot of the people in my life. I know there is no requirement for a familiar, but I really think I'm meant to have one.

I know that I shouldn't proceed until I've gotten over this feeling of "What if I screw up?" Any advice?


I've recently purchased that book about two months ago. I've read through it. When I buy books that I think will help me in my spirituality and if there are parts that I feel I am not ready for, then I don't do it. I too felt worried about all that stuff about the seals. So I told myself, if it is time for me to use it, then I will. But for now, simple communication such as mental communication with be fine enough for me. But others don't have such a calm approach as I do.

[raven grimassi]

On the shelf was the book "The Witch's Familiar." I had been talking to a Wiccan friend of mine for at least a month by that point about wanting to know more about familiars, and here was this book!

After reading the book, (I figured I should read it completely before I did something I couldn't reverse), I started to worry. The use of seals and the possibility of something going very wrong scared me. I'm not very experienced in spellcasting...so I don't really trust my skills enough to invoke a familiar in this way.

My book was intended to present an approach to working with familiar spirits in the manner of the old grimoires (and it is really more about spirits than it is about physical familiars). But there are many ways to work with familiars, and to gain a rapport with them. I simply offered one method.

And, for whatever comfort it may offer, I will say that in order to get into magical trouble, you have to have magical ability. It is a matter of proportion, and most people cannot get themselves into more than they have the ability to draw to themselves. Therefore, the same ability to get out of it is there as well. But in my book, because I am presenting magical tools that work by themselves, I felt a responsibility to stress caution, and to provide safeguards. I am sorry that this concerned you, as I only meant to keep people safe who use my methods in the book.

Best regards - Raven

[Alanea]

But in my book, because I am presenting magical tools that work by themselves, I felt a responsibility to stress caution, and to provide safeguards. I am sorry that this concerned you, as I only meant to keep people safe who use my methods in the book.


I think it's a great thing that the cautions were there. In my opinion, it's better to present everything, including what could go wrong, than to leave things out. The concern I feel has caused me to re-evaluate rushing into something I may not be ready for. All fears aside, I think your book was very infomative and I really enjoyed reading it.

I'm going to take it one day at a time. There's no rush. My familiar will always be there. :smile:

[Nemesis Descending]

I've read most of the Raven Grimassi's 'The Witch's Familiar' and in all honesty, I've never applied any of it between Aradia (my snake) and I. I will not do any spells that are directed at her--She has a say so. If I was to do a binding spell between her and I, I would not feel it was right.

Um..yeah, I can see by your comments that you didn't finish reading the book.

Grimassi makes it very clear that the relationship with a familiar is NOT one of master and servant. He states that it is one of mutual benefit. Grimassi also makes it clear that the type of "binding" he is talking about is the kind that helps spirit familiars to attach to a physical object so that they can remain in the material realm longer. The book is not about imposing your will over a familiar. You seem to imply otherwise, so I thought I would correct any misunderstandings.

In Her Service,
Nemesis Descending

[Nepheria]

Grimassi makes it very clear that the relationship with a familiar is NOT one of master and servant. He states that it is one of mutual benefit. Grimassi also makes it clear that the type of "binding" he is talking about is the kind that helps spirit familiars to attach to a physical object so that they can remain in the material realm longer. The book is not about imposing your will over a familiar. You seem to imply otherwise, so I thought I would correct any misunderstandings.

I know that. I wasn't meaning that his book implied 'control' or the 'Master/Servant' thing. I was simply stating that either way--I am not personally comfortable with that at *all*. It's a personal belief, and it's how I feel. My apologies if you misinterpreted what I had said (or if I didn't state as clearly what I was trying to say).

I wouldn't do a binding spell of any kind directed at anything, physically or metaphysically. It's where I stand, and how I feel, and I have my reasons for such. :)

Blessings,
Nepheria.

[lia_amberwolf]

okay... here's my idea on the whole subject... books are great and all, but they leave A-LOT out... wicca and witchcraft is by nature an oral tradition, passed on down the line... when you read a book the author leaves soooooo much out, that is part of "the mystery"... that keeps people who are not ready (and some that are not worthy) out of stuff they shouldn't be meddling with... the LAST thing you want to be getting into is Higher Magick without the proper training and information.

when it comes to farmiliars... they do not necessarily have to be your totem animal... or an animal at all... they can be something you made up! a creature of your own imagination. when it comes to invoking them... THAT is when you are getting into higher magick. and, personally, i still havn't gotten into that in my training, so i won't mess with it until im ready and i know much more. But, of course, that is just me.

-amber

[Nemesis Descending]

I wouldn't do a binding spell of any kind directed at anything, physically or metaphysically. It's where I stand, and how I feel, and I have my reasons for such.

I think the problem may be different definitions. Grimassi is talking about something more like a seat belt, and I think you're talking more about something like lashing someone to a mast. Huge difference.

In Her Service,
Nemesis Descending