Question about familiars

[buckettgirl]

I became Pagan about 6 years ago after reading and searching for about 3 years prior to that.
I am well read on religious aspects/deities/nature etc. However, I haven't done too much reading yet on magic, spells, familiars, casting circles, etc etc.
My question is: how do I know if *our* cat is my familiar, or if she is my husband's, or if she is just another cat?
I found her as a stray, showed her to my husband and he agreed we would keep her if she stayed. Well, I am allergic to cats (saliva) and we have cockatiels, so she has to be an outside cat. He got her all setup in the garage and left the garage door open for her to come and go. She stayed; that was in September. Now, with the weather getting colder, we keep her inside at night. She sleeps on top of the blankets between my knees; she wakes up in the middle of the night to wake me up for no apparent reason other than wanting attention; she follows me everwhere too! She doesn't really do any of these things with my husband though, but she will play fetch with him. I don't know much about cats because I have never had one. But I really don't know how to tell if she is to be a familiar.
Any help?

[Der Blaue Engel]

1. I'm not sure I believe in the concept of familiars

Bear in mind that I'm an atheistic pagan and somewhat irreverant. But I'd be interested in hearing what others think.

I have two lovable little beasts who have never been the least bit helpful...usually all they do is walk all over my tarot spreads and take little things off my altar. One of them actually used my altar for a catbox once. (She was quite traumatized at the time by accidentally being locked in a room for three days without food or water by my housesitting neighbor, but still!)

That being said, both cats are unusually devoted to me and follow me from room to room. I am never alone. :)

[Behind the Aegis]

2. unfamiliar with familiars

I have heard all kinds about familiars. I often wonder about familiars too. What I have learned, by experience, is that familiars may not be actual pets, but, more often, wild animals that make an appearance. Stick with me while i try to explain my odd train of thought! :)

I feel familiars can be pets, but I also feel they are animals that we closely relate to for one reason or another. If you were to walk into my house, you would see a variety of pets. However, if you looked around, you would discover my house is FILLED with monkeys! Not live ones, mind you. There is a monkey in every room of my house, except my partner's bathroom, which I do not use. I have over 40 stuffed monkeys, monkey candles, candle holders, pictures, puppets, ceramic figurines, plastic toys, lamps, and toys. I even have a stuffed miniature monkey in my car! I will watch ANY nature program if a monkey is on it. I even watched one today, only to find out at the end that the orphan monkey they found died a week after the show was filmed...I cried for 15 minutes! (I know..I am a freak!) So, in my mind, I feel the monkey is a protector/guide for me. This would make it a familiar of sorts. I also look to wildlife sometimes when I am preparing certain spells to see what animals I spy, they are familiars.

So to summarize my derailed train of thought...I feel familiars are more often going to be animals that come and go; they bring messages. Some familiars take on mundane forms (dolls, puppets, drawings, etc) to remind us they are with us. And others, will actually come to live with us. Pets can be familiars, but often, they are our companions and friends, not at all interested in our magickal lives.

I hope that helps....I am not sure it did, but maybe can explain it better than me! :)

Brightest Blessings!

[buckettgirl]

7. that is an interesting point

I see your point, and it makes sense to me. I have never thought of familiars in that way before. The funny thing is, though, you have monkeys all over your house and feel a connection to them - I, on the other hand, have faeries all over my house and feel a connection to them and what they represent....hhhmmm...kinda interesting to think about I guess.
Truthfully, it doesn't matter to me if Tilly is my familiar or if she is just a companion. It just seemed odd to me that I have such a strange connection with a cat especially since I never particularly liked cats (I'm a dog person). OH well, what is meant to be will be. :)

Thanks for your thoughts

[NMDemDist2]

10. monkey spirit

Monkey!
Monkey's Wisdom Includes:
Movement through ego
Ability to change environment
Family protection
Understanding excesses
Good health
Understanding success

take the test... http://quizilla.com/users/Aeon65/quizzes/Animal%20Spirit%20Guides%20~%20Which%20One%20Calls%20To%20You%3F

[Is It Fascism Yet]

3. Yes, buckett, she is your familier

and so are the cockatiels. All the little critters who love you and depend on you are your familiers. They will be much more useful to you as you grow to love them back more. It sounds like your kitty loves you, but, you cannot establish a telepathic link with her until you love her as well. Are you over your allergy yet?

[buckettgirl]

8. Actually

Ironically, my cat allergy has gotten somewhat better. Since she has been in the house more often, I don't have so many problems with sneezing fits, runny nose, and asthma attacks. I don't usually let her fur touch anything besides my hands and arms, but when it has I haven't broken out in hives (that has only happened once since we got her).
Tilly is definitely growing on me. I talk to her quite a bit now, and I don't know what I would do without her running around the house. I never thought I would be attached to a cat.
:)

[CornField]

4. If you knew a certain animal was a familiar, what would that prompt you to

do differently?

On my path, we have animal totems and/or spirit guides. As someone else has already pointed out, the different animal totems don't necessarily come to you for a lifetime. Some come with a particular message or to help you through a special time in your life and then disappear. I have only one animal which I feel will be with me throughout my life.

It is important, on my path, that I pay close attention to the animals who drift into and out of my life. Animals who appear out of season or climate, as well as common animals who appear in abundance during my day, can all be signals/messages sent to me from the spirit guides. Therefore, all animals I meet are treated with respect and love.

[Is It Fascism Yet]

5. Why yes, of course

Oh, yes, of course, all animals deserve to be loved and helped along their way. But it is unlikey that ANY animal will be with us throughout our lifetime, as human lifetimes are usually much longer than animal lifetimes. For me a familier is an animal who is devoted to me and dependant upon me for all of IT'S liftime, not mine. My familiers and I have a pact, to be always faithful, and the result is excellent free flowing telepathic communication with profound and genuine affection. Of course, Diana did promise us the ability to talk to the animals, not just our familiers but all critters.

[Lizzie Borden]

6. Yes Any animal who you share your space with...

is a familiar. I feel that they 'lend' you their energy. Any wild animal that comes to you (crosses your space) is a messenger. For example, 2 hawks regularly come to my land,though they don''t live here. I see them as messengers. Usually I say a 'prayer' when I see them because they don't alawys bring good news.

[Is It Fascism Yet]

9. hawks huh?

did they mention anything about rummy's plans?

[davsand]

11. I've never been sure if they are totems or familiars.

Either way, I've been quite fortunate to share time and space with any number of most wonderful animal companions over the years.

I have always had an affinity for cats (like about 90% of the REST of DU, it would seem!) However, I think I may have had the same ones drifting in and out of my life in different incarnations.

Has anyone else had that same experience?


Laura