Living, Animal Familiars

[Icelos]

I was reading some of Phil Hine's work, and came across this quote in his definitions of different kinds of spirits:

The term 'Familiar' implies a close relationship between human and spirit. Historically, we find that Familiars are associated very much with domesticated household animals (cats, goats etc.) and can be seen to act in such a way as to extend the magician's awareness and control over his or her personal territory. Where the power of a magician is bound up with a locale, be it a village, heath, or inner-city area, the Familiar is an extension of their eyes, ears, and Will. The relationship between human and spirit is so close that if the familiar is attacked or bound, the human suffers a psychic shock.

Now, I have two dogs, one which was picked out by me, and the other by my girlfriend. Each dog has bonded to the one the picked it. They both also exhibit physical and personality traits that reflect their owners. I was wondering if anyone has a familiar that is a domesticated, household animal. If so, how do you communicate with it? How do you go beyond the physical to commune with its spirit and make it an extension of your awareness and control as suggested in the above quote? I know this kind of practice was at least rumored to take place historically, but can it actually be accomplished? Or is a familiar typically a spiritual entity with no physical body?

[Icelos]

you don't control it, you respect it, and it will work with you. the familiar picks and grooms you, not the other way around.

I agree fully. Perhaps my phrasing was not clear. When I said "extension of awareness and control" from the quote above, I meant extension of control over my environment through the willing cooperation of a familiar, not domination of it. I am very much a beginner, but I always make sure to give thanks or an offering to any entity I wish help from, or I feel has assisted me. I don't wish to make anything a servant against its will. I just share a very close bond with my dog (who may very well have picked me due to circumstances I could elaborate on if needed), and wondered if others had/it was possible to foster that relationship into a spiritual "familiar" type relationship with a deeper level of communication.

[Icelos]

It does, that's very interesting Darius. That's exactly the type of experience I was wondering about. Thanks

Also, my sympathies on losing him. It's never easy.

[KashakuTatsu]

Each of my reptiles have taken a familiar type role on their own accord, even guardian. Yes these are big boys not lil geckos heh. They each were ones who chose me in the breeders, the iguana jumped on me from his cage while I was looking at his sister, both beardeds walked onto my hands.

I had thought it strange when my first bearded took a few of my late iguana's mannerisms when I would do ritual or meditate. Eventually when he grew more imposing he would stand watch in a guardian like fashion and if I was hurting or in danger he'd jump up and hang over my heart. He died and I got a new hatchling a few months ago (3 months old nearly to the day today). From day one he was acting as if he was already trained from knowing when/where I enter from work to already being socialized to being handled and favorite spots to sit on me. Almost seems reincarnationish, like he keeps coming back lol.

[Astral Eye]

Untill recently I didn't have a familliar. ecently, I cast a spell to help me find my familliar and I noticed the cat from across he road has been acting strangely towards me. Ive seen it sitting by my window while I work my spells, and am wondering if I should accept it as my familliar. any suggestions? Can a familliar be somebody elses pet?