Quote:
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?