Familiars?

[arya0c]

How do you know when your dog/cat/etc is a familiar? I also am a little hazy on what exactly a familiar is... This probably various depending on the religion, but overall.. what is the definition? Is it an animal who is like a friend and teacher?

My main question is how you know they are a familiar.

Thank you
Arya

Comments

[quanyindisciple]

For me when I first got my little kitty, she was just a sweet pet, and very receptive to my emotions, but when I also started seeing her in my meditations acting like my friend. Plus physically being woken up to her there next to me many times afterwards strengthened our bond.

The bond (Your definition of a close relationship) is essential, but I also believe that if they step into your meditating that THAT in fact is a good indicator of your Familiar being present.

Most folks familiars are not as simple to come across as a pet. Many people who associate with the animal part of spirituality tend to also have a pretty unique animal that might be wild, or even mythical. In those instances, it's my personal advice to continue finding more about your own spiritual guide & friend and keeping totems of them with you (pocket stones)

[arya0c]

Thank you, that really does help me and pretty much answers my question. Ill keep looking into it :)

[quanyindisciple]

Happy to help, good luck

)O(

fact checking

[ianphanes]

"Pocket stones" is a highly unusual definition of the word "totem'> In fact, what you're describing as a familiar is closer to what most modern pagans use the word "totem" for. And the traditional definition is yet a third:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Totem

Re: fact checking

[quanyindisciple]

I was merely using the term as a reference to other carry on items one can have with them if their totem animal (Or spirit friend/guide) is in fact not a pet animal, and harder to communicate with.

Since I do feel that spiritual connection with my furry friend, I didn't use a totem piece for her. I think didn't think I needed much explanation on the "pocket totem" which I believe I left open for the educated person to figure out without confusion.

Thank you for clarifying, but I certainly didn't state this as "Strictly Fact". Not even once.

Re: fact checking

[ianphanes]

What do you mean when you say "keeping totems of them with you"? How are you defining "totem"? How are you defining "familiar"? Are you treating the two words as interchangeable?