Familiars in Witchcraft: Supernatural Guardians in the Magical Traditions of the World

Familiars are supernatural servant spirits or guardians that are associated with witchcraft, shamanism, and magical traditions around the world. They can take many forms, including animal spirits, shapeshifters, and human allies. Maja DAoust explores the history, creation, and powers of familiars, including their connections with shapeshifting, power animals, and sexual energy. She also examines alchemical, Hermetic, and Egyptian magical literature for instructions on procuring the attention of familiars and the alchemical wedding, which joins the magician and familiar spirit into a single unified consciousness. DAoust argues that forming connections with living forces other than human can help us expand our magical abilities and evolve our conscious awareness.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 160 pages
Publication date: 08 August 2019
Publisher: Inner Traditions Bear and Company

A comprehensive exploration of familiars and their many forms and powers

Exploring the history and creation of a "witch's familiar," also known as a spirit double or guardian spirit, Maja DAoust shows how there is much more to these supernatural servant spirits and guardians than meets the eye. She reveals how witches are not the only ones to lay claim to this magician's "assistant" and examines how the many forms of witch's familiars are well known in folklore throughout Europe and America as well as in shamanic and magical traditions around the world, including Africa, India, and China.

The author explains how familiars are connected with shapeshifting and how the classic familiars of medieval witchcraft tradition are related to the power animals and allies of shamanic practices worldwide, including animal guardian spirits of Native American traditions and the daimons of the ancient Greeks and Romans. She examines the fetch spirit, also known as the "fylgia" in Scandinavian tradition, and how the witch or sorcerer draws on their personal sexual energy to give this creature its power to magnetize and attract what it was sent to retrieve. She looks at incubus, succubus, doubles, doppelgangers, and soul mates, showing how familiars can also adopt human forms and sometimes form romantic or erotic attachments with the witch or shaman.

Reviewing alchemical, Hermetic, and Egyptian magical literature, including the nearly forgotten alchemical works of Anna Kingsford, DAoust explores their instructions for procuring the attention of a supernatural assistant as well as an extensive description of the alchemical wedding and how this ritual joins the magician and familiar spirit into a single unified consciousness. Exploring fairy familiars, she reveals how a practitioner can establish a connection with a fairy familiar and how this relationship can provide the practitioner with a wealth of magical powers and knowledge.

In conclusion, "Witch's Familiars" is a fascinating and informative book that provides a comprehensive exploration of familiars and their many forms and powers. DAoust's writing is clear and accessible, making it an excellent resource for anyone interested in the supernatural and the occult. Whether you are a seasoned practitioner or a newcomer to these subjects, this book will provide you with valuable insights and knowledge that will enhance your understanding of the world around you.

Weight: 276g
Dimension: 227 x 151 x 10 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781620558461