Familiar is a term to describe a witch’s companion in European folklore . Familiars are also sometimes known as imps. This term links familiars with other folk beliefs about fairies or goblins in Europe. Familiars can take many forms, but they are often portrayed as demons or animals. This uncanny shape-shifting ability has made them a popular feature in modern books and motion pictures.
In the past.
Many of the beliefs about familiars can be traced to accounts of witchcraft in England, Scotland, and France during the 1500’s and 1600’s. During this time, familiars were seen as manifestations of the Devil or demonic spirits. These spirits could take possession of ordinary animals after certain rituals were completed. Common animals included birds, dogs, hares, horses, toads, and especially cats. In certain instances, a familiar may also take human form and partake in many human customs. Familiars aid their masters in divination (foreseeing the future or foretelling the unknown), placing curses, casting spells, and other supernatural activities.
More than just a pet , a familiar is usually a source of spiritual strength for its human counterpart. Familiars were often treated as family members among witches. A common belief in European folklore was that a witch could be identified by a birthmark, a wart, or an extra nipple known as a “witch’s teat.” According to folklore, this feature enables a witch to nurse a familiar as if it were a child. Other accounts describe witches feeding familiars drops of the witches’ own blood, sometimes mixed with milk. Familiars could be inherited from other family members and were sometimes given names. Well-known familiars from European folklore include Piggin, Pyewackett, Tibb, and Vinegar Tom.
Today,
the idea of the witch’s familiar survives in popular tales of magic and fantasy. The folkloric roots of belief about familiars linked them to the Devil and diabolical intentions. However, their appearance in popular culture over time has changed how people commonly view familiars.
Many of the characters in British author J. K. Rowling’s popular Harry Potter series of books and movies have pets that are reminiscent of familiars. The demons portrayed in British author Philip Pullman popular His Dark Materials series of novels are also similar to familiars. Many television shows and movies feature witches paired with familiars. And some role-playing games, including Dungeons & Dragons and Pathfinder, offer characters the ability to obtain familiars to aid them with their magic spells.
