What is your personal understanding of familiars?

My younger brother is familiar. I've known him all my life. He's so familiar, I can picture him in my mind right now. Is that bad?

Some just show up; be careful not to get caught up in a predatory spirits element, they can do bad things.

Your cat sounds like a cool dude though; just keep yourself and him from being too dependent on the other, and maintain balance; treat him like an equal too; along with any and all other animal life.

My little black kitty is like a furry lil' angel, he always knows when he needs to be home cause I'm scared or sad, and gives me more then enough love to 'go on' and even try for something better in life.

For me a familiar is an animal whose strengths and sensibilities support your beliefs, and has a particular bond with you. Because it's a more instinctive creature than humans, one can gain insights on how to deal with certain situations from the way this animal adapts to its environment.

Like summerwind18, I don't feel it's right to use a pet or familiar to do its master's bidding. Right now I have neither, but I have a particular affinity towards cats.

Hi SummerWind18
Interesting question. I have cats and dogs and have experience of them being familiar. When I walk my dogs they are like extensions of me or we are like a team - is weird. I did not intend or seek it but is definitely different to being alone. One time a nasty manager visited me at home and my oldest cat jumped in my arms to be between us and she is very standoffish and never does that! She felt like a familiar then! This is a whole world! I have a foal I like to say hello to each day on my walk and did not see it yesterday and it whinnied to make me go back to scratch under its chin. I am glad I am vegetarian! Animals are so much more than food!
:)

Any animal can be a familiar.

A true one finds/chooses you & helps you of their own will.

Your are right Bluesugarfox.. They do choose you.. or they should.. there are different beliefs and practises that some believe in calling forward or making a particular animal your familiar..but they are like the owji board.. you don't screw around with that ****..Like attracts like.. your pets are your familiar if you are of that belief.. or they are your guardians.. protectors..

My understanding is that they are just more magical that other beings and help you connect with the spiritual world. I don't think you force them to do anything. A cat can help to increase magic or spells and channel spiritual energy. I always felt my spells and mediation was stringer when my cats were around.

just like humans animals also love and like in deferment degrees so you one cat loves you more than the others, and there is magical animals and it magic do exist but before you go on like some one who know magic please study the subject and know the facts, you do not consider a familiar as a pet. Would love to exchange notes with you some time.