Comparative Wizardry

A Wizard's Familiar Familiars

There is great benefit to every wizard in keeping a fish, bird or other creature as a familiar or assistant. There is no better way for a wizard to learn about the natural world.

Every wizard will attest to the great usefulness of having a pet or familiar. The chief benefit of having a familiar is that animals can easily see the spirits, such as fairies, elves, & gnomes. But they can also help with everyday tasks like mail delivery or sensing those that are untruthful.

Finding a Familiar

According to the olden days of wizardry & The Calendar of the Secrets of Merlin Wizardology, when you find a creature you’d wish to become your familiar, you’d must first ask its permission by passing your hand over it and say:

"By the moon that shines at night and the Sun so very bright,I ask you once, I ask you twice, but more than twice would not be nice. With a wag, a croak, or mew, pray tell me now what you will do.Will you my familiar be? Give your answer unto me!"

Or something to that effect (depending which region you were in and what type of magical prose one would have said during that time) then you’d wait until the creature does something you take to mean "Yes". But in today’s modern time of magic, we normally go to the local familiar/magic pet shop and  buy one. For example, Crookshanks (Hermione's cat) or Hedwig (Harry's Beloved Owl) or the Weasleys owls Pigwidgeon, Errol, and Hermes. Another famous and powerful Familiar is Fawkes. Dumbledore's phoenix. Very powerful and helpful.

But pets or familiars found in the wild are usually more potent in their magic because they still have that inherent wildness in them and still live by the olden days rules and traditions.

Naming Your Familiar

While the animal may have had another name such as Rex, Mouser, or Quackers, it is now important for you to choose a secret magical name.  According to Merlin Wizardry, once you have decided on the secret name that you are going to give your familiar, pass your hand over it again five times while saying:

"No I'll give  you a new name, secret as a hidden lame. It's a secret none shall see-only we two: you and me. With my hand I make the spell. Your new name to none I Tell.It is.............!"

Here, cry out the name. The creature has now become your familiar. This is a very important relationship, and from now on, you must do everything in your power to help and heal the animal should it ever require your assistance. Again, this is what they did in the old days. Today we just usually stick with the one name that not only we know but maybe our friends and family know. But familiars that are found in the wild and still respect the old ways, will much appreciate this and therefore may work harder than a wizard just giving it some normal run of the mill name.

Familiars Are Animals

Contrary to the ideas expressed in such anti-wizardological books as the Mallus Maleficarum, or "Hammer of the Witches," familiars are not wicked spirits disguised as animals but ordinary beasts working with wizards in a very extraordinary way. Sadly, some people's knowledge of the animal world is based only on the most ludicrous stories and fables. If you obtain your own familiar, then  you may begin to discover the truth about the animal world for yourself.

The most important thing a wizard can do for its familiar or pet is to take good care of it. Making sure that it has a proper bed, nest, or home and the right amount of food and water. Once this is taken care of, you may begin to work with your familiar by asking it a question, stroking it gently if this is appropriate. If the familiar chooses to answer, you will see the results over the next day or so.

Gradually you must build up a chart that shows what the familiar is trying to tell you.  Here is an example that I use for my familiar:

Questions:
i. Should I mix antimony with quicksilver to produce gold?
ii. Is Sunday a good day to dowse for lost treasure?
iii. Does this robe make me look fat?iv. Will it rain tomorrow?

More Common Familiars

If a black cat or dog takes up unbidden residence at your door, good fortune will follow! The two more common familiars are cats and dogs. Here are some ways to make your familiar comfortable and happy. And in return they will help you in your quest and everyday magic life.

Cats

Witches and familiars, especially the cat, have long been associated. The similarities between the two are numerous, the strongest being resourcefulness and independence. Regardless of gender, both are called "she". Both have also enjoyed a long history of being deified and maligned in many cultures. Not every cat is a candidate for a familiar and not all witches like cats. There are those times, though, when a witch meets a cat and the magic is so strong the two definitely belong together. Bonding instantly is magical, however, the relationship must grow with love and respect. It is well known that cats see very well in the dark. Their eyes reflect light which enables them to get a double dose of the available light. A cat can alert you to the presence of another human, magical being, animal or  spirit when we can not see them with our eyes.

Cats can be finicky. They also adapt, though they may not like the changes. So if you are a first-time cat friend here are some tips to aid you in your new friendship:

• Cats likes her food served in the same place and preferably at the same time each day.
• Prepare a comfortable resting area for a cat using a box or basket with a pillow or blanket tucked inside. Mint tucked under the bedding helps deter fleas and ticks.
• Cats is very fussy about being clean and will lick her coat many times a day. The fur accumulates in her intestines and creates hairballs which can make her ill. So brush Cat often.
• Cats will eat meat. Loves it. She needs other nutrients, however. So choose a good quality canned food and dry food to supplement her diet. Always keep a bowl of fresh water available to her. Watch her for she can easily become a fat cat.
• Cats does not like being followed. She will investigate any new premises until she feels comfortable that it's safe.
• Cats will have at least three names and one is her secret. Sound familiar?
• If a cat lives indoors either provide a Cat Door for easy access to the outdoors or a kitty litter box that's always in the same place. The litter box must be emptied about every day to keep her and you happy. Another indoor cat must is a scratching post or your furniture will be her target.
• Last but definitely not least - every once in a while a cat loves a little catnip to roll in and chew. Fresh from your garden is perfection. Dried will do.

Dogs

Dogs, too, aside from being man's best friend, have journeyed with the Gods and are wonderful familiars. The Goddess, Artemis often traveled with a hound at her side. Although not as finicky as a cat, a dog is protective and loving and giving. Unlike the cat, however,  the dog comes in all sizes - small, large and XL. Just like in Wizard of Oz, Toto may have been a tiny dog but he protected and went everywhere Dorothy did trying to get back to Kansas. Just as Dorthy did everything to rescue Toto, Toto did everything to protect his master.

• Dog's rest area needs to be comfortable and large enough for his size. If he doesn't mind, the mint will work here, too.
• Brush, brush, brush. Dog will always be your friend. Also check for ticks, fleas and other problems
• Dogs also appreciates something to chew. I suggest something other than your shoes or table legs.
• Dogs needs exercise so plan to walk Dog everyday or allow him to romp in an enclosed yard. A Dog door should come with the yard.
• Identifying collars are slowly being taken over by tattoos these days. You'll need one for a leash if you walk Dog.
• A dog is a devoted and lifelong friend. Treat him like one.

Description of Some Familiars

Dogs - Dogs are faithful guardians and find lost objects through their magical sense of smell. (think of the story about the Grim. Some people believe they lead you toward death while others believe they lead you safely away from harm)

Cats- With their excellent night vision and independent natures, cats can visit many places unnoticed.

Toads- Cunning infiltrators of every bog and marsh.Toads are small enough to carry with you. Among all living animals, toads were the most popular of all familiars. They were said to be the preferred animal shape of the devil and his demons. They were also used to prepare magic potions. Toads were also believed to have a precious stone in their heads. This stone was considered both a talisman for obtaining  happiness and a means to detect poison. If the stone became hot, poison was nearby. The breath of a toad was believed to infect a person wherever it touched. Another common superstition existed stating those whom a toad regarded fixedly would be sized by spasms, palpitations, swoons, and convulsions.

Ravens- Ravens are known around the world as shape shifters and humans are often changed into ravens by an enemy's curse. They are prophets, spell-casters, and messengers of the gods. Gods and goddesses of war and thunder such as Badb and Odin have ravens as their attributes. They are early emblems of the Danes and the Vikings. The beautiful song of the blackbird makes it a symbol of temptations.

Fish- A fish familiar, be it sea or fresh water, can be useful in making aquatic discoveries.

Owls- These nocturnal birds are very wise and see a great deal without needing to interfere. Like in Harry Potter, they were the way witches and wizards communicated when writing a letter. They never needed an address to find their destination. They were wise enough to find where they were supposed to go just because they knew.