looks familiar . . . . .

Familiars were, first and foremost, considered to be spirits - or at the least, of the spirit world. These spirits usually possessed their own names, communicated with humans via speech, and often displayed distinct personalities and motives. Most of these spirits took on the physical form of a domestic animal and established a relationship with a particular person, often a woman with evil intentions. They helped the "witch" carry out her maleficia; in this respect historical records depict them as having incredible, unearthly powers. The familiar was by no means a subservient, faithful helper who followed the witch's every command. The relationship between the familiar and the witch can be better described as one of 'give-and-take'. Some familiars played the role of little devils in that they requested a pact - often satanic in nature - before they would perform any services for the witch . . . furthermore, almost all of them craved nourishment in the form of human blood . . .



happy halloween all :)