witchcraft

This week’s question from the Pagan Perspective YouTube channel is a “Choose Your Adventure” practice, which means going back through the topics and picking one that you haven’t covered before. As I’m new to this channel (and responding to it) this was very easy for me as there were many, many topics to choose from.

My Chosen Topic for the Week of 8/12: “Do you have a familiar? What does that mean? How do you know if an animal companion is a familiar or is familiar material?” including “The roll of pets, if any, in your practice?”

The definition of a familiar is when a spirit possesses or takes the form of an animal in order to provide spiritual/magickal assistance and guidance. To me, I feel that the primary role of a familiar is to be a guide within the liminal space, astral plane, and spirit world.

Because I feel this way about the role of a familiar, I do not believe that a living being is suited for this task, and so I do not view pets as familiars. They are companions and a deep bond can be created between a person and their pet that transcends the “keeper/pet” dynamic. Pets can even be a part of one’s practice. But, I do not think that the primary role of what a familiar is can be filled by a living animal 99.9% of the time.

That said, I do think that spirits and energy can possess or embody a physical form. So, I suppose it could be possible. I also, though, think it is extremely rare and that most who call their pets “familiars” are misusing the term.

I do have a cat.

Miss Luna has no interest in my spellcrafting, nor in the tarot. She also has no interest in my altar or hanging out in (or on) any of my sacred spaces. In fact, she is very careful to give me space and observe from a distance during any tarot time, spellcraft time, and ritual time I have. She often sits right in front of the entrance to the room I am in during these times, and from there she will watch everything very closely. Then, when I am done, she will return to be closer to me and following me around (which is her usual modus operandi).

Meanie, my previous cat, was much the same in this behavior.

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Another YouTube hashtag response. This one is from Yarrowen’s channel on YouTube, and addresses not specifically about tarot, but about little magicks and spiritual practices. Not the big things you do daily or weekly or monthly, but the little everyday things that incorporate magick into your daily life.

So here is a small, non-comprehensive list of the little magicks that I incorporate into my life on the day to day.

Forest bathing (in the forest and out of it) is my number one magic in day to day life. Being in touch with my senses and the whisper of nature even in the city is very much a part of my every day.
Also, as she called it, the “micro mini meditation” of a breath, a check in with myself, and moment of gratitude.
Meditative shuffling. Sometimes when I just need to feel a little soothing comfort, I’ll pull out a deck of cards (tarot, lenormand, or playing cards) and sit with them and shuffle for a bit.
I wear a small bead charms of labradorite and citrine attached to my medical bracelet.
The morning daily draw that I do, while seeking a positive message to carry with me through the day and foster a bit of perspective.
I match the mug I use with my morning tea to the mood of my day or the intention of the mood I wish to set for my day.
My daily devotional in the morning, which reminds me to stay grateful each day.
The jewelry that I wear, which is always a reminder of you.
Mudras during my meditation. This is a new practice, but I have found one or two that really seems to enhance my meditation practice.
I create the jewelry and other items that I make in a mindful manner, with the conscious intention of it bringing something positive into the life of the person that each piece ends up with.
Speaking to my plants and the animals in my life.
Labradorite on the solar plexus and smoky quartz on the third eye during my meditation. Also just a small thing that enhances my meditation practice and assists me in “tuning myself in” to where I want to be.

Yarrowen speaks of one little thing a day, but the truth is that I do most of these nearly every day. But, just as I scatter sacred items and sacred spaces throughout my home, I scatter little bits of magick and spirituality throughout my life.

This is far from a complete list, because so many of the things I do are just a natural part of my day and I don’t even recognize them as spiritual or magickal until it is pointed out to me.

Thank you for the terrific hashtag Yarrowen.