A class on familars?

[LyraDragonStar]

I don't think this is the right time to be throwing this idea out, but it can't hurt. Lately, I've kinda been wandering about them and I didn't see anyone already teach this class or want it. Yet, I don't really know the rules to this...so forgive me if I do something stupid. lol, but who else besides me thinks they could benefit from a Familiar class? Anyone??

(Sorry I spelled it wrong in the title...messed up.)

....... :megaphone ................

[LadyCelt]

I'm curious on what exactly they are (I know animals but I"m lost besides that) and how to find them, what they do etc. I'd definately want a class on this.


Can a fae/fairy be a familiar too or no?

[Rich]

i agree with ladycelt i want to learn more as i don't understand what they are

[Kuai]

I dont have any problems with it and I may take the class myself. Way I figure it is if somone is willing to teach the class and there are enough people wanting to take the class then the class should be allowed to happen.

[LyraDragonStar]

Yay! Glad I'm not the only one who thinks this would be cool.

[paper_majic]

It's not so much that I don't know what a familiar is, but i don't know how you know what your familiar is...do they choose you? Do you just go with what you like?

[wolfos3d]

I like the idea for this.

[Silver Water]

I may be new to this forum, but I think that this would make a good class. It seems like an interesting subject, and definitely one that I would like to learn about. That way I could understand exactly 'what' a familiar is, because I'm not 100% clear on it.

[yavanna]

I think a class on familiars would be great, I would take it for sure!

[LyraDragonStar]

Hmmm...I wonder what the guidelines/rules are for actually getting a class started. Any help here?

[LadyAriana]

I think it could be fun! Certainly very informative

[LyraDragonStar]

Actually, I've got quite a lot of info on it after I started this. I've been looking through a lot of websites...it is pretty cool.

[Romani Vixen]

Sounds like a wonderful idea.

Is there a teacher available? I know that I don't have enough experience on the topic to teach myself....

[LyraDragonStar]

That's what I want to find out (if a teacher is available) however, I'm not sure how to do that.

[AussiePagan]

Thread might be dead, but I'm intrested,

[LyraDragonStar]

Wow..the treadwas dead!! Haha, it's cool.

And I'm still interested.

[wyldwolf]

I would like to take a class in this subject. Maybe a moderator would be the one to contact on getting info on how to start the class and maybe they would have an idea as to who could teach :rolleyes: it.

[LyraDragonStar]

Yea, that's what I was thinking. But I'm just not sure... haha.

[Morrigan_Wolfwind]

I would like a class about familiars. I understand the concept, but other than that I have a very limited knowledge about them.

[tiamat-4]

I would be interested in hearing more about that subject.

[LCapulet]

I would be very interested in taking a class or engaging in discussions about familiars. Recognizing, greeting, even on how to let them assist you on your path. Count me in.

Lisa

[powder_tears]

I'm also interested in this, even though no one has expressed interest in quite a few months... Doesn't look like we've got any takers for teachers though.

[Cynyr]

I just voted 'yes' and I'm game. Let's get to it. :cheers:

[Anubis]

so are you wanting a class on animal familiars?.. Or on the ones that you create?.. so far it sounds like the animal type to me.. lol... yeah.. there is more than one kind!

[powder_tears]

I would love a class for both kinds, if possible.

[Starlight*Rains]

_happydanc _handclapp :dancy:

[Xavior]

i'd love to learn about fimilars and animal guides and all that kinda stuff. i've heard alittle talk on these topics from other pagan chats i used to go to, but never in detail, and not many i know really are experienced in the topics. but it definately sounds interesting, i'm all for it. :)

[Illiandra]

I just picked up a great book on Feline familiars The Enchanted Cat by Ellen Dugan. It was pretty informative for the subject. Might be a personal place to start.

[ShamanicDream]

I would like to learn also

[bambi180]

If anyone is willing to teach, I'd love a class on this as wel. I don't know anything about familiars. o.O

[Eternal Night]

That would be cool. Noticed the thread started quite a while back though.......is it still gonna happen???

[Evanescent]

I know this thread died and came back to life a few times, but familiars have always been of major interest because that's how I got started in Wicca -- I started being contacted by a winged wolf while I slept and daydreamed. I was sort of "between religions"; I knew Roman Catholicism (how I was raised) was not for me but I didn't know what it was. I discussed this with a friend of mine who is eclectic Pagan and she gave me some background info on familiars and paganism in general. It all spiraled from there. :)

I don't know if I'm even 'qualified' to teach a class by MW standards or anything, but I have learned a lot and I'd be willing to put it into a loose class format with assignments. :)

[BlueEyedWolf]

I know this thread died and came back to life a few times, but familiars have always been of major interest because that's how I got started in Wicca -- I started being contacted by a winged wolf while I slept and daydreamed. I was sort of "between religions"; I knew Roman Catholicism (how I was raised) was not for me but I didn't know what it was. I discussed this with a friend of mine who is eclectic Pagan and she gave me some background info on familiars and paganism in general. It all spiraled from there. :)

I don't know if I'm even 'qualified' to teach a class by MW standards or anything, but I have learned a lot and I'd be willing to put it into a loose class format with assignments. :)


:boing: :boing: Cool!!!!:boing: :boing:

[Sacreligioushippie]

I would love to take a class on familiars

[dancingfaerie]

That would be cool. I would love to take the class!

[Lady Soulscribe]

oh i would love to take this class!! Please offer!

[Obier]

I would also like to witness a familiar class
however i can part with some info on the subject to any whom are interested

Are some of you may be aware familiars or shikigami, power animals or totems
etc and spirits of beings ,pets or even in some rare cases other humans! can be contracted to the witch or wizard ranging from everything from the animal kingdom to lesser demons or spirits of nature contracting a familiar, both you and the spirit need to meet a set agreement, a contract similar to thoses in legal matters, example of which is that the fimliar can only be called at a certain time and if there is any form of 'payment' involved or if the familiar is souly used for a support/teacher approach or a protecter whom fights for you in a time of need
each spirit/animal is unqiue and the terms of agreement varies from familiar to familiar

If you are going for your first familiar i would strongly adverse you should choose either of the following as they are prefect for beginners:
Cat, Dog, Owl, Rat, Mouse, Deer, Raven, Rabbit or Toad

Learn from these spirits and should you want to contract another familiar
so be it but please be careful and work slowly up the ladder till you reach your
desireed spirit, DO NOT jump the gun and try to get a mystical creature, a high spirit or demon on your first attempt this is not a race and no-one why judge you because of the familiars whom are assoiated with you
Each witch/wizard bond with there familiar is special bond and should never be treated lightly, you must acted towards them like a close friend or loved one

Now for contacting/contracting (haha!) your familiar there are manying methods but here is some easy ones

Trading places:
This is a meditation for a mind switch of the animal and person
Objective: To trade places (mentally) with a dog or cat, or other animal. Setting: Home, Zoo, Wilderness, etc. Instructions: 1. Relax your body as completely as you can. Calm your mind, eliminating all thoughts which do not relate to your intent and purpose. Sit so that you are comfortable, and as nearly as possible on the same level with the animal you will be working with. Lie down if you like. The important thing is that you are able to comfortably make eye contact with your animal partner in this exercise. It is also important to satisfy yourself that the animal is likewise comfortable and secure with you. 2. Take a deep breath. As you slowly exhale, look into the animal's eyes, and imagine that a part of your awareness is being transmitted through your breath into the animal's mind. Watch the animal breathe, and imagine that a part of its awareness is being transmitted into your mind. 3. Continue looking directly into the animal's eyes until you fell your consciousness merge with the animal's consciousness.
Benefits: As the boundaries between you and the animal dissolve, you may feel as if you've really traded places with a member of another species, as though a part of you has become the animal - this is the height of subjective merging. You may begin to feel compassion for another species. You'll also probably recognize some of the artificial differences between the human and animal worlds. You may be able to feel or sense the actual flow of the animals emotions and mental imagery. Should you accomplish this then it should be no trouble for you to contract with the animal to serve as your magical partner.
Asking another to become such a partner also places upon you the responsibility of becoming its partner. I would not recommend contracting an animal to become your familiar and then treating the animal as a pet.
A pet is something you possess, own. A Familiar, to my way of thinking, is an individual who has entered into a mutually beneficial relationship (partnership) with you, and therefore should be afforded the respect and consideration due a partner.

A Meditation for a Familiar
The first thing to concentrate on during meditation is the relaxing of the body. Begin with the toes and feet. Mentally tell the muscles to relax. Slowly moving up through the body relaxing the muscles as you go. Don't strain at this. Take as long as necessary. Spend more time working on the muscles of the shoulders, neck, and jaw as these are the ones we tense almost constantly.
When you are relaxed, surround yourself with white light. Breathe it in; wrap it around you. Now visualize a well before you; you can also use the image of a pond or river, if you like. Mentally take all the problems, including people, that are bothering you and drop them into the well. If the problems or people won't stay in the well, visualize a lid with a stout lock to keep them inside. Doing this symbolizes to your subconscious mind that these need to be taken care of. You don't want to go into meditation carrying negative feelings with you.
Visualize scenery around you. This can be forests, jungles, deserts, whatever, but picture a place without buildings or other humans. You may be surprised to find yourself in a place you didn't have in mind at all. Accept whatever scenery is shown and begin a leisurely walk around. Be very observant of any creatures that appear.
If a creature approaches you, try to communicate with it. Watch what it does and how it responds to you. Since this is the astral plane, it is possible to communicate with any creature you see. Communication is commonly by telepathic conversations within the mind. You may be told that this creature will be one of your astral familiars or that it has come to make you aware you have need of some of its traits. You may find yourself communicating with several astral beings before you are ready to return to this plane of existence.
When you have wandered through this landscape, and perhaps through others, and observed several astral creatures who show an interest in you, thank them and begin to pull back to your physical body. As you think of your body, slip gently back into it and slowly open your eyes. Move your arms and legs slowly to get the circulation going before you try to stand up.

more often then not, a potential familiar may call you in your dreams
this is common and try to remember as much detail of the being as possible when you wake up

when summoning the desired familiar its important to gather up herbs, incense, and candles that the familiar would enjoy or like
a brown candle is useful with should always be used when a familiar is present or if your work involves contacting a familiar

a shape-shifting meditation can also be useful
where you visualize yourself merging with the creature, see the world through the creatures eyes, view its memories and explore its body, listen to its instincts and breathe its air....live life as this creature and end the meditation
the cd series known as inner achelmy has this meditation and its quite worth the buy 'Contacting your power animal'

i hope this could provide some insight to any whom are interested

[Amanda Mitchell]

I would love to take a class on familiars!!!

[TheWhiteRaven]

I would love to learn about familiars. I don't know anything about them either!

[Spera]

I know this thread died and came back to life a few times, but familiars have always been of major interest because that's how I got started in Wicca -- I started being contacted by a winged wolf while I slept and daydreamed. I was sort of "between religions"; I knew Roman Catholicism (how I was raised) was not for me but I didn't know what it was. I discussed this with a friend of mine who is eclectic Pagan and she gave me some background info on familiars and paganism in general. It all spiraled from there. :)

I don't know if I'm even 'qualified' to teach a class by MW standards or anything, but I have learned a lot and I'd be willing to put it into a loose class format with assignments. :)


I've also had dreams about a flying wolf. I even started stories about the "feathered wolf" did youe ver learn anything about this imagery?