How to Attract a Witchy Familiar

Throughout history, witches and wizards have been depicted in paintings and movies with their loyal familiars by their side, but what is a familiar, really? Some describe them as intelligent animals with spirits embedded inside that serve as guardians, companions, and aids in our magical practice, and for a long time I tried every spell and ritual I could to attract one of the little buggers to me, but after adopting two dogs who I loved dearly (but who didn’t really seem to fit that description), I doubted I’d ever find my special little helper. Then this little white fluff ball unexpectedly came into my life. Meet Sophie.

Sophie was not originally supposed to be my dog. My husband and I were puppy-sitting for one weekend, and that truly was our only intention. But while she visited, something truly magical happened and when it came time to go home, Sophie’s personality changed. She became an absolute terror for her family–wailing loudly throughout the night, repeatedly jumping gates to escape, getting into trouble. During the next two days, she stood at their window whining, and she scratched at their door trying desperately to get out. They couldn’t figure out why. She was fine prior to her visit to my house, but now she was so naughty for them that they ultimately gave up and returned her to me.

When she came to my door that second time, Sophie’s tail wagged faster than I’ve ever seen a dog’s tail wag, and she quite literally soaked my face with puppy kisses. Apparently, somewhere along the line, she’d decided I was her human. And when I say she hasn’t left my side since, I’m not exaggerating.

If I move, she moves with me. If a stranger approaches, she protects me. If I work on a project, she sits on a chair beside me, focused intently on what I’m doing. (See the photo below showing Sophie reading a book with my grandson. This is a normal occurrence for her.) If I’m reading Tarot, she’s right there, often with her face on my table. If I do a magical working, she helps in the way only Sophie can. She is so connected to me that when I’m agitated, so is she. When I am sad, she tries to comfort me. And when I am excited, she runs in circles around me. We are seldom apart, and when we are, it hurts my heart.

If you feel a magical calling and want to attract a familiar like Sophie for yourself, there are some steps you can take to invite such a special companion into your life.

1. Understanding the Role of a Familiar

Before you start calling forth a familiar, it’s important to understand what a familiar is. These beings aren’t just pets; they are true spiritual allies that embody special qualities and powers. They assist in spell work, protect the home, and can also provide guidance and emotional support. You will form a deep, personal relationship with your familiar–deeper than you can imagine. Your familiar will not tolerate being left alone for long periods of time. They want to be with you, involved in everything you do.

2. Clarify Your Intentions

Intention is key in any magical practice and petitioning to find a familiar is no different. Be clear about why you want to attract a familiar. Are you seeking protection, guidance, companionship, or help with a specific kind of magic? Spend time meditating on your reasons and visualize the kind of energy you want to invite into your space. By sharing this, the Universe will know what you seek and what might be the best match for you. Spirit might decide that a bearded dragon suits you better than a dog, or they might send a wild raven, or a spider. (Any kind of creature can be a familiar.)

Most importantly, you must insure that your intentions are not one-sided. You should want to give to the relationship as much as you hope to receive. And if you are away from home often, you want to attract a familiar who will be comfortable with that.

3. Create a Welcoming Environment

I firmly believe Sophie was sent to our home by the Great Spirit. And I believe she came to “interview” me and our home before committing to us. I’m grateful that I’d previously prepared to welcome a familiar, or I shudder to think what would have happened. Familiar spirits are drawn to energy-rich and positive environments. Thankfully, Sophie found me and my home acceptable. You can help make your home and environment inviting by:

– Cleansing Your Space: Use your magic besom to sweep away negative energies, or use a ritual cleansing with sage (Native Americans teach that the smoke of dried sage clears negative energy and restores harmony). Alternatively you can use palo santo, incense, or salt to remove negative energies.

– Set Up an Altar: Dedicate a small space in your home as an altar. Decorate it with candles, crystals, or other items of personal significance. This can act as a beacon to the Universe for signaling your daily intentions. And you’ll get bonus points if you set up a special alter dedicated specifically to attracting a familiar!

– Natural Elements: Incorporate living things into your home such as plants and herbs. Install a small fountain. Get a gold fish. The idea is to fill the space with living elements that resonate with the natural world and indicate a space that is welcoming to familiars and that shows you are capable of taking care of living things without neglecting them. After all, which familiar will want to live with you if you can’t keep a potted plant that has relatively few needs alive?

4. Connect with Nature

Many familiars are animals such as cats, dogs, birds, spiders, or toads. Sometimes they’re strays who show up in your yard or at your doorstep. Spend time connecting with nature to tune in to the spirit world. Go for walks in the woods, sit quietly by a stream, or spend time in your garden. Show respect to all creatures you encounter, as your familiar may be secretly observing your actions to discern your true intentions. Your actions will decide if you pass the test.

5. Meditation and Visualization Techniques

Regular meditation can heighten your sensitivity to spiritual energies and help attract a familiar.

– Protection Meditation: Imagine a circle of light surrounding you, keeping out any negative influences.

– Welcome Invocation: Visualize a welcoming energy inviting a familiar spirit into your sacred space. Speak or silently affirm your willingness to forge a mutually beneficial relationship.

– Ask: Ask the Gods to send a helper and guide to you, in the form of a familiar.

6. Use Symbols and Offerings

Traditional symbols of protection and invitation, such as pentagrams, ankh symbols, or sigils, can be placed around your home.

– Offerings: If you’ve caught site of a stray hanging out near you, place small dishes of food, water, or milk around your dwelling.  (If you live in an area with rats, bears, raccoons, or other animals that may pose a hazard to your family, skip this step. You’d be surprised what a bowl of food will attract!)

– Crystals: In particular, amethyst, moonstone, or labradorite (Coincidence? I think not!) are known to resonate with spiritual beings. Place them around your home or on window sills (but never in a window that is in direct sun. The sun can reflect off of a crystal and magnify its intensity, which can potentially cause a fire.)

7. Pay Attention to Signs

As it was with Sophie, familiars will show up in unexpected ways. Stay observant of any animals that newly appear in your life. Whether it’s a bird that visits your window daily or a stray cat that seems to take a liking to your company, these could be signs that a familiar has chosen you. That doesn’t mean they will come into your home easily at first (or ever). Some are meant only to be occasional visitors. Others will decide to move in. Strays, in particular, will require you to build trust before bonding with you. You will need to …

8. Build a Relationship

If an animal consistently comes to you or behaves unusually, take time to build a relationship. Speak to them kindly, offer food, and ensure they are safe and comfortable. Trust generally takes time to establish. Be patient!

9. Rites and Rituals

Once you believe you have attracted your familiar, perform a welcoming ritual to solidify the bond:

– Ritual Circle: Draw a protective circle with salt or special chalk. Extend your invitation to the familiar within this space.

– Bonding Ceremony: Light candles and offer thanks, speaking words of commitment. Use incense, like frankincense or sandalwood, for an inviting atmosphere.

Finally . . .

Know that attracting a familiar is a deeply personal and spiritual journey. It’s about mutual respect and forming a bond with a being that can navigate both the physical and spiritual realms. By attentively preparing your environment, clarifying your intentions, and fostering connections, you open yourself up to the wonderful possibility of inviting a witchy familiar into your life. 

May your journey to find your magical partner be blessed with clarity, keen observation, and open-hearted acceptance.

Blessed Be!