Cat Familiars.

Animal Familiars.

There are witches' animals, and there are witch animals. It's a fine but crucial distinction.

Although exceptions exist, witches are legendarily fond of animals. In general, a gathering of magical practitioners will simultaneously be a gathering of animal lovers. During the witch hunt era, one of the alleged tell-tale, sure-fire signs of a witch was someone perceived as someone too friendly with animals - especially with creatures closely associated with witchcraft and the magical arts like crows, cats or dogs.

Animals also serve as familiars. Familiars are witches' animal companions and partners in magic, assisting in divination, spell-casting, and other magical work. Sometimes the presence of the familiar is sufficient to add a little extra magical zip to a spell or ritual.

The relationship between familiar and witch is characterized by intensely close psychic and emotional bonds.


Cats.

Cats are the creatures most associated with witches.

Although this applies to all cats, the cats most associated with witches are black cats. This association may date back to ancient Greece, where Maenads, wild, ecstatic women devoted to the god Dionysus, were believed able to transform into black panthers, among Dionysus's sacred creatures. Witch godesses Diana, Hekate, and Lilith all sometimes manifest in the guise of black cats.

-- Quoted parts of 'The Weiser Field Guide to witches' by Judika Illes.


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