Conference hydra::dejavu

    Re .0 (Fran):
    
    The initial derivation is Biblical.  For example, Isiah 8:19  --
    
    And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar
    spirits, and unto wizards that peep and that mutter: should not
    a people seek unto their God?  For the living to the dead? (KJV)
    
    "Familiar," in that context, refers to "familiar spirit," meaning,
    a discarnate entity with whom the people in question have a
    relationship.  By Medieval times, that relationship was considered
    to be something of a master (human) - slave (spirit) relationship,
    with the implication that a) the spirit somehow benefited from
    that relationship; and b) that after a period of time, the "master"
    would have to pay some sort of price.   Common belief was that the
    spirits in question were agents of the Devil, and that in return
    for their services in this corporeal life, the person "mastering"
    them would forfeit his or her soul.  These spirits were supposed
    to feed from their "masters" in some way; often an extra lump on
    a person's body was taken to be the "teat" upon which these familiars
    nursed.  Thus, during the European witch hysteria, any body lump
    with a nipple-like protuberance was taken to be a "witch teat" and
    was "proof" that the person trafficked with one of Satan's minions.
    [A more modern view is that any such discarnate entities would feed
    from the life energies of their "master," thus becoming, at best,
    psychic parasites.]
    
    In the Medieval period, such "familiar spirits" were thought to
    assume the shape of animals, often cats.  Thus, some pets today
    are now jocularly referred to as "familiars."
    
    The passage, out of the flowery language of the King James Version
    of the Bible, is warning people not to substitute fortunetelling
    and spellcasters for worship of God, particularly with regards to
    necromancy (calling up spirits of the dead to foretell the future).
    As such, it is not a blanket condemnation of working in the paranormal,
    but it is a clear reminder of the commandments against worshipping
    other gods and worshipping graven images.
    
    Steve Kallis, Jr.
    
    

    Thank you, Steve, 
    
     as I love Medieval history that was terrific information!
    
     I have heard, however, that in these modern times that a familiar
    was more of kindred spirit, more benevolent than thought of in
    medieval times...has anyone else heard that explanation of a
    "familiar"?  except for that and wht Steve just explained that
    is the extent of my knowledge of this.
    
    Fran
    

    
    	In the book, _Hostage_To_The_Devil_, Malachi Martin recounts
    the cases of five actual posessions, as recorded by the
    Catholic church.   (Martin was a Jesuit)      One of the most
    common forms of posession is by a familiar spirit.   The case
    he told was of a disk jockey who was followed around by an
    annoying being that only he could see.   When he was doing his
    radio shows, the spirit would say funny things that the disk
    jockey would use for humor on his show.   He became dependent 
    on this spirit for this 'scriptwriting', but generally found
    the presence to be annoying.    He had to go through an
    exorcism to be rid of it.
    
    	From Martin's description, this form of posession may be as
    dangerous as the cases where the invading spirit moves inside
    the person.     An interesting and educational book, at any rate.
    It's from real stories like these that the legends and theories
    are built.
    
							Alan.

    Today, someone may have a special creature, who is a pet and kind
    of a magical partner to them.  This is also called a familiar, and
    may be what you're talking about.
    
    Elizabeth

    re -1
    yes, Elizabeth, that seems to be closer to what I have been reading
    about. In what I read there didn;t seem to be anything frightening
    or evil about a familiar..the word magical would more explain it.
    It seems to be more of a helper..and clearly benevolent. What I
    don't undersatnd is how the familiar is a magical partner? is it
    a benevolent spirit? of more like a tie between human and nature?
    Thank you
    B*B
    Fran
    

    Re -.1
    
    I agree with you, and more.  It's a tie between the human and nature,
    it's clearly benevolent.  I've been in circles where someone's familiar
    came in, on its own initiative, and seemed to be helping us with
    a magical operation.  So, it helps the magician magically as well
    as just being a benevolent spirit.  An animal has adopted me as
    being my familiar in the not-too-distant past.  It's a special kind
    of thing - the way I feel about him is much different than I feel
    about others of his kind.
    
    B**2, Elizabeth

    re -1
    Elizabeth, may I ask you another question which is, How do
    you recognize your familiar how can you signal he or she out
    of a crowd of animals as in my home where I have a healthy
    supply of pets.  I have always felt that in the midst of them
    was one who helped bring magic but I can't figure out who!!
    can it be morethan one?
    thankyou for your patience.
    Fran
    

    re -.1 (Fran)
    
    I've got quite a healthy supply of pets myself.  How I found mine
    is that when I'd hold him, there would always be an energy exchange
    between us, especially when we'd stare into each others eyes for
    long periods of time, and it's just a special feeling.  And yes,
    you may have more than one.
    
    Giving a definitive answer to this question would be like answering
    a Vulcan's question "How do you know when you're in love?"  Difficult
    to explain to someone who hasn't experienced it.
    
    Elizabeth

    thank you Elizabeth, I do understand, I think I got two...:-))
    
    Fran