Look at the documents recounting historical witch trials, and you’ll see some unusual names: Vinegar Tom, Pyewacket, Jarmara, Elemanzer, Peckin the Crown. All of these figures have one thing in common — none of them were human.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Familiar spirits are often misunderstood. In the past, they were used as a way to further vilify witches. Today, they are variously described as real animals, spirit guides, or some combination of the two. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are familiar spirits in witchcraft, and what do they actually do?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In simple terms, a familiar spirit is a spirit that serves as a helper. In historical witch trial documents, a familiar spirit was a spirit that aided the witch in her witchcraft. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
These spirits were often said to be bound by a pact — the familiar would only offer their help if the witch in question did something for them in turn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These spirits generally take the form of animals, but they aren’t limited to this. They can appear as anything animate, from animals, to humans, to downright strange creatures. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some of the familiars purported to belong to the accused in the witch trials were described as a legless spaniel, a greyhound with an ox’s head, or imps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n