Familiars- Stories and the Like

[willowia]

Hey, lovelies!
I know there is another thread but I feel like that was covered and answered so I figured I'd start one fresh!

I haven't been in EUTM very long and have only been practicing for a couple of years, (the past 6 months taken seriously) but I've always had a deep connection with animals. And now more recently trees. Animals always feel safe with me, (so do children to be honest. They flock to me even though I'm not particularly fond of them haha) I have been known to charm any fearful or uneasy animal and make it a personal challenge to help them feel safe and open. I tend to have "single owner" pets in my lap in a couple of minutes. I've always been this way.

So naturally, I try to use these powers for good, and get a reptile. A snake in fact. In an effort to not only fulfill a dream I had always had about having a snake, but also to help alleviate the fear our society has instilled in us through social media. (so far I've cured 3 people of their fear of snakes, that now go ask pet stores to hold their untamed snakes to be reminded of my little python.)

I got a ball python around the time I started taking the Craft seriously. Her name is Frostte (frost), and I have reason to believe she may be my familiar, but since I have such little experience I turn to you knowledgeable folks for answers!
Have any of you had a snake familiar? I've had a hard time trying to find information on the web about anyone with experience with snake familiars. How do you know you have found your familiar be they scaley or no? How would I best involve my snake-baby in my magickal practice?

And finally, I want to hear about everyone's experience with familiars! do you have one? what are they like? can I see a picture of them?? I would love to get to know you all better and hear about the quirky things our little witch helpers do. <3 I've included a couple pictures of my Frostte to get things rolling! (excuse lack of makeup and general grossness lol)

Sidenote: I have saved a lot of her snake skin as she has shed, and I am currently making my own wand. I am drawn to put some of her skin on the handle of my wand. Does anyone have anything to say about the magickal properties of snake skin? And would her being my familiar hold more magical properties? or would it be sacred to her body that would be overstepping and shouldn't use for my craft? please let me know. <3

Blessed be!
~Willowia

[AdastraJunction]

I have a Rainbow Boa who is one of my familiar and a nesting peregrine falcon in the tree outside my home who tends to visit my window often, I'd like to believe he/she is also a familiar since it shows up whenever I am at my altar. Either that or they are my spirit animals. What is amazing bout them is they are the depiction of two of my deities, so it cannot just be a coincidence.

[Aesiryth]

I do not have a familiar, but hope to have one soon. I honestly don't know what it would be because I don't feel a connection with any one specific animal. I do know a bit about them though. Your familiar can be chosen by you, but it can also choose you. As Adastra was saying, the peregrine falcon keeps coming to her window when she is at her altar (which is absolutely amazing by the way). It's kind of hard to explain how one knows which animal is their chosen familiar, but you will know when you find one right for you.

I do get the connection you have with animals and children though! When I pass by a baby it smiles, some just stare without end, but most smile. Animals on the other hand aren't as...interested for lack of a better word. Although I am usually great with dogs and cats, but better with dogs, they don't act very "clingy". I do totally understand your connection though, it is pretty cool

My aunt has a black cat as a familiar and she is so loving around her. Her name is Sophie, but she can be so mean around anyone else. Great with energy though, it's almost like she can see it. Sometimes during a ritual she'll look like she is following a gnat with her eyes, but there is no gnat, only the energy I presume. So especially protective animals around you could also be a sign of a familiar.

-Aesiryth

[RosieMoonflower]

I also feel I have a connection to animals, but not so much children. Spaniel type dogs are one of my familiars I believe. My mother had a beautiful liver and white English springer spaniel when I was born and that dog was my best friend and nanny growing up. I've continuously run into the breed over and over again throughout my life.

Recently, during meditation, I saw a brown spaniel type dog, and then I had some flashes to when I had seen that dog in my dreams. Then just a few days ago, I left my dogs inside from being outside and watched them all run in, 1,2,3....then I thought, wait I don't have three! There were only two dogs in the house of course but I swore I saw a 3rd little brown doggie running in behind them!

Rosie [HIBISCUS]

[MsMollimizz]

a nesting peregrine falcon in the tree outside my home who tends to visit my window often, I'd like to believe he/she is also a familiar since it shows up whenever I am at my altar. Either that or they are my spirit animals. What is amazing bout them is they are the depiction of two of my deities, so it cannot just be a coincidence.

I'd love to be able to see a nesting bird like that all the time !
That'd be totally cool !
Gentle Light
MsMollimizz