and what are they good for? how does one gain a familiar and what types of familiars are there?

...http://www.monstropedia.org/index.php?title=Familiar


Thats the info on the monstropedia.

Define "types" exactly.

"spiritual", physical, etc.

[CelticSeeker]

A familiar in my veiw of study, is a spirit/animal/protector/guide for a person. Some aren't aware of theirs, or simply have forgotten thier other side through living in a materialistic world to much.  I have a familiar and he is a cat. He is my brother, and guide. He helps me in problems I face in life and rarely in ritual work. How you find a familiar is different for everyone. For me it happened when I was around five and my family adopted him and his sister from a stray cat's litter that made therir home in my greatgrandmothers house. You could say it was fate, preordained, or just something that happened that no one can explain.
My familiar appeared when I needed him too in my life, I guess. Familiars I know can range from any animal, even in somecases humans what I would call soul friends. Cats and other animal alos posses and naturally have the Two Sights. Humans have to work for theirs because of how clutter life is, but animals can see the fae easier.

[rave phillaphia]

cats are great familars; They are very intuned with the magickal aspect on life. But there are spirit animals and familars; familars are more physical animals that guide you and spirit animals are more of a guide or part of you that is not really there (why its called spirit). A familar may not be a pet or it could be. It can be from an animal that follows you like a bird (mine being a cardinal) and pets are great ones like cats (my favoirte so sweet) dogs work too but they have more energy.

anyother animals?
strenths and weaknesses?

[CelticSeeker]

anyother animals?
strenths and weaknesses?

Familiars can range to an animal, even a garden slug for some. (I don't mean this in any offense by the wya with anyone with a familiar that is a garden slug) As for strengths and weaknesses it depends on the familiar and whether they folow their Rules or not.

[Levinthross]

familiars abilities usually alighn with the animal they are my familiar happens to be a dog and protects me from maelovelent people and spirits it also aids me in protective magic but most familiars are there for invoking specific qualities of that animal and lending there own magic to the fold i would suggest that your familiar has a deep connection with you though

[Bluemoon]

My familiar/guide/totem is a wolf. I knew about him for quite a while, but it took ALOT of meditation to actualy "talk" to him. Ive met and gained a few other wolves that help me with diffrent things.

[Levinthross]

know a family guide or totem is different than a familiar you should learn how to connect with your totem and familiar

[Daemonin]

A familiar is typically animals that help you in your magick and rituals while your totem animal is your spirit guide.

A familiar can be physically there during your rituals, or a nice little statue or symbol representing can be present.  Cats are very magickal and are awesome familiars, but it is also best to find an animal that you are comfortable with and can be a good companion with.

[TheTerror]

yes they are
me totem is the ,is the....I just took a test 3 times and got three different answers
just forget it

[Regina Terra]

I heard that familiars must be carnivorous, or at least omnivorous, otherwise heir energy, for a lack of better word, clashes with our own?

[Daemonin]

I haven't heard that one.  If it's true, though, I guess if you wish to become a vegetarian or a vegan then get an herbivorous one or one that eats seafood

[Regina Terra]

I am not sure if it is true though, I am sadly lacking in any education of the "occult"