Familiars - Animal Powers of Britain

by Anna Franklin
Published by Capall Bann (1997)

This is a book which will allow to study and understand the messages and meanings of many of the power animals (the Familiars of the title) you may contact whilst pathworking. Anna Franklin explains in her introduction that

“Working with animal powers formed part of my early magical training over twenty years ago. In those days we did not call them totems or power animals, but familiars. It is only in the past ten years or so, since the renewal of interest in forms of 'shamanism' that the terms have come out of anthropology books into current magical usage in Britain. So much so that our own traditions are ignored or denigrated, often by people who profess an interest in those very traditions, and ought to know better.

I was taught that the witch works with the spirits of the land-place, plant and animal as well as the gods and goddesses; that she must seek out, gain knowledge of and forge a working relationship with such spirits. Special bonds are formed with particular plant and with animal familiars who help with magical and healing work. I also learned that such knowledge was only obtained by journeying into the 'Otherworld'.”

The book gives a very brief introduction to some methods of working with familiars, including some guided pathworkings for readers to use.
The main part of the book is then a description of some fifty familiars you are likely to encounter in your journeying. The animals are listed in alphabetical order, and each entry lists associated deities, plant allies, elements, station on the wheel and festivals for the animal. There is a brief natural history of the subject and a larger section on the associated lore for each animal.
For those who love to dip into reference works to ‘find out’ about what an animal or bird may mean to them, this is an excellent work, giving insight into what message the animal may be bringing, and suggestions for further working with it.

Priced £15.95 (July 2003)

To buy Familiars- Animal Powers of Britain direct from Capall Bann click here

 

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