The Cat as a Witch's Familiar Spirit

	WITCH MOON RETREAT : 9–11 May 2008

	WITCHES & FAMILIAR SPIRITS
	The Witch's 'Cat' as the Familiar Animal Spirit The above old wood-cut images illustrate the close connection between the Cat and the Witch both in popular belief and reality. The Witch and her Cat are interchangeable as images of the unconscious animal function of the psyche.		Cat as Witches' Familiar Spirit The image above shows one Witch astride her broom, whip in hand and a somewhat lighter-than-air Cat trying to stay aside her broom. Images such as these are used as metaphor in my exploration of the Witch and the psychic function of the forgotten animal powers. Treating this image much as I would a Tarot card, it provides a rich field for interpellation. Is the Witch who is reclining on the ground with more cats, dreaming of her nocturnal flight? The house in this image, with its home-fires burning, reinforces this message as if to say, "While others are tucked up warm in bed, the Witches (like cats) are abroad at night." All the action happens beneath the gaze of the Moon, the principal symbol of the Unconscious and dreaming. Totemic emblems such as Cats have come to represent Witches not only as a whole, but as a type of psychic power sent out to do the Witch's bidding. This illustration seems to suggest the instinctual powers are at the forefront during the hours of the night. At the left is an interesting image of a Warlock riding his Cat-like Familiar backwards! The 'backward way' is also a metaphoric symbol for entry into the psychic and imaginative worlds entered 'backward', ie. by laying down on one's 'back' to go to sleep. At the Witch Moon Retreat we will further explore images of the Witch's Familiar spirit to aid us in better understanding the shape-shifting phenomena. Additionally, we'll also explore trance techiques I've used successfully for the spontaneous entry into spirit travelling. During the course of the retreat we'll develop personal ritual methods for you as a key to your continued work with the Familiar spirit. BACK > WELCOME • PROGRAM • ABOUT US • PHOTOS • BOOKING INFO • CONTACT US Tim Hartridge©2008

Cat as Witches' Familiar Spirit The image above shows one Witch astride her broom, whip in hand and a somewhat lighter-than-air Cat trying to stay aside her broom. Images such as these are used as metaphor in my exploration of the Witch and the psychic function of the forgotten animal powers.

Cat as Witches' Familiar Spirit
The image above shows one Witch astride her broom, whip in hand and a somewhat lighter-than-air Cat trying to stay aside her broom. Images such as these are used as metaphor in my exploration of the Witch and the psychic function of the forgotten animal powers.