Familiars: Best Friend or Biggest Weakness?

Whether you tracked down your familiar yourself or ordered it at random, they will undeniably play a huge part in your life from here on out. While these creatures can be incredibly strong and often times protect their witch-- they can be a huge liability as well. How exactly, you might wonder. Make sure to keep on reading and learn all there is to know about what's undeniably a witch's best friend, confidant, protector and at the same time, biggest weakness.

The Myth

Of course we all know familiars are real and very much a part of a witch's life. However, mortals too aren't entirely in the unknown when it comes to these supernatural creatures or entities. As a matter of fact, a quirky woman owning a black cat could, in the past, be considered a witch, just because of it. Unfortunately, the consequences for being labeled as such, would soon follow.

It is commonly known these entities, often described as spirits of some sort, protect and assist their witches and at times even advise them. They're said to come in various shapes and sizes, but tend to take on the shape of an animal to go unnoticed. Something that clearly didn't help all that much!

Nowadays, where the existence of witches is less frowned upon, there's plenty of regular mortals practicing wicca or witchcraft. Familiars included. Needless to say, these aren't of the magical variety in any way, shape or form. Instead, these witches often refer to their beloved pets as such. Not magical, nor very protective in most cases. But a confidant regardless.

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina

While reading the segment above, you might've already picked up on a few tidbits of information that aren't entirely correct when it comes to the CAOS fandom. What do you expect? Familiars and witches, despite the witch trials that plagued the world for quite some time, are thought to be nothing but a mere figment of one's imagination. Thus differing greatly from continent to continent and even between countries, states, cities and towns.

Considered fiction in our world, in the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, they are very much real! However, they're not mere entities or spirits, even if they can still somewhat be compared to them.

Nope! Instead, they are known to be goblins. Tall, skinny looking creatures with either black or tan skin, a long, strong tail and extremely sharp claws. Not exactly a great sight to behold, but thankfully, they too tend to take on the shape of an animal. Often times, an animal that most closely reflects the inner workings of their witch. Although there are some exceptions known.

Such as a werewolf familiar, but more about that later.

 

Familiar Abilities

We've already covered the fact that a familiar can shapeshift from its goblin form into that of an animal. But did you know they can shift right back at will as well? Or that they are capable of human speech when they are in their goblin form? That's not all these creatures are capable of however.

While they may appear unasuming and definitely not a threat in their animal form, that's quite different when they return to their original state. Not only are they incredibly strong physically, they also possess a huge amount of power. One that can, at times, even rival or surpass that of their witch.

Obtaining One's Familiar

Around Greendale, the to-go-to location to come across familiars in the wild, would be the Moon Valley. A specific part of the Greendale Woods that seems to be brimming with magic and-- magical inhabitants. It is there where young witches can go to find themselves a familiar to bond with. However, this is deemed rather dangerous and unheard of as there's far more 'sophisticated' ways to obtain one.

Like picking one from a registry just before they officially go through their Dark Baptism. That way you'll know what kind of animal you end up with, but one could argue if it's the best option and match. Another way would be to simply summon one. Call out and see whatever familiar ends up answering the call. Something the more confident witches out there seem to prefer.

When summoned or 'ordered' or even found in the depths of the Greendale Woods, a witch can opt to name their familiar themselves. However, there's a few that are stubborn enough to choose a name for themselves. One thing's for sure however. If a witch dies, so does their familiar. The bond may not seem to go both ways in that regard, there's one exception though. If a familiar falls into the wrong hands, said familiar can be used to control the witch it is tied to. Big yikes!

Known Familiars

The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina knows many familiar. Like the best known Salem, Sabrina's black cat or Vinegar Tom, Zelda's dog who meets a rather unfortunate fate. But there's many more if you've been playing close attention to the show.

We've seen Stolas, Lilith's raven, Leviathian, Ambrose's mouse and of course, Nicholas' Amalia. Which is technically not a familiar at all, but a werewolf and quite the possessive one at that. Due to their animalistic and supernatural nature, it is possible for a werewolf to be bound to a witch. Which leaves another question: what other supernaturel creatures can a witch tie to themselves?

Sadly, we do not have an answer to this question at this time. Or perhaps that's actually for the best.

Sabrina the Teenage Witch

While familiars are goblins in the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina tv show, the same cannot be said about it's predecessor. After all, in Sabrina the Teenage witch, familiars are former witches who have been punished to spend time as an animal, education and helping other witches.

Cruel, you might think, but it's not done over something as minor as petty theft. These witches are usually quite the fellons. Like our beloved Salem Saberhagen who was in fact, planning to take over the world. Which was exactly how he ended up in the care of Hilda Spellman and as Sabrina's familiar when he provides her with guidance. Whether that's good or bad.

If you could have a familiar, would you get one? What animal would it take the form of? Let us know in the comments!