Familiars are a widely misunderstood topic, and this stems from the new age and modern practitioners.

When you hear the phrase "A Witch's familiar" you likely think of a physical black cat, or a pet that the person is connected to - In modern times this is correct, however traditional familiars are much different.

Traditional familiars are energy constructs that could be considered a type of thoughtform, made to help the witch. You would use a traditional familiar to get things from the astral for you, shield you from curses, drain energy from when you need it, deflect malevolent spirit attacks, etc. All things that the new age familiars should not do - would you want a physical pet or plant becoming ill because they took a curse for you? No.

Trad. Familiars are essentially servitor thoughtforms and are very easy to create - You do not need a spell, subliminal, or ritual to create one - I created my Rhino Hornbill thoughtform in roughly a day, and he is starting to form his personality now.

New age familiars can be useful to start spirit communication, however they have many risks - if you treated them and used them as a traditional familiar, they would be put in harm's way.

Many people conflate connections or pets being interested in magick to mean that they are a familiar - which the connection is likely there, however familiars are better off being nonphysical constructs.