The familiar (physical, astral, or elemental) can help you by strengthening your magical power. Some physical creatures do this by actually being in the room whenever you work a ritual.
Familiars can improve your life by warning you of danger, or defending you when danger arises. Animals, such as cats and dogs, can warn you when danger is present by hissing, growling, and even refusing to enter a room if someone they consider questionable is there. They will also awaken their owners during the night to alert them to fires, intruders, or other potential disasters. Quite often they will refuse to enter an area that has a malicious, trouble some ghost.
An example of subtle warning is when a cat or dog leaves the room when a particular person enters, or when the animal avoids a person altogether. The animal may also sit and stare at the questionable person. If you listen to these warnings, and are truthful to yourself about the person in question, you will find in some way that the person is not compatible with or healthy for you.
Animals are also good healers. They seem to know when someone they care about is sick. It doesn't matter to them whether the illness is emotional or physical. They get as close as they can and send comforting, healing vibrations.
When it comes to strengthening magical power during a ritual or spell working, there is nothing better than a familiar. Some physical creatures simply can't be kept out of the room when magical happenings are in progress. The buildup of energy draws them like a magnet. You can tell if your "pet" is a true familiar if the power builds even more with his or her presence. A very few pets, like some people, siphon off energy, but this is rarer in the animal kingdom than it is among humans.
A good familiar can also let you know by telepathy and subtle actions whether or not you are using the appropriate type of magical procedure. If you aren't, they sometimes become disruptive until you listen to them. Usually only an adjustment in viewpoint of the desired result is necessary to bring back their help.
Another benefit of familiars is learning certain techniques from them. By studying a creature a magician can learn how to temporarily adopt some of their traits which may be necessary to cope with a situation. For example, you may find yourself wanting to make a stealthy exit from a crowded room. By concentrating on the quietness of a mouse or the cunning of a fox, it is possible to leave the room without being noticed. In a way, this is becoming "invisible."
Physical or astral familiars are frequent companions during astral travels or meditations. They are protectors and guides in otherworld realms. Often by following them, you are led to new sources of information and understanding, particularly those of a spiritual nature.
There is nothing evil about having a familiar, whether they are creatures of the earth plane or the astral plane.
Non-pagans sometimes do not understand the companionship and working relationship between Pagans and their familiars, and sometimes fear the very idea of familiars. However, having a familiar makes one more aware of the connection between humans and all other creatures, and the more intricate connection between all creatures (human and otherwise) and the universal source of spiritual power.
