2. Elemental: This is of nature, it can be a nature spirit, faerie, or any mythological spirit, such as a unicorn or dragon. It is used to inhabit an object for ritual or Magical use such as a crystal, Magic mirror, talisman, or wand. These Elementals are called upon to help strengthen the Magic and are not forced or imprisoned in objects. These Elementals represent Air, Water, Fire, or Earth.
3. Astral: This familiar will attach itself to you because it has qualities you lack and are in need of such as the case of an emergency.
4. Spirit (The Dead): Wiccans and Witches usually do not practice summoning the dead, but the dead may appear to us in dreams, meditations, or inner journeys. It is believed that the dead should be respected and if a spirit wants to help they can choose so as a spirit guide. The practice of communicating with the dead for help is different. This was a practice done many times by ancient people because they saw how close the two worlds were and that is was nothing to fear. The Celts used to sleep on barrow mounds which were built over ley lines in the first place and thus increased any kind of energy. To communicate with the dead for advice and to seek help is usually done on Samhain when the two worlds come close together. This time of the year is also to honor the dead and many cultures have this practice.
Respect is important to a familiar. They come to you to guide, help, warn, and to give you messages. These are all important and personal to you, therefore you need to honor them and show respect by thanking them, leaving a token of some kind to your familiar on your alter. The experiences you have with your familiar are highly personal and many people may not understand the true inner meaning of them. To talk of the experiences you have with your familiar may show disrespect and it will lesson the Magic you have with them and may even make them leave.
To attract a familiar of the astral kind, all you need to do is meditate on a chosen familiar and to call for it. This does not mean the familiar will come to attend you because you call it. Familiars have a will and will come if they want to and feel they have something necessary for you. Sometimes they come for a short period and then leave, sometimes we call on a specific animal, but get another one entirely. And some choose us whether we have any personal liking for them at all. The key to attracting a familiar is patience and listening with all your senses. They may come to you through a vision, meditation, or dreams and they will leave subtle messages. Sometimes we may notice a certain feather that appears in our path more than usual, sometimes we dream of a plant because we need it for healing, sometimes during meditation we suddenly meet a spirit with a message, sometimes we notice that there are certain things in the house being disrupted or moved or even 'lost' because we are not listening and they are trying to get our attention. There are times you must listen with all your senses. Its a kind of opening up. Any experiences you have and do not understand, write them down in your book or journal because I can guarantee you that in a few days, weeks or a month that message will become very clear.
