What are familiar spirits?  Are familiar spirits, ghosts?

Familiar spirits have been described as “helpful spirits” by various cultures, but actual descriptions of familiar spirits vary greatly.  So perhaps, familiar spirits have been greatly misunderstood by many.

One belief regarding familiar spirits teaches them to be helpful animal spirits, taking the shape of cats, dogs, owls, snakes, wolves, etc.  Familiar spirits such as these are believed to have magical powers, and may have originated from tribal societies being similar to totems .

Familiar spirits have also sometimes been described as having the form of a “black man.” This description sounds very similar to what many describe as being shadow people, or disembodied humans that have not crossed over unto the light. 

Still today others regard familiar spirits as being demons, or something evil, due to the reference to familiar spirits found within some of the

translations of the Old Testament.  But, those in the Bible who called up familiar spirits to ask them questions, were called sorcerers and necromancers; people who spoke to the (human) dead.  Many believe the word familiar (coming from the Latin world familiaris, meaning “household servant”), to express the idea of a helpful spirit that obeys the necromancer or sorcerer’s commands.

If a familiar spirit is then a disembodied human, is it a ghost?  If we were to connect the Old Testament idea of a familiar spirit possibly being human with the description previously mentioned of familiar spirits having been described as having the form of a “black man,” then one could begin to get the picture of familiar spirits not being demons, but people on the other side of the grave. 

In this sense, familiar spirits would be earthbound spirits, or spirits that have not moved on in life and remained in interaction with the earthly realm. 

Ghosts certainly interact with the earthly realm, and some ghosts do seek to be helpful spirits.  Yet, even with the best of intentions, ghosts are not in the right mind and thus are interfering in the lives of those on the earth, especially when contrasted with spirits that come from the light to assist and guide people.  Perhaps the Old Testament gives a cryptic warning not to listen to, or even follow the advice of familiar spirits; due to familiar spirits being people who are lost, still in darkness, and not enlightened…ghosts. 

Are familiar spirits evil, then?  No, not necessarily.  Ghosts are people, and people vary in personality, intent and purpose.  Some familiar spirits may be strongly negative, while others may be positive and even motherly in nature.  It really is no different than the varying personalities we experience of people in the physical.  Yet some ghosts, believing they are hidden and unseen, may try and fulfill addictions, pursue negative desires, or even seek revenge upon people.  

As mentioned previously, it is possible to have a ghost interfere with a person’s life, because of what the familiar spirit perceives to be helpful and of good intention.  Suppose a person’s mother passes and decides to remain here on earth with her family.  Her intentions are such as to instruct, guide, and protect her loved ones, but how good of advice might she have, having not ascended to a higher perspective found within the light or heavens, and having remained in darkness with only limited knowledge?  Also see: Family Ghosts

Speaking of familiar spirits and family, it should be noted that it just may be that many of our (what we deem as) deceased family members and friends are actually the ghosts that haunt us.  Just maybe they hang around us, more than unknown ghosts, in attempts to stay with or assist us.  Might it then be more proper to recognize that many of the ghosts around us, who are in need of our help to move unto the light (See: Ghost Rescue), might be family and better named, “familial spirits?”

I should also mention that enlightened spirits, not ghosts (earthbound spirits), communicate with all of us.  They oversee our lives, as unseen observers who interact with us during our life-journey.  Such spirits bring truths, guidance and love to those whom they are ministering to.

These spirits may be equated with spirit guides, angels, or even ascended family or friends who have transitioned from this earthly plane unto the light, what some may call "Heaven."  Such spirits always bring love, joy and peace.  - LC

Also Read:  Ghosts & Spirits, What Are Angels, Spirit Guides