A Witch's Ally: Building a Magical Relationship with Animal Familiars & Companions

by Dodie Graham McKay, Kelden (Foreword by)

Overview

Invite Animal Allies Into Your Practice

From the earliest grimoires, animal familiars and companions have been a vital part of witchcraft. This book covers all aspects of working magic with animal allies and how to create profound relationships with your own pets. In addition to folklore and history, Dodie Graham McKay shares dozens of charms, recipes, rituals, and more.

Featuring deep insight on how witches relate to their familiars and companions, this book helps you work with animal energy and see the world from their unique point of view. Explore supernatural entities and long-ago symbolism, partner with animals in body and spirit, and enjoy stories from Dodie about her relationship with animal allies. From making pumpkin oat dog biscuits to shapeshifting via dance, this book will enrich your experiences with the animals in your life.

Includes a foreword by Kelden, author of The Crooked Path

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780738770116
Publisher:	Llewellyn Worldwide, LTD.
Publication date:	09/08/2024
Pages:	232
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Dodie Graham McKay (she/her) is a writer, Green Witch, and filmmaker. She is inspired to document and share stories that capture the beauty of nature and the visible and invisible realms of magic and witchcraft. She is the author of the books Earth Magic: The Elements of Witchcraft and The Witch's Ally: Building a Magical Relationship with Familiars & Animal Companions, and her documentary films include The WinniPagans, Starry Nights, and the Fibe TV four-part series Exploring the Sacred. Dodie spends her spare time walking her dogs, teaching witchcraft, and facilitating a busy coven. She lives in Treaty One Territory, Homeland of the Métis Nation, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Visit her at DodieGrahamMcKay.com.

Kelden (Minnesota) has been practicing Traditional Witchcraft for more than a decade. He is the author of The Crooked Path: An Introduction to Traditional Witchcraft. Additionally, his writing has appeared in The Witch's Altar, The New Aradia: A Witch's Handbook to Magical Resistance, and This Witch magazine. Kelden is also the cocreator of The Traditional Witch's Deck, and he authors a blog on the Patheos Pagan channel called By Athame and Stang. In his free time, Kelden enjoys reading, hiking, growing poisonous plants, and playing ukulele. Learn more at Patheos.com/Blogs/ByAthameAndStang.

Table of Contents

Contents

List of Spells, Recipes & Workings xv

Foreword by Kelden xvii

Preface xxi

Introduction 1

Part One: History & Folklore
Chapter One: Defining the Terms 7
Chapter Two: A Look at the Past 17
Chapter Three: Animals in Witchcraft Folklore 33
Chapter Four: Companions of the Gods 57

Part Two: Reimagining Magic Relationships with Animals
Chapter Five: Understanding the Natural Magic of Animals 77
Chapter Six: Receiving Animal Wisdom 97
Chapter Seven: Seeking Familiars & Companions 107

Part Three: Working with Animals in Body & Spirit
Chapter Eight: A Witch's Toolbox & Animals 127
Chapter Nine: Whiskers, Bones & Other Animal Parts 141
Chapter Ten: Recipes & Rituals for Animals of Body 157
Chapter Eleven: Recipes & Rituals for Animals of Spirit 175
Chapter Twelve: Saying Goodbye 189

Conclusion 199

Bibliography 203

Editorial Reviews

"A far-reaching examination of the intersections between witchcraft, the inner world of animals, and our relationships with them. Throughout A Witch's Ally, you'll find a beautifully curated collection of Dodie's personal experiences, history, folklore, rituals, and frameworks to understand witchcraft with animals. I am especially appreciative of the care that is taken in clarifying the distinctions between pets, companions, animal spirits, and cultural contexts. This book is an asset to anyone that wishes to deepen their connection to the spiritual world of animals."
—Ivo Dominguez, Jr., author of the Witch's Sun Sign series

"This profoundly wise and wonderful book is an extraordinary guide that opens the portals of the mind and spirit to the magical power of our connection with animals on both the physical and non physical planes. Beautifully written, combining deep insight with practicality, A Witch's Ally is an important book that could change your perception of animals—and your life."
—Lisa Tenzin-Dolma, author of The Glastonbury Tarot and Charlie, the Dog Who Came in from the Wild

"McKay brings a modern, inclusive, and thorough lens to the discussion of animal companions to your craft. With its insights and techniques, this book will help you forge, deepen, and multiply your connections with the potential allies all around us, as well as inform you on the history and folklore behind many beyond the ubiquitous black cat and corvid."
—J.R. Mascaro, author of Seal, Sigil & Call

"A Witch's Ally thoughtfully presents the diverse roles animals have played in folklore throughout history and within modern witchcraft. The reader is immersed in the different relationships witches form with animals, exploring the origins of those bonds, and how the unique strengths of our companions can enhance magical practice. Adding a rich layer of insight to the narrative,A Witch's Ally goes beyond our perceptions of animals and considers how they perceive us and the world around them. This book is a beautifully written, heartfelt tribute to the animals that enrich our magic and our lives!"
—Nicolette Miele, author of Runes for the Green Witch

"A compelling and heartfelt exploration of the relationships that we develop with some of the witch's closest allies. Dodie Graham McKay weaves the story of her beloved pup, Oban, who has the soul of a poet, through the pages while sharing practical exercises to find and deepen your own magick with the animal kingdom. A refreshingly animistic adventure."
—Nathan Hall, author of Path of the Moonlit Hedge

"Our relationship with animals is pure magic, and Dodie taps into those feelings to help us re-enchant our relationship with our animal companions and indeed the role they can play in our own witchcraft practices. Animals, just like us, are imbued with spirit and soul, and A Witch's Ally offers a delectable slice of animism that so many of us can access, helping to see the world and all the beings in it as alive with spirit!"
—Emma Kathryn, author of Season Songs and Witch Life

"A Witch's Ally opened my eyes to the multifaceted nature of working with familiars and animal spirits. This is a thorough, well-researched, compassionate, and practical guide to working with animal friends in magickal practice."
—Enfys J. Book, author of Queer Qabala and Queer Rites

From the Publisher