Merry meet!
Thank you once again to everyone who joined in for last week’s Weekly Witchy Challenge - Scrying 
After peering into the unknown for answers, its time to sit back, have a break, and give a pat of appreciation to the ones who are always at our sides- be they in this world or another 
The theme for this week’s challenge is…
A Witch’s Companions: Pets, Familiars, and More 
What is a Witch’s Familiar?
While there are various definitions for a familiar out there (and, as always, you are free to use the definition that resonates most with you!) you can usually distinguish a familiar from a pet by looking at the primary role of the creature.
A familiar is a creature that has established a mutually beneficial contract of some sort with a witch and whose primary role is to aid a witch in their Craft 
Can a pet be involved in magick? 
Unlike a familiar whose primary role is to assist in magick, a pet’s primary role in the household is for something else- such as companionship, medical assistance, or protection.
But although they have other non-magickal duties or lifestyles, a household pet can absolutely assist a witch and participate in the Craft! 
Pets can watch over magickal workings, offer support both emotional and spiritual, donate spell materials (such as shed fur or lost scales), guard sacred spaces, accompany a witch during meditations or astral travel, watch over their witch when they cross over, and much more.
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Whether you have a trusty familiar, a beloved pet, or something else at your side- it’s time to show them off and appreciate them this week 
This challenge is all about A Witch’s Companions- but as always, how you explore the theme is up to you!
So are you ready? Because it’s…
CHALLENGE TIME!
Picture from Pixabay
STEP 1 : A Witch’s Best Friend 
This challenge is all about familiars and pets- but how you choose to take on this theme is up to you!
Still not sure where to begin? To help you get started, here are a few ways in which a witch might approach this challenge.
There are so many terms and labels for creatures in the Craft- it’s enough to ruffle anyone’s fur! 
Feel free to jump in and do some research on the various types of critters in the practice. For your challenge entry this week, we’d love to hear what you learned! 
Familiar, Pet, and other related discussions in the forum:
- Spirit Animals and Symbolism
- How to Call Your Spirit Animal
- Best Tips on How to Find Your Spiritual Familiar?
- What is Your Totem Animal?
- Question About Animal Totems and Intuition
- How do I Find a Spiritual Guide to Work With?
Do you have a beloved pet who helps you in your practice? Maybe a favorite familiar? Perhaps you’d like to share about how you met your spirit guide? 
Feel free to share pictures and stories for your entry this week! 
If your companion helps you, why not reach a hand to help them week? Consider working some magick in honor of your companion/guide this week, such as a spell or an act of gratitude 
Alternatively, consider doing a spell or meditation alongside your companion/guide! 
Related discussions in the forum:
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Honor a Memory 
For those with companions who have crossed over the Rainbow Bridge, consider taking some time to honor their memory this week. From a farewell ritual to reaching across the veil to say hello, there are many ways to continue to treasure a beloved companion.
The suggestions above are just a few ideas to help kickstart your creativity- if you feel called to explore witchy companions in another way, please feel free to do so! 
For additional ideas and animal magick inspiration, feel free to explore the coven’s entries to past animal-related challenges:
Dragon Magick
The Bestiary
As always, all witches are encouraged to embrace their own unique practice with how they explore the challenge theme 
STEP 2 : Share Your Experience 
Click here for a note about challenge inclusivity
Everyone is welcome to join the challenge by practicing magick in line with the current theme. For lurkers and those who don’t feel comfortable sharing, it is absolutely okay to follow along with the challenge but keep your entry personal. Feel free to join in spirit and do what feels most comfortable for you!
That being said, please know that if you would like to receive a prize and a public shout-out, it is required that you share your experience.
Getting Your Credit 
In order for your entry to be counted, all you have to do is write/share about your experience and label it as your challenge entry. There is a lot of chatting here (which is awesome- chatting and discussion are very welcome!) so please clearly write that it is your entry so I know to count it!
Where Should I Share My Entry? 
Click here to learn where to share your challenge entry
You are welcome to post it right here- just click “reply” 
to this post and write your experience in the text box that pops up!
Alternatively, you could create a new post in the forum (this is good for when you have a lot to share and/or would like to discuss aspects of your entry not related to the current theme)
Note : If you do choose to create a new thread, please add the “challenge-entry” tag and/or add a hyperlink back to this post so that it can be easily found- thank you! 
Deadline 
This challenge will close in 6 DAYS
To join in, please share your experience by:
Tuesday, May 30 at 7:00 AM CET (Central European Time)
( Time Converter: 2023-05-30T05:00:00Z)
(Note that the time zone is CET- if you don’t see your time displayed above, you can use this time zone calculator to check for your time zone!)
Prizes 
For their efforts, all participants will receive a special shout-out and a small prize!
Acknowledgments will be given in a Props and Presents Post that will appear in the forums on Tuesday.
After the challenge closes, you are still very welcome to post but please be aware that no additional prizes will be given. This discussion will remain open for about a week after the challenge finishes.
A warm reminder that the challenges are designed to be very open- everyone is encouraged to participate in a way that honors and reflects their unique practice 
If you have any doubts about if something is acceptable to post or say, please double-check with the Forum FAQ and/or reach out to your friendly Moderator Team.
And for those new to challenges- welcome! Know that the goal of these activities is to help you further diversify and strengthen your abilities and to bring together the Spells8 forum family to inspire and support one another in creative ways 
Picture from Pixabay
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While awake or while in a dream,
A witch and their companion are quite the team!
In spirit or flesh, with scales or with fur,
Some friends hiss while others purr.
By day and by night, long after they part-
A witch’s companion has a home in the heart.
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Blessed Be! 
