Many of us take nothing seriously when it comes to "witchcraft" because not all of us really believe it exists. The belief of witchcraft existence, also known as black magic – has been living for centuries. Even today, there are still those who believe witchcraft exist, especially those who still follow their traditional and cultural ways of life. Usually, in the modern world, a good laughter will be suitable for you if you made claims about witchcraft. Of course, for those who believe in witchcraft, reservations still remain about that believe, but if we believe that magic exists, how is it different from believing in diabolic-magic? If black magic is bad, then it is indeed diabolic and considered witchcraft, right? Right! There are many strange things that happen in this world that may not be seen with the naked eye but proven with enough evidence. However, this list is not about witches themselves or to prove their existence. It is about the familiars of witches – animals that are believed to be associated with witchcraft. Some of these animals are companions of witches and helps them in their diabolic black magic activities, others are believed to have magical powers, and others are used to make black magic potions.
10. A Black Hen
Hens may not be the familiars of witches, but it is believed that they contain magical powers. It is said that a black hen's feathers are sacred to Hecate and are used to call night spirits. In old witchcraft, they were used to bind the power of the moon to a cord called the Witches Ladder. Hens/Chickens are usually slaughtered for animal sacrifices and rituals, especially a white hen; so it's not surprising that a black hen is used for the opposite purpose. But black hen feathers are not only used for bad purposes, Witch Doctors also burn them to a fined ash and blow them to the cursed or troubled clients. Black hen feathers are found in many magical herb shops with prescriptions or their detailed importance in magic and rituals.
9 Toads/ Frogs
Toads/frogs were known as demonic helpers of witches in the middle ages. These little creatures that seem barely harmful appear mostly in folkloristic religions as the demon's companions that helps him on his works of evil. Toads are associated with witchcraft, medicines, and weather. In Egypt, toads were associated with the goddess Heket. Witches usually had toads as their familiars because they have supernatural powers. They also use them to make herbs, spells, and medicines; which can also be found in traditional black magic markets. In China, Cane toads are also associated with medicine; used for regulating the heart-rate of cardiac patients, an aphrodisiac, hair-restorer, cancer treatment, etc. However, toads are not only considered powerful in black magic, they also have a strange mystery of being sucked or licked. The glandular excrescences from the skin and the venom of toads produce profound psychoactive effects, meaning that you get high when you lick or suck a toad. Only specific toads such as the Bufo alvarius toad, the Cane toad, and the Bufo marinus toad can be sucked or licked to experience such results. Golden Poisonous dart frogs are definitely the species that you definitely don't want to try for licking because they are indeed poisonous. In fact, the golden poison frog is considered the most toxic vertebrate on earth. During the mid 20th century, toads were also used for pregnancy tests. A woman's urine was injected into a male toad, and if a sperm appear in the toad's urine, then the woman is pregnant. Isn't that almost or completely magical? Obtaining pregnancy test results from a toad? I wonder who discovered that.
8. A Golden Jackal
Golden Jackals are highly respected animals by healers, witchdoctors, shamans, fortune-tellers and witches. The animal has a very rare bone on the forehead that is about half an inch (in seize) which people call "The jackal horn" because of its cone shape. In some parts of Africa and South Asia, it is believed that the horn contains magical powers. What is more interesting about this horn is that it is an excrescence dead solid object that even scientists could not explain the hair growth on it. Witchdoctors in Nepal uses these jackal horns on clients, including for themselves because it is believed that they can ward off evil spirits, and also contain lucky charms to win in lotteries, gambling bouts, etc. Yes, I know, you're probably already laughing right now because this is indeed unbelievable. We find some Folklore fables very ridiculous and amusing to believe, although some of these religious beliefs can be very interesting because some are mentioned in the bible. We are just human beings who sometimes believe what is seen, but even the Holy Bible tells us stories we never saw and but do believe.
7. Dogs
Apart from being a man's best friend, you can be surprised if you dig deeper into Folk knowledge about dogs. They are powerful companions for witches and shamans. Dogs have important magical associations that are used for spells, amulets, and talismans. Dogs have been credited with psychic abilities in Folklore. In the European Witches trials, dogs were seldom accused of being witches familiars, especially black dogs. Witchdoctors also believed that applying dog's tears on your eyes will make you be able to see witches when you go outside at night during the evil hours of between 12am and 2am. Also, there are mythologies/superstitions of a belief that dogs are able to sense bad spirits and ghosts at night, including being able to predict calamities.
6. An Owl
The owl is known as a symbolic animal by most people who believe in superstitions. There are many fables/folklores about witchcraft that describes an Owl as a bird that contributes only in the works of evil. The bird is also a highly favoured familiar of all witches, and also associated with wizards and sorceries. The owl is a close companion of witches because it is believed that they share unique spiritual communication and secret psycho powers at night. Witches also use owls to call other witches. If you ask me about an owl, well, I do think it is a very strange bird. The bird is a very unique creature of its own kind, and unlike other wild birds, its eye-side visual is also unique. The owl's eyes are encased in a sclerotic ring which directs the eyes forward, allowing little movement. The owl has to move its entire head to look sideways; its long and flexible neck permits the head to rotate 270 degrees. Owls also have asymmetrical skulls with ear-openings at different levels, which enables them to pin-point any sound made by a prey animal.
5. A Monkey
A monkey has also found its way in the beliefs of being a companion of witches. Monkeys found in villages where people live or the separated from their habitats are often believed to have been sent by witches. There are endless incidents of monkeys being accused of associated with witches/witchcraft. Some of these incidents are still happening even today. In 2010, a South African township mob made a horrific scene of killing a monkey. The township people claimed that the monkey was a witch and that the monkey could talk. This is what people told the South African Star newspaper. They said the monkey talked to some of the people living in the township.
4. Hare
Hares were associated with witchcraft in the Middle Ages. People believed that witches were able to transform themselves into hares, and in other traditions, hares were known to be associated with the devil and dark forces. In the 17th century, a woman named Isabel Gowdie, was accused of transforming into a hare, and that is when she confessed that she was indeed a witch. The fact that hares are able to change their sex at their own will each year was considered supernatural, and this ability of their sex-transformation was thought to be associated with witchcraft. Just as the snake could cast of its skin for new; the chameleon to alter hue, such strange abilities of these animals where believed to be magical. The connection of hares with witchcraft is not surprising if you ask me. Hares never close their eyes, even when they sleep, and this too was seen strange that without a doubt, a hare was thought to possess supernatural powers and an animal possessed by the devil.
3. A Snake
Snakes have always had a diabolic reputation and a demonic symbolism; that also includes being the devil's favourite companion. We all know that the snake is also mentioned among the first chapters of the Bible, and because it did not hesitate to serve the devil, witches couldn't resist loving this animal. Snakes can also be used to make bad black magic potions that can be very dangerous to the targets of witches. Scientists have also discovered that the snake venom contains toxins used to make modern medicines for heart attack, cancer, blood-pressure treatment, and a drug for treating other diseases. Today there are many kinds of ordinary snakes out there, and yes, not all snakes can be thought to be associated with witches, but their devilish status is still admired and respected by witches. Snakes are not usually familiars of witches, but it is believed that witches can send these creatures to those who they're trying to bewitch. Witches can also turn themselves into snakes. A self-confessed witch from South Africa revealed unbelievable stories of witchcraft. Also, in Uganda, a snake appeared in court. Locals believed without a doubt that the snake was sent to influence the outcome of the court hearing.
2. Bats
Bats have never been the creatures that symbolize good or light. These strange night birds are known for their symbol of darkness, horror, and feared mysteries of the underworld. An association of bats with magic/witchcraft is something that has lived from the past centuries. Bats are not just familiars of witches, but they are also essential in making powerful black magic potions as well as medicinal mixtures of their flesh that contains healing powers. There is a belief that bat blood can call evil spirits; also, it is said that bat blood gives witches the power to do anything, and that bathing your eyes in bats blood will make you see in complete darkness. The claim that suggests that bathing your eyes with bad blood can make one see in the dark is not surprising due to the fact that there are bat medicinal preparations for problems with vision. A quoted phrase "blind as a bat" made people assume that bats are actually blind, but they are not; they have good vision, especially at night. Other beliefs based on good luck charms are the beliefs from many folk cultures that bats can bring good luck in lotteries and other successes in opportunities that bring money.
1. Black cats
Many of us know how often cats (especially black cats) are the only animals that are mostly suspected of being associated with witchcraft. Black cats have always been believed to be witches familiars, and some people believe them to be witches incarnate. A black cat is an animal believed to be possessed by the devil, and a servant of witches. Witches are even said to take the forms of a black cat nine times in their lifetime, and they also commune with the devil who has taken the form of a black cat. In the mysteries of ancient Egyptian folk, ancient Gods took the form of black cats, and they were personified by them. Other believes are that black cats have psychic powers, and usually that they are the preferred forms that demonic spirits possessed, and the servants called up on to complete the witches/magician's evil tasks. In the middle ages, when women were accused by churches of being witches, black cats were often accused to be their accomplices. Suspected witches and their cats or any other animal that had black fur were tortured with horrific deaths of being burned and hanged. A domestic cat is the only animal that is not mentioned in the Bible. So could this be because the animal is indeed possessed by the devil? I guess only God knows.
