Familiars | Dogs & Wolves
As much as I’m a self-confessed cat obsessive, I also have a deep appreciation for dogs—and their wild counterparts, wolves—and want to honor their rightful place in the world of familiars. While cats are often associated with independence and mystery, canines represent loyalty, protection, and guidance. They navigate the realms of the seen and unseen with their own unique brand of magic and mysticism. Dogs are quintessential companions to both humans and witches alike, offering a contrast to the enigmatic independence of cats. Where cats teach us boundaries, dogs teach us the strength of bonds. They stand beside us as protectors, guardians, and guides to the otherworld. Whether it’s a loyal pup by your side or a wolf howling under the moon, these canines embody the spirit of companionship and unity. In this way, dogs represent the Light-Masculine energy of structure, protection, and loyalty, providing a balance to the Dark-Feminine mystery embodied by cats. While cats teach us autonomy and independence, dogs teach us the value of community, devotion, and selflessness. Together, they symbolize a harmonious balance of the masculine and feminine forces within the natural and spiritual realms.
Throughout history, dogs have been revered for their roles as divine protectors and messengers. In ancient Greece, Cerberus, the three-headed hound of Hades, guarded the gates of the Underworld, preventing the dead from leaving and the living from entering. Cerberus embodies the dog’s deep connection to both life and death, symbolizing the role of canines as guardians of sacred spaces, both physical and spiritual. His terrifying presence ensured that souls remained in the Underworld, yet he was also known to let certain souls pass—like in the myth of Orpheus, who lulled Cerberus to sleep with music so he could rescue his wife from Hades. This makes Cerberus a powerful symbol of loyalty and the protective power of dogs.
Similarly, the Irish hero Cú Chulainn had a loyal hound that protected him and his territory with fierce devotion. This dog, known for its warrior spirit, was so powerful that when Cú Chulainn killed it in self-defense, he vowed to take its place as a guardian until a new hound could be found. This myth speaks to the dog’s role as a physical protector, highlighting the deep bond between humans and their canine companions.
In ancient Egypt, the jackal-headed god Anubis guided souls to the afterlife. Anubis, much like Cerberus, exemplifies the canine’s role as a psychopomp, a guide for spirits moving between the realms of the living and the dead. Anubis was responsible for weighing the hearts of the dead to determine their worthiness in the afterlife, showcasing the dog’s role in leading and protecting souls during their journey beyond this world. In Egypt, dogs were sometimes mummified and buried with their owners to ensure protection in the afterlife, a practice similar to the reverence shown to cats for their divine connection.
Additionally, the Greek goddess Hecate, often associated with magic, witchcraft, and crossroads, is deeply linked to dogs—particularly black dogs and wolves. Her presence is frequently announced by the howling of dogs, and she is often depicted with a hound by her side, symbolizing her role as a protector of those walking between the physical and spiritual realms. Hecate’s hound is said to guard her as she travels between worlds, emphasizing the role of dogs as both physical and spiritual protectors. Wolves, too, are connected to Hecate, representing the untamed power witches and their familiars draw upon for strength and guidance. Their howls are often seen as calls to the unknown, reminders of the power that lies in both light and shadow.
In Norse mythology, the giant wolf Fenrir plays a pivotal role in Ragnarok, the destruction and rebirth of the world. Bound by the gods in an attempt to control his immense power, Fenrir eventually breaks free, signifying the inevitable power of destruction and change. Wolves like Fenrir represent the raw, untamed forces of nature that witches and shamans have long revered, symbolizing both the potential for chaos and the strength to endure.
Wolves, while wild and untamed, have always had a close connection to the human spirit. They represent a balance between the wild and domestic, loyalty to the pack, and the strength of the solitary individual. In many Native American traditions, wolves are seen as teachers and guides, showing humans how to live harmoniously with nature. Their strong social structures and fierce protection of the pack make them powerful symbols of unity, loyalty, and protection.
In the shamanic traditions of Siberia and Mongolia, wolves are revered as spirit guides capable of traveling between the worlds of the living and the dead. Witches and mystics who work with wolves as familiars often draw upon their strength and their ability to perceive the unseen. These wild canines offer lessons in leadership and loyalty, reminding us of our deep connection to both spiritual and physical worlds.
While wolves carry the wild energy of the spirit, domestic dogs represent a more personal, protective aspect of the familiar relationship. Throughout European folklore, dogs were seen as protectors against evil spirits. They guarded not only the physical world but also the spiritual realm. In Germanic folklore, black dogs—also known as barghests or hellhounds—patrolled the borders between life and death, often appearing as omens of death or guardians of the supernatural. In some cases, however, these spectral dogs provided protection, warning of danger or guiding lost souls to safety. Unlike cats, who thrive in solitude, dogs teach us about community, loyalty, and devotion. Where cats wander in and out like shadows, dogs remain steadfast, embodying companionship and protection.
In China, dogs are symbols of good luck, loyalty, and protection. The Fu Dogs, guardian figures often placed outside temples, ward off negativity and bring good fortune, representing the protective power of canines. These figures have stood as symbols of canine guardianship, providing both physical and spiritual protection for centuries.
Where cats teach us autonomy and independence, dogs teach us about community, loyalty, and selflessness. Canine familiars embody Light-Masculine energy—devotion, cooperation, and the strength of the pack—balancing the Dark-Feminine mystery of cats. Dogs, whether domestic or wild, have served as familiars across cultures and centuries, offering strength and loyalty to those who walk between the physical and spiritual worlds. Their connection to humanity runs deep, teaching us the value of protection and trust.
In modern times, dogs continue to fulfill their role as protectors, guardians, and loyal companions. Whether you share your life with a scrappy rescue pup or are drawn to the mysticism of the wolf, canine familiars remind us of the importance of connection, loyalty, and love. The next time your dog sits by your side, watching over you with calm, steady eyes, remember—they are not just guarding your home, but your spirit as well. These ancient companions carry timeless wisdom, reminding us that we are never truly alone as long as we walk with our four-legged friends.