In European folklore and folk-belief of the Medieval and Early Modern periods, familiar spirits (sometimes referred to simply as "familiars") were supernatural entities believed to assist witches and cunning folk in their practice of magic.
* * POLITCAL KITTEH: " Ins a democracy; weez haz to puts up wif things we mights nots likes or agree wif. Does weez even haz a democracy anymores? get some yourself some pawtastic adorable cat apparel!