How do the Witches on UKP feel towards the use of the Fetch

Depends on how you mean it, as a coven title, a familiar spirit, or thoughtform?

If as the first, I think that they do have their place in groups whose training involves discpline of some kind. A coven, like any other group both democratic or not, will have a hierarchy. If there isn't one inherently already, then one will evolve. If there are rules and obligations toward the group, it will devolve on somebody to uphold them, whether by title or default.

I think it more likely that you are talking about one of the other two though. A familiar spirit may be a totem or power animal, and yes, one can see through their eyes, and they can be asked to seek out knowledge both of this realm and others. A thoughtform can be created for the same purpose, but a creating one is a heavy responsibility, and needs to be created and empowered with great care. There was a story I remember in one of the Farrah's books, about a thoughtform they created to protect the seal pups from being culled. Very effective it was, and reportedly seen by fishermen, and sailors in the area. Much easier though to channel your energy into something that is already there, imo.

Thank You Hedgerose That is Interesting about the thought form & how it can be Crafted

What I was meaning was one's Fylgia & how Witches can work with it

What I'm trying to say is, does one use ones fetch in ones Craftings ?

For those of us with no clue (ie moi ) could you just give a quick overview of what a Fylgia is Wolvie please? Its not one I have heard of before.

A fylgja usually appears as an animal or a woman (fylgjakona) and accompanies a person from birth to death. It is a part of the persons soul, although it leads a distinct and separate existence and it corresponds to that persons character, etc. A fylgjakona is often believed to be the guardian of the family, passing to the next generation after the death of the previous or to those who are perceptive to them. The fylgja protects the person during their lifetime and, some say, is physically seen before death. The fylgja and fylgjakona can confer luck on the person, according to some.

Of course different heathens will have different ideas about them!

Thank you for that Wulf. That makes a lot of sense to me. Similar to the guardian angel concept, only as a part of yourself... Have to do some research into that I think. Thamks again for the explanation

Sounds like a Power (Totem) Animal to me; I have had some experience of this, though probably considered it in different terms.
I beleive it can also appear as a double of yourself?

Are Totem animals a part of your soul or are they completely separate?



Not as far as I know, no. It seems to be always an animal or a woman.

And I forgot to mention the kinfylgja as well, which some families have - the totem animal (if you will) of the family.

you can read another good description of what the Fylgia is on the Traditional Witchcraft Wiki page Here

Thanks for that Hearn. This is a very interesting concept. I had only ever heard of the Fetch that can sometimes appear before a person passes on. I wonder if this has anything to do with childrens "imaginery" friends?

I am already convinced that the "innocent" mind is more perceptive than it is in adult life, perhaps they see what we cannot?

Does anyone now of any particular way to try and percieve the fylgia or would it be the usual meditation route?

How about a faerie fetch? It's what they used to replce you with when they stole you as a baby - and usually made out of random junk. Not to be confused with a changeling, however.

Assuming the form of your totem is called "Shape-shifting" whereas a fetch is more akin to a "Doppelgänger". In witchcraft a common use is in the projection of guardians who serve to scare off perpetrators, or generally act as "Wards".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doppelg%C3%A4nger

Thanx for the links Herneoakshield & Quasizoid! They both seem to point at doubles Wulfric, I suspect there may be several variations on a theme here, so it may depend on the resources or name as to wether it is an actual double or not.
As for Totems, good question! I suspect the 2 main ones are linked so closely they could possibly be linked to the Soul, but most of the others we encounter are generally more temporary, so probably arent, unless they are the main 2 presenting themselves in alternative forms, depending on the lessons to be learnt, but I dont think so.
I also have occassional contact with strange looking creatures, sort of a mix of animals & usually about cat sized, which hang round the house and I glimpse out of the corner of my eye, not sure what they are, but not at all hostile, Spirits of Place perhaps?

Yes, the Meditation route can be used but do not be to anxious, as the first Animal you encounter may not be your Fetch. You will know when this happens as there *may* be something or quality of yours that will reveal itself about/within the Animal.

Also if the Fetch is Human, then look for the same qualities.

As has been pointed out, the Fetch is *usually* of the opposite sex.

Mmm - is this my fetch I wonder ? I have had 2 very profound dreams about a seal the first one was thus (cut & pasted from Elsewhere) :

"I had a really profound dream a few years ago - the kind that stays with you for a long time. I was sailing very fast over the sea in a little boat like a coracle but with a small sail. It was really early morning and totally beautiful. I was sitting in the back of the boat controlling the sail with a rope wrapped around my hand. It was all so vivid.

I was intensely happy in the dream and also aware of something communicating with me - not in specific words but something beyond that. I looked around and could see dolphins leaping ahead of the boat. They were gorgeous but it wasn't them. Then I noticed sea birds flying high above me wheeling around. Again I was fascinated by their beauty but it wasn't them either.

Finally I looked over the edge of the boat and swimming along side - just a dark shape in the water, was a huge, brown seal. I knew then that this was where the good feelings and positive communication had been coming from. It was so overwhelming and I just never wanted to wake up."

Since then I have had another dream where I was standing on the shore of a body of water just outside a big fortress - could've been a moat. At the same time I could see under the water as in wild life programmes. There was a huge pike which terrified me for some reason. Real gut wrenching, unable to move fear. Then all of a sudden the seal appeared and just swallowed it up in one smooth motion - no fight or fuss - turned tail and dove back to the depths out of sight. I relaxed and moved onto other dreams.

I wondered if this was Heimdall, or my totem animal, but is it more likely to be my Fetch ? I didn't get a sense of gender in either dream - but in my dreams I'm non-gendered myself.

Sounds very likely that it *is* your fetch Snippety, the protective element sure makes it convincing

Have done.

Hmm...not deliberately in craftings. Or not with intent. But it has appeared there, at least once. And it served as a warning.

It's there, always. It comes and goes. I communicate with it, and it protects. As it is a part of me, it isn't always easy to tease out which is 'me' and which is 'it', though I know when it happens, because I see it outside of myself, as 'other'.

That is another possible meaning to the word. And in answer to your question, regarding the above meaning of the word, like Pomona, all I can say is 'yes, I have done'.

Then there's that other created creature ( name escapes me though) created by the Witch from a phalange - usually the little toe, and which looks a bit like a stunted otherkin, that does her/his bidding.

A homonculus?

My teacher taught me a Fetch was a sort of poppet, but did not have a human shape. It could be made of anything, but it's main ingredient was bees was and string. You shape the bees wax into s rough ball shape, then add relevant items to it, such as feathers bone, shell etc. You write on a paper exactly what you want. Then encase it in the body of the Fetch. Then evoke the elemental power you need. If you want knowledge then work with Air. You focus on your desire, then allocate a time span for the spell to work. Usually from moon to moon. Then send the Fetch to do it's work. It is similar to astral projection, only you send the Fetch instead of yourself. The spell does not reach conclusion until the Fetch returns at the end of the time span. The Fetch must be destroyed at the time of it's return.

I have never used one, I just have this method in my Bos.

That's a fascinating and very old method you have there Cerridwen - and also a very powerful one. The use of a nut or seed in gives it life. It can be imbued with the attributes of another person too (as in standard poppet magic) by adding eg hair or nails etc from the person. Thanks for sharing.

Blessings..
please look at my post....fetch...human or other wise and see if anyone here has a clue of which i speak.....

Its not a poppet....as far as I know its an energy created and sent forth to "fetch"....not a go fer...

I also am seeking info on a human fetch...per se...


thanks..


LadyP