The term “familiar spirit” comes from the Latin word “familiaris,” which means “household servant” or “family member.” In the context of witchcraft and magic, a familiar spirit was believed to be a supernatural servant or assistant that was connected to a particular person or family.

According to medieval and early modern beliefs, a familiar spirit could take the form of an animal, such as a cat or a toad, or even a human-like figure. It was thought to be summoned and bound to a particular person through a pact or contract, and could assist that person with various tasks, such as providing advice, performing magic, or protecting the household from harm.

The term “familiar” in this context does not refer to a friendly or intimate relationship, but rather to the idea that the spirit was a familiar and reliable presence in the household or in the life of the person who summoned it. The familiar spirit was believed to have a close relationship with the person it served and was thought to be loyal and obedient to its master.

However, the practice of summoning familiar spirits was considered a form of witchcraft and was strongly condemned by the Church, as it was believed to be a way of making a pact with the devil and engaging in supernatural activities that were considered blasphemous and dangerous.

In the Bible, the term “familiar spirit” is used to refer to evil spirits or demons that were believed to assist or communicate with practitioners of witchcraft and divination. The term is used to highlight the dangerous and forbidden nature of these practices, and to emphasize the importance of avoiding any kind of supernatural activity that is not sanctioned by God.