I know it's been ages since I wrote, especially considering the original goal of two posts per letter (one a week), plus a monthly topic. But for some reason, this year, I can't keep my focus, so I am way behind.
In thinking of the letter F and topics associated with F words, I though about a couple of things from Friendship and Fellowship to Fimbulwinter. But one that I thought of I kept coming back to and that is the Fetch.
I remember reading about the Fetch (or Fylgja in Old Norse), and it was described as the part of your soul that manifested in other realms as an animal. Other sources have suggested that your Fetch can be a human of the opposite gender than your physical form or even a symbolic form (like a shape). I have also heard it referred to as some kind of totem or even as a representation of previous actions you have taken (sort of a reflection of your past).
I really resonate with the idea of the Fetch. I think that we tend to think of our soul-stuff like we think of gender: binary and static. And yet (if you've read my previous posts) you probably know I don't think of gender like that, and likewise I don't think of my soul as being 'human' per say. I think that whatever it is that makes me who I am, that underlying 'Self' (with a capital S!) isn't human at all. It is some thing that transcends my humanity, and it just is. So it makes a lot of sense to me that my soul would manifest in ways that aren't human.
The source I originally read about the Fetch in (which sadly I can't remember where I read about it, I am thinking it was a website of some sort), had a ritual where you used Journeying to travel to an astral realm to meet your Fetch. I really liked the idea that the Fetch was a part of you, but also was outside of you. The ritual didn't have you become your Fetch, but called it to your view so you could meet it. The further suggestion was that as you became more aware of your Fetch and strengthened your connection to it that it could act as guardian or be sent to do things for you.
It sort of reminds me of many of the things that Familiars are associated with. Another concept I always loved the idea of. But I think with the Fetch there is a depth that is unattainable through other magical means because it is a part of you and not a servant or companion in the traditional sense.
Being a part of you also means that there is a lot of inner work that can be done by exploring your connection to your Fetch. And much like the stereotypes about everyone having powerful, predatory Totems (you will run into at least 50 people claiming wolf or hawk as a totem before you talk to someone who recognizes ant or mouse), you will need to be really honest with your self when you approach your Fetch. Let it be what it is, and don't try to force it to be what you think it is.
