I also want to double down on the respect thing with King Paimon. Definitely come correct. The first concrete conversation we had I pissed him off, smh. Thankfully, he was cool about it
Regarding your familiars- do not worry so much. They aren’t trapped within the vessel, the vessel is simply an anchor. Even the soul binding, is just an anchor or connection. You and your spirits all have the right to walk away if it comes to that.
Don’t underestimate their patience either. They agreed to the binding and pairing process, and for the most part, are in it for the long haul. I actually find it kind of reassuring.
If you feel them, they are there. Communication won’t be concrete, or conversational. Trust the images that pop in your head when you ask. Listen for internal voices with a different ‘pitch’ than your usual thinking tone.
Notice which part of you tingles when you call upon a spirits name. One way to bridge communication was to ask a question. Feel a tingle, and get the impression of an answer. I repeat the statement, and if the shiver intensifies, that’s a yes.
The first time one of my familiars appeared in a dream, I was spooked. She appeared as a human, and came up to me. When I looked at her eyes, they were alien, and old old old and I woke up scared as hell.
You are new, the fear is natural. It will continue to be natural until you are tested, and you prove your own strength and confidence to yourself.
Additional spirit keeping tips-
They are aligned with you. When you shift, they shift. For example, if you were a religious individual or a love/light preacher, and switch over to the opposite spectrum, they will shift with you.
Keep their name secret from everyone except those they wish to tell. Some spirits would see it as a breach of trust to spread it around, and other practitioners can bother the entity.
Some, not all, but some familiars require energy and ‘feeding’ otherwise they’ll go mad. I haven’t experienced this, though I’ve heard about it with ghouls and revenants.
Energy exchange doesn’t have to be a daily thing, but it can be. The exchange can be as small as chanting their names every morning, to as grandiose a thing as bloodcoated candles, stones incense and direct energy transfer at the same time.
You are the anchor to this world. You are in charge of how they behave in your sphere of influence. Accept your role with dignity. You are the ‘pack leader’ so to speak.
Punishments when spirits disobey don’t have to be heavy duty either. One of my Hellhounds decided to manifest to my roommate. Freaked her out because she saw a dog on the porch but our dog was inside. Neither one would confess. So now their task is chasing all of the field mice out of the yard, and trying to keep em out. They’re doing a good job lol.
TASKS. They get bored. Once in a while, call everything to you and let em know what you need help with. Give them something to do.
Ex. A Dragon spirit I communicate easily with, is in charge of showing me how to chill out. Another Dragon is in charge of bridging communication barriers. A Hellhound guards the perimeter of the property. One stays with me. Sometimes, switch it up. Sometimes, I’ll let em all get a break to do what they wanna do. The Hellhounds like psychopomp work, so I let them roam and do their own thing occasionally, as I’m not doing that just yet.
Don’t be subservient, but don’t be too high and mighty. Build a relationship, the rest will work out.