Superstitions: Black Cats

Liz Ramos, under the supervision of Anubis the cat, shares the stigmas and superstitions surrounding black cats…

Greetings witches! Riding the black cat wave Mumu dragged in this week, it is time we addressed the black cat in the room. Many of us have heard the tale of black cats being “unlucky”, “omens of misfortune” or “witch/devil workers” – but where did this come from? Today, we explore the history of our wee mousers and put these wicked words to rest once and for all.

As we know, cats were highly regarded in ancient civilizations: Egyptian, Norse, Chinese, and Grecco-Roman peoples all honored and respected their feline friends. Beloved for their hunting skills, beauty, and seen as lucky/protective guardians of the home and fields from spirits and pests, these little creatures were welcomed into homes and honored as divinity. In Egypt, they were so highly honored that to intentionally harm/kill a cat was a death sentence, and the families of the animal deeply mourned their loss. Goddesses Freya, Bastet, Sekhmet, Li Shou, and even Artemis have been connected to cats in some shape or form. There is even Saint Gertrude, who is the Patron Saint of Cats!

So where did it all go wrong for the furry friends? As Christianity began to really grow and take off, the beginning of the cat downfall came with it. Currently discovered written documentation of cats being associated with Satan dates as far back as the 13th century to Pope Gregory IX and his writing Vox in Rama, released June 13th, 1233. This document was written to put a kibosh on a growing group of German Luciferians, but instead contributed to the beginning of the Inquisition and European Witch Hunts. In this document, the Pope wrote that black cats were an incarnation of Satan, amongst other claims.

Along with these claims, as the witch hunts continued, the black cat became more and more entangled with the witch. Knowing what we know about these women from my previous article, we know that these women would have wanted the rodent control – especially with their workings of herbs and medicines as midwives and healers. It is assumed that they would have been most likely to keep black cats, because they are naturally camouflaged in the darkness to better hunt for the rodent pests – seems practical and logical, as most witchcraft practices tend to be. Because of the Witches’ natural connections and understanding of these animals and the respect held for them, these cats didn’t stand a chance. Cats were also seen as enemies of the Devout, because they are independent creatures – a cat will not fawn and give unconditional loyalty/devotion in the same way a dog will. This was seen as ungodly and therefore these animals must be the work of the devil and witches. As the witchcraft hysteria grew, these cats then were claimed to be spies of the devil and witches, and to cross one meant you were surely cursed or hexed. As the Black Plague came on, many assumed the cats were to blame, and they were executed en-masse – to the detriment of the people. Had they left the cats alone, who knows if the Plague would have been as horrific as it was?

Because of this hatred, these beliefs have lived on. Black cats (and black animals period) are much less likely to be adopted. They also are highly abused or sought as targets, especially around Halloween. Many rescues and shelters will actually halt the adoptions of black cats around this time just to ensure their safety! All of this said, here is the truth of the matter: black cats are just as loving, caring, lucky, etc. as any other cat or animal. They do not bring bad luck, they are not out to hurt you, and they are some excellent mousers! My black kitties have been the absolute best companions, and I will always choose the black cat. Stay informed witches and adopt your best friend today!

Elizabeth Ramos is a magic practitioner who specializes in nature focused, healing, protective, and ancestral magics. She is a Reiki Master-Teacher and lives with her husband and their several Feline Leukemia Positive kitties in Upstate New York.

PLEASE NOTE: The views and opinions of the staff of Memento Mori Ink do not necessarily represent those of Memento Mori Ink or Crystal Lake Publishing, nor do the views or opinions of Crystal Lake necessarily represent those of Memento Mori Ink or its staff. Thank you for understanding.