Black Cat Superstition

One of my favorite icons of Hallowe'en is the Black Cat. Black Cat lore has figured prominently around the world. Some cultures view the Black Cat as lucky, but many symbolically affiliate them with Evil and of course Witchcraft. Black Cats have long been considered as Witches' Familiars. Because cats are nocturnal and roam at night, they were believed to be supernatural servants of Witches, or even Witches themselves. As the Witches' Familiars, Black Cats were believed to be shape shifters, as a result of which, the Witches could transform into them by saying a spell and travel about doing evil things unnoticed. A 'Familiar' is an animal-shaped spirit who serves for witchery or other magician-related subjects. Familiars were imagined to serve their owners as domestic servants, farmhands, spies, and companions, in addition to helping bewitch enemies. These spirits were also said to inspire artists and writers. That part is true for me!

Some of my favorite Black Cat superstitions are:

1.) If a witch becomes human, her black cat will no longer reside in her house.

2.) A black cat on top of a tombstone meant certainly that the soul of the departed was possessed by the devil.

3.) If a black cat walks towards you, it brings good fortune, but if it walks away, it takes the good luck with it.

4.) If a black cat lay on the bed of an ill person, that person will soon die. However it is also said that a black cat will not remain in the home of someone who is about to die. So if your black cat leaves home...you better get yourself to the hospital and QUICK!

5.) A strange black cat on a porch brings prosperity to the owner. (Don't I wish!)

And being the (Very) Good Witch that I pretend to be....it is only obvious that I too have my own little Black Kitty as a familiar. Her name is Coventina and she always rides shotgun with me on my broomstick. And YES...I use her to do all of my 'not so evil' bidding! Okay...actually she only purrs and gives kisses and claws up everything in my house. But she has been known to pounce on my husband and kids while they are sleeping, and to leave bleeding slashes on our skin from her razor sharp claws. So that should count as something sinister...therefore I shall deem her the Evil Black Kitty Cat! For more interesting reading on Black Cat Folklore click here:

http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/2321/folklore.htm

Wendy Witch & Covenetina

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