October has a unique feeling of fall, magic, and all things spooky. It marks the beginning of the long dark days of winter, and many people believe the veil between the spiritual world and the physical world becomes thinner. We celebrate the darkness all over the world and throughout history with events like Halloween, St. Michaelmas, and Dia de Los Muertos. We talk about the dead, the occult, magic, curses, and superstition. And of course, things pertaining to the black cat.
The Curse of the Black Cat
The black cat has many lives and have taken on many stories, both good and bad, throughout history and cultures. Stories that can get blurred between fact and fiction. In Western history, black cats have been looked upon as an evil omens, a spy of the devil, a companion of witches, or shape-shifting into witches themselves. The most infamous of curses is, that if a black cat crosses your path you will have bad luck.
Many Cultures Hold Cats in Very High Regard
Egyptian Goddesses
In ancient Egyptian mythology the cat goddess, Bastet, is a protector of women and their innocent children. There is great representation of the cat in ancient Egyptian history. Goddesses favored the black cats specifically for their grace and elegance.
English Fisherman and Sailors
Sailors and fishermen in certain areas of Europe considered a black cat good luck. When starting a sea voyage they would take them along for good fortune on their journey. The wives of these men would keep black cats as pets at home, believing that it would keep their husbands safe at sea and return them back home.
Good Fortune for your Love Life
In Japan it is believed that a single woman who owns a black cat will attract more suitors. In Great Britain’s English Midlands, a black cat is thought to be the perfect wedding gift, as they will bring good luck and happiness to the bride.
Modern Day Black Cats
Sadly, many people still believe in the curse of the black cat. Black cats have a lower rate of adoption in the US. Many shelters in America suspend adoptions of black cats around Halloween, afraid that they will be tortured or be used as “living decorations”. Other times of year some shelters will have “Black Fridays” giving deals on adoption rates for all black animals.
Why should you consider adopting one of these mystical creatures?
Researchers at the National Institutes of Health discovered that the genes that cause cats to have black coats may offer them protection from diseases. In fact, they are the same genes that offer HIV resistance to humans. So besides possibly being healthier and living longer, they are beautiful, mysterious, reverent powerful, and loving.
Have you ever had a black cat? Did they bring you luck? We’d love to hear your story!
Very interesting to read you
Good luck to you
Our little black cat came into our lives in June 2020. She had been orphaned or accidentally left behind by her mother and siblings at about 7-8 weeks old and we found her starving in our backyard. We bathed her, took her to the vet for checkup and vaccines, and she’s now three years old and a very content, healthy and sweet little kitty. I’d say she had brought us good luck indeed!
Black cats are wonderful as are all cats!!
I have three and they are the most loving cats I have ever had.
A neighbor brought us a box of five kittens one October night. They’d been abandoned on the steps of an apartment community office, no bedding, nothing to protect them from the cold. No one knew what happened to the mother cat. They were dehydrated and hyperthermia had set in, and two of the kittens were already unconcious. We got them warmed and put drops of KMR in their mouths mixed with an equal amount of water. After half an hour, the one on my shoulder opened her eyes and said, “Meh!” We locked eyes and it was love at first sight. All five kittens survived and it was hectic trying to feed all the mouths until they could eat solid food! We only found a home for one kitten, the rest are still with us. The “bottle babies” including Blackie, the impish one, are now fifteen years old. He loves to drag one of my slippers to the water bowl and deposit it. If I get up at night and can’t find one of my slippers, I know it’s in the water bowl, and its more like a slopper than a slipper. These are the sweetest little cats, such good kittens. Well, except for rotten Blackie who will always be the slipper bandit. He truly is a “black cat,” the funniest one we’ve ever had.