Cats: Spirituality & Superstitions pt 1

Cats are considered to be one of the most reputable spiritual creatures across many cultures with more myths and cultural adaptations than we could research in an entire year.

Looking deep into these cat-related folklores, we find the feline connection to human spirituality runs very deep and has a long, colorful history.

The very notion of cats to many of us is instantly synonymous with a number of beliefs and superstitions.

Images of cats and cat behavior are interpreted to represent many different things throughout many cultures and today we will touch on a few of these cat folklores.

Cats and Luck

It was a capital offense to kill a cat in Ancient Egypt as cats were worshiped and treated as royalty.  It wasn’t until the Middle Ages and the suggestions formulated through the development and teachings of Christianity that cats became one of the many scapegoats of dogma.

Fortunately for cats, most cultures around the World immediately equate the presence of cats with positive energy and welcome such instances.

Apart from the many proven scientific benefits of nurturing a cat companion such as reducing stress and lowering your chance for a stroke, the simple act of stroking the tail of any cat (as long as they allow you to do so) is said to help bring about good luck.

You can take this one step further and stroke a cat’s tail nine times for a boost of luck in an upcoming game of poker.

Religion & Cats

An odd, but common Medieval myth viewed cats as the Devil’s personal soul couriers and many saw the presence of cats as a very bad thing.

Today, it’s funny, almost cartoonish to ponder the mental image of cats delivering fresh souls to the Devil in Hell.

But the myth didn’t stop there.

Many Christians during the time period attributed the nocturnal nature of cats to what they referred to as “the devil’s hairs.”  The three hairs at the very tip of a cat’s tail. These “devil’s hairs” compelled the cat to stay up all night, prowling, when all good Christians should have been asleep.

In the American South, it was thought that anyone who drowned a cat would be punished by the Devil himself.

For the lesser crime of kicking a cat, the Devil would just give you rheumatism.

Black Cats & Good Fortune

The notion of the black cat signifying something negative is an invent of Christianity that permeates much of American folklore surrounding black cats.

However, in Britain, black cats are known to bring about good vibes and finding a single white hair on a black cat is said to be a strong good luck enhancement for everyone in the cat’s proximity.

If you stroke a black cat’s tail, it is said to help with vision.

It is believed that a lady who owns a black cat will have many eligible suitors.

Japanese culture suggests that the presence of black cats is a strong indicator of great wealth and good fortune.

The Japanese hold this belief so dear it is not uncommon to find black cat statues in homes and businesses, utilized for the same underlying beleifs.

Cat Gifting

If you are looking to give an interesting and unique gift to a pair of newlyweds, try a cat in a cradle. This may sound odd, but it is said to help them acquire children faster.

Many couples in England consider a black cat to be a great gift for a new marriage as it thought to help usher in good luck and prosperity.

Future-Predicting Cats

If you see your cat washing her little face, you should expect a visitor to arrive soon.

One common superstition held by many French located in the Normandy region, suggests that if you see a tortoiseshell cat, this foretells your death in an accident. Creepy.

Not all future predicting by cats is of the same cryptic nature.  Perhaps you saw some the media coverage on a cute deaf cat named Achilles?

He was the ‘official animal oracle’ for the 2018 Fifa World Cup. This after successfully picking the winners of games in last year’s Confederation Cup.