In Praise of the Black Cat
So often black cats get a bad rap and are least likely to be adopted, but why?
So, I admit I’m a bit late to acknowledge Black Cat Appreciation Day, which was celebrated on August 17th this year, but I thought it was still timely to take this opportunity to celebrate all the lovely black cats of the world. Please add a comment below if you have a black cat, we love to hear your stories.
So often black cats get a bad rap, and research suggests that they are the least likely to be adopted from re-homing centres. But why?
There are many theories about where the bad reputation of the black cat stems, dating as far back as Ancient Greece. Here are a few which might explain why still today, some people associate black cats with bad luck.
In Greek mythology, it was said that Hera (Zeus’ wife) turned her servant into a black cat out of anger - this servant (cat) went on to serve the god of spells. This is perhaps where the association of the witch’s cat originates from.
In the middle ages in Europe, people began to associate the black cat with death and misfortune, just because they were black - like the raven. And they were very superstitious in those days which led to many black cats being culled. In 16th century Italy it was said that if a black cat lay on your sick bed death was imminent. Another myth was that if a black cat appeared at a funeral then someone else was going to die.
As the popularity of witch trials grew people often thought that black cats were witches that could transform themselves - shape shifters. Life wasn’t great for Black cats in those days - or suspected witches of course.
Even today black cats and witches share an association - look at halloween shows and most TV programmes or films about witches always feature a black cat.
But not for the good news. There is so many good myths and theories about black cats, which is why we feel we should shout about them.
Ancient Egyptians viewed black cats as divine and believed that Gods lived within them. That might be where the Black cat as a symbol of luck came from. I remember my nan telling me that if a black cat crossed your path it was lucky. It had to cross from left to right to though.
The Irish believed that if you found a black cat on your porch it would bring good luck. In Wales they were believed to be good at predicting the weather. And the Japanese see the black cat as a sign of prosperity. There was even some places in England that suggested if a bride was given a black cat as a wedding gift, she would have a long and happy marriage!
On a personal level I’ll share my black cat story. Nellie (pictured below) was our one eyed black cat. She was adopted by my family, and lived to a ripe old age, about 22 years old. She wasn’t a particularly affectionate cat but she was very loyal and we miss her terribly. She was a bit of a hunter and loved the outdoors. She was very feisty and as my family also had a dog, she was definitely in charge. The dog knew its place in the home - as did the rest of the family of course.
So, I am glad that we get to celebrate the black cat, for while they are sometimes misunderstood, I think they are absolutely beautiful.
Rachel Wells
The Virgo Cat by Astrologer Jessica Adams
August 24th - September 23rd
Virgo is the sixth sign of the zodiac and associated with the virgin or maiden. In ancient astrology, a maiden was the unmarried girl in the family who did all the housework and cooking to earn her keep. Her parents also expected her to look after them when they were ill, so Virgo has been associated with health, healing and hard work for centuries.
Your Virgo cat, born around August 24th to September 23rd, is fastidious, clean, well-kept, fussy about stray litter falling out of the tray – and likes a mouse game. If you can’t actually give the Virgo cat work to do in the form of pest control, at least fake it with something fluffy on the end of a string.
This cat is happiest in a clean home and will take an interest in your feather duster, though may scoot at the sight of a Dyson. They are good bedside companions when you are feeling under the weather and will curl up with you in sympathy if you have time off work.
The Virgo cat is neat in appearance, grounded, down-to-earth (Virgo is an earth sign) and gets on very well with Scorpio, Capricorn, Taurus and Cancer owners. If your cat was born on the cusp and you need to check, remember to use the time, date and place of birth for accuracy and use the free horoscope software at www.astro.com.
Alfie’s Club
Thank you to everyone who shared their favourite pet photos with us via Alfie’s Club. We will be featuring one pet every fortnight.
This week’s Alfie’s Club is featuring Petoet, who is now twelve years old. He was found along with his brother when he was just six weeks old and they both were fortunate to be given a special home. While he was diagnosed with diabetes in January so next extra care, he still loves cuddles and playing with cords and rubber bands. He also enjoys crazy catrobatics, contorting himself into funny positions, like rolled up like a ball (below). Petoet you are a gem & prove my point that black cats are beautiful!
If you would like to send us your pet photo details on what to send and how are can be found on via this link Alfie’s Club
Be sure to include any stories about your cat - black or otherwise - in the comments below.
I have had 2 black cats and both of them appeared on my doorstep at different times in my life. The first was a stray female who we thought was a boy until she fell pregnant just before we were going to take her in to be spayed, and she kept her name Lestat (after Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles) because she had a tiny bit of white beneath her chin that looked like a cravat. We let her keep her 3 kittens and they brought us such joy (though we gave one away and then wished we hadn't). She was not in good condition when she came to us and the vet we took her to was dubious but we made up our minds to keep her. She was special to me because I wasn't allowed to have cats growing up although I dearly wanted one and she was my first cat, and I had a few precious years with her before she passed of a tumour. My second black cat turned up at the door on a Full Moon (!) decades later and it was just love at first sight. I didn't know then but at the time he belonged to a neighbour and he decided he wanted to live with us instead because his old family situation was not working for him anymore. I was overjoyed when I got to keep him and he too was the apple of my eye. I'd forgotten how much I missed having a cat and he quite literally kept my heart safe at a time when I was dealing with some difficult personal challenges. I had 6 years with him before I lost him very suddenly last year. Since then I've done some cat sitting and have had the blessing of the company of more black cats. They will always be extra special to me.
The common denominator of all things considered "bad luck" is the fear of death. The bad connotation around death is the big problem. People choose to not see death as a natural progression of life.
As Khalil Gibran wrote:
If you would indeed behold the spirit of death, open your heart wide unto the body of life. For life and death are one, even as the river and the sea are one. In the depth of your hopes and desires lies your silent knowledge of the beyond; And like seeds dreaming beneath the snow your heart dreams of spring.
May we finally eliminate the fear of death and thus the fear around things and creatures that we ascribe to as harbingers of death.
Cheers
Patrice