Cat Fact Files

In contrast to many other nocturnal animals, cats are generally thought to move about in mysterious ways. Many nocturnal animals are linked to mythology, legends, moralistic and magical tales, and fairy stories. The owl is a perfect example of the link between nocturnal animals and humans, in that mythology has associated it with attributes such as intelligence and wisdom, and also characterized it as a carrier of news.

 There is also something about the colour black, a successful colour with feral cats that has always been associated with magic. Thriving in darkness, being dark and being busy at night is what witches and magicians are all about.

People living alone find cats a comfort and tend to encourage ‘detached cats’ to take up residence in their homes. Reclusive individuals, especially females, have been viewed as odd, and in some regions and historical periods were quickly categorized as hags and witches. By association, cats belonging to a reculse would be seen as an extension of their personality and ways. The word ‘familiar’ was strongly associated with cats and witches from medieval times and indicated that they could change from one into the other. It was common for any blame or misfortune to be directed at reclusive individuals and their companion animals.

There have been so many interpretations of the light in cats’ eyes, their amazing survival skills and the ‘demonic’ sounds of mating cats that it’s not difficult to understand wht they encourage mythologizing. The beliefs about them have led to cats being buried within walls, tortured and banished through the centuries.

In contrast, there have also been times in history when cats were thought to be harbingers of good fortune, with the ability to ward off evil spirits.