Because of their faceted, reflective eyes and their nocturnal natures, the feline has always been associated with ghosts, witches and the supernatural. Worship of cats traces to Egypt, where cats were first domesticated, when they became associated with Egyptian gods and goddesses, especially Isis, and Bastet, the cat goddess.

            The favorite familiar among witches has always been the plain domestic cat, at least, since the introduction of witches in fairy tales. After all, cats have and calm and hypnotic nature. In occult lore, cats are known to repel evil spirits, and many who experience the terrifying Night (Old) Hag encounter claim they have far fewer attacks when sleeping with the family pet, more especially the cat.

            Cats are connected to the mysterious influences of the moon, probably because of their luminous eyes, that can only suggest the glow of intrigue and magic.  Since such mystery that suggests such evocative powers, cats, especially black cats suffered the same persecution as witches in the distant past. In 1233 Pope Gregory IX denounced black cats in the “Papal Bull or ‘Vox in Rama’ launching a mass extermination of cats. Domestic felines were burned alive like those charged as witches, and were the targets for many killings. Perhaps the reflective eyes of the cats acted as mirrors sometimes catching shadows. If you gazed into them, some might see the darkness of their own souls reflected there.

            Interestingly, under torture, some Knights Templar confessed to heresy, saying they had renounced Christ and turned to the worshipping of black cats. (Friday the 13^th, which notes the massacre of the Knights Templar, is often illustrated on calendars by the picture of a black cat.) Knights Templar worshipping a black cat, of course, was balderdash, but aligned them to the powers of darkness, as an excuse for their eventual execution, if not massacres, by the Church.

            Many dark, ash gray and black cats tended to be born in summer during blackberry season, another association with the Devil since there was a legend that told when Satan was cast out of heaven he landed on a blackberry bush, and while landing on the thorns, spilled urine and his spittle all over the bush, thus, defiling it. Thus, black and dark gray cats were referred to as “blackberry cats” and were routinely killed.

            In Greece and parts of Eastern Europe, it was thought unlucky for a cat to jump over a dead body. If so, it was feared the corpse might be turned into a vampire and seek retribution on the living.

            Domestic cats are native to the deserts of Egypt and Northern Africa, so it is odd they would have developed such legend and lore in Europe. But they became transplanted to Europe after they were hidden away on pirate ships, eventually escaping to the shores of colder climates. Because of their desert origins, cats can go a long time without water, but need a warm, somewhat isolated spot to call their own.

            In the Scottish Highlands, there is a belief in Elfin cats, not used as familiars, such as in stories about witches, but as an actual supernatural black cat of a much larger size than a domesticated cat.

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