Onyx Katt: Black Cats and Halloween

October 26, 2024 | cat9984

Hello! It’s Onyx here. Halloween will soon be upon us, and as you know, this pawsome holiday is often associated with black cats. To celebrate, I’m going to tell you some things that relate the two together!

Black cats are often thought to be signs of bad luck. This, in combination with our dark coloring, have led people to see us as spooky figures. (This is totally unearned. The only spooky thing about black cats is how adorable we are.)

Ancient history has a lot to do with black cats symbolizing Halloween. In ancient Egypt, cats of all colors were considered divine symbols. Cats also have a place in Greek mythology, most noticeably with Hecate, the goddess of magic, sorcery, the moon, and witchcraft. Because of this, cats are thought to be the pets of witches.

In 1233, a written publication called “Vox in Rama was issued by Pope Gregory IX. In this document, black cats were declared an incarnation of Satan. This led to an inquisition of black cats, and this quickly spread all over Europe.

Because of their association with Satan and witches, black cats were seen as a threat to the Church in the 13th century. Cats also were partially blamed for spreading the plague, further solidifying the church’s disdain for them.

Black cats are often victims of abuse and cruelty during the Halloween season. Therefore, it’s important to keep your black cats inside and away from doors and windows, if possible.

In France, Spain, and Germany, black cats are thought to carry curses. However, in Japan and Egypt, cats are seen as signs of good luck and worshiped.

Black cats become popularized as Halloween figures in the United States with the Pilgrims in the Plymouth Colony. The pilgrims distrusted anything related to witchery and sorcery, including black cats, and actively persecuted them.

Black cats were regularly burned at the stake, especially on Shrove Tuesday, in the United States.

Even in modern day, many communities sacrifice black cats leading into Halloween. This cruel practice, while lessening, is still concerning, particularly in Wiccan communities.

Perhaps a bit ironically, October 27th is Black Cat Day, right near Halloween. While black cat owners rejoice at their beautiful panthers, other, less desirable beings use this as an excuse to adopt out, or find, black cats and torture them .

And there’s the scoop on black cats and Halloween! I’m wishing you all a very happy Black Cat Day (it’s my favorite day of the year!) and a safe Halloween!

Happy Halloween Kitty cross stitch pattern

Forget the Dog Days; It’s Time for the Cat Nights

August 12, 2023 | cat9984

It seems like whenever humans talk about the heat this time of year, someone brings up the “Dog Days of Summer.” Some folks thought they were called that because all dogs want to do this time of year is lay around avoiding the heat. The official Dog Days are July 3 – August 11, so they just ended. In the Northern Hemisphere, they generally coincide with the hottest days of the year.

Canis Major | StarDate Online

The Dog Days actually refer to Sirius, the Dog Star. Sirius is part of the constellation Canis Major (the Greater Dog). It is the brightest star visible from any part of Earth. In the summer, it rises and sets with the Sun. On July 23, it actually rises and sets in conjunction with the Sun.

Roman Cats Torre Argentina Cat Santuary the oldest in Rome

Because it is so bright, the ancient Romans believed that it actually gave off heat, adding to the Sun’s warmth. It was their explanation for why that part of the year was so excessively hot. (In reality, it is too far away to provide any warmth.) The Dog Days of Summer refers to the 20 days before and the 20 days after the alignment of Sirius with the sun.

Why Are Black Cats Associated with Halloween? – Furtropolis

But enough about dogs, their days have ended for this year. Let’s move on to something a little more interesting. We are only a few days away from the beginning of Cat Nights. There is an old Irish legend that witches could turn themselves into cats. If they did it eight times, all was well. But a witch tried it a ninth time on August 17 and couldn’t turn back. She was permanently turned into a cat. This legend was the beginning of the belief that cats have nine lives. People also noticed that cats are particularly “yeowly” this time of year. They attributed it to wanting to return to witch form. More likely it has to do with the hot weather.

Why Is My Cat Yowling At Night? Causes & How To Stop Caterwauling

There’s even a poem associated with it:

Cat Nights

By old Irish lore
on the 17th of August
more cats are among us
than ever before.

It is said that witches
can turn into a cat.
But no more than eight switches
as a matter of fact.

On the ninth switch
they cannot regain
their life as a witch.
A cat they must remain.

So if in mid August
you should hear the cats yowl
amongst sounds of the locust
when cats are on the prowl

Then you will know
as lore was told over time
that cats will show
lives as many as nine.

By V. Neumann

15 Orange Cat Breeds You Should Know – PureWow

And let’s not forget that it’s also the time of year for Leo cats. Leo the lion is the zodiac sign that most closely resembles the domestic cat. Leos are born between July 23 and August 22 and are ruled by the sun. Their element is fire, their metal is gold, and their colors are orange and gold. They are born rulers. (Mom says she’s a Leo, but we don’t believe her. There is nothing orange about her.)

Regal Cat Names – [140+ Elegant Ideas!] - Find Cat Names

Leo cats are regal. They are full of confidence, and tend to enter a room with a royal bearing. They are loyal to their subjects and love their humans. As long as they are treated as royalty, all will be well in the kingdom.

Grooming Your Cat | Cat Care | Cats | Guide | Omlet UK

They enjoy the finer things in life and prefer to have things their way. They love their humans, and are usually confident around visitors. They are loving family members. But they have a tendency to not be very patient. They love to be groomed and hate being laughed at. They have an inner jungle cat that needs a lot of play time.

How To Keep Your Cat Warm This Winter | Lily's Luxury Retreat

As a fire sign, Leos like to be warm. Doesn’t matter if it’s a fireplace, sun puddle or warm blanket. They are generally not great at sharing. (After all, they are royalty.) They like to be in charge of whatever is going on.

As you can see, the beginning of summer may have belonged to the dogs, but we are now in cat season.

Pictures courtesy of Google Images.

Cat Forum: Black Cats are Pawsome

November 3, 2018 | cat9984

Greetings. Snoops and Kommando Kitty here. We are sharing our post this month with our cousin, Onyx (see picture above). She requested that we talk about the specialness of black cats. Since Cat Forum is all cats, all the time, we agreed. But it doesn’t mean that we all aren’t pawsome.

As you know, the reason that black cats may need some extra love is that they have a bad reputation among some humans. They think that cats are bad luck.

Image result for black cat

Most of the trouble goes back a long, long time. But you know humans. Once they get an idea in their heads, sometimes it gets lost and can’t find its way out.

Many years ago, people believed black cats belonged to witches. (Probably because they could move around and not be seen at night.) Those cats were called “familiars”. A familiar is an animal-shaped demon serves a witch as a spy and companion.

Image result for black cat as witch

Or that black cats were witches themselves. In fact, if a witch became human, the black cat would leave them. Witches were blamed for a lot of the bad luck people had in those days.

There are a few lingering negative beliefs about black cats in various part of the world:

In Yorkshire, England, it is good luck to own a black cat, but bad luck to have one cross your path.
In North America, it is bad luck for a black cat to cross your path but good luck to have a white one cross your path.

Image result for black cat sleeping

Seeing a black cat in a dream means you are having trouble trusting your intuition.
A funeral procession with a black cat means another member of the family will die.
A black cat walking toward you is good luck. If she turns and walks away, she takes the good fortune with her.
If a black cat crosses your path while you’re driving, turn your hat backwards and make a cross on the windshield to prevent bad luck.

Image result for happy black cat

On the other hand, some humans believe good things:

In Japan, a single woman who owns a black cat will have many suitors.
In Germany, if a black cat crosses your path from right to left, good things are coming.
In England, giving a bride a black cat will bring her good luck.

Image result for black cat with bride

In Ireland and Scotland, it is good luck for a black cat to cross your path.
To dream of a black cat is lucky.
Finding a white hair on a black cat is lucky.
A strange black cat on the porch brings prosperity to the owner.
Traditionally, sailors and fishermen in Great Britain thought black cats would bring good luck and a safe return home.
In ancient Egypt, the cat goddess Bastet represented truth and prosperity.

Image result for cute black cat

Fun facts and information:

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) celebrates Black Cat Appreciation Day on August 17 and October 27 is National Black Cat Day in Britain.
The Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) recognizes 22 different breeds that can have solid black coats.
According to a recent survey by the ASPCA, the total number of adoptions of black cats is highest of any color.

Image result for fluffy black cat

There are three “black” fur genes: solid black, brown, and cinnamon. If a black cat has a tabby stripe gene, heavy exposure to the sun will make it look “rusty” brown.
There is a black cat café in Himeji, Japan named Nekobiyaka.
Professional photographers recommend that black cats be photographed on a plain background, angled toward a natural light source. On an iPhone you can tap on the cat’s face (in the picture), and use the sun icon to lighten up the picture.

Image result for cute black cat

Kitties, we recommend that you share this information with your human. Get the word out that black cats are just another furry addition to the family who’s a little harder to see in the dark.

Sources

http://mentalfloss.com/article/87226/8-hair-raising-facts-about-black-cats

https://www.dogtagart.com/blog/how-black-cat-stigmas-superstitions-still-effect-us

https://www.thesprucepets.com/black-cat-folklore-554444

Pictures courtesy of Google Images

Halloween: The Well-Dressed Cat

October 8, 2016 | cat9984

Editorial Comment: We at Cheeseland are not fans of cats dressing for Halloween. However, as a service to those who are, we have invited Tiffany Furreau, consultant on “The Real Cats of Beverly Hills” to show us the latest trends in cat costumes. Please do not let your humans see these pictures.

Image result for fluffy cat pictures