Black Cats
by Lucifera Elena
The most common of superstitions is that of the black cat. To certain people,the black cat is synonymous with bad luck and death. The black cat found many human enemies, one superstition was that black cats that crossed someone’s path would bring with it that person’s death. The black cat was the bringer of epidemic.
These dark creatures brought fear to people of the Middle Ages. They were, and still seems to be, the preferred familiar of witches. The Islamic tradition is one tradition that looks at black cats unfavorably.
"If a black cat crossed a person’s path without harming them, this indicated that the person was then protected by the devil". –Glenda Moore Cats Witches
Black cats aren’t always associated with bad luck. They are viewed as magical in many countries. In certain places they are cures for a woman’s painful menstruation, the black cat’s spleen was supposed to be the cure. In other cases, their blood was used as powerful potions (not so good for the cat). If you tease a black cat it would bring this individual harm. For example, in Persia people believed that the black cat was a hemzid ( a genius born at the same moment as a person, this cat is understood to be that persons guardian).
Stray black cats are said to bring monetary fortune and to stroke them means good luck. Other places hold that if a black cat crosses your path it’s good luck (that’s what I like to believe) and the next person to pass the black cat will have a wish come true.
Other superstitions state that the black cat will keep the devil away from your home, while in other places the black cat is believed to bring good luck at marriage ceremonies.
And so, this creature continues to endure the torments of our sinister minds, our lively ideas that black cats must signify something due to its magnificent presence. Just read the stories about the black cat and you will see what goes on in the human psyche. Read the lyrics to the songs that come in different languages and styles about the black cat, what do they tell you? What role do they play? It all depends what part of the world you live in. They are the most popular in Halloween, just look at the animations, the witch and always a black cat.Another interesting hysteria is that on Halloween black cats are not supposed to be sold because 'satanic' people will sacrifice them. I can't even tell you the amount of times I have been told this story, and I have to laugh because they are giving this caution to a SATANIST!
And in my lifetime of 13 + cats I have never 'sacrificed' one! However, one has to ask if the black cat achieved immortality through these mediums. Maybe the black cats can add that, wanted or unwanted, fame has clearly become theirs.
