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Black Cat Superstitions
Black cat superstitions are probably older than the Christian calendar. They are thrilling, appealing and have fascinated many cultures for years. The black cat has been avoided, feared, loved, and worshiped by people around the world. Black cat superstitions have even been associated with the death of certain people, hostile witchcraft, and black magic. From America to the Middle & Far Eastern countries; in the past and even in these modern days, many people still have these types of feelings towards black cats. Obviously there is no direct link scientifically identifying black cats as being an omen or curse, or to have brought peril into ones life in a malicious manor. Those researchers were never able to gather strong enough evidence showing that cats actually possessed evil malicious powers, or luck. "Hum…, Just Unlucky I Guess; or was it all those Black research cats?", "I guess we'll never know."
What is the relation between black cats and witchcraft or the black magic? Let's take a look at black cat superstitions and the involvement of black cats with all ancient civilizations.
In ancient Egypt, black cats were thought to be favored by the gods. Every family used to keep black cats as pet and tame them. They consider them as a member of their family. When a black cat died due to sickness, age, or injury the family would had them mummified and mourn for days. Black cat superstitions at that time were strong. This may sound ridiculous but, in some cultures black cats were even considered to be gods, and mourning their deaths were a must. Death was the punishment for mistreating or killing black cats. Yes black cat superstitions were very strong.
Black Cat superstitions were everywhere including Rome, England, Scotland, Italy and India. Roman's black cat superstitions consider black cats to be sacred. In England and Scotland black cat superstitions centered on believing that a black cat crossing your path, would bring disaster and misfortunes. In Italy the black cat superstitions were so strong it made people believe that, a black cat lying on the bed of a person is the signal of death for that person. In India black magic has a direct instrumental use of the black cat bones, and requires presence of black cats on certain magic ceremonies or rituals.
Apart from the regionally perceived black cat superstitions, religion played a strong role directly giving space to black cats in their details. The bible has quoted, and talked about black cats directly. Hindu scriptures of Tantra have asked for the application and use of black cats in Tantric meditation and concourses. Islam religion also has ties to black cat superstition, as their last prophet is historically recorded to have raised pet a black cat.
Fairytales are also partly to blame for black cat superstitions. Many fairytales portrayed evil images or ghostly acts of black cats. Black cats were even raised by the witches, and were said to be able to take any form, anytime. The bones of black cats are instruments for the magical glasses of witches. Black Cat Superstitions truly involves many places and culture.
There is no solid reason that can relate black cats with witchcraft or black magic. But no one can argue that a concealed black cats dazzling glowing eyes, in darkness of night, strikes sharply it creates an eerie feeling over humans. Also, many people already fear darkness and what they can not see, and black cats were masters of stealth. The Black cats ability to move unseen through tight and hard to reach spaces made people feel uneasy; to say the least.
There is no evidence that can prove black cat superstitions are real. But the black cats, black color, glow eyes, soundless motion, and their ability to move thru almost anything, must have helped the inception and development of black cat superstition.
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