Black Cats

The legend of black cats have been told over the centuries from ancient Egypt to the Middle Ages. This goddess is often represented as a cat, and indeed, many ancient Egyptians believed that domesticated cats represented this goddess of fertility and protection. Therefore cats in ancient Egypt had privileges that other household pets did not... including the freedom to come and go at will.

There were other deities in ancient Egypt that had a feline form... however they were generally depicted as having the head of a female lion (Sekhmet, the goddess of war, is an example of one). It is believed by many that the city of Bubastis especially put great significance on cats as a whole. This is evidenced by the many statues and representations of cats among the ruins of this city, as well as the ruins of a temple built in Bastet's honor. Many Egyptian tombs have mummified cats buried along with the people there... showing their significance as protectors. Women would pray to the goddess daily for blessings of fertility for their families. Bastet's form was generally that of a lean graceful feline, or at times, half human and half cat.

During the Middle Ages the Catholic Church often tortured people suspected witchcraft do to false accusations. It was believed witches and sorcerer practiced the religions and black magic of ancient gods and goddess, and learned ability to transform themselves into animals. It was feared that these animals were spying on whomever and their for were often killed.

Though the legend of cats have survived the trails of time, cats were not the only animal believed to be cloaked in black magic. In 1692, the Massachusetts Bay Colony executed fourteen women, five men, and two dogs for witchcraft. Fellow birds were also believed to be possessions of witches and were not spared judgment.