The Grayer-Anderson Cat is s bronze statue dating back to 664-332 BC, when cats, especially Black Cats, were considered sacred. It is almost as famous as Felix the Cat.
Happy Day Before Halloween SK fans,
If all goes according to plan, My Pub will have by now convinced MAD to dress up for tomorrow’s festivities. He’s not a big fan of costumes and masquerading around as Fred Flintstone and the like. She has her work cut out for her.
While she undertakes this fool’s errand, I’ll share with you the little I’ve gleaned about Black Cats and the misinformation that surround them. Now, we all know that I, Louisa May Alcatt, am a svelte and gorgeous Tortie, donning a shiny coat of earthy tones. We also know I’d still be the cat’s meow in a coat of black, or white, or black and white, or tabby, or whatever color I graced with my presence.
No superstition surrounds Torties, except that sometimes they possess the spirits of long-dead bestselling 19th-century female authors and keep blogs on women’s rights and such. But my Black Cat friends, such as Felix, face a whole world of discrimination that dates back to Before the Common Era and the Pharaoh and probably Fred Flintstone himself.
The very famous Felix the Cat.
Some – as in most – cultures believe Black Cats represent Bad Luck. Yet others – the Irish, Scots, Japanese and sailors’ wives, believe Black Cats symbolize Good Luck. Then others, i.e. the Germans and Pirates don’t know what to believe.
For instance: Germans believe that if a black cat crosses your path from right to left then BAD, BAD, BAD things are in your future. Take care of that bucket list. Du bist fertig!
However – if the Black Cat crosses your path from left to right, all is well. Good times ahead!
It is not clear if you must be in Germany when the cat crosses or just German or hanging out with a German for the above to hold true. What is true is that Germans must carry a cheat sheet around with them to remind them which way the curse cometh.
Pirates are as confused. They believe that if a Black Cat walks towards someone, that person is shark bait. If the Black Cat walks away, that person is sacred. If a Black Cat walks on board a ship, then suddenly walks off, that ship is sure to sink.
On the subject of Pirates, let’s talk about Sailors’ wives, who presumably adopt a Black house Cat as a way of protecting their husbands at sea. The practice is very effective.
Thanks to our SF reader BT, we remember that Chicago Cubs fans blame a Black Cat for never making it to the 1969 World Series. In a game against the evil NY Mets a Black Cat ran circles around Ron Santos while he was in the on deck circle, and a 9-1/2 game lead was lost forever.
The Pilgrims, who we celebrate next month, identified Black Cats as agents of Satan and witch craft, and would harm and even kill anyone who kept one. In Pirates’ speak, the convicted Puritans underwent the Hempen Halter, aka, the noose.
Harsh!
Let me tell you a little something about my fellow ebony felines:
The Goddess of all Cats (yes, we have our own Goddess) is almost as famous as Felix, is Black and is named Bast.
Bast, the Goddess of domestic cats, though I think I will succeed her, you watch!
- More Black Cats are male.
- Black Cats tend to have gold eyes.
- Indeed, a Black Cat is completely responsible for the Chicago Cubs not getting to the 1969 World Series.
- Black Cats linger longer in shelters, as some people are still reluctant to take their chances with one.
How sad! 😦
A Black Cat is just a Cat that is Black!
That’s it. Nothing more. Black Cats do not determine our fate and destiny. They purr like other cats. They eat like other cats (maybe not as much as I do). They scratch furniture as much as all the other cats, and if they’re lucky Black Cats, they even have a pet mouse to play with. And if they’re really lucky Black Cats will spend less time in shelters and more time with loving families.
lots of love, xo, LMA, MAD, Fred, Felix and Bast
You can friend me on Facebook at Louisa May Alcatt!
Suffragette Kitty 
Recent Comments