It was largely in the Middle Ages that the black cat became affiliated with evil. Because cats are nocturnal and roam at night, they were believed to be supernatural servants of witches, or even witches themselves. Partly because of the cat's sleek movements and eyes that 'glow' at night, they became the embodiment of darkness, mystery, and evil, possessing frightening powers. If a black cat walked into the room of an ill person, and the person later died, it was blamed on the cat's supernatural powers. If a black cat crossed a person's path without harming them, this indicated that the person was then protected by the devil. Often times, a cat would find shelter with older women who were living in solitude. The cat became a source of comfort and companionship, and the old woman would curse anyone who mistreated it. If one of these tormentors became ill, the witch and her familiar were blamed.

Early Christians believed that if a cat is seen on a grave, the buried person's soul must be in the devils power. Two cats seen fighting near a dying person, or on the grave shortly after a funeral, are really the Devil and an Angel fighting for possesion of the soul.

In Japan, there is a myth that cats turn into super spirits when they die. According to the Buddhist religion, the body of the cat is the temporary resting place of the soul of very spiritual people.

Some people believe that cats engage in astral travel even in life. They also believe that if a cat adopts you, it will stay with you forever, even after death.

Traits usually associated with cats are curiosity, many lives, cleverness, unpredictability, healing and witchcraft since in ancient times it was believed that witches took the form of their cats at night.

It is thought that Pussy Willow buds are the souls of
yet-unborn kittens.

In Spring, the willow tree develops soft grey buds on its branches known as "Pussy Willow". The name is actually supposed to have its origins in a story about cats. According to legend, a number of kittens were thrown into a river to drown. The mother cat was naturally distraught and so the willow trees along the river bank, held out their branches to the kittens and saved all of them. The idea is that the grey buds being soft and silky, represent kitten fur.

Cat Dream Interpretations