because it's wednesday ... the story of the black cat

image via Fotoblur

Today is the first wednesday in october, which means I get to post an october themed furry creature. This beautifully spooky black cat was really my only option. It's a gorgeous image. But aside from that, it really got me thinking.

Why are black cats considered evil omens?

The story of the black cat begins in Ancient Egypt. It turns out, the black cat wasn't always considered bad luck. In fact, in 3000 BC, all cats were revered by egyptians. To kill one was actually considered a capital crime.  

Fast forward to the Middle Ages. Europeans began to enter a phase of what I like to call witch hysteria. During this phase, many kind old ladies were accused of practicing black magic. Unfortunately, these same old ladies took it upon themselves to feed and care for abandoned alley cats. When the witches were executed, their cats companions were guilty by association.

But I guess the real story begins in a little town called Lincolnshire. A father and son were traveling one moonless night when a black cat crossed their path. They proceeded to throw stones at it until the helpless creature dove into a nearby house. The woman who lived there was a suspected witch. The next day, the woman left her house covered in bruises. Concidence? They thought not. From that day forward, witches were thought to transform into black cats at night.

Thus, an animal once revered became an evil omen. And we carry this belief with us to this day.  

Enjoy your wednesday darlings...