Halloween Customs Part Eight: Cats and Bats and Owls, Oh My!

If you are a cat lover like me, a favorite symbol of Halloween is a Black Cat!

Cats have long been the objects of much superstition, and they are frequently associated with Halloween.  Cats were sacred to the Druids of ancient Ireland and Britain.  It was believed that they had once been human beings.  A person who was truly noble and blessed might deserve the honor of being reincarnated as a cat!  And of course cats themselves have nine lives...

Perhaps the cat had magical power because it was supposedly the most common "familiar" of witches (probably just the favorite companion of old ladies living alone). Talking to cats and birds was one sign of being a witch -- I would be in trouble!

Feline behavior towards a person on Halloween was taken as an omen.  For example, if a cat jumps into your lap on this night, good luck is foretold.  Probably more prevalent is the belief that cats, particularly black cats, can be ill omens.  Everyone in the U.S. has heard that a black cat crossing your path means bad luck ahead.  Did you know a white cat brings good luck?  As the owner of several black cats in my life, I consider them lucky too.

The bad reputation of the cat may have been a medieval Christian reaction against the honor given them by the pre-Christian Druids.  Medieval Christians burned cats along with accused "witches" ... leading to an overpopulation of rats, which bred fleas, which carried the bubonic plague that killed a third of the population of Europe...now that's bad luck.

 Bats and owls are associated with Halloween probably because they are nocturnal -- active only at night.  Perhaps they join the spirits to fly about the night sky. 

Owls were for thousands of years associated with knowledge and wisdom, especially feminine wisdom.  Owls were a symbol for Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom, and of many goddesses before her.  So they are a fitting companion for the witch, the Old Wise Woman.

And she will be our last topic in our Halloween feature series: Between the Worlds Origins of Halloween and Its Customs ...