Boo! Halloween – they’re back!

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For those who are convinced that a black cat crossing their path is bad luck, I just want to say, some of my best friends are black cats. They are not all that different from me or my other friends, who are orange, gray, tiger striped, or a huge mix of other colors. According to Mary Anne Miller, in her article The Mystique behind Black Cats, “One of the three prevalent superstitions alive in our culture today concerns the black cat. These superstitions are: the number 13 being unlucky, you don’t walk under an open ladder, and if a black cat crosses your path, it is considered bad luck.”

But, there is no convincing some folks who really believe in such bad luck superstitions. I wonder if they ever have nightmares about, oh, let us say, 13 black cats all sitting under a ladder! Mercy.

Ms. Miller explains that in ancient Egypt, the black cat and good luck went together hand and paw. One very special black cat named BAST was so revered for her powers of riches and prosperity, she became the official deity. The history of the black cat and good luck is very positive in Sumatra, the Yorkshires, and much of Europe and England.

So what happened? The Pilgrims arrived at Plymouth Rock and changed history in more ways than one. Their fear of witches who often kept company with black cats just ruined the reputation created by so many wonderful black cats across the water.

Halloween will soon be here. Some revelers will take the opportunity to seek out and cause harm to cats – and these types really do not care what color. These trouble-makers are suspicious and afraid of cats. This is the night for you to stay home, wherever it is. Be safe. Be aware.
So what do you think of black cats?
- Fisher