CATS: DEVILS OR ANGELS?  YOU DECIDE

A PACT WITH THE DEVIL

Cats are nocturnal in their habits-- their eyes glow in the dark, and their ability to move swiftly and silently can be unnerving. It was probably for such reasons that the harmless cat became inextricably bound up with witches, demons, and the dark powers of the unseen.

It was believed that cats had a pact with the Devil himself. They were thought to be able to cause storms, or to be witches in disguise.

Hysteria and paranoia were at times so great that anyone who loved a pet cat might be suspected of dabbing in the black arts. The way cats enjoy sleeping upon their owners beds, or curling up on their laps, was seen as evidence of some dark, demonic relationship. Many of these warped beliefs have survived into our own times unfortunately.

THE CAT A SYMBOL OF LUCK

Yet even through these dark times, some people continued to believe that cats were lucky. Buddhists believed that the presence of a dark cat would insure that a household never lacked gold. A pale cat would attract silver to the house.

In France, there was a belief in matagots , or magical cats. These wonderful felines would bring good fortune to their owners as long as they were loved and well looked after.

Through history, some cats have found themselves in illustrious company, The Prophet Mohammed is said to have loved them; one story tells of how he cut off the sleeve of his robe because one of his favorites was sleeping there, and he was loath to disturb her. Popes and Kings have also kept pet cats, artists and writers, all have come to worship the cat as have I.

Try going to a Japanese Restaurant without seeing The MANEKI NEKO -- the lucky cat with its paw raised.