- Haunting Halloween Cats
Though the legend of Cat Sith is menacing on its own, any Pagan traditions or beliefs were further demonized when Christianity took over medieval Europe. When literal witch hunts persecuted innocent women accused of witchcraft, their cats or any who lived nearby were frequently killed. Witches were said to have "familiars", or a demonic spirit in the form of an animal that connected them to the devil and acted as servants or spies. Often these were said to take the form of a cat, precisely a black one. Throwing back to the shapeshifting myths, some believed witches could also transform into their feline familiars.
Through the years, this association of black cats with witches and Samhain/Halloween has been further immortalized in ghost stories, literature, television, film, and décor. However, the years have softened their reputations, going from evil creatures to cute costumes or sharp-tongued sidekicks in TV and film. So whether you prefer the spooky spirit of Cat-Sith, or the silly Salem from Sabrina, the Teenaged Witch, black cats everywhere will be pleased they are being celebrated the way they know all cats deserve to be recognized!