Why Are Black Cats Associated With Witches

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A black cat beside her most often accompanies the popular image of a witch. This prevalent image has frequently led to unfair treatment of black cats. In fact, rescues say it is harder to rehome black cats than cats of other colours. Around Halloween, black cats are more in danger of harm from humans. But why are black cats associated with witches?

Cats are beautiful creatures that are great companions, and they have plenty of love to share with their chosen human guardian. Cats are also great hunters who keep premises free of vermin, and they have done so since their introduction to human homes as far back as 2000 BC.

A Look At Witches

During the Middle Ages, the women who helped birth babies, helped heal people and used herbs to remedy illnesses were accused of being witches (the witch hunts didn’t stick to just healers). These women tended to be older and single or widowed. They often had cats as companions and to keep their homes free of vermin.

A medieval middle-aged woman with a black cat

It’s doubtful that all the cats these women had were black – cats come in many different colours. However, cats are nocturnal and like to roam at night. Back in the Middle Ages, there were no streetlights, and homes were lit by candlelight and fires. Any animal roaming around outside is going to look black.

The Witch Hunts

The Middle Ages was not a good time to be a cat. The witch hunters didn’t just kill the cats that lived with the witches. They decided that all cats were evil and were linked to witchcraft. This is probably due to the cat’s independent nature and the fact that they like to roam at night.

Not only did the witch hunts murder the women, but they also killed the cats. Every cat that was caught. So much so that they almost eradicated cats throughout Europe.

The depletion of cats throughout Europe coincided with the rise of infected vermin spreading the plague.

The Link Between Infected Vermin And Cat Decline

Cats were saved from extinction in Europe because people realised the link between the decline in the cat population and the rise in infected vermin. The increased number of vermin around towns and villages would also have impacted people’s perspectives.

The Black Cat Prejudice

The cat population may have been saved throughout Europe, but the link between black cats and witches has persisted. More upsetting is the fact that even in today’s world, people will harm a cat simply because it is black.

The superstition that black cats are linked to witchcraft, the devil, or are unlucky persists today. Movies and witch stories have perpetuated this myth and keep black cats at risk, especially around Halloween.

My Black Cat Pickles

I have a black cat, my mini panther, Mr Pickles. He’s not unlucky, and he’s certainly not evil. He is pretty magic, though. His magic power is that he knows when one of the family isn’t feeling too well or a bit sad, and he will curl up beside them, purring, keeping them company until they feel better. We wouldn’t be without him.

Pickles Know When We Need Him. Image on the left Pickles the black cat curled up on a brown blanket leaning in to a hand rubbing his cheek, image on the right Pickles curled around a leg under a cream furry blanket

Black cats deserve the same protection, love and care as cats of every other colour. Please look out for them. If a black cat crosses your path, bend down and pet it if it will let you!

If A Black Cat Crosses Your Path Pet It If It Will Let You. Pickles the black cat walking towards the camera on grey speckled with white chips concrete path, patch of green grass in bottom right corner

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