Witch hunts were taking place across Europe in an effort to stamp out pagan religions back in the 15th century. Many believed that witches were the caretakers of small animals which included frogs, birds, snakes and cats. Many elderly lived isolated lives, with only a pet cat for company. If that cat was black, then this person was accused of being a witch.The color black is associated with magic and mystery. It is believed that the witch who owns a black cat, can move freely and unseen in the night. Since the 1880s, the color black has been associated with anarchism. The black cat, in an alert, fighting stance was later adopted as an anarchist symbol.During witch trials, cats were often tortured and killed by Christian puritans along with the supposed witches. Some thought that witches had the ability to change shape into a cat, others thought that both cats and witches are evil so they must be in cahoots. Many people also think that witches sacrifice cats during their rituals. But the person accuse of being a witch would never harm his or her cat. However, due to communal reinforcement, to this day many animal shelters will not allow the adoption of cats around Halloween for fear of their abuse.Black cats became a Halloween symbol because it was believed that spirits returned to the world in the body of them.
Black Cat Myths and Halloween Gifts
Posted by sandyspider (#1) 948 days ago (http://www.squidoo.com)
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