Magical Almanac: Practical Magic for Everyday Living - Lauryn Heineman 2018
Magic and Cats by Deborah Blake (and Magic the Cat)
Earth Magic
Everybody knows that cats and Witches go together like peanut butter and jelly (or vodka and tonic). But have you ever wondered why that is or how cats can help with magical work? Since I just wrote a book all about cat magic and happen to have a black cat named Magic, I thought I’d share a few thoughts on the matter. Naturally, being a cat, Magic will probably add her two claws’ worth as well.
Cats and Cat Deities
There is something mysterious and magical about cats, which probably explains their association with Witches through the ages. Their eyes glow in the dark, they appear and disappear as they please, and they often seem to know things that go beyond the scope of what any simple “pet” should. They have been revered and worshipped in many cultures, and it is thought that their connection to humans dates back as far as a hundred thousand years ago in Mesopotamia. That’s a long time to be bossing us around!
Cats often act as though you should bow down before them, but really the most commonly worshipped cat-related deity is the Egyptian goddess Bast. Many Witches who work with cats in their practice have at least one statue of this goddess, who is often pictured as a woman with the head of a cat but can also be represented by a regal statue of a black cat wearing a gold collar and earrings.
The Egyptians also worshipped Sekhmet, who was more likely to represent the wild side of cats in the form of a lioness, but it is Bast, or Bastet, who is most revered as the goddess of love, sexuality, motherhood, and, of course, cats.
The Norse goddess Freya was sometimes referred to as the “Mother of Cats” and was often depicted riding in a chariot pulled by two giant cats. She was associated with love, divination, and the transitions that come with death and dying. For protection, you can either work with Sekhmet or the slightly more exotic pre-Inca god Ai Apaec, who was often depicted as an old man with a wrinkled face, long fangs, and cat-like whiskers or sometimes as a jaguar. Hecate, the Greek (and later Celtic) goddess of Witches, is more likely to be shown accompanied by great black hounds. But there is also a tale that tells of a time when she had to transform herself into a cat to escape a monster, and it is said that this is how black cats came to be associated with Witchcraft.
Any of these gods can be called on to aid you in your magical work if you want to integrate cats into your practice. If you are interested in working with a cat god or goddess, try setting out a bowl of milk, some cat treats or toys, and maybe some catnip and then asking one to come for a visit.
Magical Work with Cats
There are two basic approaches to working magic with cats. The first is to do magic to help your cat, and the second is to ask your feline companion for his or her assistance with your own magical work. Needless to say, either way, the cat should get treats (according to Magic the Cat).
Magical work for the benefit of your cat includes a spell to find the right one (especially if you are looking for a familiar), discover a cat’s name, help integrate a cat into your home, aid with cat healing, and more. Plus, of course, you can work spells to protect any cat that goes outside, find one who has gone missing, or help ease the passage of one who is dying.
But beyond doing magical work to make your cat’s life better, you can tap into their natural mystical gifts to help you with your own magic. For instance, cats can aid in divination. My cat Magic is drawn to both the healing work and tarot reading I do and will jump up on the table and stretch out across the card spread. Mind you, this is less helpful than she thinks it is, since it is difficult to read the cards through her furry black butt. Still, it demonstrates the way cats connect to the mystical energies.
If you are trying to find answers through divination, you can try spreading out tarot cards or rune stones and ask your cat to choose the one you need. If your cat shows up during your rituals, as Magic does with mine, pay special attention to their behavior—they may be receiving information you can use. It is also possible that they are simply supervising your activities, to make sure you get it right. In which case, be sure to reward them with treats (this suggestion also brought to you by Magic the Cat).
Feline Power Animals
The domestic cat is not the only feline associated with magical work. Some Witches find it helpful to work with power animals, also known as totems or animal allies, some of which come in catlike forms. The most common are probably the mountain lion (also called a cougar or a puma), lynx, tiger, lion, black panther, leopard, cheetah, and the small but fierce bobcat. Each of these animals has its own attributes and strengths, so if you are looking for a power animal to work with, it is worth doing a little research to find out which one best matches your needs and personality.
Of course, sometimes we don’t choose our power animals—they choose us (much like cats themselves). If you notice an animal showing up repeatedly, either in person or in some representative form, such as in pictures, as statues, on television, or in books, it is possible that the universe is trying to tell you something. You can also seek out your power animal. This is often done through shamanic journeying but can also be achieved through trance work of differing types or lucid dreaming. You can also ask the gods to send you the power animal that is right for you. If that doesn’t work, try asking your cat. Perhaps he or she will give you a hint.
The Cat as Familiar
Cats may boost your own magical abilities, which is probably one of the reasons why Witches have used them as familiars through the centuries. This doesn’t require any special actions on your part; it simply comes with the territory. But if a cat doesn’t wish to be involved with your Witchcraft practices—Magic is the only one of my many cats who has ever shown any interest—never try to force it on them. It will not go well for you. Also, Bast is probably watching. Just saying.
That being said, cats do seem to have a natural affinity for Witchcraft and Witches. (Which is not to say that there aren’t plenty of Witches who like dogs. I like dogs too. Magic the Cat just won’t let me have one.) If you are lucky enough to have a cat who acts as your familiar, be sure to say thank you. You will also want to be careful with some of the usual witchy tools we all use, such as fire, sharp athames, and herbs, some of which are dangerous to cats. Never force a cat into a situation that might be dangerous or unhealthy.
You can use some of your cat’s bits and pieces in spellwork—things like a cat’s whiskers, claws, and fur can be helpful. But please make sure that these ingredients are derived without hurting the cat. Whiskers and claw tips are shed naturally and can probably be found around the house, and fur can be attained by brushing your cat—an activity that most cats find pleasurable and which has the side benefit of cutting down on hair balls!
If you are making a charm bag to protect your home, you can put a couple of cast-off or clipped claws into it. If you are working healing magic for a sick cat, you might want to integrate a tiny bit of his or her own fur to tie the cat to the spell.
If you are looking for a familiar, you can do a spell under the Full Moon and ask Bast to send you one. Then go to a shelter, or some other place with cats that need homes, and see if any particular cat seems to be attracted to you. Keep in mind, however, that you should never get a cat only to have a familiar. Be prepared to love and live with any animal you take in, whether or not the cat turns out to have an interest in magical work. After all, all cats are magical in their own ways, and they bring us gifts that go far beyond their contributions to our Witchcraft.
Cats and Magic and Witches, Oh My!
I was a cat person long before I realized I was a Witch, but once I knew I was one, it certainly went some way toward explaining my stronger-than-average connection with cats. While not every Witch has—or wants—a cat, many of us find that we seem to have a particularly mystical pull toward the feline species.
As Magic the Cat will tell you, cats enrich our lives in many ways, from helping with our magical work to easing the stresses of a difficult day. In my opinion, they are truly gifts from the gods. In Magic’s opinion, those gifts should be rewarded with treats. Who am I to argue?