The Element Encyclopedia of Witchcraft: The Complete A-Z for the Entire Magical World - Judika Illes 2005

Fairy Cats
Fairies

Cats, especially black ones, are the favored form of many species of spirits and fairies are no exception. One Celtic tradition suggests that gazing into a cat’s eye is a method of viewing fairies and magically entering Fairyland. Cats are also identified as Fairies. Who says fairy tales aren’t true?

The Cait Sith (pronounced “cat shee”) is the fairy cat of the Scottish Highlands, described as being as large as a dog or calf and black, with a white star on its breast. This is no little cuddly kitty but is an exceptionally fierce animal, spitting and growling when encountered. It is described as having an arched back and bristles, although that’s typical of any angry cat. Apparently, many Highlanders once also believed these cats were transformed witches on the prowl.

The cait sith is no forgotten legend: in recent years, Scottish police have received over a thousand reports of sightings of huge black cats.

Although the cait sith was long considered a creature of fantasy, it is now believed to be what is called the Kellas Cat, named after the village in Morayshire where it was first identified in the mid-1980s. At least eight have since been killed and studied.

Generally believed to be a cross between feral domestic cats and indigenous Scottish wild cats (Felis sylvestris grampia) some believe that Kellas cats are a unique species instead. Kellas cats are usually completely black with a white blaze (star) on their chest, and they are large: the maximum recorded length for a male Kellas cat has been 43 inches from nose to tail although larger ones have been reported.

See ANIMALS: Cats.