In honor of my cats’s* upcoming birthday on March 15th, I thought I’d share a special installment in The Folklore Files…
Cats have been revered and feared throughout history, often believed to possess mystical powers and connections to the spirit world. Similarly, the fae, or fairies, are beings of folklore that inhabit a realm parallel to our own, known for their capricious nature and affinity for mischief. Together, the intertwining of cats and the fae in folklore creates a narrative highlighting humanity’s fascination with the mystical and the unknown.
Across cultures, cats have been associated with various supernatural beliefs and magical abilities. In ancient Egypt, cats were revered as sacred beings, embodying the qualities of grace, mystery, and protection. (It’s often said that they have never forgotten their former glory.) The goddess Bastet, often depicted with the head of a lioness or a domestic cat, was worshipped as the guardian of home and hearth, as well as a protector against evil spirits. Cats were believed to possess the power to ward off malevolent forces and bring good fortune to those who housed them.
In Celtic mythology, cats were also regarded as mystical creatures with connections to the Otherworld, the realm inhabited by the fae. The Cat Sith, a spectral black cat with a white spot on its chest, was feared in Scottish folklore as a harbinger of doom. It was believed to possess the ability to steal the souls of the deceased before they could reach the afterlife, leading to superstitions about keeping cats indoors on certain nights to protect against its malevolent influence.
The association between cats and the fae is deeply rooted in folklore, with tales depicting cats as both allies and adversaries of these otherworldly beings. In Irish folklore, cats were said to be able to see the fae and were often depicted as companions to witches and fairy folk alike. Some stories tell of cats serving as guardians of fairy mounds, where the fae dwell, keeping watch over these mystical domains and ensuring that mortals do not intrude upon them.
Conversely, cats were also believed to possess the ability to detect and repel malevolent fae creatures. In English folklore, it was said that keeping a cat in the home could protect against the mischief of fairies and prevent them from causing harm to the household. Cats were thought to be able to see through the glamour of the fae, discerning their true nature and thwarting their attempts to deceive or ensnare humans.
Their intertwining is further exemplified in stories that depict cats as shape-shifters or beings capable of traversing between the mortal realm and the realm of the fae. In some tales, cats were said to be able to assume human form and walk among humans undetected, using their cunning and magical abilities to aid or hinder mortals as they saw fit. These shape-shifting cats often played pivotal roles in stories of adventure and enchantment, serving as guides, tricksters, or even adversaries to those who encountered them.
Whether as protectors, companions, or tricksters, cats and the fae continue to captivate the imagination, and through their unique relationship give insight into the timeless themes of magic, mystery, and the enduring bond between humanity and the supernatural.
* My cats, Vera and Edmund, are twins from a feral litter that we rescued. They are, in fact, the Very Best Cats in the World.
DID YOU ENJOY THIS HIGHLIGHT IN THE FOLKLORE FILES? READ MORE…
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