Cats have far more superstitions attached to them than any other animal. They have been executed as witches, seen as the bearers of good or bad luck, and are charged with powers of the supernatural.
Cats are uncannily like humans. They have personalities and a god-like ego that demands attention. They show us their disdain and, if we are fortunate, they show us their love. Loyalty? Rarely, but they make a popular pet because they are such independent little buggers.
Black Cats Are for Lovers
In Northern England, the saying is, “Whenever the cat of the house is black, The lasses of lovers will have no lack.” In other words, any woman that keeps a black cat in her home will have no problem attracting numerous lovers.
Pickle Eater
Here is an odd superstition, and not one I would recommend trying out. To discover who your husband will be, get a black cat to eat a bit of pickle. The first man the cat goes to will be your husband.
Under a Ladder
If you see a black cat walk under a ladder, spit three times through the rungs of the ladder before you climb it. Superstition says that the person who climbs a ladder after a black cat has walked under it will have bad luck.
To Stop a Wandering Cat
When you move into a new home, butter the paws of your cat. It was believed that buttering the cat prevented it from leaving the new home to return to the old one.
Sneezing Cat
In some regions, a cat sneezing meant that the family would soon come down with cold. In other areas, a cat sneeze meant heavy rains were on the way. A cat that sneezes right before your wedding is giving you its blessing.
Cat Whiskers
To find a cat whisker on the ground is lucky. Place it in your wallet or purse and you will soon have more money.
Black Cat Luck
In Britain, black cats are extremely lucky, while in the U.S. many associate black cats with witchcraft. So, when I tell you that a black cat crossing your path in Britain is lucky, many old-timers in the U.S. will take it as a sign of bad luck.
On Stage
In the theater world, if a cat suddenly walked across the stage, the actresses and actors could expect good luck and good fortune.
Stepping on a Cat’s Tail
In Wales, if an unmarried woman accidentally stepped on a cat’s tail, she could forget about getting married within the year. In Devon, it was just plain old unlucky to step on kitty’s tail.
Cat Wants Out
In Cambridgeshire, it was believed that if there was someone seriously ill inside the house and the cat was frantic to go outside, then the sick person was close to death. Many people believed that animals have a sixth sense when the time of death was close by. Dogs were also said to act out by howling when death was near.
Sources:
Roud, S. (2003). The Penguin guide to the superstitions of Britain and Ireland. London: Penguin.
The little giant encyclopedia of superstitions. (1999). New York: Sterling Pub.
Thomas, Daniel Lindsey, and Lucy Blayney Thomas. Kentucky Superstitions,. Princeton, N.J.: Princeton UP, 1920. Print.
