The Cat in Magic and Myth

by Howey, M. Oldfield

• ISBN13: 9780486431147
• ISBN10: 0486431142
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-11-19
• Publisher: Dover Publications

Summary

The cat has symbolized a host of virtuous and degenerate concepts: good and evil, light and darkness, religion and black magic. This intriguing book traces the history of these fascinating creatures--from vampire and clairvoyant cats to cats in heraldry, as sacrificial objects, and idols of secret sects. Rare illustrations from ancient Egyptian sources, Japanese art, and studies by da Vinci enhance discussions of ghostly cats, the symbology of cat and mouse, and the cat's nine lives. 50 black-and-white illustrations.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION	9	(6)
I. BAST	15	(8)
II. SEKHMET	23	(4)
III. THE SISTRUM	27	(4)
IV. THE CAT AND THE SERPENT	31	(8)
V. THE CAT AND THE RIDDLE OF ISIS	39	(10)
VI. THE CAT IN CHALDEAN AND EGYPTIAN MAGISM	49	(9)
VII. FREYA AND HER CATS	58	(4)
VIII. CHRIST AND THE CAT	62	(4)
IX. THE VIRGIN AND THE CAT	66	(5)
X. THE MAY KITTEN	71	(4)
XI. THE CORN CAT	75	(5)
XII. THE CAT AND THE SABBAT	80	(6)
XIII. WITCHES IN CAT FORM	86	(9)
XIV. WITCH CATS AND REPERCUSSION	95	(7)
XV. SECRET SECTS AND CAT WORSHIP	102	(7)
XVI. THE CAT AS SACRIFICE	109	(13)
XVII. THE CAT AND TRANSMIGRATION	122	(6)
XVIII. THE TEMPLE CAT	128	(9)
XIX. ANIMATED CAT IMAGES	137	(6)
XX. THE CAT IN THE NECROPOLIS	143	(7)
XXI. THE CAT IN PARADISE	150	(6)
XXII. GHOSTLY CATS	156	(10)
XXIII. DEMON CATS	166	(7)
XXIV. VAMPIRE CATS	173	(6)
XXV. CAT GENII AND FAMILIARS	179	(12)
XXVI. CAT AS OMEN OF DEATH	191	(7)
XXVII. CLAIRVOYANT CATS	198	(8)
XXVIII. CATS AND TELEPATHY	206	(4)
XXIX. THE CAT AS PHALLIC SYMBOL	210	(6)
XXX. THE CAT AS CHARM AND TALISMAN	216	(8)
XXXI. THE SYMBOLOGY OF CAT AND MOUSE	224	(4)
XXXII. THE CAT IN HERALDRY	228	(7)
XXXIII. THE CAT'S NINE LIVES	235	(4)
XXXIV. THE CAT'S NOMENCLATURE	239	(5)
XXXV. MANX LEGENDS	244	(4)
L'ENVOI	248	(1)
INDEX	249