Cats - Magical, Mystical Treasures

The human race may be divided into people who love cats and people who hate them; the neutrals being few in numbers and, for intellectual and moral reasons, not worth considering

Ascribed to an acute thinker by Agnes Reppier (1855 - 1950) The fireside Sphynx

The common cat has a long history. For thousands of years, the domestic cat has aroused strong emotions in its human companions. Cats have been considered magical creatures, well acquainted with both the world of man and the world of spirits. Extensive feline mythology stretches from ancient Egypt, where the cat was worshipped as a god and, where to kill a cat was to be punished by death, to 16th century England, when it was demoted to the rank of demon and was savagely persecuted by the Christian Church, because of its association with witchcraft and black magic. It wasn't until the 19th century, that Victorians finally rescued it and restored it to its role of household pet. Since then its popularity has come to equal that of the dog.

Due to the cat's inner wisdom, it has been made the subject of myth, fable and occult symbolism in art, religion and literature throughout the ages. Its strange eyes fluctuate from full to slit in imitation of the moon. It has also become a symbol of night, lunar darkness, the four phases of the moon and the unconscious.

The cat has emerged through history as a representative of change. Her meaning in art and literature is projected between two extremes - as an image of nether Hell, or as a symbol of virginity.

There are two types of people associated with cats. Ailurophiles, those who love cats, and Ailurophobes, those who cannot tolerate them. Ailurophobes, when coming into contact with a cat, experience an uneasiness, sometimes to the point of breaking out in a sweat, shakes, or even naseau. There seems to be no in between where cats are concerned.

Anyone who truly loves cats, is drawn to their mysterious ways, their graceful movement, and their indifferent actions toward those who love and care for them. For unlike the dog, a cat, when called, will only come if it wishes to. A dog is there to serve its master, giving affection freely; the cat considered itself to be the master, and will only show affection if it feels the person requesting it is worthy.