International Cat Day Wisdom: Appreciate your Family

Tomorrow is International Cat Day, so I've used the Cat Wisdom oracle in a reading for the world. The card is family, and the message in the book that comes with the set reads:

"Appreciate your family. They are a source of unconditional love and guidance to which you can turn whenever you need advice."

To me, family doesn't necessarily mean your actual relatives. As a witch, I know my brothers and sisters in the Craft will always be there to help me if I need it, even if I haven't been an actual coven member for many years. We can have chosen families too - our close friends and loved ones. 

Our pets are also our adopted family members. International Cat Day reminds us to look after our fur-babies by making sure they are happy and as healthy as possible. In this hot weather, please also put water outside your home to help any outdoor moggies stay hydrated.

Here's a link to International Cat Care, which co-ordinates  International Cat Day on August 8 every year.

You can view the Cat Wisdom Oracle on Amazon

(Please note, I earn commission from some links)

Previous related posts
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2021/08/divination-for-international-cat-day.html
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2025/05/divination-for-world-judgement-in-cat.html
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2025/05/london-lore-wittington-man-myth-cat.html
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2025/05/witchy-craft-i-knitted-lucky-black-cat.html

Every Day Magic: Ways to Help Beat the January Blues

I don't know about you, but I've been suffering quite badly from the January blues this year. The grim weather and awful world news haven't helped, as well as the fact that my beloved cat Tommy died suddenly and unexpectedly earlier this month. He was my companion in magic and I miss him a lot.

Here's a suggestion from the book Every Day Magic - A Pagan Book of Days, published by Moon Books, with some ideas for helping cheer oneself up.

Beat the January Blues: Wrap up warm, get outside and go for a walk in nature or in your local park to make the most of the daylight – even if that is just in your lunch hour. Make a donation to charity, even a very small one. In the evening, light a candle and meditate on its bright flame. 

Cuddling cats has also been shown to help lift moods. Apparently the way they purr is soothing. I'm making an extra fuss of Tommy's sister, Tuppence, who is still with us and hopefully will be for many years to come. You can see her in the photo above.

You can view the book Every Day Magic: A Pagan Book of Days on Amazon .

Please note: I earn commission from some links.

Other previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2025/11/books-seven-year-anniversary-for-every.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2022/10/spellcraft-making-what-you-desire-come.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2020/06/community-book-every-day-magic-reaches.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2025/11/magic-knot-spells-for-wishes-winds-and.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2025/05/witchy-craft-i-knitted-lucky-black-cat.html

Would You Buy Your Cat a Ouija Board (or Coffin)?

Pets at Home is currently offering a cat ouija board toy as part of its Halloween range. I honestly can't decide if it's fun, tacky, or a really really bad idea. 

The petstore suggests you:  "Summon playtime spirits with a rotating butterfly that mimics real prey. USB-powered, multi-sensory fun for 5 hours of chasing, pouncing, and feline enchantment."

The picture at the top shows what it looks like. A coffin-shaped cat or dog bed is also part of the Halloween range, and that's pictured below.

If you want to have a look for yourself, here's the Pets at Home link: https://www.petsathome.com/

But do let me know what you think - and if you've already bought one, what does your cat think about it?

Previous related posts

http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2014/12/question-ouija-boards-good-or-bad-gifts.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2019/06/pagan-eye-ouija-board-at-smoke-and.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2025/07/question-would-you-buy-secondhand.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2020/10/halloween-are-you-there-poundland-ouija.html

Divination for the World: Judgement in the Cat Tarot

I treated myself to the Cat Tarot, purchased from the lovely Atlantis Bookshop in London. Naturally, I decided to use it in a reading for the world. 

Judgement was the card I drew as a message for us all. It shows an Egyptian cat, with symbols representing life, death, eternity, and the feather of the goddess Maat, representing truth. I prefer this image to the Christian scene of resurrection on the Rider-Waite-Smith deck, but the meaning is similar. It can be about lawsuits and any kind of judgement, as well as karma or getting what we justly deserve. This isn't a gloomy card, however, it's about rebirth and having a second chance too.

Here's what it says in the book that comes with the set:

"We are our own toughest critics... This card invites you to examine your choices and actions.... Are you where you want to be? If not, are you doing what you need to get there?"

Weigh in with yourself and judge yourself fairly, without being overly critical. If you feel you need to make adjustments in your life, then do so. 

Drawing this card at the moment, I feel the message for the world is also about justice in the law in general. There have been court rulings that  profoundly influenced popular opinions. Please take a balanced view about such matters, and judge yourself on your own behaviour. Also, do your best to ensure that due process happens, and that every individual's legal rights are fully respected.

More Divination for the World

I blog with a divinatory reading for the world every month. You can read some earlier posts linked to below:

• A Reading: Balance v Inbalance in the Lover's Path Tarot
• Embrace the Wild Goddess on International Women's Day
• Divination: The Deceit Fool from the Fool's Wisdom
• Divination for the World: 8 of Swords from Our Tarot
• A Tarot Card for the World Today: Strength

In-Person Scrying Workshop and Books at Treadwell's

On Saturday 7 June;  I'm running an in-person workshop on divination using crystal balls, water and candles at Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. It starts at 1pmand tickets are £22 per person. You can find out more and book tickets here: https://www.treadwells-london.com/.

Treadwell's and Atlantis also sell copies of my book Pagan Portals - Scrying, or you can find it and my other books via my publisher Moon Books

Witchy Craft: I Knitted a Lucky Black Cat Charm

I knitted this tiny black cat for a relative who had recently lost their feline companion. It is just 5cm (2 inches) high. The pattern I used is called Lucky Cats by Frankie Brown, and you can find it for free on Ravelry: ravelry.com/patterns/library/lucky-cats 

The instructions include several different sizes. The one I made was the smallest, but the largest is only 9cm tall. Black cats are of course particularly seen as witch's companions.

I'm sharing this now because the first full week in May is National Pet Week in America, and I know many of my blog's readers are in the USA. I'm based in the UK, but I I'm happy to celebrate it here too. The event highlights the relationship and the circle of life between humans and pets, by encouraging people to share pictures and stories about our pets, but also serves as a reminder to do things like check with the vet and confirm any care or treatments are up to date.

More magical dolls

You can find other projects in my book Pagan Portals - Poppets and Magical Dolls. I'm also teaching a workshop to make a poppet at Treadwell's in London on On Saturday, 17 May  You can find out more at www.treadwells-london.com/ 

Previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2025/01/im-doing-pilgrimage-to-raise-money-for.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/08/lions-gate-portal-magic-international.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2023/03/books-folklore-magic-of-cats-by-andrew.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2022/04/pagan-eye-black-cat-statuette-as-every.html

Rounding the Year: Spring Flowers & Blossom

The collage above shows photos of spring flowers and blossom I've seen while out walking in aid of Cats Protection. As well as raising money for a good cause, I also find that getting out and about raises my spirits. Some of my walks have been in parks - including my local one at Crystal Palace - but many have been along streets in suburban South London. There's plenty of nature to be found in cities.

Big Winter Roam

This February I'm raising funds for the charity Cats Protection by taking on the Big Winter Roam challenge. I'm aiming to walk 100 miles over the course of the month and raise £100. That's £1 per mile. Obviously I'd love it if people support my challenge to help to make a better life for cats. 

So far I've done an average of four miles per day. I started on Saturday with a walk from my home in Penge, London, SE20, to the stone circle at Hilly Fields, Lewisham. You can see a photo I took there on this page too. As well as ambling around Crystal Palace park, I've gone further into London to walk along the Thames embankment, and strolled indoors at the Tate Modern art gallery. 

If you also want to contribute a little money to Cats Protection, this is the link to my Just Giving page.

Sharing seasonal photos

Inspired by ideas in my book Rounding the Wheel of the Year, I share seasonal pictures, art, crafts, words and customs as well as a record of what's happening in nature. 

Where to find my books

If you want to buy Rounding the Wheel of the Year or any of my Pagan Portals witchcraft books, or my Gothic novel Erosion , you can find them at publisher Moon Books, which is part of Collective Ink: https://www.collectiveinkbooks.com

In London, you can find my books at Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, WC1E 7BS. https://www.treadwells-london.com/

You can also view Pagan Portals - Rounding the Wheel of the Year on Amazon.

(Note: I earn commission from advertisers for some links.)

Other previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/12/rounding-year-wintery-bare-trees-in.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2025/01/im-doing-pilgrimage-to-raise-money-for.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2025/01/rounding-year-wassailing-apple-trees.html

I'm Doing a Pilgrimage to Raise Money for Cats

This February I'm raising funds for the charity Cats Protection by taking on the Big Winter Roam challenge. I'm aiming to walk 100 miles over the course of the month and raise £100. That's £1 per mile. Obviously I'd love it if people support my challenge to help to make a better life for cats. 

I think life is better with cats, especially if you are a witch. The picture at the top shows my two cats Tommy and Tuppence. They were found abandoned as kittens and I gave them a home with the help of Cats Protection. 

Walking 100 miles in 28 days means averaging about 4 miles per day, and I intend to start on February 1st with a short pilgrimage. It is just over 4 miles from my home in Penge, London, SE20, to the stone circle at Hilly Fields, Lewisham, where I'm going to be meeting druid friends for an Imbolc rite on Saturday. This time, I'll be walking all the way instead of taking the bus. Wish me luck!

If you also want to contribute a little money to Cats Protection, this is the link to my Just Giving page.

Here are a few ideas for what a donation could mean:

• £5 can buy two cats catnip toys, providing enrichment to stimulate their minds
• £10 could cover the cost of microchipping for four cats
• £15 could cover the cost of a worming treatment for three cats to treat and prevent parasites
• £20 could cover the cost of 12 soft blankets to keep cats warm, cosy and feeling safe in their beds in care
• £50 could feed 10 cats in Cats Protection care for 25 days

Over the course of the month I'll be sharing photos and thoughts about my walking for the the Big Winter Roam challenge, as well as visiting witchy and pagan places to blog about.

Previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2023/03/books-folklore-magic-of-cats-by-andrew.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/11/review-pagan-portals-pilgrimage.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2023/01/witches-cats-more-photos-of-our-feline.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2023/01/witches-cats-two-of-my-friends-regal.html

Craft: Knitting in Aid of Dementia UK in November 2024

For the second year running I'm taking part in Dementia UK's November Knitting Challenge. The idea is that everyone taking part knits for at least 30 minutes each day and raises sponsorship money for the wonderful charity that helps people with dementia. I cared for my own mum and dad who suffered from dementia, so I know how important it is to have trained nurses who understand the needs of people with the condition and enable them to live happy lives.

Last year, for the 2023 November challenge, I started making what's called a 10-stitch blanket, which is a square spiral of rows with 10 stitches. Click here to see my post and photo of what it looked like at the start.

I enjoyed it - there's something meditative about knitting short rows and joining them to the existing spiral as I go. However, I didn't finish it in the 30 days even though I did knit enthusiastically every day. In fact, I still haven't, which is why my aim for this year's event is to finish the blanket by the end of the month.

My original plan was to use it as a throw to cover my ancient sofa in my witchy room. This is what it looked like a few years ago. However, my cat has now ripped the fragile fabric covering in many places and pulled out a lot of the padding, so sadly I'll be saying goodbye to it. (The sofa, not the cat, I hasten to add.) Instead, the blanket will keep me warm as an extra covering on my bed. You can see from the photo that I still have a few more circuits to go to reach that target.

While this is a charity event, please don't feel pressured into donating unless you can afford it and want to. I fully understand that many of use are skint at the moment. I'm mainly sharing this post to raise awareness of the charity and what it does. However, if you want to sponsor me, here's the link under the name Lucya Szachnowski: https://www.facebook.com/share/1sr9s2oUMRzxYXgh/  

If that doesn't work for you, please donate via the main Dementia UK charity page: https://www.dementiauk.org/donate/

Lion's Gate Portal Magic & International Cat Day

In astrology, Leo the lion shines down in the heat of the sun from the end of July to late August. It's a fire sign representing dignity, strength, confidence and power. You can perform magic to bring these aspects into your life, and to manifest your desires. 

A particularly auspicious time for this is during the Lion's Gate Portal, when the sun is in Leo, and the Earth, Orion's Belt and the star Sirius line up. It happens annually between July 28th and August 12th, with a peak around August 8th.

You could use the Strength card from tarot as part of a Lion's Gate Portal visualisation or spell. Strength in the major arcana generally shows a lion of some form, and is a positive and optimistic card. Put the card on your altar or hold it in you hand. Study the card and imagine its energy helping you towards your own objective. 

In the Rider-Waite-Smith deck (pictured), a woman strokes the lion and befriends the wild creature. This indicates that strength isn't always about physical might. It can mean achieving what we want in ways that make everyone happy. That lion looks as though he's enjoying a head scratch, just like any moggy! This is also a card about facing our fears and knowing we have the strength to not only deal with problems, but even to befriend adversaries.  

There's an infinity symbol above the woman's head. Do not limit your goals today.

International Cat Day

Today is also International Cat Day, which takes place on 8 August every year. It’s intended to raise awareness for our feline companions and learn about ways to help and protect them. Events are organised by International Cat Care, a not-for-profit organisation that aims to improve the welfare of domestic pets. 

Personally, I’ve always enjoyed meditating with my cat. I don’t mean training my cat to meditate – they don’t really need that training. The way you can do it is to sit with your cat mindfully. If your cat likes being stroked, then do that, just be in the moment and let your other worries and concerns slip away.

More Seasonal Magic

You can find more about summer magic, festivals and events in my book Pagan Portals - Rounding the Wheel of the Year, published by Moon Books.

Previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2023/03/books-folklore-magic-of-cats-by-andrew.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2021/10/a-lucky-black-cat-poppet-for-black-cat.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/10/london-necropolis-nero-sleeping-lion-at.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/04/a-tarot-card-for-world-today-strength.html

Authors' 2024 Plans: Rebecca Buchanan & Curious Cats

I'm interviewing authors on what books they have coming out this year and their other plans. Here I talk to fantasy author Rebecca Buchanan about a book that's caught my interest as it's about cats.

Q: What book have you got coming out next in 2024? 

A: My next book will be Malkin: A Tale of Magic, Espionage, and Too-Curious Cats. 

Q: What’s it about? 

A: Malkin is a magical urban fantasy/alternate history/espionage romance. Maud al-Khalli is a daughter of privilege, wealthy and well-educated. She has also been blessed with the rare gift of being able to assume catshape. Carter Durant is an academic, a scholar of rare and lost magic. When a strange labyrinth is found in the middle of the city, and people begin  to disappear, Maud and Carter must overcome their distrust and work together to save their city — and possibly the world.

Q: When will it be published? 

A: I am aiming for the very end of February or the beginning of March.

Q: What event or events are you planning around the launch? 

A: I hope to have a free short story on my blog, Forests Haunted by Holiness.

Q: What are you currently working on? 

A: I’m plotting the outline for my next novella, The Ballad of the Chalice and the Charm. That's a cozy fantasy/mystery which should be out by early April.

More about Rebecca Buchanan 

Rebecca is the editor of the Pagan literary ezine, Eternal Haunted Summer. Her poetry and short stories have been published in a wide variety of venues, and she is planning to release several novellas every year through 2026, and hopefully beyond. 

You can find her website at: eternalhauntedsummer.com

(Note: I earn commission from some links)

Gifts: The Tiniest, Cutest Tarot Deck - With Cats

A friend gave me the tarot deck in the picture above. I photographed it with a ruler to show just how tiny it is. What's more it has really cute cats on it!  I love it! I particularly like the Hanged Man, which is a kitty all tied up in a ball of wool.

The cards are actually stickers and intended for use in scrapbooking but they seem firm enough to use as cards if I leave them on their backings. I wanted to blog about them so my friend sent me the link to where she got them. Here it is: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005906168759.html?

I reckon a set would be a purrfect stocking filler at Yule (excuse the pun)

Previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2021/10/a-lucky-black-cat-poppet-for-black-cat.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2017/08/some-cat-wisdom-for-international-cat.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2023/03/books-folklore-magic-of-cats-by-andrew.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2017/01/pagan-eye-lucky-cat-for-chinese-new-year.html

Books & Folklore: The Magic of Cats by Andrew Anderson

I love cats, and a brilliant new book about feline folklore is due to be published in the next few weeks. It's called The Magic of Cats and is by druid Andrew Anderson. I was lucky enough to be given the chance read the manuscript for The Magic of Cats just before the final draft was sent to publisher Moon Books. Here's the endorsement I gave it:

“This is a wonderful book on the lore of cats. Andrew Anderson delves into their history, mythology, and folklore as well as studies into their behaviour, personalising his writing with delightful anecdotes about the feline companions with which he has shared his home. Cats have a two-sided reputation – sometimes worshipped as Gods, but at other times considered to be agents of the Devil. Seeing a cat can be a symbol of luck or an omen of misfortune. Anderson poetically describes these opposite views as ‘The Cat of the Night and the Cat of the Day’, exploring how these seemingly contradictory attributes add to the magic - and mystery - of cats.”

This is the perfect - or should I say purrfect - year for a book like this as 2023 is the Year of the Cat. I also believe cats are the best companions for witches. My own cheeky black-and-white moggie called Tommy loves to help me when I'm casting spells.

The Magic of Cats is illustrated by Hannah Willow, which is another reason to give it a look. You can view The Magic of Cats on Amazon and at Moon Books' website.

(Note: I earn commission from advertisers for some links. This helps support my blog at no extra cost to those who read my posts.)

Other previous related posts:
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2022/04/pagan-eye-black-cat-statuette-as-every.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2023/01/pagan-eye-saigon-observes-year-of-cat.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2023/01/witches-cats-more-photos-of-our-feline.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2021/10/a-lucky-black-cat-poppet-for-black-cat.html

Witches' Cats: More Photos of our Feline Companions

I got a huge response when I blogged about the start of the Year of the Cat and invited readers to send in photos of their feline friends. Ellen Evert Hopman, author of A Legacy of Druids and other books on druidry and herbalism, sent me the photo at the top. She wrote: "The Triple Goddess of the household (a calico). Her name is Brighid."

Hazel Sargent emailed me with the second photo and said: "This is Boo who I adopted during lockdown and who was put to sleep on New Year’s Eve just gone. Miss him very much. Although I am still very sad I will look at adopting another cat when ready." 

I know how sad it is to lose a much-loved moggie, and I am more than happy to commemorate Boo by sharing this beautiful photo. I'm sure he had a wonderful life with Hazel after his adoption.    

Marc Sansum posted the pic at the bottom, of Binx. He said: "It's a very apt name! He's very vocal, especially when his bowl is empty!"

Thanks very much to Ellen, Hazel and Marc for letting me share these pictures on Saturday, which I like to think of as Caturday.

Previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2017/06/witches-cats-beautiful-emmisary-of-bast.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2019/10/witches-cats-tuppence-in-her-halloween.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2023/01/pagan-eye-saigon-observes-year-of-cat.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2023/01/witches-cats-two-of-my-friends-regal.html

Witches' Cats: Two of My Friends' Regal Felines

I'm honouring the start of the Year of the Cat - which is what the Lunar New Year is called in Vietnam - by sharing posts about our feline friends. 

Jane Mortimer sent me the photo at the top of this post, showing one of her cats, Sandra. Jane said: "Sandra is looking like Lady Muck on the chair in my witchy room. I rarely get to sit in this chair. As soon as I bought it, my cats just took it over. After months of waiting for my turn to sit in it, I'm trawling the charity shops for another one!" 

My cats do the same in my own witchy room! 

Carrie Kirkpatrick sent me the second photo, of her regal companion. She said: "This is Queen Tabitha, having an afternoon nap on my bed. The same bed where she gave birth to five kittens 12 years ago, in June during the World Cup. The match between England and Argentina ended in nil nil draw, Tabitha scored five!"

As it's the Year of the Cat I'm reviving a series of posts called Witches' Cats, which I started a few years ago. If you have a picture of your cat or kitten you would like to send me to post on A Bad Witch's Blog, email me at badwitch1234@gmail.com.

Previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2019/10/witches-cats-tuppence-in-her-halloween.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2017/06/witches-cats-beautiful-emmisary-of-bast.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2022/04/pagan-eye-black-cat-statuette-as-every.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2023/01/lunar-new-year-celebrating-year-of-cat.html

Pagan Eye: Saigon Observes The Year of the Cat

This wonderful display is part of the celebrations for the start of the Year of the Cat in Vietnam. The photo above was taken by Janet, after reading my blog post yesterday about the cats in Lunar New Year. 

 She wrote: "In Saigon at the moment and much excitement about the New Year and Year of the Cat. Here’s a pic of a park."

On each Pagan Eye post, I show a photo that I find interesting, with a few words about it - a seasonal image, a pagan site, an event, or just a pretty picture. If you want to send me a photo for a Pagan Eye post, please email it to badwitch1234@gmail.com Let me know what the photo shows and whether you want your name mentioned or not. For copyright reasons, the photo must be one you have taken yourself and you must confirm that you are submitting it for A Bad Witch's Blog. 

The photo is copyright Janet

Previous related posts:
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2017/01/pagan-eye-lucky-cat-for-chinese-new-year.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2022/04/pagan-eye-black-cat-statuette-as-every.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2022/10/bastet-at-british-museum-for-national.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2021/10/a-lucky-black-cat-poppet-for-black-cat.html

Lunar New Year: Celebrating the Year of the Cat

I'm sure most people are aware that Chinese New Year is being celebrated this Sunday, 22 January, welcoming in the Year of the Rabbit. It's the start of the lunar year in the East Asian calendar rather than the solar one followed in the UK, Europe and America. Vietnam also follows a lunar calendar but for people of that culture it's the Year of the Cat. 

There are various explanations of why the Vietnamese have the cat instead of the Rabbit as a zodiac animal. The most common one is that in the ordering system used for lunar year, the word for rabbit in the zodiac - "Mão" -  sounds like the Vietnamese word for "cat". I've also blogged in the past as to why the Chinese have a rabbit rather than a cat.

While I'm fond of rabbits, I particularly like cats. The photo on this page is one I took at the Mind, Body, Soul exhibition a few years ago. I thought I'd continue the Year of the Cat by doing more posts about our feline friends over the next 12 months. In particular I'll be reviving a series of posts called Witches' Cats. If you have a picture of your cat or kitten you would like to send me to post on A Bad Witch's Blog, email me at badwitch1234@gmail.com.

Previous related cat posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2017/06/witches-cats-beautiful-emmisary-of-bast.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2019/10/witches-cats-tuppence-in-her-halloween.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2018/11/witches-cats-and-others-at-british.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2022/04/pagan-eye-black-cat-statuette-as-every.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2022/10/bastet-at-british-museum-for-national.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2013/02/review-grimalkyn-witchs-cat-power.html

Bastet at the British Museum for National Black Cat Day

Today is National Black Cat Day, so here's a statue of the cat goddess Bastet currently on display at the Hieroglyphs exhibition at the British Museum. Bastet, or Bast, is an example of shared beliefs by both Ancient Egyptians and  Greeks living in Egyptian cities. The information panel reads:

"Greeks and other foreigners lived in Naukratis long before the arrival of Alexander the Great. Temples dedicated to Egyptian gods operated next to Greek sanctuaries, and foreign residents supported the local cult of the cat-goddess Bastet, known as Bubastis in Greek."

Statues like the one in the photo were often left as offerings in her temple. Although this statue is white, she is also often seen as a black cat - and you can find some brilliant black Bast statue replicas and toys in the British Museum gift shop. Ideal for a bit of Halloween shopping in my opinion.

National Black Cat Day was set up by charity Cats Protection to help celebrate the majesty of beautiful black cats. The campaign was launched because black and black-and-white cats take, on average, seven days longer to find a home compared to cats of other colours. As a witch with a cheeky black-and-white called Tommy, who loves to help me when I'm casting spells, I can vouch for the fact that cats of all colours are great companions.

Hieroglyphs: Unlocking Ancient Egypt is in the Sainsbury Gallery at the British Museum, London, until 19 February 2023. You can find out more here: britishmuseum.org/hieroglyphs

There's a book coming out early next year called The Magic of Cats, by Andrew Anderson, which I was lucky enough to read as a manuscript before it went to be published. I can recommend it as a great overview of the folklore and magic of our feline companions. You can view The Magic of Cats on Amazon and at Moon Books' website.

Other previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2022/10/pagan-eye-thoth-god-of-writing-at-bm.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2022/04/pagan-eye-black-cat-statuette-as-every.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2021/10/a-lucky-black-cat-poppet-for-black-cat.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2018/06/midnight-magic-jigsaw-puzzle-spell-for.html

Blog Posts: What Would You Like Me To Write About?

It's been absolutely years since I last asked the people who read my blog what they'd actually like to read about. So, I thought I'd use today's post to ask just that. 

Are there any questions you'd like answered? Is there any witchcraft subject you'd like me to write about?  

I'm also happy to consider posts written by other people: from reviews of pagan books, to descriptions and photos of sacred sites you've visited, to spells you've created, to photos of lmagical things you've made or bought. Oh and I'm always happy to share photos of people's pets, familiars and witchy hats. 

If you have a question or suggestion for a post, please leave a comment or email me at badwitch1234@gmail.com

Pagan Eye: A Black Cat Statuette As Every Witch Needs

Here's a photo of a black cat statuette I was given because, according to the friend who gave it to me, every witch has to have a black cat. When I was doing a talk on witchcraft earlier this week to a lovely Women's Institute group, I was asked if I had a black cat. The question reminded me of my ornament and I thought it would be timely to post a pic here.

I do have real cats but my feline companion, Tommy, is a cheeky black-and-white. I did adopt a stray black cat a few years ago, but sadly the old boy died not long after he came to live with me.

Actually the association of witches with black cats is relatively recent. According to Professor Marion Gibson, Professor of Renaissance and Magical Literatures at the University of Exeter and the author of several academic books on witchcraft, black cats only became essential for witches in Victorian times.  Before that their cats could be any colour. For example, in the 16th century, Elizabeth Francis, from Essex, was thought to send her white spotted cat Satan to do magical mischief on neighbours she didn't like. She was accused of witchcraft. You can find more examples here.

Whatever the truth behind the association of witches with black cats, I like my ornament.

On each Pagan Eye post, I show a photo that I find interesting, with a few words about it - a seasonal image, a pagan site, an event, or just a pretty picture. If you want to send me a photo for a Pagan Eye post, please email it to badwitch1234@gmail.com Let me know what the photo shows and whether you want your name mentioned or not. For copyright reasons, the photo must be one you have taken yourself and you must confirm that you are submitting it for A Bad Witch's Blog. 

Previous related posts

http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2022/03/pagan-eye-plaque-to-those-accused-of.html

http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2021/10/a-lucky-black-cat-poppet-for-black-cat.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2018/11/witches-cats-and-others-at-british.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2019/05/back-home-safe-from-witchcraft.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2016/02/pagan-eye-love-cats-in-my-windowsill.html

A Lucky Black Cat Poppet for Black Cat Appreciation Day

Tomorrow is National Black Cat Day in England. It is held each year on 27 October in this country and was started by Cats Protection with the aim of promoting the beauty of black cats. 

According to animal charities, black cats are more difficult to find homes for because some people think they are unlucky. Personally, I've always thought of them as symbols of good luck. In fact I describled how to make a black cat charm for good luck in my book Pagan Portals - Poppets and Magical Dolls. Here's the quote from the book:

Lucky black cat charm 

As a talisman to bring good luck, make a black cat-shaped poppet from felt, small enough to keep in your pocket or bag. Inside the cat put a mixture of herbs and items associated with luck such as an acorn and dried heather, clover or mint. Add a few strands of your own hair – and a few strands of fur fallen from your own cat if you have one. Put a yellow or gold ribbon around the neck of the cat and to it hang a small metal charm associated with luck, such as a four-leaf clover. Enchant the cat on a Sunday when the moon is full or nearly full. Say: ‘I name you my good luck cat and charge you to attract the best that can happen in all things.’ 

The one I made has a green ribbon rather than a yellow one, as green can symbolise money and I wanted to good fortune in that sense too. It's fine to adapt spells you find in books or online to suit your own needs.

You can find my books, including Pagan Portals - Poppets and Magical Dolls, in the following shops and online stores:

• My Moon Books author page: https://www.johnhuntpublishing.com/moon-books/authors/lucya-starza
• Treadwell's bookshop at 33 Store Street, London WC1E 7BS and the website: https://www.treadwells-london.com/
• The independent bookshop portal at uk.bookshop.org
• My author page at Amazon: https://amzn.to/3C7FYul

Plase note I earn commission from some links.