Paranormal Pajama Party

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Episode 8: Witches and their familiars

Stephanie Summar

Felines, females, and fear

Witch and a black cat

The New York Public Library Digital Collections, 1894

Cats and women. Women and witchcraft. Cats and Satan. As soon as I tugged on the first thread that connected all these things, I knew I had to write this episode.

The relationship between women, cats, and darkness is as ancient as human civilisation itself. In ancient cultures, goddesses like Bastet, Lilith, and Artemis were depicted with feline companions, highlighting the deep reverence for the mysterious and independent nature of cats. But as societies shifted, so did the perception of these enigmatic little monsters.

The medieval era saw a rapid rise in witch hunts, and women who deviated from societal norms or were deemed threatening often found themselves at the centre of them. What else was often linked with these perceived witches? Cats, of course.

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Satan’s minions?

Crafty creatures that they are, cats were often identified as familiars, further cementing their association with dark forces. Cats became symbols of witchcraft and were demonised by a patriarchal society that sought to control and suppress the power of women.

These beliefs followed European settlers to the New World, where Puritans continued to view cats—and by extension, women—as symbols of evil. The Puritans believed that cats embodied the specifically sexual nature of women, which they considered to be evil.

Best friends forever

Over time, the association between women and cats has taken on new forms, but they’re not much more flattering. The “crazy cat lady” stereotype is a modern example of how women who live outside typical social conventions are often ridiculed and ostracised.

Thanks to the internet and changing cultural attitudes, women—and cat lovers of all genders—are challenging these outdated stereotypes. And as we continue to regain power, we can learn a lot from our feline friends about resilience, independence, and the power of embracing our true selves, even if our true self is kind of a furry little jerk.

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