Musical accompaniment: Superstition by Blanche

Cats are fascinating animals. Black cats especially have quite a reputation and are associated with magic. Going all the way back to ancient times, cats symbolized protection and were considered sacred animals.

Perhaps cats’ mystical reputation is due to the fact they’re nocturnal and tend to be solitary. Or maybe it’s the unusual way cats move and pose. Cats’ ability to climb on narrow ledges and railings inspired the term catwalk referring to any narrow walkway that requires agility to navigate. Cats use their tails and whiskers for balance.

In the Dark Ages, black cats were thought to protect witches. They were called familiars. “See that black cat with the green eyes? He’s the witch’s familiar.” A familiar could help with casting a spell or any number of witchy activities.  Because of their strong association with witches, many people were afraid of black cats.  By the time the Renaissance began, cats were again seen as signs of good fortune. Leonardo da Vinci loved to observe cats and made at least 11 sketches of them.

I came across this picture made in 1900 by British artist Christopher Nevinson. It looks like a photograph but it’s aquatint and etching. Nevinson certainly captured the mysterious, watchful essence of a cat very well!

Cleveland Museum of Art

Tonight there’s a full moon. It looked so beautiful I took a picture, though I never have much luck with night sky images. The way the light reflected gives it a much different appearance than I anticipated but I like it!