Spells for good luck

'May sweet delight be this months theme-

I saw a cat in last nights dream.'

(Country proverb)

Cats are traditional luck bringers, claims have been made for cats origins not least that they came to earth a long time ago from another planet and another dimension.

In some places, fear of cats persists and the idea of them having their genises in the dark bowels of the earth, might linger to influence miners and seamen, both are very superstitious when it comes to cats. especially when underground or at sea. Sailors favour them as luck bringers and to throw one of them out to sea is said to raise a witch-storm at sea. Actors believe that to kick a cat will bring bad luck to their performance. They like to have an established theatre cat, and for it to run around behind the scenes, but for the cat to run about the stage dire misfortune will be brought to the theatrical production.

It was once thought to be bad luck to 'flit a cat' or to remove it with the rest of the family when moving house. Such a superstion seems to be connected with the idea of avoiding the anger of the domestic spirits and hearth brownies, who often become attached to the household cat, sometimes using their bodies as a vehicle.

Magical powers of the cat can be used for good or ill according to human purposes. Peoples attitudes towards cats seem to sway between desiring them as household pets because of their luck bringing properties, or bringing cruelty upon them because of their association with the devil.