Witchcraft and Black Cats: Examining a Long-standing Connection

Hocus pocus feline hex black magic is a term that refers to the idea of using black magic or supernatural powers in conjunction with a cat. The concept of using animals as magical or mystical tools dates back to ancient times, with cats often being associated with witchcraft and sorcery. In this context, hocus pocus feline hex black magic suggests the manipulation of supernatural forces through a cat's involvement. The connection between cats and black magic can be traced back to various cultural beliefs and superstitions. In ancient Egypt, cats were revered as sacred animals, closely associated with the goddess Bastet. They were believed to possess divine powers and were often used in rituals and ceremonies.

The other movie is the family-friendly supernatural comedy “Hocus Pocus” (1993), which, like “Avatar,” has now spawned a long-awaited follow-up. But unlike “Avatar,” “Hocus Pocus” set no box office records on release, broke no technological ground and received mostly indifferent to hostile reviews. The 10-year-old me who saw it in theaters (and countless times afterward on VHS) would have supplied one of the more enthusiastic notices, won over by its wanly funny-spooky vibes, its now-creaky visual effects and the shrieky rapport of Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker as the Sanderson Sisters, a trio of 17th-century New England witches with a taste for young children and archaic second-person-singular pronouns.

Cobweb s pros Similarly sustaining life, yes, but his own, as he likely operates under the impression that he s getting a nice treat at the end of a long, hard day of being a good widdle boy who can t talk. He also knows that salt repels witches, he jumped on Book when Allison Vinessa Shaw opened it and revealed their location, like, this sweet boy uses his words and shares his useful information.

They were believed to possess divine powers and were often used in rituals and ceremonies. Cats were also considered familiars, or spiritual companions, aiding witches and sorcerers in their magical practices. Throughout history, cats have been associated with witches and witchcraft.

Binx vs. Cobweb: Who's the superior Hocus Pocus cat?

Choose your fighter: A cat who talks (. ) or a cat who sides with a deceptive man that tricks teenage girls into resurrecting murderous witches?

Entertainment Weekly's Oscars expert, 'RuPaul's Drag Race' beat reporter, host of 'Quick Drag' Twitter Spaces, and cohost of 'EW's BINGE' podcast. Almost all of the drag content on this site is my fault (you're welcome).

Contestant No. 1 spent 300 years hunting mice in a sewer under a Salem cemetery, while Contestant No. 2 was seemingly raised on a strict diet of sass and fiber (and is easily "scared poopless") — who would you choose as the superior Hocus Pocus cat?

Food preferences aside, there are serious matters to consider when it comes to Thackery Binx and Cobweb, the iconic and soon-to-be iconic supporting felines in Hocus Pocus and the new Disney+ sequel Hocus Pocus 2, respectively. For starters, if you were tasked with dueling against centuries-old witches (Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy), who would you trust to stand by your side? Below, EW weighs the pros and cons of both kitties, and makes a ruling on which cat would be most effective in helping to lift the curse of the Sanderson Sisters, and which one is best left to become a shish-ka-baby snack.

Appearance and special skills

Binx's pros: Shiny black coat. Talks. Very smart.
Cobweb's pros: Shiny black coat. Intelligence unknown (less maintenance).

Binx's cons: Breath is likely awful, as he did not use his God-given brain (yes, which was transmitted into a feline body) while scouring for food over the last 300 years (no one forced him to eat rats, Angelo the lobster was right there the whole time IN AN OUTDOOR TANK. )
Cobweb's cons: Does not talk. A human brain is not in his cat skull.

Odds for survival against magic

Binx's pros: Extremely high odds for survival. His little kitty spirit (yes, we know it was the work of the curse, but this sounds cuter) persisted, reviving his tiny crushed body after it was obliterated by a bus. He also knows that salt repels witches, he jumped on Book when Allison (Vinessa Shaw) opened it and revealed their location, like, this sweet boy uses his words and shares his useful information! A king.
Cobweb's pros: He is barely in the movie, so that means he likely has a minimal presence in these people's lives, and could go undetected if he really wanted to. Would likely not have been noticed if he didn't purposely jump in front of the face of the murderous witches hellbent on killing innocent beings.

Binx's cons: He is also at the mercy of the witches' curse, so he dies when they die, and that makes him EXTREMELY susceptible to catastrophic collisions with giant rocks protruding from the ground at burial sites.
Cobweb's cons: Stands completely still and does not make one attempt to evade Winifred, even after she tells him — like, to his face — that she's going to kill him with a bolt of magic.

Motivations

Binx's pros: Pure, preserving familial bonds into the afterlife, avenging child murder, etc.
Cobweb's pros: Similarly sustaining life, yes, but his own, as he likely operates under the impression that he's getting a nice treat at the end of a long, hard day of being a good widdle boy who can't talk.

Binx's cons: None. Zero. He just wants to vanquish the women who killed his sister and reunite with her in Heaven. A noble fur baby!
Cobweb's cons: Literally a house cat, beholden to a grown man, Gilbert (Sam Richardson), who tricks teenage girls into bringing back witches who famously adore murdering children. Are your priorities real priorities if you're fueling this kind of chaotic behavior?

Who are we choosing to help us terminate evil from New England?

We'd wait another 300 years if it meant we could spend another Halloween in peril right by Binx's side

Want more movie news? Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free newsletter to get the latest trailers, celebrity interviews, film reviews, and more.

Related content:

• Every original Hocus Pocus reference in Hocus Pocus 2
• Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy reveal if they'd do Hocus Pocus 3 after new sequel
• Hocus Pocus 2 stars reflect on reuniting to resurrect the Sanderson Sisters: 'It's quite satisfying'
• See first look at RuPaul's Drag Race trio as the Sanderson Sisters in Hocus Pocus 2
• Hocus Pocus 2 to put a spell on you with '2 big musical numbers' set to 'familiar' songs
• Omri Katz 'would have loved to be involved' in Hocus Pocus 2, praises sequel's 'new direction'
• Billy Butcherson returns from the grave in Hocus Pocus 2 first look photo
• Hocus Pocus 2 will explain the Sanderson Sisters' origins as children in the 1600s
• Meet Cobweb, the Hocus Pocus 2 cat who's definitely not Thackery Binx
• Kathy Najimy offered to call RuPaul to recommend Kornbread for Drag Race on Hocus Pocus 2 set

Food preferences aside, there are serious matters to consider when it comes to Thackery Binx and Cobweb, the iconic and soon-to-be iconic supporting felines in Hocus Pocus and the new Disney+ sequel Hocus Pocus 2, respectively. For starters, if you were tasked with dueling against centuries-old witches (Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy), who would you trust to stand by your side? Below, EW weighs the pros and cons of both kitties, and makes a ruling on which cat would be most effective in helping to lift the curse of the Sanderson Sisters, and which one is best left to become a shish-ka-baby snack.

During the Middle Ages, cats were often seen as instruments of the devil and were believed to possess supernatural abilities. They were said to be able to communicate with spirits and demons, making them valuable assets for practitioners of black magic. The term "hocus pocus" itself has mystical origins. It is believed to be derived from the Latin phrase "Hoc est corpus meum," which translates to "This is my body." This phrase was traditionally used in the Catholic Mass to symbolize the transformation of bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ. Over time, "hocus pocus" became associated with sleight of hand and trickery, aligning it with the realm of magic and illusion. In the realm of black magic, the combination of feline, hexing, and hocus pocus suggests a potent form of dark sorcery involving the use of a cat as a conduit for supernatural power. The cat's presence and involvement in rituals or spells are believed to amplify the effects of the magic being performed. It is important to note that black magic and hexing are not endorsed or supported by mainstream religious or cultural practices. They are often seen as unethical and harmful, with the potential to cause negative consequences for both the practitioner and the target of the hex. While hocus pocus feline hex black magic may hold a certain allure or intrigue for some, it is important to approach these topics with caution and respect for cultural beliefs and practices. The use of animals in magic should always be done ethically and responsibly, with consideration for the welfare and well-being of the animal involved..

Reviews for "The Peculiar Powers of Black Cats in the Dark Arts"

1. Karen - 1 star

I was really disappointed with "Hocus pocus feline hex black magic". The title made it sound like it would be a fun and whimsical book, but instead, it was just confusing and dull. The storyline was all over the place, and I couldn't connect with any of the characters. The writing style was also quite boring, and I found myself struggling to get through each page. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for an enjoyable read.

2. Mike - 2 stars

I recently read "Hocus pocus feline hex black magic" and I have to say, I was left underwhelmed. The plot felt weak and unoriginal, and the pacing was incredibly slow. The humor attempted in the book fell flat, and instead of being laughed out loud, I found myself rolling my eyes. Additionally, the characters lacked depth and development, making it hard to care about their outcomes. Unfortunately, this book just didn't live up to the hype for me.

3. Jessica - 2 stars

I really wanted to like "Hocus pocus feline hex black magic" since it was recommended to me by a friend, but I couldn't get into it. The story seemed like a mishmash of ideas that didn't blend well together. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, and the whole book just lacked a cohesive flow. I was often confused about what was happening and had to reread sections multiple times. Overall, I found this book to be a disappointment and wouldn't recommend it.

The Role of Familiar Spirits in Hocus Pocus Feline Hexes