The witching cat is a popular tale that has been passed down through generations. This enchanting story revolves around a magical cat who possesses extraordinary powers. Legend has it that this feline companion has the ability to bring good luck and protect its owner from evil spirits. The main character in this story is a young orphan named Emily, who finds herself all alone in a haunted house. One stormy night, as Emily seeks comfort, she stumbles upon a mysterious black cat lurking in the shadows. They form an instant bond and become inseparable.
A wealth of paintings and photographs document the obsession with these animals and their connection to the occult in the state and I am delighted to share them with you on this Hallowe’en since so many of you have reacted positively to the ones I have posted on my Instagram account.
The history of the European settlement of North America goes hand in hand with the history of occult practices particularly witchcraft on the continent. By the 1820s, however, the Witching Cats found a resurgence in the vogue for alternately amusing and frightening paintings made by self-schooled Primitivist or Naïve painters in rural areas, notably the Pine Barrens.
They form an instant bond and become inseparable. Little does Emily know, this cat is no ordinary pet – it is a witching cat. With every passing day, Emily starts to notice the cat's uncanny abilities.
The Witching Cats of New Jersey
The history of the European settlement of North America goes hand in hand with the history of occult practices—particularly witchcraft—on the continent. A large and unfamiliar land with an indigenous population that had recently died out under mysterious circumstances (now of course known to be largely due to disease brought by contact with Europeans) and in which esoteric movements were tolerated was fertile territory for individuals and groups with practices of worship at the edges of Christianity and even beyond. While at the archives at the Germantown College Archives in New Germantown, New Jersey, I recently had an opportunity to visit the noted Witchcraft Collection. Visually, the record is dominated by a peculiar obsession with cats reputedly engaged in witchcraft in the “Mosquito State.”
Silas “Grim” Cole, Cat owned by Hattie Simpson of Cape May, 1782, courtesy the Witchcraft Collection of the Germantown College Archives, New Germantown, New Jersey
A wealth of paintings and photographs document the obsession with these animals and their connection to the occult in the state and I am delighted to share them with you on this Hallowe’en since so many of you have reacted positively to the ones I have posted on my Instagram account.
Cats are the most popular pets in the world, and certainly on the Internet, but the history of domestic felines is inevitably linked to the idea of the witch’s familiar. Cats are mysterious creatures (I suppose) that are active at night (not mine) and often, especially when in heat, make otherworldly sounds (Roxy is guilty as charged). Given their further association with femininity, they wound up historically linked with witchcraft.
The Witch and her Familiar, American Primitivist Painting, Artist Unknown, Morristown, New Jersey c. 1824.
DALL·E 2022-07-30 22.15.22 – A thomas cole painting of __ “a black cat with white belly and white paws” dressed like an evil witch
DALL·E 2022-07-30 22.15.33DALL·E 2022-07-30 22.24.33 – A thomas cole photorealistic oil painting of __ “a black cat with white belly and white paws” dressed like an evil witch, 1810
DALL·E 2022-08-01 11.07.19 – A thomas cole painting of __ “a black cat with white belly and white paws” dressed like an evil witch, 1810 (2)
DALL·E 2022-08-01 11.08.18 – A thomas cole folk horror painting of __ “a black cat with white belly and white paws” dressed like an evil witch, 1810
DALL·E 2022-08-01 11.08.18 – A thomas cole folk horror painting of __ “a black cat with white belly and white paws” dressed like an evil witch, 1810 (1)
DALL·E 2022-08-01 11.08.19 – A thomas cole folk horror painting of __ “a black cat with white belly and white paws” dressed like an evil witch, 1810
DALL·E 2022-08-02 20.38.44 – primitivist painting of a “a black cat with white belly and seven white paws” 1610 Blair witch carcosa wicca thomas cole (3)
New Jersey, unlike Massachusetts, was not settled by a single, religious community, thus diverse faiths were tolerated here. Moreover, the colony was not originally British but originally was composed of New Sweden (by the Delaware river) and New Netherlands (by the Hudson), becoming a colony only in 1664. A land for free-thinkers, the colony embraced Huguenots fleeing from France, as well as Baptists and Presbyterians from Ireland and Scotland, as well as other faiths while Quakers crossed the Delaware from Pennsylvania and brought their beliefs here as well. The Presbyterian leader of the First Great Awakening, Gilbert Tennant (1703-1764) came “to blow up the divine fire lately kindled there.” Thus began the colony’s early affliction with the supernatural, something made vividly clear in a young Benjamin Franklin’s accounts of the Mount Holly Witch Trials in 1730. If witches were a source of pre-revolutionary terror, by the late eighteenth century, archivist Alistair Cailleach-Crone told me, the burgeoning New Jersey merchant class in New Jersey began to commission portraits of their cats as witch’s familiars or “witching cats.” There is little documentation left of this fashion, save for this text by one Pieter Heks, 1783:
There are, and ever have been, cats and other felines, who converse Familiarly with the Spirit Realm and while some say they thus receive Power to both hurt and deceive, others claim them as happy mediums who, by their very being, keep a home free from plague, louse, and the lyke. Others, particularly, the wives of merchants in our land, keep these animals dear and hold them the pride of their house even, as the fashion holds, having portraits made of them.
Odd as it may seem, the best artists of New Jersey’s first decades as a state were involved in this work, as well as artists from the neighboring states of Pennsylvania and New York. After scolding sermons and threats from Presbyterian ministers, the fashion of Witching Cats fell out of favor among the wealthy, who soon went back to commissioning portraits of themselves, their children, their families, and noted racehorses. More than one artist was relieved. Famed painter Benjamin West, whose paintings of the subject have been lost, wrote unaffectionately in his notebook: “Damned cats and their owners. To the devil with them! These Jersey brutes love their animals but to have them sit for you would try any man’s patience. And half do seem to be possessed by the devil. I will never lose the scars from these accursed creatures, all claw and fang.”
DALL·E 2022-10-31 12.42.25 – American primitivist folk horror painting of a drunken black cat with white belly and white paws dressed like an evil witch wicca thomas cole
It can vanish into thin air, communicate through telepathy, and cast spells to defend against paranormal entities. As their friendship grows, Emily begins to realize that with the cat's help, she has the power to overcome her fears and take control of her life. The witching cat becomes Emily's guardian and guide, ensuring her safety and happiness. Together, they embark on a thrilling journey, encountering supernatural beings, solving mysteries, and ultimately, helping Emily find her true purpose. This heartwarming tale teaches us the importance of believing in ourselves and the power of friendship. It reminds us that even in the darkest of times, there is always a glimmer of hope. The witching cat symbolizes resilience, bravery, and the strength we can find within ourselves. It encourages readers to embrace their own inner magic and trust in their abilities. This timeless story continues to captivate readers of all ages, enchanting them with its mystical charm and inspiring them to embark on their own adventures. So, the next time you see a mysterious black cat, remember the tale of the witching cat and the extraordinary powers it possesses..
Reviews for "The witching cat's role in shapeshifting and transformation"
1. Jane - 2 stars - I found "The Witching Cat" to be quite disappointing. The storyline seemed promising, and I enjoy books with supernatural elements, but this one fell flat for me. The characters were poorly developed, and I struggled to connect with any of them. The plot was predictable, and I could see the twists coming from a mile away. Overall, I felt like the book lacked depth and failed to deliver an engaging reading experience.
2. Mark - 1 star - "The Witching Cat" was a complete waste of my time. The writing was amateurish, with numerous grammatical errors and awkward phrasing. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to become immersed in the story. The pacing was incredibly slow, and I found myself losing interest with every page. The book failed to deliver any sense of suspense or excitement, and I was left feeling bored and unsatisfied. I would not recommend this book to anyone.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "The Witching Cat" after reading positive reviews, but unfortunately, it did not live up to the hype for me. The plot felt disjointed and lacked coherence. The author introduced too many subplots that seemed unrelated to the main story, leaving me confused and unengaged. Additionally, the characters were one-dimensional, and I struggled to care about their fates. While the concept of a witching cat was intriguing, it was not enough to salvage the book from its overall lackluster execution.
4. Michael - 2 stars - "The Witching Cat" had the potential to be an intriguing paranormal mystery, but it fell short in several areas. The pacing was slow, and the story dragged on without any significant development. The protagonist lacked depth, and her actions often felt forced and illogical. The writing style was dry and lacked descriptive language, making it difficult to visualize the scenes or connect with the characters. Overall, I found "The Witching Cat" to be a disappointing read that failed to captivate me.