The (, plural ), in Irish (), is a fairy creature from Celtic mythology, said to resemble a large black cat with a white spot on its chest that walks on its hind legs. Legend has it that the spectral cat haunts the Scottish Highlands. The legends surrounding this creature are more common in Scottish folklore, but a few occur in Irish. Some common folklore suggested that the was not a fairy, but a witch that could transform into a cat nine times.

The may have been inspired by the Scottish wildcat itself. Furthermore, it is also possible that the legends of the were inspired by Kellas cats, which are a distinctive hybrid between Scottish wildcats and domestic cats found only in Scotland (the Scottish wildcat is a population of the European wildcat, which is now absent from elsewhere in the British Isles).

Appearance

The is all black with the exception of a white spot on its chest. It is described as being as large as a dog and chooses to display itself with its back arched and bristles erect.

Rituals

The were believed to steal the souls of the recently deceased that hadn't gone to the land of the dead. Before morgues were common, these bodies were kept in a room in the home or in the barn until the body could be buried so people could pay their respects to the body.

To avoid the soul being taken during this period, people would stay to watch the body in a vigil called the Late Wake or Fèill Fhadalach in Irish Gaelic. People would distract the away from the body with things like music, games, dance, or catnip. It was also suggested not to light a fire near the body as was attracted to the heat.

Around Samhain, it was custom to leave out a saucer of milk for them. If you did, your household would receive good luck for the year.

Summoning

The demonic called Big Ears could be summoned (Gaelic ) to appear and grant any wish to those who took part in the ceremony. The ceremony required practitioners to burn the bodies of cats over the course of four days and nights.

See also

  • Beast of Bodmin
  • Grimalkin
  • Kellas cat
  • List of fictional cats
  • Phantom cat
  • "The Black Cat" (short story)

References