Rune Oracle

Celtic folklore

Cat-sìth

The black fairy cat with a white breast

the deadluckwitchcraftSamhain

Also called Cait Sìth, Cat Sidhe, the fairy cat.

The tale

The cat-sìth is a large black cat with a white spot on its breast, known in the Scottish Highlands. People believed it could steal the soul of a dead person if it passed over the body before burial, so they kept watch, played games and kept the fire lit during wakes to distract it. At Samhain a saucer of milk was left out, and a house that did so was blessed, while one that did not might see its cows go dry.

When they are met

  • Samhain
  • during a wake

Staying on their good side

  • a saucer of milk left out on Samhain night
  • kindness to cats
  • keep the fire lit during a wake

Honouring them, or keeping safe

  1. Leave a saucer of milk on the doorstep on Samhain night, as households once did.
  2. Care for cats, especially black cats, who are often overlooked for adoption.

What their tales teach

  • blessing the home
  • protecting the dead
  • luck at Samhain

Symbols

  • the black cat
  • the white star on the breast
  • the saucer of milk

Some writers suggest the legend was inspired by the wild Kellas cat, but this is guesswork.

Sources

  • Campbell, Superstitions of the Scottish Highlands
  • Briggs, A Dictionary of Fairies

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