The startled cat amulet pendant is an ancient symbol of protection and good fortune. This unique piece of jewelry features a cat in a startled, or alert, position, with its back arched and tail puffed up. The pendant is typically made of metal, such as silver or gold, and is often adorned with gemstones or intricate designs. The startled cat amulet pendant has its roots in ancient Egyptian mythology, where cats were considered sacred animals and were believed to possess special powers. Egyptians worshipped the goddess Bastet, who was depicted as a lioness or a domestic cat. Bastet was believed to protect the home and ward off evil spirits, making her amulets and symbols popular among the ancient Egyptians.
All four of the major western Christian denominations (the Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Calvinist and Anglican churches) persecuted witches to some degree. Eastern Christian, or Orthodox, churches carried out almost no witch-hunting. In England, Scotland, Scandinavia and Geneva, witch trials were carried out by Protestant states. The Spanish Inquisition executed only two witches in total.
All four of the major western Christian denominations the Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Calvinist and Anglican churches persecuted witches to some degree. As with many festivals and traditions, Halloween can trace its roots back to the Druids the Celtic peoples who lived in Ireland more than a millennia ago.
Bastet was believed to protect the home and ward off evil spirits, making her amulets and symbols popular among the ancient Egyptians. Throughout history, the startled cat amulet pendant has remained a popular symbol of protection and good luck. It is believed to ward off negative energy and bring good fortune to the wearer.
WHY ARE WITCHES ASSOCIATED WITH HALLOWEEN?
As with many festivals and traditions, Halloween can trace its roots back to the Druids – the Celtic peoples who lived in Ireland more than a millennia ago.
The Celts believed that Halloween, known then as Samhain, was the night that the veil between the spirit realm and the living was at its thinnest, allowing spirits and other supernatural forces to descend and cause mischief or harm. To the ancient Celts, people were transformed into cats as a punishment for their bad deeds. Those unfortunate enough to be cursed by black magic were also turned into cats, particularly black cats.
Catholic conversion
It doesn’t end there. After Roman take over, the Catholics began converting the Celts. The two belief systems merged. The church turned witches - those that ancient peoples looked to for wisdom and medicine - into devil worshiping hags. It was believed that witches could turn into cats (more black cat connections) and other animals such as bats and spiders. These companion creatures are what we now call familiars!
It wasn’t until the 1400s that witch hysteria spread across Europe. More than 100,000 were accused of witchcraft with upward of 50,000 being executed – most via hanging, but those killed during the Spanish Inquisition were burned at the stake.
Witch hysteria
America’s witch scare, which culminated in the infamous Salem Witch Trials were largely the end of the mass hysteria and killing of accused witches. While there were autumn festivals that included the telling of ghost stories and other such creepy traditions, it wasn’t until the influx of Irish immigrants that came to America in the 19th century that Halloween as we know it today began to take root. The mixing of Irish and English customs – jack-o-lanterns, costumes, going door-to-door asking for money – led to the current incarnation of Halloween.
Many young women especially believed that Halloween was the best day for divination and would often seek out fortune tellers to find out the names of their future husbands. This mashup of traditions and beliefs across millennia led to witches becoming a symbol of a holiday celebrating the macabre.
I personally love witches and witch stories. Witches fly in the face of societal expectation and convention – after all its always the young girl, the old midwife, the loner woman – who is accused. I see them as feminist symbols of power. From Hocus Pocus, to The Crucible, The VVitch and American Horror Story, there is no shortage of intriguing stories of the power of magical women. It was this history and this media that led me to release the Coven Collection and I hope to expand on it in the future.
Any suggestions for future Coven subjects?
Professor Diane Purkiss debunks eight of the most common myths about witchcraft.
In some cultures, the pendant is also associated with intuition and heightened awareness. The pendant can be worn as a necklace or attached to a bracelet. It makes a unique and meaningful gift for someone in need of a little extra protection or good luck. Additionally, many people choose to wear the startled cat amulet pendant simply for its aesthetic appeal and to show their love and appreciation for cats. Overall, the startled cat amulet pendant is a fascinating piece of jewelry with deep historical and cultural significance. Whether worn for protection, good fortune, or as a fashion statement, this pendant is sure to capture attention and spark conversation..
Reviews for "Startled Cat Amulet Pendant: A Must-Have for Cat Lovers"
- Sarah - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with the Startled cat amulet pendant. The picture on the website made it look so cute and detailed, but in person, it looked cheaply made. The colors were dull and the paint was already starting to wear off. It also felt very lightweight and flimsy, like it could break easily. Overall, not worth the price at all.
- John - 1 star - The Startled cat amulet pendant was a complete waste of money. I ordered it thinking it would be a unique and fun piece of jewelry, but it was just a disappointment. The pendant was poorly made and looked nothing like the pictures online. The metal was scratched and the paint job was sloppy. It also arrived with a chain that was tangled and difficult to untangle. I would not recommend this product to anyone.
- Emily - 2 stars - I must say I was not impressed with the Startled cat amulet pendant. The size of the pendant was much smaller than I expected and it looked really cheap. The colors were not vibrant and the details were barely noticeable. Additionally, the chain that came with it was very thin and fragile, making it feel like it would break easily. It's definitely not worth the price they are selling it for.