Dated to around 717 BCE and 339 BCE, the burials had been conducted in a tomb complex near the pyramid of pharaoh Userkaf. Of the ancient male cat gods, he was the smallest in stature a dwarf god in nature. One of the dreams he had the feet of a spider and claws of a mantas or crab, he moved extremely fast and agile. Though before cats became adored pets, they were viewed as the kin of Bastet, the ultimate Egyptian cat goddess. ), my cat comes into my room and cuddles on my bed with me. I'm talking everywhere, it's definitely not a coincidence. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. It was the size of my hand and just looked at me on the opposite side of where I was sleeping. READ MORE: Ancient Egyptian Weapons: Spears, Bows, Axes, and More! Spirit animal is a mourning dove. Spirit animal is a gray wolf. Are there any deities associated with cats? : r/pagan - Reddit I still remember it so clearly. There are many ancient cultures who have had their own version of cat-related deities. But it wasnt just the Egyptians who revered our feline friends. If they hadnt, she would have destroyed humanity. Theyre spotted just like a cheetah, and are, in fact, related to African wild cats. The entire thing turned out to be a family affair. One of the most famous offerings made to Bastet is the Gayer-Anderson cat, an embodiment of feline elegance. This may sound weird, but I'm a beginner to both Paganism and witchcraft. Evidence of cat gods being worshipped can be found in many of the cultures prominent in North America during ancient times, showing that worshipping cats was a worldwide phenomenon. Cookie Notice Actually, there are many gods that people worshipped that were, or were connected to more than just cats. Or donate directly via Paypal TC Staff READ MORE: Snake Gods and Goddesses: 19 Serpent Deities from Around the World. The user with this ability either is or can transform into a Spider Deity, a god/goddess who represents or is associated with spiders. Two of the most sacred Hindu goddess are Durga and Parvati, both of whom share a connection with large cats. Let us know in the comments below! It would also explain why there are so many tomb paintings of cats beingwell, cats. I became friends with spiders Im not sure if this is because of my somewhat involvement with Lilith. There are mummified cats, cat hieroglyphs, and cat statuettes. In Aradia or Gospel of the Witches, Diana (as Queen of the Witches) shape-shifts into a cat to sleep with Lucifer and thus becomes pregnant with Aradia. Scan this QR code to download the app now. It was often shown as a Ghatokbahini or a lion-tiger hybrid. For more information, please see our While Bastet represented Lower Egypt, Sekhmet was Upper Egypt. In Scotland they believed that black cats were shape-shifting witches. The History of Cats Cats in the Ancient World, 7 Ways Black Cats Bring Good Luck Around the World, Special-Needs Rescue Kitten Loves His Bunny Friends, Catster Magazine Subscription Maintenance, Thank you Top 5 Cat Behaviors Explained. They would offer food and drink at her altars, playing music and burning incense. He also personifies the number seven, as well as having connections to fire and war. With Marduk out of the way on the opposite side of the city, Nergal rampaged through Babylon, indiscriminately leveling buildings and killing citizens. Dawon would use her claws and teeth to fight off enemies. Many scholars agree that Sekhmet was the predecessor to Bastet, but as time went by, the ferocious warrior lioness became more of a home and motherly guardian. The Mayans had several jaguar figures and deities in their myths. ago I could say Bastet (egyptian), goddess of cats, love, music, dancing and fertility who is a cat-woman and Freya (norse), goddess of love, beauty, fertility, war, gold and magic who rides a chariot drawn by cats. Part of such reverence stems from the ancient Egyptians viewing cats (and other animals) as vessels for the gods. To have one around was a blessing from the gods themselves. Cats are divine little beings just as they are. One example is in the Voyage of Mel Din, where the hero comes upon a magical island inhabited only by a single cat. The sun is necessary for life, though in abundance such as in the scorching desert heat or during a drought the sun can be damaging. Many cat mummies have been found in personal tombs as recently as November 2022. Both Bastet and Sekhmet are daughters and consort of the sun god Ra, sharing the title with Hathor and sometimes Satet. Up next is Sekhmet. Her popularity peaked during the Middle and New Kingdoms of ancient Egypt. In norse mythology there is Angrboda, Hel, Fenrir, Loki, Odin, Hati and Skol, Geri and Freki, All of which are, or are related to wolves. She would go as far as to tear out the heart of evil-doers and present it as a gift to the sitting pharaoh. norse deities associated with spiders - thedoilyallergen.com Bast was once a warrior goddess, too. If you work with Bast, keep a cat statue on your altar and offer bowls of catnip to her. From the cat god Li Shou of the ancient Chinese pantheon to the witch goddess Hecate of ancient Greece, there are plenty of other cat gods in other cultures. Spider Symbolism and Meaning and the Spider Spirit Animal - UniGuide Like the tiger Dawon, your modern cat can represent your many victories, as well: like doing your taxes on time, composing the perfect Tweet, or cleaning out the litter box. Wanting a beloved pet to be buried with oneself to accompany them in the afterlife isnt far-fetched. Religion/Culture: Ancient Egyptian MythologyRealm: Goddess of warModern Cat Breed: Abyssinian. For someone who had an appetite for man flesh, no one would suspect it looking at a statue of him. What demon is associated with spiders? - Become A Living God Your email address will not be published. Many dieties at one time are connected to cats. One is the Egyptian God Ra. Then, there are instances of empty mummies. The spider, along with its web, is featured in mythological fables, cosmology, artistic spiritual depictions, and in oral traditions throughout the world since ancient times. In addition to being independent and otherworldly, cats are sexual and cleanly animals. They were present in Africa and in Native American cultures. They can also jump as high as eight feet, which is about as close to being in the sky as any housecat will get. Cookie Notice Nergal was usually represented as a lion, one of the most ferocious cats known to humanity. Capabilities. Ptolemaic pharaohs built magnificent temples for the gods. Researchers believe that the tomb was exclusively used to bury cats and may have been one of the many pet cemeteries of the ancient world. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Belial has sent them after me and Im a damn arachnophobe. I do love him and I would not hesitate to say yes if he asked me to spend all eternity with him. pagan deities associated with cats. Seeing a mother cat with her kittens is evidence enough. Cats were also considered sacred to Hathor, Kybele and Lilith. There, he found the god-king of the city, Marduk, who would have known it was him if not for the disguise and driven him (and his destructive nature) out of the city. Son of Baldur and Nan. The Mesopotamia had its share of male cat gods, surprisingly enough. In folklore and mythology. Despite being a domestic cat breed, theyre pretty close in their lineage to their wild ancestors; they have big pointed ears and long, lithe bodies that look a lot like the statues of cats dedicated to Bastet. . Let Catster answer all of your most baffling feline questions! The reason being that like angels and demons, deities are incredibly powerful, devoid of human traits and emotions. Abyssinians are a modern cat breed that looks a lot like little lions, mimicking Sekhmets earthly appearance. Its easy to see how cats would become associated with the unknown. Shivas wife is Parvati, the goddess of beauty and love, whose mount is also a lion. List of Celtic deities - Wikipedia Occasionally people are able to wander into the "quarantined" area and get stuck (and eaten). The Greek goddesses Artemis and Athena both have connections to cats. Whomever the ancient goddess is, she has a clear connection to cats as she is flanked by two lions. The story of his battle is still depicted in traditional dance, which you are welcome to act out with your own cat, so long as you don't mind playing the part of a monkey. In addition to appearing as a jaguar, this deity is also the "night sun" that travels from west to east in the underworld at night, until it rises again in the daytime above ground. It is definitely not coincidence. The other part is becausejust look at them! You wont come across any image of Sekhmet as a mother cat nursing a litter. Similar to a cat, she is seductive and playful but takes an alternate, aggressive approach to those who wrong her. She is usually shown to be a beautiful woman wearing the double crown of Egypt, the pschent. . But as I began exploring world mythology, I found that theres a lot more to cats, deities and miracles than I first thought. Celtic deities can belong to two categories: general and local. And the name that resounds is Asmodeus. Its a hard distinction to make sometimes. The cult center of Bastet was Bubastis in the Nile Delta. Sekhmet is one of the lesser-known Egyptian cat goddesses, especially compared to the goddess Bastet. Originally it was a Celtic belief that having a black cat cross ones path was a sign of good luck; the blessings of the old religions become the curses of the new. How old is the United States of America? The idiots killed off so many cats due to fear of witches. For this reason, she was the goddess Egyptians turned to when they needed to cure a problem in their lives. One wouldnt have to search hard to find an archaic wall painting that depicts a house cat snuggled up to its favorite person. It is a huge creature the size of a human or bigger that looks like a cat. The Gayer-Anderson cat is a bronze statue from Egypts Late Period (664-332 BCE) adorned with gold ornaments. I just remembered while watching a spider crawl up my window that I used to have a pet spider I would talk to every night on my window sill when my parents were asleep. While its true that he has this smooth seductive energy that he exudes but he is much more than that. READ MORE: Japanese God of Death Shinigami: The Grim Reaper of Japan, Religion/Culture: Japanese mythologyRealm: The spirit worldModern Cat Breed: Chausie. The disk highlights their relationship with the sun itself. I'm Latvian and I follow Latvian paganism, so I'm not too educated on other pagan deities. He has a red head, thick white fur, and is often accompanied by two monkeys. A lesser known cat God is the sun God Ra who turns into the Great Mau during the night in order by to slaybthe monstrous serpent dirty, Apep is also depicted as a cat. It isnt just a coincidence, either. It was said that Mafdet paid the same respect to pharaohs, guarding the kings against harm. Though, that isnt Muts norm. Also, having a cat purr when you pet it is enough to just be ready to dedicate your life to it forever. Do you know any deities related to spiders? He was said to have evolved from one of the ancient cat gods and to be able to assume the form of a tomcat. Probably not. All theyre missing to complete the picture are some horns and scales. The cat was held in high regard by many ancient civilizations, namely ancient Egypt. Egyptian Cat God | Cat Worship, History & Deities - Study.com Below youll find a list of Egypts famous leonine goddesses (and a god, too)! In Indonesia, he is seen wearing a necklace made of tigers teeth. To harm a cat was considered a crime against Bastet herself. Any cat goddess would appreciate catnip as an offering. She may not have been a lion like the other deities on our list, but her punishment was swift. Felids will respect and be then respected. On the opposite side, she is also the goddess of death and war. Dionysus, the Greek God of wine and revelry, rode a leopard or wore leopard skin. As very active cats, an Abyssinian might enjoy the music (and definitely the food) offered at one of the shrines made for them. Archetype:Spider Deity | Superpower Wiki | Fandom When Bastet became domesticated, she had a new realm of influence. I would appreciate if somebody could name a few gods/deities that are associated with wasps/hornets/spiders or tbh any insect. Durga, the feminine representation of the positive divine energy in the universe, rides a lion into battle. Like Bastet, she rode with the sun god through the sky. Bastet was usually seen carrying a sistrum an ancient instrument that was like a drum in her right hand and an aegis, a breastplate, in her left. Cats were significant both socially and religiously. And, they can hide their true forms, transforming into regular house cats to live among humans. My lust for Asmodeus is very very strong. Bastet was later depicted as having the head of a domestic cat and lots of kittens. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Stay informed! They are independent, otherworldly creatures. []. Hecate: Goddess Symbols, Correspondences, Myth & Offerings I cant think or say his name without getting lustful. Gods/deities associated with spiders/wasps? : r/witchcraft - Reddit While it's probably for the best that your cat doesn't have wings or a creepy human head, they can still guard the entrance to your palace and keep bad spirits away. But dont worry, Ive been guilty of this misconception, too: For many years, I believed that the ancient Egyptians were the only ones who revered, praised and even worshipped cats. Tepeyolltl is the heart of Tezcatlipoca, and as a part of creation, his jaguar spots represent the stars. The spider god is not the only ancient animal artwork to have appeared in Peru over recent months. 5 Feline Gods & Goddesses Your Cat Could Be Related To HOME; SCHOOL; BOOKS; In Druidry, the Spider represents The Bard, the Ovate and the Druid. Cats in ancient Egypt were so adored that the Persian king Cambyses II exploited Egyptians reverence when conquering Egypt in 525 BCE. Farmers left offerings for the cats in order to ensure a good harvest. For example, in nearby Babylon, there were many gods and goddesses who took on the shape and or characteristics of a cat. The decline of catsexacerbated the Medieval Black Plague, which was in decline when cat populations were high and rose as cats were exterminated. Her gradual development into a woman with a feline head came once Mut melded with the aforementioned cat goddesses. How do I know if one is calling me or trying to reach out to me first? In his jaguar-form, Tezcatlipoca becomes the deityTepeyollotl and rules over the dark, animals, caves, and earthquakes. Any deities associated with death, dying, agriculture, the Sun, or the underworld are appropriate for this holy day. I couldnt move. Wiccan Samhain: Correspondences, Associations & Traditions Tezcatlipoca was the Aztec god of change, the sky, and ancestral inheritance. I gave up one morning and just cried my heart out in front of Asmodeuss sigil. She was also known as Qadesh, depending on time and region, and is sometimes depicted standing on the back of a lion. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Heck, theres even proof that modern cats can fight off bears. Cats were often linked with the otherworld in Celtic lore. Sekhmet preceded Bast in ancient Egypt and is believed to be Basts ancient lioness form. These two cat goddesses were revered in their own way in two very different cultures. The Indian parable about the covenant between cat and a woman bears considering. Deities associated with spiders? : r/pagan - Reddit We create beautiful images of them. Fierce felines were a staple of many ancient civilizations. [] Multiple ancient cultures associated cats with their deities including the Egyptians, Persians, Indians, Norse, and more. Powered by Discourse, best viewed with JavaScript enabled, ARACHNE (Arakhne) - Lydian Weaver of Greek Mythology. You may have seen this cat as a figurine with one paw raised. The tenacity, capability, and shameless affection of these early felines cemented their role in the communities throughout the Nile River Valley. He was extremely pissed. I know people say I can ask to work with certain ones, but they may not choose to work with me; at that time anyway. It is interesting to note that by the 3rd century BCE, Egypt no longer was a sprawling empire. E-mail me at [email protected] or [email protected] or if you have tiktok add me, @littlejess27. Probably. Although lesser known than the goddess Bastet, Mafdet is thought to have had cults in her name long before Bastet started being worshipped, giving her a much bigger footprint on Egyptian mythology and history. Does anyone think one of that cat gods or goddesses would be the ones I should try to work with? (Picture Credit: Bicho_raro/Getty Images). The mummy would have been from between 332 BCE and 30 BCE. Theyre also very mischievous, as theyre especially bright and will get up to no good when youre not around. She is a professional member of the Cat Writers Association, and has been a speaker at the BlogPaws and Cat Writers Association conferences. Local deities aren't happy and are stronger being that it's their home. In a way, the general habits and behaviors of these early cats were shared with those of feline deities. Forseti, a god of justice and law. Without member support, we can't afford the server. To name a few: Arwan, the Baba Yaga, the Callicach, Cerridwen, Demeter, Dionysus, Inari, Kali-ma, Lillith, Osiris, Pluto, or Thoth. He put cats in front of his army and had them painted on their shields so that harming his army became an offense to the gods. As the main cat goddess, Bastet embodied the duality of cats. A Lamassu has a lion's body, eagle's wings, and a human head. Do you think your cat is a descendant of feline gods? If your web page requires an HTML link, please insert this code: Egyptian Cat Gods: Feline Deities of Ancient Egypt. In a warlike context, Badb, covered in black feathers, expresses the more combative aspect of Morrigan and this is the name which the goddess went by in battle or during the bloodshed. In Indonesia, Barong Ket is a panther- or lion-like leader of good spirits who fights the demon queen Rangda. Spiders are cunning and carnivorous arachnids who are commonly seen figures in haunted houses and Halloween decorations. Brew it as a tea and drink it in Freyas honor. However, her role was to create fire of Ras eye (the sun) as well as to destroy all of his enemies. Archived post. Thats some feline-comfortable living; wherever theyre present, cats seem to have an innate ability to convince humans to treat them like royalty. Domestication of early felines began in the Near East, in the Fertile Crescent of the Neolithic period. At some point in time, live lions were kept in temples dedicated to her and her son, Maahes. Alternatively, cat mummies were offered as thanks for prayers answered. So could be Lilith or Asmodeus. Has your cat ever stared up at the ceiling in a corner, with seemingly nothing there visible to the naked eye? It wouldnt leave me alone and even tired to crawl up my leg. Another says humans were created by the tears Ra shed when his Eye, Tefnut (Lion Goddess of moisture and rain) left and traveled far away.bRas children were also felines at on time. I feel that Asmodeus and Lucifer and Satan are punishing him. Continuing on this thread, according to the Greek historian Herodotus, in Egypt animalswhether domesticated or otherwise, are all regarded as sacred and animals were mourned in unique ways. 1. Ive studied cat mythology for years and my conclusion may sound crazy but it will make since. Also as a side note I would like to point out that cats served a very important function in ancient societies and being a preventive measure against disease. The Gayer-Anderson cat is just one among many votive offerings to Bastet. She embodies Badb, Macha and Nmain. He was beyond the understanding of both the other gods and mortals and so humans could stay secure in their faith while being able to attach some kind of explanation to otherwise indiscriminate violence or anguish. She stepped up as the fierce protector when Bastet took maternity leave and ruled with an iron fistor claw. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Cat gods are prominent in most world cultures, though their fame is undoubtedly from the abundance of feline artifacts discovered over the centuries in Egypt. Ovid shares thatwhen Princess Alcmene was pregnant with Hercules by Zeus, her servant Galinthias played a trick on Hera to ensure that Alcmene would successfully give birth without Hera thwarting it. Herodotus and Pausanias also wrote that Bastet and Artemis were one and the same. Second son of Odin and Frigga. Mut is a part of the Theban Triad, joined with her husband, Amun-Ra, and their son, the lunar god Khonsu. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); To learn more about the Otherworldly Oracles website Privacy Policy, visit our Privacy Policy page here. To link to this article in the text of an online publication, please use this URL: https://historycooperative.org/cat-gods-feline-deities/. Manjushri is a Buddhist deity whose name and qualities vary depending on the region. The History of Guns, Greek Mythology: Stories, Characters, Gods, and Culture, Aztec Mythology: Important Stories and Characters, Greek Gods and Goddesses: Family Tree and Fun Facts, Roman Gods and Goddesses: The Names and Stories of 29 Ancient Roman Gods. Again, cats werent necessarily worshipped. Cats were associated with the gods Mafdet, Banstet and Sekhmet, all of which had the head of a cat. Only Bast and Ra were regular cat dieties. Then I had another one in my bedroom to, a wolf spider. ), my cat comes into my room and cuddles on my bed with me. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Gods of Death "The Blind God". Interesting fact: statues were carved in such a way as to make them look like they were standing when viewed from the front and walking when viewed from the side. Cats are seductive and playful creatures, so its no wonder Dionysus was associated with them. In some cultures, the spider is portrayed negatively. As we all know, Druidry is a spiritual path based in Nature. Another myth says that humans were created from Ras semen. While it is unknown why there was an emergence of cat breeding centers and empty feline mummies, one can speculate. It seems to be true that cats have always had a big influence on our lives. She's also the goddess of warfare depicted in early mythology as having the head of a lioness. Played with something invisible? It has gotten more intense over the years. In Egyptian ALL of their gods were anthropomorphized animals, with only a handful being specifically cats. Thus, black cats were considered omens of death, witchcraft, and the underworld due to their associations with Hecate. Realm: Goddess of war Modern Cat Breed: Abyssinian Sekhmet is one of the lesser-known Egyptian cat goddesses, especially compared to the goddess Bastet. We bring them offerings of food and trinkets. Nan, a goddess of joy and later, sorrow. Looking at a lineup of the Egyptian pantheon, you may feel like youre being watched. Cats played a vital role in the survival of early men. The Cauldron's server is expensive and requires monthly payments. Wrath, vengeance, lustyes he does carry all of that. This overlap blurs the line a bit when attempting to separate social exaltation from religious veneration. They dont take kindly to wrong-doers. Later in Egyptian history (between 330 BCE and 30 BCE), cats were bred in special complexes for the sole purpose of becoming mummies. READ MORE: Native American Gods and Goddesses: Deities from Different Cultures, Religion/Culture: OjibwaRealm: Goddess of water, protection, and winterModern Cat Breed: Highlander Shorthair. Nocodeyv 2 yr. ago Your house cat may not be able to carry you into battle these days, but you can't hold ten weapons -- so you're even. Dawon serves as Parvatis steed in battle, and it attacks enemies with its claws and fangs. That includes Geb and Nut, the earth and sky. However, Michipeshu was also associated with protection and medicine, and praying to Mishipeshu would ensure a successful hunt or fishing catch. Nowadays, its really not much different we dont worship or fear them anymore, but we do arrange our lives around them. Are there any deities associated with cats? She is closely associated with spiders and is oftenly depicted as one: In Greek mythology Arachne was a prideful girl of Colophon in Lydia who once dared challenge the goddess Athena to a weaving contest.