Cats have a long, complicated history in culture. The ancient Egyptians put them on pedestals, regarding them as royalty. Yet in Puritan times, they were associated with dark, demonic forces, hailed as familiars to people who had sold their soul to the 'Devil'. Today, we still see people crossing themselves or taking an alternate route when a black cat crosses their path.

Many people have strong feelings about cats, either loving them or hating them, the same way many people love or hate dogs. People often describe themselves as being a 'cat person'. This description may be quite appropriate as a cat may actually represents you or an aspect of yourself. Animals in dreams, cats included, usually appear as parts of ourselves, so your association with cats is key to understanding your dream and yourself.

Mysterious Ways

Cats are still associated with mystery, perhaps because their behavior is so aloof and difficult to interpret. As mysterious, aloof creatures, cats symbolize the intuition, and when they appear in dreams they may be asking us to use our intuition more, to rely on our gut feelings and instinct.

Sexy Beast

Cats are often associated with women and sexuality. In a woman's dream, a cat may indicate feelings of sexual prowess, of feeling in charge of her sexuality. She may feel like going out on the prowl and may feel confident doing so!

However, cats in the dreams of men are a little more complex. They may symbolize the anima, or the feminine side of a man's psyche. Anima dreams, like cats, are complex symbols. The anima may be positive or negative depending on the level of individuation. In its negative form, the anima may be a force of domination or self-sabotage. If a man dreams of a cat climbing all over him or dreams he is unable to escape from a cat that is stalking him, this may indicate a negative association with the anima. Alternatively, if a man dreams of feeding a cat, this might symbolize a more positive relationship with the anima. The sexual symbolism of the cat in a man's dream cannot be ignored and a well-fed cat in a dream may also symbolize sexual satisfaction and fulfillment. Similarly, if a man dreams of a cat is licking him or behaving in a kind manner, this may indicate that he finds himself attractive to the opposite sex.

Cat Got Your Tongue?

Cats may also appear as word play associations. Dreams take advantage of all forms of communication and using common phrases, puns, and word play are included in dreamspeak. 'Catty' women, 'cat' fights, 'more than one way to skin a cat' are all phrases this culture uses to indicate forms of behaviour. As such, dreams may also use these phrases as indicators of feelings ranging from hostility to ingenuity.

Black Cat, Not Bad Cat

Cats are sometimes associated with bad luck, superstition, or black magic and it used to be common to interpret dreams of cats as indicators of bad omens. But as humanity has grown more enlightened and more and more people are getting in tune with their mystic selves the old way of automatically interpreting anything remotely associated with the Otherworld with evil is passing away. Now many people treasure dreams of cats as omens and portents of magic and mystery becoming manifest in waking life.

Of Trees and Kittens

While we normally associate cats with independence, cats can also symbolize vulnerability, or a need for help--the image of the friendly fireman helping a kitten out of a tree is firmly etched in the modern day collective unconscious as is the phrase 'as helpless as a kitten'. In this context, a cat dream may be saying that while independence is good, sometimes we all need a little help. It may also point to feeling emotionally or sexually vulnerable.

Follow the links below to find out more information on cats and their symbology throughout the ages.

As always, sleep well and dream out loud!

*~Aisling Ireland~* is an ordained Spiritual Counselor providing dream interpretation and Tarot readings. To make an appointment check out her website at: Sang-Realta Spiritual Counseling

One of my favorite books of stupendous silliness is "Bad Cat" listed below. It has great photos of 'good cats gone bad' with hilarious bios. Check it out!

If you're looking for something more serious, check out Barbara Walker's "Woman's Encyclopedia of Myths and Secrets", listed below. It has interesting information about god/desses, mythology, and symbols. I use frequently to help interpret symbols in my own dreams!