Cats

Explores our intertwined spiritual history with cats

Cats examines spiritual and occult beliefs connected to cats from Mayan, Aztec, and Native American mythology, as well as from ancient India, Samaria, Babylon, Japan, and Egypt. It looks at spiritual behaviours attributed to cats, alongside modern biological research into their behaviour and highly sophisticated sensory systems. The book reveals the similarities between cat and human emotions and explores the deep connection between cats and meditation.

We have been connected to cats for more than 30 million years. To our prehistoric ancestors, cats were deadly predators of the night, and because of this ancient memory etched onto our DNA, cats epitomise our fear of the dark. Yet, in addition to their connection to the dark and shadows, their intelligence, sophisticated physical abilities, and finely tuned senses have also led many cultures to view cats as connected to the spirit world.

Exploring the spiritual nature of cats, John A. Rush delves into humanity’s fascination and fear of cats through the ages. He examines spiritual and occult beliefs connected to cats from various mythologies, including how ancient Egyptians used cats to send messages to the gods. He reveals why the Catholic Church demonised cats and how cats are symbols of both Good and Evil. The author surveys cat evolution, highlighting spiritual behaviours attributed to them and modern research into their behaviour and sensory systems, which have remained relatively unchanged for millions of years. He explores their “psychic” ability to perceive what humans cannot and the origins of their glowing eyes, which link cats, through myth, to both the Underworld and the World of Light.

The book also explores the similarities between cat and human emotions, their communication with us, and the profound connection between cats and meditation. By revealing the spiritual journey of the cat from fearsome predator to occult symbol to household companion, the author shows how cats are mirrors of us. They reflect our conflicting dual nature: loving yet distant, magical yet vengeful, and, above all, deeply connected to the spirit world.