Night of the cat
As published in MapleLine Magazine: Aug.5, 2009
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by Mary P. Brooke
Halloween comes once a year on October 31.
Deep in human consciousness is an awareness of realms beyond what
we see and hear. There are glimmers and whispers of more. It is said
that on this eve of the Nov.1st All Saint's Day that the veil between
worlds is thinned, allowing spirits to cross between realms.
Such is the night that creatures such as cats (said to be attuned to the higher realms) have become associated with. Cats have the ability to hear sounds up to 64,000 Hz, beyond the 23,000 Hz human limit. Cats wee well at night due to a high ration (25:1) of rods to cones in their eyes (only 4:1 in humans). Even in the black of night, the slightest noise or movement catches the attention of a cat.
Halloween is the night for which bats, goblins and ghosts have become popular in modern Halloween lore. Kids still hope to go trick-or-treating, and many communities light a bonfire for families to gather around in the cool autumn night air. Scary movies based loosely around Halloween have been promoted to teens. Retail merchandising brings all manner of gore and glam to Halloween -- costumes, makeup, jewellery, tablewear, decor, and a few years back introduced purple and lime green to the standard orange and black festive colour palette. Parties abound for days running up to the event, kids dress up for school events, and popular TV shows will deliver a Halloween episode. Wiccans may gather for Samhain end-of-harvest ceremonies.
How has this festival of Celtic origins become so mainstream? Years ago it was simple -- families would carve pumpkins, light the resultant jack-o-lanterns, then head of for treat or treating. Unfortunately much of the push to get children off the streets on Halloween night and into organized parties and bonfire events has been due to some very bad applies, proverbial and otherwise. No longer do parents allow their kids out at night alone for treat gathering; groups of children are accompanied by parents door-to-door with the children carrying flashlights or wearing beaming beacons on their costumes. When treats are unloaded at home, unwrapped edible goods and candies are disposed of. No chances.
Cat lovers, especially owners of black felines, now keep their furry darlings indoors on Halloween night. Pumpkin smashing, or worse, can be directed at cats by cruel and unthinking people. Enjoy this night safely. MM
Mary Brooke enjoys family cats Igor (a black Norwegian forest cat) and Zeus (a multi-coloured Maine Coon).
This article is Copyright 2009 Brookeline Publishing House Inc. All rights reserved.
See this article on pages 27 in the print edition of MapleLine Magazine (Fall 2009 issue / Aug.-Oct.2009). Subscribe to MapleLine.
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