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"Please, would you tell me," said Alice, a little timidly, ... "why your cat grins like that?"
"It's a Cheshire cat," said the Duchess. "And that's why."
Alice in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll
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When one considers the individual species and variations of animals that share this great planet of ours it’s not surprising to learn there’s a myriad of superstitions surrounding them. Animals have been a source of inspiration for writers over centuries. In the days before cars, the internet, telephones and the post office people would spend many long hours with their dogs, cats and even horses. It’s only natural that stories and superstitions were born around these creatures, and many remain with us to this day.
Have you considered using an animal superstition as part of the plot in a story? In this issue I will focus on superstitions and stories surrounding three popular domestic animals.
CATS
T.S. Elliot immortalised the cat in his Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats. In Norse mythology the goddess Freya’s chariot was drawn by horse-sized cats. Lewis Carroll’s Alice In Wonderland features the wonderful Chesire Cat, who appears at will to engage Alice in some rather interesting debates. Perhaps the most famous reference to the Chesire Cat has him slowly disappearing until all that remains of him is his grin! And who could forget Church – the cat who comes back to life in Stephen King’s terrifying book Pet Semetary?
Ancient Egyptian mythology tells of the goddess Bast, whose head was that of a cat. She was a protector and defender of pharaohs as well as of the land of Egypt. Cats are frequently portrayed in literature as a loyal companion to witches; indeed, cats are as synonymous with witches as broomsticks and pointy hats. A familiar’s duty is to serve its master, who is a practitioner of the supernatural arts. Although not as intelligent as their masters they’re usually equal in intellect to the average human being, and can help cast spells – as well as working around the house!
Here are a few obscure superstitions about cats:
 Any kitten that has the misfortune to be born in May is destined to be a witch’s familiar.
There’s a superstition claiming that anyone who kills a cat is actually sacrificing his soul to Satan.
Kicking a cat is a sure punishment – you’ll get rheumatism.
Contrary to popular opinion a black cat crossing your path is actually a good omen.
However those living in the USA, Belgium and Spain are partial to white cats strolling across their paths.
It’s considered bad luck to look at a black cat from its derriere…
Italians believe that anyone who hears a cat sneeze will have good luck.
DOGS
Arthur Conan Doyle wrote about The Hound of The Baskervilles, which tells of a demonic dog that kills members of the family Baskerville living near Dartmoor in England. Modern authors tend to focus on a more realistic horror: Stephen King’s Cujo was a victim of the disease rabies. That book, and the subsequent film, are extremely unsettling, proving that horror isn’t always supernatural.
Ancient Egyptian mythology features the character of Anubis, the god of the underworld. He’s usually depicted with the head of a dog or a jackal, probably because these animals lived in the desert and lurked around cemeteries. It is said that the reason the ancient Egyptians paid so much attention to preserving the dead was because Anubis’ keen canine nose would check each person entering his kingdom. Those who smelled pure would be allowed in, which is why herbs and perfumes played such a big part in the embalming process.
Dogs seem to be associated more with loyalty and devotion, hence the favourable image they’ve found in literature. Greek mythology tells of Odysseus’ dog Argos, who was a puppy when his master left to fight at Troy. At the end of the Trojan War he returned home, disguised as a beggar to see what had happened in his kingdom during his absence. It had been more than ten years since his departure so nobody recognised him - except Argos. He’d been neglected during his master’s travels, and he dropped his ears, wagged his tail and whimpered a greeting. Having fulfilled his desire to see his master again (everyone thought Odysseus had been killed at Troy) Argos lay down and died. A more modern tale focuses on Tutankhamen’s tomb. It’s claimed that when the expedition’s Lord Carnavon died in Cairo after the tomb was opened his dog, who was living miles away in England, howled once – then died.
Some superstitions about mans’ best friend:
It’s good luck to meet a dog, particularly a Dalmatian.
It’s bad luck to be followed by a strange dog, particularly if it’s black.
If a dog howls three times it means a death has occurred.
If a dog howls for no reason it indicates unseen spirits are around.
When a dog eats grass it means it’s going to rain.
HORSES
Our links with this animal are strong, because throughout history the horse has worked closely with man – we have travelled upon the horse, gone to battle on its back and used it for manual labour. Indeed, man’s relationship with this animal is probably the reason for the following superstitions:
White horses are apparently an indication of bad luck.
It’s considered bad luck to change a horse’s name.
People who suffer from whooping cough will be cured by inhaling a horse’s breath.
Horse brasses were used to protect horses from witches.
The Bible’s Book of Revelations (Chapter 6, verses 1 to 8) describes The Four Horsemen of The Apocalypse (War, Famine, Pestilence, Disease). Each horseman is released on the opening of a seal, and represents God’s curses upon the world. Each rode upon a different coloured horse, and each has a different representation:
 The White Horse represents false innocence/peace. The rider, who wears a crown and carries a bow, symbolises The False Christ or False Religion. He has been interpreted as The AntiChrist, but this is not mentioned in the Bible. His has the power to conquer.
The Black Horse, representing barren and blackened fields, carries a rider who’s symbolic of famine and unfair trade. Holding a set of scales his power is Famine.
The Red Horse symbolises blood spilled upon a battlefield. His rider carries a sword, and brings War.
The Pale Horse represents decaying pale skin. His rider carries the power of Death. Interestingly, the word originally used to describe this horse is actually the Greek word for “green” – chloros. It’s used to describe the colour of the skin of the sick, the recently dead or those close to Death.
Authors and Hollywood have drawn upon The Four Horsemen many times for inspiration. Terry Pratchett features them in his Discworld series, and James Patterson used a variation upon the The Four Horsemen theme in his crime novel Pop Goes The Weasel. The popular TV show Charmed featured an episode where The Four Horsemen were represented by four neatly suited businessmen directing their activities from the comfort of a corporate office. And one of the recent seasons of The Simpsons features the end of the world, with four skeletal horsemen riding off into the clouds.
Superstitions as part of pop culture... who would have thought it? Proof - if any was needed - that superstitions will be with us for the foreseeable future.
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There are some very interesting superstitions in this tale, proving that no amount of reverence for or observance of superstitions can change one’s destiny.
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A tragic incident at an eerie pond is the birth of some superstitions and rumours… is there any truth to the stories?
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A visit to a crypt at the dead of night to avenge his lover’s death at the hands of a vampire ends in an unexpected way for this young man!
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This short story is an excellent example of how to set the atmosphere for a horror story. The sense of menace is very clear!
The horror of Death Row is vividly brought to life in this story - but will the condemned man acknowledge The Secret before it's too late?
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schipperke
Wonderful newsletter about superstitions, Forever. I think they are a way for people to try to find some control over events.
I also think they came about when people relied on story tellers for entertainment and their source of information, schipperke. Imagine how much fun people had telling scary stories all those centuries ago, without the benefit of television or cinema! It’s testament to the power of those superstitions that so many of them are still with us today.
Tigger thinks of Prancer 
I don't normally read this newsletter, but really enjoyed what you said this go-around! Very interesting!
Thank you very much for the compliment, Tigger thinks of Prancer . Feedback like this tells us we’re getting it right!
Mavis Moog
Thank you very much for featuring my story. Superstitions are not only a wonderful base for scary stories they also form the basis of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder  . This can be reproduced in chickens by feeding them at random intervals.
Okay, Mavis Moog – here’s a challenge for you! Write a story in this genre featuring Obsessive Compulsive Disorder! I reckon you’d handle it brilliantly! I’ll highlight here for you as well!
scribbler
I love writing stories with mirrors as the main object, they are just so creepy!
Thank you for your input, scribbler . The mirror seems to contain more superstitions than any other object, and as such it’s a great inspirational source for writers.
billwilcox
GreenJeans!
What a great newsletter...creepy. Yeah, mirrors freak me out. I try not to look too deeply into them--you know, when you look past your reflection and gaze into the actual mirror *shudders*
They’re blue, billwilcox – faded but blue! And having read some of your work I can understand the **shudders** …
Nikola~Thankful Library Lady 
Very nice newsletter! I find mirrors to be one of the most fun to work with as far as "ordinary" objects go. There are so many possibilities!
I think the fact that mirrors have attracted so many superstitions, Nikola~Thankful Library Lady means there are still more for writers to “invent”. I believe a few of the superstitions attached to mirrors probably first appeared courtesy of a storyteller/writer!
maylee
Thank you Forever, for including my short story "Woody" in your newsletter. I'm honored to be placed next to the awesome authors you listed. Oooh, I think a story about an internet ghost would be a marvelous story line. And, what's this about a ghostwriter on WDC? Hmmm...don't ghostwriters get paid pretty well for ghostwriting auto-bios for celebrities?
I loved your story, maylee, and I know others did too. Do I sense some inspiration for your muse from the Internet Ghost and this WDC Ghost Writer???
IndigoRoberts1717
What a fabulous article!!! I found it extremely intriguing about the number of letters in the names....definitely food for thought… and remember..."Ghosts are people too! I believe the PC phrase is "Vapor- Americans"
LOL-
Interesting PC phrase, IndigoRoberts1717 . So does that mean all ghosts are American???  Thanks for your contribution!
jack_311
Superstitions also make for excellent mood enhancers within a story, provided the superstition is widely recognized. Often the introduction of one or more of these seemingly unrelated events (a black cat crossing the path, a breaking mirror) can darken the tone of a tale in such a way that the reader might not even be consciously aware of why the tone has darkened. Superstitious readers are a wonderfully receptive audience for horror writers.
And FYI, the negative stigma associated with Friday the 13th dates back to the time of the Knights Templar. A number of knights in many different locations were assassinated in a carefully coordinated attack. This attack took place on the thirteenth day of the month, and it happened to be a Friday (not necessarily a horrifying bit of trivia, but marginally interesting nonetheless).
Great newsletter.
Thank you for that information, jack_311 . I confess it’s one I’ve not come across during my research. You’re so right about superstitious readers, and I really think there’s a little bit of respect for superstition in all of us. A good horror writer will work a superstitious action into the story in such a way that the reader won’t realise it’s happened – until the consequence is revealed.
Davy Kraken 
Uh oh; I just realized that my first and last names have a total of 13 letters between them.
WOW!!! So is there something you’d like to share with us, Davy Kraken ? Don’t worry, we’re all friends here… 
scarlett_o_h
Very interesting and well written research. I had to smile as I did a lot of research on superstitions for the story I've linked. Didn't know some of the ones you covered though or their origins. Great choice of subject.
There’s so much information to superstitions one could write a book about them, scarlett_o_h. Have you noticed the featured story??? 
Alimohkon
There are so many stories of the bizarre and the unknown here in the Philippines, especially in the provinces. Filipino writers have long espoused this genre that they are a common topic in films and comic books. Superstitions, despite this so-called electronic age, are still a part of our daily lives, still being practiced even if we know that they are only superstitions. For the love and respect of our olds, we politely follow and observe them.
We may scoff and superstitions, but they are a quaint part of any culture, Alimohkon . I think it would be a shame to let them die out, and it’s wonderful that your generation is keeping them alive.
Okami
Thanks for writing a newsletter giving me a few more things to do with my mirrors in stories! And I just might try sitting in front of a mirror, eating an apple and brushing my hair.
Thank you for taking the time to write to me, Okami . Eating an apple and brushing your hair in front of the mirror should keep you busy, and if that image doesn’t appear behind you just think of how shiny your hair will be!!
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Horror/Scary: March 01, 2006 Issue [#901]
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