In Western history, black cats have often been looked upon as a symbol of evil omens: in other cultures, they are considered to be good omens. In New Orleans Voodoo, black cats have been the subject of controversial sacrifice in the past, particularly with regards to finding the one bone in the body that is all powerful. They are considered the most powerful animal in the Voodoo tradition.

The abuse of black cats for sacrificial and ritual reasons is no longer practiced nor encouraged in New Orleans. On the contrary, they are viewed as good luck in hoodoo, particularly regarding gambling matters, such as playing cards or the lottery.

The black cat charm doll is used as a focusing tool for creating change. Charm dolls are particularly useful for improving luck, happiness, financial situations, and spiritual protection.

These black cat Voodoo poppets are loaded with charms, beads, buttons, and what-nots to bring you the best of luck in all of your endeavors! They are stuffed with aromatic, magickal herbs to bring you the best of luck and happiness. Each cat comes with catnip to use as an offering, 7 removable whisker pins, and instructions for use as a focusing tool in meditation.

Available exclusively at The Mystic Voodoo.

It was the 1969 season, and looked like it would at long last be the year of the Cubs. Fate took a strange twist on September 9, 1969, however, when during an incredible series at Shea Stadium a black cat ran onto the field and circled around Ron Santo. Suffice it to say that the Cubs ended up losing that year. Read more about the black cat curse and the curse of the Billy Goat here.

The following is a spell that appears in the Book of Saint Ciprian.

To get vengeance on an enemy, you should proceed in this way: take a black cat and, after tying it four paws with a cord of esparto grass (used to make rugs), take it to a crossroads at night and say: "I, (say your name), on behalf of All Mighty God, order the demon to appear here under the blessed yoke of obedience and superior laws. Lucifer, Satan, I order you to go into the body of this person that I want to do evil to and do not leave until I order so, and help me with anything I ask you to during my life", (here you must say what you wish to be done to the enemy). "Oh great Lucifer, imperor of all that is hell, I seize you and tie you to the body of (say the name of the enemy), just as I have seized this cat. After you do everything that I want, I offer you this cat; I will bring it here when everything is ready."

After the demon does what has been asked, you should go to the place where he was summoned and say twice: "Lucifer, Lucifer, here you have what I promised" - with these words, release the cat.

Reference:
Magic Spells from the Book of Saint Cyprian

Antigo Livro de São Cipriano, 1993, Editora Espiritualista, Ltda, Rio de Janeiro

Translated by Ray Vogensen

This is another spell from the Book of Saint Ciprian. I must warn you, it is quite unsettling. It is only listed here for educational purposes only, and to illustrate how superstition and fear can lead to such atrocities.

Kill a black cat and place a broad bean in each eye, one below the tail and another in each ear. Then, bury it and water the grave every night at midnight until the broad beans, after sprouting, are ripe. Cut off the beans..

After cutting, take the beans home and put them into your mouth one by one. When, you think you are invisible, it is because the bean in your mouth has the magical property. So, if you want to go into any place without being seen, put the magic bean in your mouth.

Observations on using this magic!

When you are watering the broad beans many ghosts will appear to frighten you so that you won't carry out the magic until the end. The reason is simple: it is because the demon has envy of whoever is going to use this magic, without giving himself to it heart and soul, like the witches, who he calls women of virtue. We ask that you be not afraid, since he will not do you any harm, and for this it is good, before anything, to make the sign of the cross.

Reference:
Magic Spells from the Book of Saint Cyprian

Antigo Livro de São Cipriano, 1993, Editora Espiritualista, Ltda, Rio de Janeiro

Translated by Ray Vogensen

Probably the most disturbing practice involving the black cat is that of the Black Cat Bone Spell. Although it is European in origin, it is commonly associated with hoodoo and Voodoo. Supposedly, every black cat has one special bone in its body that will either grant the owner invisibility or can be used to bring back a lost lover.

The spell of the black cat's bone can be found in several magical traditions. The first version is from the Book of Saint Ciprian. The second version is from Hoodoo lore.

Version 1:

Cook the body of a black cat in boiling water with white seeds and wood from the willow until the meat is loosened from the bones. Strain the bones in a linen cloth and, in front of the mirror, place the bones, one by one in your mouth, until you find that you have the magic to make you become invisible. Keep the bone with the magic property and, if you want to go somewhere without being seen, place the bone in your mouth.

http://www.caaenglish.com/cipriano_05_spells.htm

Version 2:

According to accounts by Nora Zeale Hurston and Harry Middleton Hyatt, both of whom studied hoodoo extensively, this is how the bone is procured (as cited by Cat Yronwode http://www.luckymojo.com/blackcat.html)

"To secure this bone, they said, a black cat must be thrown alive into a cauldron of boiling water at midnight. The animal dies in agony, and the heartless practitioner boils the carcass until the meat falls off the bones. Some say that the special bone will be the top one left when the water boils away, others say it can only be found by placing each bone in turn beneath the tongue while an assistant stands by to notify the practitioner that he has become invisible, and still others swear that if all the bones are thrown into a stream that runs north (uncommon in most of North America), the desired bone will be one that floats on the water and heads south."

Once the bone is obtained, it is carried in a mojo bag and dressed with Van Van oil to bring back a lost lover.

In the African American hoodoo tradition, black cats are considered to be good luck in gambling matters, particularly with card games and playing the lottery. Please note that this mojo bag does NOT contain any black cat bones or body parts. The Mystic Voodoo does not condone the killing or abuse of animals in ritual sacrifice.

The Black Cat Mojo Bag is hand sewn from black leather, suede, or flannel, like in the old days, and then filled with a number of luck-bringing roots and herbs, and a black bone representing the black cat bone. It is adorned with a small cat charm on the outside. It is to be carried on the person for good fortune.

Available exclusively at The Mystic Voodoo.