Norse mythology tells of the witch Freya who had a chariot pulled by black cats, who often transformed themselves into black horses. These changelings were very fast and said to be possessed of the devil. In the Middle Ages, anti-feline hysteria reached a fever pitch and cats were deliberately hunted down and killed. Sometimes cats were formally executed for simply being a cat. The cat was blamed for a multitude of sins, including the encouragement of humans to do wrong.
Cats have an almost supernatural mystique.
Perhaps it is their independent nature that prompts the belief that cats have special powers, or maybe it's their intense, unblinking stare that sometimes spooks people. At any rate, cats are the subject of many superstitions that have grown up over the years. Kittens born in the month of May will bring snakes into the house. On very calm days when no wind filled the sails, they would lock the cat in a cupboard. This would bring a breeze.