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The Archetypal Cat
The Egyptians believed the cat to be a sacred vessel of the gods; today the cat continues to fascinate us and attract our abiding affection. Abounding with feline mysteries, lore, and humor, this text discusses such subjects as cat worship and cat-headed priests, cat cemeteries, cat amulets, the cat as an omen, as seer, hunter, witch, and healer, the connection between cats and snakes, cats and Christianity. The author's Jungian background gives her work focus and depth, as she draws from folklore and fairy-tale, myth, dream, and history to amplify the archetype of the cat and help grasp its specific function in dreams. An irreplaceable source of insight and information for students of symbolism, dream interpreters, social historians, and cat lovers, this book includes an extensive bibliography and index, together with illustrations.
189 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1963
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 30, 2024
This contained interesting cat history that I was able to incorporate into a film project. Skimmed mostly for highlights.
January 8, 2013
Overall, this book was fairly good information-wise.
Some of the connections made were a little stretched, though. The first section of the book (Focusing on positive cat imagery) was mostly about Egyptian lore, which while I understand, I was hoping for a few more examples of "The White" or good cat. Dole-Green also tried to imply that Baset, the Egyptian Cat Goddess, and Artemis, the Greek Goddess of the moon and the hunt, were the same being, which bothered me maybe a bit more then it should, but is still, I feel, worth pointing out.
The part about the negative ("The Black Cat") aspects of cat nature/lore were pretty interesting, though a little repetitious in parts. Also as a whole, it contained quite a bit of information on cat sacrifices, which while not going into enough detail for anyone to replicate, went into enough detail to make me thoroughly uncomfortable.
There were also a few mistakes grammer-wise through out, which is always a little disappointing in a finished book, but these things happen?
Overall, it was a pretty good read, with mostly solid information, and good reference pictures through out. I'd say it's worth checking out, but not worth hunting down a copy.
Some of the connections made were a little stretched, though. The first section of the book (Focusing on positive cat imagery) was mostly about Egyptian lore, which while I understand, I was hoping for a few more examples of "The White" or good cat. Dole-Green also tried to imply that Baset, the Egyptian Cat Goddess, and Artemis, the Greek Goddess of the moon and the hunt, were the same being, which bothered me maybe a bit more then it should, but is still, I feel, worth pointing out.
The part about the negative ("The Black Cat") aspects of cat nature/lore were pretty interesting, though a little repetitious in parts. Also as a whole, it contained quite a bit of information on cat sacrifices, which while not going into enough detail for anyone to replicate, went into enough detail to make me thoroughly uncomfortable.
There were also a few mistakes grammer-wise through out, which is always a little disappointing in a finished book, but these things happen?
Overall, it was a pretty good read, with mostly solid information, and good reference pictures through out. I'd say it's worth checking out, but not worth hunting down a copy.
September 20, 2016
While I enjoyed the subject of this book I found it to be quite unorganized and at times disrespectful to the cultures discussed.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews