Cat - Bast, The Beloved Protector of Cats

Quality Cat Supplies available at Low Prices and Free Shipping! She is the protector of cats, women and children. The ancient Egyptians celebrated her feastday on October 31 with convivial merry making, music, dancing in the streets and drinking with friends - the sort of holiday we would recognise instantly. A great week-long festival was held in the holy city of Bubastis attracting devotees from all over the country to celebrate along the riverbanks and through the city streets. Herodotus tells of crowds swelling to 700,000. Sadly, Bast and her feast day are overlooked in modern times but you could perhaps say that Hallowe'en was originally celebrated as the Feast of Bast She holds the mysteries of the cat in her power - those magnetic animals with a strong power to fascinate or repel. Let's face it, all of us will admit that we either love cats or we can't stand the sight of them. Historically, the cat was first endowed with archetypal power in Egypt where it came to be regarded as a Sacred animal. For the cat is identified with Bast and she is most recognised for her portrayal as a woman with the head of a cat. When a cat curls up with its head touching its tail, it forms a circle, the symbol of eternity, the symbol of the goddess in whatever form she has chosen Bast is the Goddess of the rising sun, the moon, truth, enlightenment, sensuality, fertility, bounty, birth, plenty, the home, music and dance. She was the beloved goddess and the protectress of women, small children, and domestic cats. Bast was the possessor of the Eye of Horus, the sacred utchat. Over time the utchat became more associated with cats and was often cat shaped. Egyptian women used these cat amulets as fertility tokens, praying to have as many children as cats have kittens Our modern names for the cat are derived from the word utchat: cat, chat, cattus, gatus, gatous, gato, katt, katte, kitte, kitty, etc. One variation of her name was Pasht, and from this we get the remaining Indo-European words for the cat: pasht, past, pushd, pusst, and puss The Wildcats of Egypt first lived in the swamps and marshes along the Nile. As time progressed, and the people began to grow grains and other foodstuff and keeping it for longer periods of time, rodents and other vermin began to thrive. The wild cat was venerated for its ferocity and rapacity, qualities it used to keep the rocent population under control, qualities which it also shared with the lion. What a boon was the Wildcat to the Egyptians! The domestic cats we know today are all descended from the felix sylvesteris, the Wildcat of Africa and friend of the Egyptian farmer. And so began the long domestication process. As the cat was identified with Bast, so then Bast gained enormous popularity from 1000 BCE onward. Feline hunting instincts were honoured, but so was the cat's gentler side as a warm and loving mother to her kittens. The ancient Egyptians must have truly appreciated the beauty of wild creatures, they took the frightening aspects of animals and turned ferocity into beneficial protection. Their gods possessed animal traits like the precision of the hawk and the strength of the bull. So then, we see in Bast the grace and elegance of a cat, the agility, strength, speed, and the deadly claws. She holds the charm, patience and affectionate nature of a domestic cat, as well as the potential for the raw brute strength of a lioness. She also has the gift, like all cats, of looking deep into your soul. And it's easy to see why Bast has been associated with pleasure, music and dancing for millennia. Just think of your own comfort-seeking cat who loves to be stroked and petted. Cats also love to play, with their graceful movements and purring as musical accompaniment, luxuriating in coordination of movement. Today, ruins mark the joyful city of Bubastis, the once-proud temple is nothing but tumbled blocks. However the name of Bast endures. For at least 5000 years there have been many who praised her name. Many still do so today. Take a moment to honour this ancient Egyptian goddess. Light a green candle, her sacred colour, and be affectionate to a cat, her cherished animal. When you address a cat, remember you are speaking to a little divinity, and a creature beloved of Bast. Susanna Duffy is a Civil Celebrant, grief counsellor and mythologist. She creates ceremonies and Rites of Passage for individual and civic functions, and specialises in celebrations inspired by the divine feminine in A goddess a day Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susanna_Duffy Cat - Writers and Their Cats: A Review of "The Cat on My Shoulder" "Writers and cats seem to be custom-made for each other," says Editor Lisa Angowski Rogak in the introduction to "The Cat on My Shoulder: Writers and Their Cats." And after reading this book, I'd be hard-pressed to disagree. I received a copy of "The Cat on My Shoulder" as a going-away present from a friend at one of my jobs, and it's been a cherished part of my book collection ever since. In its pages are dozens of essays penned by prominent writers, about the cats who share their lives. From the authors ranging from Richard Scarry to Sue Grafton, the stories are sometimes funny, sometimes touching, occasionally surprising, and always entertaining. Plus, each essay is accompanied by a black and white photo of the author and his or her cat(s) and, in one case, the author's rather entertaining self-portrait. One of the great aspects of this book is that it embraces different perspectives. There's Sue Brownmiller, who begins her essay by stating that she is a dog person, who is on her first cat. She goes on to describe the adjustment a dog person must make to cats, their quirks and their methods of communication. On the opposite side of the spectrum is Lilian Jackson Braun, who proclaims that she's always had Siamese. Lilian Jackson Braun is the bestselling author of "The Cat Who..." mystery series, which features a crime-solving pair of Siamese cats who go by the names of Koko and Yum Yum. Aside from the cat aspect of the book, it's also a great peek into the lives of some of our favorite writers. As such, the book has an intimate feel, as stories told between good friends. The essays are all fairly short, which makes this a great book to read in small sittings. A nice-sized trade paperback with a clever, cartoonish cover, this would make a great coffee table book and a great conversation starter. This is truly a beautiful, book for anyone's collection. It's a book that's meant to be read again and again. It would make a wonderful gift for the writer, reader, or cat-lover in your life.

Cat - Writers and Their Cats: A Review of "The Cat on My Shoulder"

"Writers and cats seem to be custom-made for each other," says Editor Lisa Angowski Rogak in the introduction to "The Cat on My Shoulder: Writers and Their Cats." And after reading this book, I'd be hard-pressed to disagree. I received a copy of "The Cat on My Shoulder" as a going-away present from a friend at one of my jobs, and it's been a cherished part of my book collection ever since. In its pages are dozens of essays penned by prominent writers, about the cats who share their lives. From the authors ranging from Richard Scarry to Sue Grafton, the stories are sometimes funny, sometimes touching, occasionally surprising, and always entertaining. Plus, each essay is accompanied by a black and white photo of the author and his or her cat(s) and, in one case, the author's rather entertaining self-portrait. One of the great aspects of this book is that it embraces different perspectives. There's Sue Brownmiller, who begins her essay by stating that she is a dog person, who is on her first cat. She goes on to describe the adjustment a dog person must make to cats, their quirks and their methods of communication. On the opposite side of the spectrum is Lilian Jackson Braun, who proclaims that she's always had Siamese. Lilian Jackson Braun is the bestselling author of "The Cat Who..." mystery series, which features a crime-solving pair of Siamese cats who go by the names of Koko and Yum Yum. Aside from the cat aspect of the book, it's also a great peek into the lives of some of our favorite writers. As such, the book has an intimate feel, as stories told between good friends. The essays are all fairly short, which makes this a great book to read in small sittings. A nice-sized trade paperback with a clever, cartoonish cover, this would make a great coffee table book and a great conversation starter. This is truly a beautiful, book for anyone's collection. It's a book that's meant to be read again and again. It would make a wonderful gift for the writer, reader, or cat-lover in your life. Indeed, Lisa can often be found with a cat on her shoulder. This article has been submitted in affiliation with http://www.PetLovers.Com/ which is a site for Pets. Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lisa_A._Sorensen Cat - How Cat Care Sweetens Life The more excellent your cat care regimen is for your cat, the more joy you will get out of pet ownership. When you engage in cat care activities like feeding, petting, or playing with your cat, you are showing your feline friend how much you love it. Seeing your cat at his or her healthiest is its own reward, but there are benefits to cat care beyond just keeping your kitten in top shape. Cat care can improve your quality of life and make every day sweeter. Succeeding at offering your pet the best possible care helps you maintain a positive attitude about your abilities, and can boost your confidence in other areas. Improving your cat care can be a great first step towards overcoming challenges and difficulties in other areas of your life. Psychological experts agree that caring for a pet is a great way to improve your self esteem. When you see how much your care efforts matters to your pet, you will be able to appreciate how much of an impact your actions can have. This helps you feel confident and upbeat about your chances of success at work or school, and in your social life. Care of your feline friend can be great for your social life. In addition to the confidence boost that taking excellent care of your feline companion can offer, cat care teaches you to expect and feel comfortable with positive interaction. When you bond with your cat, you are practicing the basic social skills that will help you win friends. Caring for your cat may even help make you more comfortable expressing love and affection, and it will certainly let you feel more confident about your feelings being reciprocated. When you pay careful attention to your pet care, you are strengthening your ability to be responsible and trustworthy, qualities that will help you keep friends. Experts recommend pet ownership as a great way to help children learn good social skills, and adults may be able to see substantial social benefits as well. Many people think that caring for their cat and enjoying their cat are two separate activities. However, the truth is that cat care is largely about showing your cat love and affection. That's why it is called cat care: because it is how you show that you care about your cat. The caring can be a satisfying part of your day every day because it lets you see that you've had an effect. When you groom your cat or clean its litter box, you will see a visible difference result immediately from your actions. When you spend a few minutes curled up with your cat on the couch, you will be able to notice a distinct attitude change in both your cat and yourself as you both bask in the calm glow of shared affection. Cat care can make your life richer and fuller on a daily basis.

Cat - How Cat Care Sweetens Life

Save 5% on orders over $75 at Only Natural Pet Store! Use coupon code CJ75. The more excellent your cat care regimen is for your cat, the more joy you will get out of pet ownership. When you engage in cat care activities like feeding, petting, or playing with your cat, you are showing your feline friend how much you love it. Seeing your cat at his or her healthiest is its own reward, but there are benefits to cat care beyond just keeping your kitten in top shape. Cat care can improve your quality of life and make every day sweeter. Succeeding at offering your pet the best possible care helps you maintain a positive attitude about your abilities, and can boost your confidence in other areas. Improving your cat care can be a great first step towards overcoming challenges and difficulties in other areas of your life. Psychological experts agree that caring for a pet is a great way to improve your self esteem. When you see how much your care efforts matters to your pet, you will be able to appreciate how much of an impact your actions can have. This helps you feel confident and upbeat about your chances of success at work or school, and in your social life. Care of your feline friend can be great for your social life. In addition to the confidence boost that taking excellent care of your feline companion can offer, cat care teaches you to expect and feel comfortable with positive interaction. When you bond with your cat, you are practicing the basic social skills that will help you win friends. Caring for your cat may even help make you more comfortable expressing love and affection, and it will certainly let you feel more confident about your feelings being reciprocated. When you pay careful attention to your pet care, you are strengthening your ability to be responsible and trustworthy, qualities that will help you keep friends. Experts recommend pet ownership as a great way to help children learn good social skills, and adults may be able to see substantial social benefits as well. Many people think that caring for their cat and enjoying their cat are two separate activities. However, the truth is that cat care is largely about showing your cat love and affection. That's why it is called cat care: because it is how you show that you care about your cat. The caring can be a satisfying part of your day every day because it lets you see that you've had an effect. When you groom your cat or clean its litter box, you will see a visible difference result immediately from your actions. When you spend a few minutes curled up with your cat on the couch, you will be able to notice a distinct attitude change in both your cat and yourself as you both bask in the calm glow of shared affection. Cat care can make your life richer and fuller on a daily basis. Bruce Walls is a writer and webmaster at http://www.catcarefacts.com. Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bruce_Walls Cat - Misuse of Medical Equipment When doctors order tests like x-rays and CAT scans they usually only need a simple reason for doing so. Unfortunately, in many cases these types of health care equipment is misused or ordered when it is not really necessary. When this happens a patient ends up paying for a service they should not have had to. The costs alone from misuse of health care equipment is staggering. Not only is it putting a dent in the pockets of patients, but it is also part of the reason for rising health care costs. Besides the financial side of misuse of health care equipment, there is the health concerns to consider. X-rays, for example, are known to be dangerous. A person is being subjected to radiation which can be profoundly damaging to the body. There is a limit on the recommended number of X-rays a person should receive, but many times when a doctor orders a x-ray, they are unaware of the person s history with getting x-rays. Additionally, x-rays are harmful for pregnant women and for reproductive organs, in general. Too many x-rays can lead to many health problems. The misuse of health care equipment is something that is likely to go unnoticed. More and more insurance companies, though, are requiring further validation for such uses which may help to end misuse. However, most of the time as long as a doctor deems it necessary, the procedure will continue. When it comes to medical equipment, x-rays are probably the most used type of health care equipment. In emergency rooms around the country, doctors usually are quick to order an x-ray if the diagnosis is not immediately recognizable. The misuse of health care equipment can lead to many problems for the patient.

Cat - Misuse of Medical Equipment

When doctors order tests like x-rays and CAT scans they usually only need a simple reason for doing so. Unfortunately, in many cases these types of health care equipment is misused or ordered when it is not really necessary. When this happens a patient ends up paying for a service they should not have had to. The costs alone from misuse of health care equipment is staggering. Not only is it putting a dent in the pockets of patients, but it is also part of the reason for rising health care costs. Besides the financial side of misuse of health care equipment, there is the health concerns to consider. X-rays, for example, are known to be dangerous. A person is being subjected to radiation which can be profoundly damaging to the body. There is a limit on the recommended number of X-rays a person should receive, but many times when a doctor orders a x-ray, they are unaware of the person s history with getting x-rays. Additionally, x-rays are harmful for pregnant women and for reproductive organs, in general. Too many x-rays can lead to many health problems. The misuse of health care equipment is something that is likely to go unnoticed. More and more insurance companies, though, are requiring further validation for such uses which may help to end misuse. However, most of the time as long as a doctor deems it necessary, the procedure will continue. When it comes to medical equipment, x-rays are probably the most used type of health care equipment. In emergency rooms around the country, doctors usually are quick to order an x-ray if the diagnosis is not immediately recognizable. The misuse of health care equipment can lead to many problems for the patient. http://www.preferedforms.com Believing in good balanced diet, taking vitamins and minerals. Daily exercise, yoga, stretching, breathing exercises, drinking enough water, meditation, relaxation, positive thinking, and trying to be happy. Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bob_Taylor Cat - Cat Fighting: Approaches in the Home Cat fighting can often be a reflection of the immaturity and youth of the cat or cats in question. Small cats and kittens have yet to learn the value of territory and the issues involved in sharing localities with other, rival cats. Owners should not worry immediately if their cat is involved in regular fights especially if the cat is immature or new to the area. Whilst fighting is often inevitable, it can also, often, settle down as two, or more, cats come to terms with their own territories and home environments. They will, no doubt, stray, as cats are naturally inquisitive creatures. Cats also like to invade the homes of other cats and adorn them with their own peculiar smells! There is a variety of measures that you might utilise to avoid cat fighting in the home. The first is to introduce a newcomer gradually. Let any cats know that a newcomer is not there to take over the house and it is still their home too. Make sure your usual cat is petted frequently and that it has access to the outside world and the all-important food tray! Cats like to be in charge but they will begin to tolerate and then share when the time comes. If home cats do fight a lot, separate them frequently. The frequency and severity of fighting should gradually diminish over time. Patience and tolerance is needed sometimes. Old hands at cat rearing have advocated different approaches including that of the liberal use of cold water "thrown" over the fighting pair. This can unsettle the cats enough to make them forget about their cat fighting antics. It can be important for the owner to not try and break up a fight with their bare hands - cats often turn onto anything that is in their paths when they are angry. Use a cushion or gently separate them with a stick if necessary. The other approach is to make a loud noise - a clap or banging a newspaper. Don't hit the cats, even in frustration - it is cruel and can only make a bewildered cat even more confused and frightened.