What is the spiritual meaning of cats in dreams?
Introduction
It’s amazing how mysterious cats are, especially considering they are the most popular pet.
It’s said that their quirkiness comes from being less domesticated than dogs, and more connected to their roots in the wild.
The domesticated cat’s ancestor was likely the Arabian wildcat, and domestication probably took place for pest (mouse) control purposes between 10,000 and 15,000 years ago.
This may explain their relative independence.
They’re often happy to be solitary, and can be choosy about who they trust. But once they form a bond with someone, out come the purrs, the meows, and the rubbing up against your leg.
We like to pet them, and they like being pet.
This is the language we speak with cats every day.
But anybody who owns (or is owned by) a cat knows there’s still something powerful and curious about them.
Certainly, our ancestors, most notably the ancient Egyptians, knew it.
So, when we see a cat, or cats, in our dreams, it can really get us wondering what it means.
And if you’re a spiritual seeker, you may be wondering about the spiritual meaning. However, it’s not as simple as, “if you see a cat in your dream, it means X spiritually.”
The origins of dreams
Not all dreams are created equal.
There’s a difference between a dream where a cat is talking to you in English, and another one where a cat is clawing your eyes out.
They’ll have different meanings, and here’s the thing – possibly different sources.
Spiritual traditions differ in their views on the origin of dreams. In Islam, for example, good dreams come from Allah, the Creator, while bad dreams come from Shaitan (the devil), and others come from the workings of our own mind.
In Hinduism, generally, dreams are part of the whole illusion of existence, but may contain important insights into our present and future lives.
Other Hindu mystics see dreams as occurring in the astral realm.
Meanwhile, some Native Americans see dreams as essential practical and spiritual guidance which come from powerful spirits or the Creator.
So, if you dreamt of a cat and want to know the spiritual meaning, you must first contemplate the origin.
The source.
Was it a bad dream?
Was it inspiring?
Ask the right questions and the answer will come.
Does the cat have a message for you?
It may help to imagine dreams as messages written in a language only you can understand.
And it will require deep contemplation, and quite possibly time, to know the spiritual meaning.
What are your fears?
Your secrets?
Your hopes?
Maybe the cat has a message.
It certainly caught your eye, or you wouldn’t be searching for its spiritual meaning!
Consider what was happening in the dream, and the role of the cat, and your role.
It’s not as straightforward as, “there was a cat, therefore misfortune is coming,” or, “there was a cat, therefore I am creative.”
The easy answers might make us feel good, but they won’t give us an ounce of truth.
Here are some examples from the internet of what dreaming of a cat might mean:
- Independence
- Feminine sexuality
- Magic
- Flexibility
- Witchcraft
- An impending surprise
- Success at work
If these interpretations seem too varied, it’s because they are.
Context matters. And just imagine all the different contexts in which cats could appear in our dreams.
A cat could be attacking you.
It could be sitting on you.
It could be a kitten.
It could be crossing the street.
It could be playing with string.
You must begin by understanding that deep down you are better at interpreting your dreams than a list on the internet.
The best we can do now is look at a few very specific examples of cats in dreams, and discuss how we could approach interpreting them.
How to interpret a dream about cats: two examples
Example #1:
You have a dream that you’re sitting in your living room on the couch.
There’s a cat lying on the carpet soaking up a sunbeam not too far in front of you. Suddenly an earthquake hits, and everything is shaking.
A lamp falls off a side table, a picture crashes down from where it was hanging on the wall.
You wish the cat would come sit on you because you’re frightened, but it doesn’t. It lays there and acts like nothing is happening.
You look at it incredulously.
Then the earthquake stops, and the cat calmly walks towards you, jumps up, and sits on your lap.
You can feel it purring, and peace descends upon you.
You don’t even worry about the damage caused by the earthquake.
Possible interpretation:
Remaining composed and calm is better, and gives you the power to comfort others.
Love is more important than things. You must remain equanimous, because something tumultuous is coming.
Example #2:
You’re at work, delivering mail – because you’re a mail carrier – into community mailboxes.
You’re behind schedule and stressed out. Night is descending, and it feels like you’ll never be finished with your route.
You go to put mail into one compartment, and there’s a very annoyed cat inside.
It hisses and swipes at you. You’re suddenly obsessed with getting mail into the mailbox because you want to be done work.
You keep trying to put the mail in, but the cat keeps swiping your hand away and hissing.
You start crying because you realize you’ll never be done work.
Possible interpretation:
Your real-life job is stressing you out.
The cat-in-the-mailbox is scenario – which is ridiculous – symbolizes the petty impediments that keep you from happily moving on and getting through your workday.
Just close that compartment and move on!
The fact that it is a cat in the mailbox instead of some other creature is irrelevant.
ALSO READ: What is the spiritual meaning of seeing a dead cat?
The problem with generalized interpretations
As you can see from the examples above, the interpretation depends largely (and I would argue entirely) on you.
In the first example, if you don’t have a cat in your house in real life, have never had a cat, or are allergic to cats, the idea that you would want it to come sit on you for comfort is nonsensical.
Similarly, if you live somewhere where earthquakes are very common, maybe you’re not afraid.
The interpretation falls apart.
In the second example, if you don’t work as a mail delivery person, the dream is utter nonsense. Why am I suddenly a postman? Why do I care if I deliver all this mail?
Again, your real-life situation makes the above interpretation irrelevant.
ALSO READ: What is a white owl crossing your path supposed to mean?
Cats in dreams – a reminder to search your soul
Believe it or not, the important thing about the cat in your dream is that you noticed it.
And you think it’s important enough to search for its meaning. But the meaning won’t be found outside of yourself, on screens and tablets, or in frantic speculation.
Meditate on it.
Return to your breath.
And as you breathe, feel the air in your nostrils.
Return to your true self, and discover that the spiritual meaning of the cat in your dream will be written by you.
ALSO READ: Cats as Spiritual Protectors: The Mystical Power of Felines
- About the Author
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Irina is a co-founder and author at AwakeningState.com, an online magazine launched in 2016 that aims to expand consciousness every day. Offering eye-opening articles on a range of topics, Irina strives to provide unique insights into personal growth, covering areas such as spiritual awakening, health, lifestyle, nature, and science.