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Black Dogs, Dogs and Witches

Many of we Witches have a Black Cat or too cats are long known familiars of the Black Hat Society. Yet less known is; that we are also extraordinarily and

spiritual connected to our canine familiars as well. Long before our felinefriends became a fundamental of our Witchly abode .. the dog was seem as a the

spiriting companion to those of magickal and mystical heart, Witches,Goddesses and the Dead.

A Black Dog was essentially seen as a nocturnal apparition seen with shadowcreatures and spirits that walk the veils. Sadly Black Dogs have often been saidto be associated with the Devil, and its appearance was regarded as a portent of

death. It is generally supposed to be larger than a normal dog, and often haslarge, glowing eyes.

Many believe that Black Dogs are associated with electrical storms and alsowith the crossroads, walking with Hekate or guarding for her. Black Dogs are

seen at places of death and execution and ancient pathways.

The origins of the black dog are difficult to discern. It is impossible to ascertainwhether the creature originated in the Celtic or Germanic elements in Britishculture. Throughout in European mythology Black Dogs have long been

associated with death.

Examples of this are the Cwn Annwa, in Welsh mythology and folklore, CwnAnnwns were the spectral hounds of Annwn, in the otherworld. Unfortunately

christians came to dub these mythical creatures as "The Hounds of Hell" or

"Dogs of Hell" and theorized they were therefore owned by Satan. However,the Annwn of medieval Welsh tradition is an otherworldly paradise and not a

hell or abode of dead souls.

In Norse mythology, Garmr or Garm is a black dog associated with Ragnarok who hold the final destiny of the gods in a series of future events, including a

great battle foretold to ultimately result in the death of a number of major figures.

Cerberus, in Greek and Roman mythology is a multi-headed hound. Usually

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with three heads which guards the gates of Hades, to prevent those who havecrossed the river Styx from ever escaping.

Cwn Annwns, Garmr, and Cerberus all of whom were in some way guardians

of the underworld. This association seems to be due to the scavenging habits of dogs. It is possible that the black dog is a survival of these beliefs.

Black dogs are almost universally regarded as malevolent, and only a few saidthey are directly harmful.

The dog Black Dogs are most generally is the most common animal associated

with Hekate, and She was sometimes addressed as the 'Black she dog'. Black dogs were once sacrificed to Her in purification rituals, and at Colophon inSamothrace Hekate could manifest as a dog. The sound of barking dogs is the

first sign of Her approach in Greek and Roman literature:

The Earth began to bellow, trees to dance

And howling dogs in glimmering light advance

Ere Hekate came."

The Aeneid, book VL. Virgil.

Ovid writes that Hekate could be conjured up from darkness " with long howls ."There is evidence of an old belief that the souls of the unburied dead could

appear as dogs. Hekate is sometimes identified with the with three-headed dogKerebos, who guards the entrance to Hades, and there may be connections withthe Egyptian dog-headed god Annubis, who conducted souls to the Underworld.

Dogs were also associated with deities like Hekate with who watched over childbirth, probably because of the ease with which the bitch (female dog) gives

birth.

The black dog is also well known as a guardian of the house, standing at the

font door to stand watch, and this seems to relate to Hekate's role as guardianHekate Propylaia.

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Stories about black dogs can be found all over Britain and Europe; hidingwithin folklore and legend can often be found something of worth.

The ancestor of the dog is the grey wolf, noted for its intelligence and cunning.The wolf once roamed all over Northern Europe, entering Britain with the

retreating ice age while following the animal herds. There are those who saythat wolf and man sometimes formed a rapport with each other; folklore

upholds this thought.

Those of us whom are Witches hold black dogs in respect and regard, especiallythe black dogs for they are sacred to the Goddess and the ancient ones.

Lady Abigail

HIgh Priestess Ravensgrove Coven