Show notes
How ordinary animals became supernatural signs—and why some Halloween superstitions still cause real harm.
Episode 9 of The Depths of Halloween. Elias, Mara and the Archivist debate the history, folklore and modern claims behind Black Cats, Ravens and Omens. The production distinguishes documented history from folklore and later reinterpretation where the evidence is uncertain.
Estimated scripted runtime: about 15.9 minutes before performance pacing.
Topics in this episode
- Cats and witchcraft
- The familiar
- Ravens and nocturnal animals
- When myth harms animals
Sources and further reading
- Library of Congress: The Origins of Halloween Traditions
- Library of Congress: Halloween: Topics in Chronicling America
- Smithsonian Magazine: The Celtic Origins of Trick-or-Treating
- Smithsonian Magazine: When Halloween Was All Tricks and No Treats
- HISTORY: How Jack O’Lanterns Originated in Irish Myth
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