The nights around August 17 are a time when cats are particularly “yeowly”. Hence, the acknowledgement of Cat Nights. This also accounts for the belief that cats have nine lives. 

The Britons called this the Grain Moon.

National Black Cat Appreciation Day is on August 17 every year. It’s not the same as National Black Cat Day, which falls on October 27. The goal of both holidays is to celebrate these sleek, beautiful creatures.

Felines are complex creatures, and their sleeping patterns are among the most unique and interesting aspects of their day-to-day lives. This is because cats are not nocturnal, but crepuscular. Their peak activity occurs at dusk and at dawn.

Some may call it the witching hour; others know it as the nighttime “crazies.” Most commonly known as the “zoomies,” this sudden burst of hyperactivity mystifies many cat parents.

Since witches were at one with nature, it was common for them to have a cat as a companion. Plus, the Celts believed that cats were actually humans who had been forced to return to this world after committing bad deeds. Such theories led to people making up stories of witches turning into cats.

… concept of magic and sorcery that was being associated with cats into claiming them to be “familiars” – meaning supernatural beings that assist witches.

Cats live their lives with one paw in this world and the other paw on the other side of the veil. Cats are the consummate dreamwalkers, they spend hours in discernment, they know the power of stillness and waiting, of illusion, glamour and invisibility.

 A rather obscure old Irish legend said that a witch could turn herself into a cat eight times, but on the ninth time (August 17), she couldn’t regain her human form. 

Their superior night vision means that the nights belong to them.