Cats, Vikings and Witchcraft

The Vikings certainly loved cats. In Norway andwore a hat trimmed with cat skin. Her gloves
Iceland cats were in high demand. Unfortunatelywere made of cat skin which had fluffy white cat
for the cats, the people of Norway saw no valuefur on the inside.
in a living cat; it was the fur they absolutelyNow as it happens, the goddess of love was also
adored. Even the fox could not compete with thea master of magic and witchcraft. Her name was
cat. The Norwegian king Magnus VI, theFreyja. No other god or goddess mastered
law-mender (1238 - 1280) passed a law declaringwitchcraft better than Freyja. She was the most
cat fur as legal currency. One piece of cat furbeautiful goddess of the Viking world. The
was equivalent to three pieces of fox fur.goddess of love and magic had a stunning
Cat fur was quite valuable. Only the rich couldcarriage. Yes, you guessed it. The carriage was
afford this luxury. Now as it happens, the Volvaspulled by two cats.
were among the upper classes. A Volva was aVolvas of the human world, loved to dress up
woman who was a master of prophecy andwith clothes made from cat skin and cat fur.
witchcraft. The Volvas were greatly respectedFreyja, the goddess of love and magic was
and feared. Their services were in high demand,associated with two cats. It seems the tendency
but extremely expensive.to associate cats with witchcraft was well
In the Saga of Eric the Red, a Volva is describedestablished in the Viking Age. Cats certainly have
in great detail. She had been summoned to helpbeen unfairly prosecuted throughout the centuries
the settles of Greenland during their hardship. Shein the Western World. Fortunately major parts of
was called Lisevolve and she was treated like athe human race have come to their senses and
queen. The clothes she wore are described downare finally treating cats with the respect and love
to the last detail in the saga. On her head shethey deserve.