ok here's a wild one: Has anyone heard anything along the lines that *cats carry spirits*? (by spirits I do not mean a cocktail lol!). You know, how witches always have cats, black cats have some superstitious designation, cats have 9 lives, etc.

I have had some weird stuff going on these past few months with wild ferrel cats burrowing under my house - although I have created barricades to keep them out, they keep coming back! To me this constant pestering and inability to get rid of them coincides with a recent 'relationship gone bad', in which the guy's mother is a witch of some kind, and has tons of cats herself. He has been constantly working me, burrowing under my skin - and to this day has not stopped - just like the cats!

Correlation or coincidence?

Any stories or insight you have would be interesting to hear!

I don't know personally but that sure is an interesting one.  I am quite certain that animals pick up on our emotions - mine certainly used to.  

Some towns have feral cat programs - there is more than one here where I live.  They could possibly come to your home, set up traps, then I think they spay/neuter them.  I know there is information out there about doing things to "protect" your house (not an expert, something about putting salt around the perimeter(?), burning sage, etc.)  I am sure someone else here has knowledge about that and could elaborate.

Sounds like a good thing that you ended this relationship anyway - he and his mother sound a little creepy! 

I used to buy into the cat=psychic=occult idea but my cats are about as psychic as a brick. My gray cat does "know" when i'm upset and cuddles me but then he cuddles me when i sleep. :P Animals are sensative in general and witchy types like to emphasis it by having animal "familiars". My mother has 4 planets of scorpio and she's a "witch" with cats. I don't hold stock in this stuff as much because I have mercury in scorpio and can see the manipulation of the fear and energy exchange.   

So I'd say the witch woman has cursed you as much as you believe it and believe in the correlation of burrowing cats and burrowing exes. Exercise both by getting the humane society to remove them. Sometimes it's coincidence.. sometimes it's energy (you are vulnerable).. sometimes it's practical (like it's early winter and wild cats are looking for a safe burrow for the winter) always it's practical in that there is a ritual - such as having someone remove the cats and then saying a prayer around the house - that takes care of your own nervousness about it and the reality of it at the same time. 

Thanks Dorothy, they are both a little creepy (and just plain mean)!

 My neighbors suggested a product called "blood meal" to put around the perimeter, because the smell supposedly somehow deters them.  However the gal at Home Depot says it would do just the opposite, attaract them (because cats are carnivores). I can try salt too, and sage!

Liz, Im not sure how much I buy into all that either - I agree about the "manipulation of the fear and energy exchange". But I also believe there is a correlation in this case - burrowing ex's ha ha! I hate to think its because I am vulnerable, but it would be too much of a coincidence in my opinion. Though apparently a neighbor has been spotted feeding stray cats, so they come around here for food and shelter.

I may look into the Humane Society option...

Independant as cats are, I can't really see them being ordered to dig under someone's foundations. It may just be a meaningful coincidence, syncronicity driving home the point about your vunerability.

In any case, I'm afraid I've had bad luck with cat-deterrant sprays. There's one called No Stay! by PetOrganics, but it's failed to keep my cats off my car. Trapping may just be your best option.

As for the other stuff, by all means use salt or smudge around the perimeters if you feel something's wrong, like the other posters said.

it might be that they like your place... they have a tendency to den up...  mine would often hide out under my parents' porch... they felt safe there. 

trapping them and taking them to a shelter (or having someone else do it- it's a lot of work and can be a bit dicey) is probably the gentlest thing.  particularly as they don't breed quite as fast as rabbits, but they can multiply catastrophically. i have a friend whose ex adopted a kitten and refused to spay it and two years later he realized the extent of the problem (his kids were living there...) and went back there (up in the middle of a desert canyon) and shot a couple hundred brain-addled, half starved, dehydrated cats.  it was one of the most horrible experiences of his life...

The power of a curse lies in the victim's belief.  In other words, if you don't believe it, it can't harm you.  

It is winter so the cats are probably seeking shelter.  I would call animal control for help and work on letting go of your attachment to the ex and his mother.  She has no power over you, but the construct you've made of her in your mind seems to be pretty effective.

I have read that cats don't like citrus. Here is a link.

I really hope that you can get them humanely trapped and if not adopted at least spayed and neutered by some organization.

I sure wish people would do the right thing as animal owners. If they did you wouldn't have this problem.

On the original question. No this supposed witch, can't control cats. This kind of stuff comes from ancient lore, example.. Tibetan Monks being able to see who was in the monastery by looking in their cats eyes etc. Cats have been given a raw deal for centuries. They were killed in the middle ages just because of the witch/cat link then, especially black cats.

I think it is more that they "seem" aloof in comparison to a dog, who are a lot more readable to most.

Blame this witch type, who btw is giving real witches a bad name LOL. Don't blame the kitts :)

For yourself and your home, check out this link.. specifically sea salt.

http://www.wingsforthespirit.com/spiritual-protection-techniques.htm

I fully second Lupa's statements. The above link is for you yourself.. to empower you. This supposed witch and her son have no power over you unless you give it to them.

Best wishes :)

Daem

My boyfriend believes that cats were put here by aliens to determine if we are a benevolent species.  Be nice to the kitties. 

I like in the concept of "as within, so without" - when I see a metaphor in my life, I can attack either end of it and the other seems to clear. in this case, I'd both look at solutions for the feral cat issue and the weird ex issue.

Thank you all for the wonderful advice. i will check out the links. Fortunately I have not heard the cats in a few days, they are either gone, sleeping, or (heaven forbid) dead. But also fortunately I have not heard back from the burrowing EX either... a few peaceful days on the homefront! I definitely do not want to give any energy to any "curse" if that is what it is. It does not have any power over me.