Instinctual energy that is been tamed and is relatively close to consciousness; feminine power or energy; the feminine archetype; the immature or coy feminine (kitten); female genitals. Other characteristics or aspects of yourself or another that cats may symbolize include: devouring or playful:snugly or independent; graceful; lazy or pouncing; stalking; patient; snide. Traditionally cats are the familiars of witches (the shadow), but in ancient times they were often associated with goddesses or divine powers.

In Egypt the feline-headed goddesses Bastet, goddess of pleasure, and Sekhmen, a terrible-mother goddess represented various feminine attributes. A cat elevated to its most powerful expression of energy is, of course, a lion or tiger.

See lion.