Memorial for my furry companion

[JustAnotherFour]

I don't post much on the Oracle forum, mostly just a lurker. But my cat (Cleo) passed away a few days ago and I felt it was important to write a memorial here because of the connection we developed throughout my spiritual journey and the impact she had on my life. I have a feeling many people here will understand, particularly those who have been through a similar experience.

The ancient Egyptians believed that cats were an animal incarnation of a part of one's own soul, akin to the concept of the ba. This bond between human and feline was so deep that a beloved cat could be perceived as a soul-connected entity, mirroring the bond between kindred human souls. In the tapestry of life, every thread interweaves with another, creating a pattern that is both complex and beautiful. My bond with Cleo was not merely one of companionship, but a profound spiritual connection that transcends the physical realm.

She was both my spiritual companion and my furry friend. We spent so many days and nights together, enjoying each others company during countless hours of gaming, creating, meditating, seeking... diving deep into the mysteries and the rabbit hole of life and reality with her by my side. The 973 website has been an integral part of that journey and I can only estimate that we must have spent many hundreds of hours experiencing and reading through David's work.

We've been together for many years and I feel immense gratitude for her having chosen to be here with me during this chapter of life, and it's something I will always carry with me and cherish for the rest of my life.

I never had pets as a kid growing up and hadn't been blessed with the experience of being an animal-parent. However, I instantly had a soft spot for Cleo when we first encountered each other. She was a majestic Siamese with very unique features and was always chirping and chatting. My wife and I rescued her from abusive animal breeders when she was around three years old. She went through a lot of life milestones with us and even managed to stick around after four house moves.

We developed a powerful connection on a spiritual, mental and physical level, and I know we will always be connected in spirit... but damn, I'm still going to miss her being here, projecting pure love, wisdom and chill vibes, purring on my knee late into the night.

I dabble with psychedelics and I was fortunately able to have one last trip with Cleo a few weeks ago after having felt an intense urge to go on another journey with her by my side (she was my designated trip sitter lol). That urge goes beyond words but deep down I knew she was telling me she was leaving soon and that this would be our last psychedelic journey together. I didn't want to admit it at the time but I can see it clearly now.

A few days later, she started eating less food and her health steadily declined until we unfortunately had to make the decision. She had a very peaceful and dignified death, and passed away at home with my wife and I at her side.

I held her head as she passed beyond this realm and looked into her eyes when she had gone, and they were just glazed, blank, darkness. That beautiful, blue nebula of cosmic dust in her eyes, the gateways to the Soul, had completely disappeared. I felt great sadness, heartbreak and loss.

However, as I continued to gaze into her eyes, I began to see my own reflection... and I knew that even in death she was continuing to teach me, I knew she was sending a message of wholeness and reminding me of the interconnectivity of life... she was and still is a part of me, of the Self, of All.

On one hand, I am sad and extremely heartbroken that she's gone, and that she won't be here physically to experience this next chapter in our lives. But on the other, I know she was ready to go and I'm happy that she moved on from this realm in peace and that her suffering has now ended.

She is free from these four walls. Free to roam the stars once again. I have so many amazing memories to look back on when I think of her.

Thanks for reading if you made it this far... the transition is still a bit fresh and this turned out a little longer than I initially expected!

If you have a pet, give them a cuddle or an ear scratch and remind them how much you love them. Then continue to spread that love to those around you.

RIP Cleo
Passed on 30/08/2023 (9) ~15 years old
Loved beyond measure.

https://imgur.com/a/pNHHuJ7

[Redbeck]

My dear JustAnotherFour,

What a wonderful eulogy to your constant feline companion and spirit guide. I was spellbound when I read it, after a contribution as eloquent as the one I have just read, we would love to hear more but undoubtedly we respect your self-defined role as a lurker. The energies that gave rise to such a beautiful elegy of loss are very powerful and hopefully cathartic, they often say that creative excellence is best fuelled by tall breaker waves of emotion crashing against the rocks of the soul. So welcome back hopefully we will see more of you. I am extremely sorry for your loss of such a great friend and fellow walker of the universe. Kind Regards Redbeck and of course, not forgetting, which I did in the first iteration, David Denison, 973-eht-namuh-973 site founder, content creator and data architect.

Interesting that you mention the spiritual influences cats of on ancient Egypt, nor should we exclude the feline influence in physics' Schrödinger's cat: that most favourite yet misunderstood aristo-pet of quantum mechanics.

Cats were very important to the ancient Egyptians and were even considered to be demi-deities. Not only did they protect the crops and slow the spread of disease by killing rodents, they were also thought to be the physical form of the goddess Bastet.

Cats, Bastet and the Worship of Feline Gods - ARCE
American Research Center in Egypt
https://arce.org › Resources
Bastet, Sakhmet, Mut, Tefnut, Shesemtet, Pakhet, Mafdet, Wadjet and others all appeared as a lioness or lion-headed woman with a sun disk on her head. Each one …


Cats in ancient Egypt
Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Cats_in_ancient_Egypt
Several ancient Egyptian deities were depicted and sculptured with cat-like heads such as Mafdet, Bastet and Sekhmet, representing justice, fertility, and power ...
?History · ?Expeditions and excavations · ?Gallery




Godess Bastet shown as an ancient Egyptian lady with the head of a cat. In her hands she holds the Sitsrum. Modern replica of an extremely old and fragile artefact.




Bastet figurine dated between 664 and 610 BC Twenty-Sixth Dynasty of Egypt, Pharoah Psamtik

[JustAnotherFour]

My dear JustAnotherFour,

What a wonderful eulogy to your constant feline companion and spirit guide. I was spellbound when I read it, after a contribution as eloquent as the one I have just read, we would love to hear more but undoubtedly we respect your self-defined role as a lurker. The energies that gave rise to such a beautiful elegy of loss are very powerful and hopefully cathartic, they often say that creative excellence is best fuelled by tall breaker waves of emotion crashing against the rocks of the soul. So welcome back hopefully we will see more of you. I am extremely sorry for your loss of such a great friend and fellow walker of the universe. Kind Regards Redbeck

Thank you Redbeck, your kind words are very much appreciated.

Writing this has indeed been cathartic and it has certainly shifted something within me... I believe every being we encounter in our life, human or animal, is a teacher in some form guiding us towards our spiritual growth. Cleo was one such teacher illuminating my path, her life and passing a part of my spiritual evolution. In this light, I am taking her departure as an invitation to delve deeper into my journey and to continue to grow and evolve.

I do hope to contribute more in the future.