Badger, and ethics in animism

[dibeartach.livejournal.com]

The Eurasian Badger : Rain, masculinity, wildness/nature, patterns or routines, tradition, strength, physicality, underworld/lower Otherworld, subtlety, mysteries, transition, life-path, fortune/fate, and significant crossing of paths with others. Comfort or warning, establishing place while maintaining personal freedom, focus and stability, gentle power. Also twilight, grounding, age, earth wisdom, and Spring and Winter.

I'm doing a whole bunch of meditations on Badger at the moment, and feel like this animal will be one of influence not just for the duration of the meditations like some of the other energies that have visited me, but a long term focus. In one of my wanderings, it came about that the claw was the power, so to speak, of the Badger. As far as I know, Eurasian Badgers are protected, thus it's probably going to be impossible to find a genuine claw for sale, even though I felt this to be important.
That made me think about the use of animal skins/claws etc in animism. My totem animal is the Salmon, and it was made abundantly clear to me that I was never to harm, hunt or eat Salmon under any circumstances. Later I found out that is a common attitude in regards to totem animals.
But as for other animals, we know from tribal cultures that animal skins, furs, claws and talons, and other parts were used to invoke that animal power in the past. Thus my strange message in regards to feeling like it was important to find a Badger claw.
What are your views on this little corner? Is it ethical to use animal bones or furs or what have you in animist practices?

Comments

[sienna-leaf.livejournal.com]

I agree with aloiis. I see your point that genuine might be more potent...but if done in attitude that you create the claw as gift to Spirit to inhabit...maybe it'd work.

Owl (specifically barred) is one of my totems...and I have been collecting shed feathers when I can. Problem is, they are illegal to have...but knowing where they are from (the ground!) I personally have no problem w/ them.

I do have a related question...I saw some amazing pieces on the internet made out of bits n pieces that furriers (correct word?) throw away as scraps. The artist reclaims those pieces and does ritual to honor the animal. I hate the fur trade...but I am on the fence about the art she does. It is sanctifying parts of the animal that otherwise would be garbage.

[sienna-leaf.livejournal.com]

yes...can't check my private email til later, but that'd be fine.