We often neglect to apply, what we apply to ourselves, to other creatures in the animal kingdom. In magic, we use bits of ourselves; a nail, a lock of hair or a bit of blood, to represent our spirit or presence - our whole presence not just the few cells we are using. The beauty and soul of who we are, is contained in the small piece of us, as it should be too, with our animal brothers and sisters.

    Honouring our fellow creatures, totem animal and familiars through their gifts of bones, fur or feathers is to give them a second life. Thoughts empower and the spirit of the animal is only a thought away. Their contribution need not stop with their passing and when working with them through their bones and such, they live on.

    Different parts of an animal may represent different characteristics of that animal’s presence/power. A wing from a bird may instill thoughts of travel, flight, freedom, safety or the bird's power, but if you hold a crow's wing in your hand, isn’t your first visual of the crow itself; the whole crow not just it’s wing? When working with animal items we need to accept that even though it is only a tailbone from a cat, which holds its balance and emotion, the whole of the cat's essence is available to us within it, to share, honour and work with.

    Many consider the skull of an animal one of the most powerful emblem of its owner. Simply put - different creatures are more easily identifiable through their skulls than say through a leg or rib bone. Its presence breathes the spirit of the whole animal for us because in its shape, we can quickly associate it with the animal it once was. Believing that one must have the skull to work with real animal power or spirit can stunt a practitioner's work. Just as a drop of our blood or a bit of our hair holds our power and spirit, so it is with all creatures.

    Magical workings often require that the practitioner try to be as specific as possible. The general characteristics are associated with any part of the animal, from a toe to a tongue. The skull of the animal carries a direct association with its instincts, sight, sense of smell, tastes and all general characteristics. The leg bone or claw from the same animal also holds all its main characteristics but it also betrays its movements, swiftness, agility, strength of grip, its connection to mother earth and more.

    Breaking down the individual characteristic of different parts of an animal or even a plant makes the work done with that particular subject more specific, more intense. This concept is not a necessity to working with animals but can only aid the practitioner in their magical work. Visualization is one of the greatest tools in magical work and is key to getting our intentions forward.

     Words may be the recipe, the ingredients are the material and spiritual tools, the cook is intention but the one ingredient, which brings it all together, is the ability to visualize the finished dish. Good recipes, better and more specific ingredients as well as experience all lend to the ability to visualize and achieve the final dish. Lets take a quick look at different parts of an animal and ways they can enhance magical workings starting with the bottom end or the tail.

    Tails

    Whether it is just a bone from it, the fur, a feather, or the whole thing most work with tails is associated with balance and agility in movement. Animals with long boned tails developed these to help them balance - squirrels, rats, cats, foxes, etc. Even fish and reptiles tails have a great responsibility toward the balance maintained by its owner but there are many other characteristics to the tail.

     Tails for some are defensive weapons. Being slapped by an iguanas tail would instill this concept quickly into the recipient. A horsetail provides comfort and protection to its owner by keeping away flies and other pests and lets not forget covering those sensitive areas. A cat uses its tail for balance but is also a tool for communication. Few people have avoided experiencing the swishing tail of an annoyed cat. Birds use their tail feathers for balance as well as direction. Snakes, lizards, fish and amphibians use their tails for propulsion as well as balance.

    Vertebrae and Ribs

    Vertebrae are not as varying as tails; they are the foundation of the skeleton. They hold the strength of the animals form, are an extension to the tail, house the spinal cord (movement) and are important in the protection of internal organs such as the heart. The ribs work with the vertebrae to encase and protect the heart and lungs - the life giving forces of breathe and blood. Appendages

    Legs, toe, hooves, feet, wings, hips and shoulder blades from our fur, feathered and scaly friends are wonderful in travel work. Speed, balance, stalking, climbing, hopping, flying and diving are a few variations of motion called upon from this part of the animal. Movement is the main focus of most appendages but you have claws and talons used for defense / protection, hunting and digging for shelter or food. Holding (binding) and the often forgotten caring for another are also characteristics of appendages. Seeing one crow put its wing over another that looks unwell will give the witness a whole new associated characteristic. Skulls

    Skulls and parts of them do hold many unique qualities. Instinct, thought and intelligence are all associated with the brain, which is housed and protected in the skull. There is sight, scent, taste and voice/sound, generally associated with all animals yet each animal has its own variation. The sense of smell of a dog is far superior to a horse but we believe a horse to have a powerful second-sight. Although most people who have been crossed path with a dog who's job it is to detect various illegal objects would like to claim the dog was wrong, a scent doesn't lie. Just the nasal bone or a bit of the lacy bones from inside the nasal cavity from a canine is a good tool for one looking to sniff out the truth. Animals and using their magic should not be limited to just their bones.

    Fur, Feather, Hair, Skin and Shell

    All these provide protection against the elements and against predators in different ways for their original owners. The raw hide of any animals cut into lace is well applied when used to hold ingredients together as it held its owner together. Writing directly onto leather or skin is requesting the animal's magic hold your request. We often wrap our tools in leather or hide pouches to protect them when not in use. Whole skins from small animal like rats and moles make nice pouches or mojo bags for a variety of uses - rate magic is strong

    Hair from a horses tail in used in many ways. Braided into a rope can be used to hang charms or to tie and bind. Horse (tail or main) hair or fur from various animals cleaned off to make rawhide or leather is useful in stuffing poppets. Felters mainly use wool from animals such as sheep, llamas and alpacas but just about any fur with some length is usable in creating felt it may just take a bit more work. Even human hair can be felted and the creation of dreadlocks requires felting the hair together. The finer the hair/wool/fur the easier it felts. One nice thing about working with wool and fur you can collect it from a living animal and with domesticated familiars it is one way to keep them involved in your work.

    Some American Indian tribes believe that the weight of the world sits upon the back of a turtle and others refer to the turtle as mother. The shell of the turtle is strong providing both a home and protection for the turtle. The shell in whole or half made into a medicine pouch shares it's own medicine of long life with the one who possesses it. One feather from the bird you work with will instill as much as a whole wing. Movement, protection, freedom, hunting, survival are all characteristics invoked by the presence of this one feather. More characteristics are available to work with, depending on which genus of bird your feather comes from.

    Other Bits

    Some of the bits mentioned in this section are more unusual and often require that the practioner obtain them from the subjects themselves. There is rumor that a dried bull's eye filled with black ink or oil has been used in scrying like a black mirror - a rumor only because it has only been passed onto the author verbally. On a personal note, horses eyes would fulfill this concept even better due to their ability to see what we humans cannot. A tongue from a rat is useful is working with human rats and their need to squeal. A crow's tongue can warn you of danger or even aid in balancing the scales of justice – they are the keepers of universal and magical law. To hold the heart of an animal in your hand is an emotionally powerful experience for those who work with and love animals. Use this part with love' honour and great respect.

    Whenever working with the gifts bestowed upon us by our fellow creatures do so with honour and respect. Many of us who work with animals have come to realize that a single feather carries as much of the bird's spirit and power as the whole wing. The intention of this article is to share a broader view of animals and the magic they share with those that work with them. The suggested associations made here are by no means the only ones but they are personal or subjective to the writer. You the reader may feel differently and have different views about the characteristics of the animals you know and or work with. This is perfect as magic is a personal thing.

    One last thing needs mentioning. As the author I would like to stress that it is not my practice to harm or kill any animal; bird, reptile or fish or request it be done for me to provide the tools I use or to supply business needs. The parts I work with are by-products or from animals who have been the subject of road accidents.

    References:

     There is no particular reference used to write this article. Many stories of local folklore, articles and books of working with animals exist and well worth a read but the one who decides what, where, how and when that animal, familiar, totem is right for you is you yourself. No one book or author has that final say.