Written by: Heather Clemenceau
(Caution – this blog contains disturbing images)
Animal sacrifice is a practice associated with certain folk religions or witchcraft, including branches of Voodoo, particularly in some regions where it has been syncretized with other religions or cultural traditions. Voodoo, also known as Vodou or Vodun, is a complex belief system with roots in West Africa and the Caribbean. Similarly, Santeria is a religion that originated in the Caribbean and was brought to the Americas by slaves.
Individuals who practice Santeria also participate in animal sacrifices for many reasons, including black magic rituals, religious ceremonies involving curses, and even requesting assistance from spirits. Practitioners also believe that rituals will help couples to reconcile and improve their relationship and sex life, as well as a way to expunge sins or the pain that comes from being involved in criminal activity.
Recently there has been a huge increase and rise in ritualistic religions throughout the United States, and in the past 20 years there are hundreds of thousands of people engaging in rituals that included animal sacrifices and the use of animal body parts. In the online world, cottage industries have sprung up to provide animal parts to believers, claiming to help customers achieve their wishes, which sometimes consist of taking revenge on enemies.
While eBay typically does not allow these types of sales (exceptions being for some packaged food products and “charms” like rabbits’ feet), the Etsy marketplace permits it, and allows animal parts to be sold as “handmade and artisanal products.” As the result of a petition to stop the sale of animal body parts, the biggest concession by Etsy was to disallow the sale of endangered species. But every other species is acceptable.
On the more “harmless” scale of product offerings, some vendors sell mock animal figurines (cost $83 CDN), which may be impregnated with incense and oils, and then burnt as a sacrificial offering. By the way the sacrificial animal burns, the seller claims to be able to determine whether the purchaser’s gift is accepted, whether their wish will be fulfilled, and whether difficulties await them along the way. While no animal has died for this superstitious nonsense, the idea is (to me at least) still highly distasteful due to the symbolic/visual aspect.
Real animal parts are far more numerous on Etsy. Dried chicken feet, for example, are used in the practice of Hoodoo, as well as other magical traditions, for protection and for enemy work. The feet are believed to be powerful protection against evil doers and are believed to work by magically “scratching” one’s enemy. Many practitioners will use a chicken foot as part of an anti-theft spell which is usually hung in the open, such as from a rear-view mirror or above a door. Chicken feet can also be used alone as part of a charm, fetish, or for inclusion into a mojo bag, a cloth pouch practitioners believe provides protection, luck, love, prosperity, or spiritual cleansing.
The procurement of animal parts for use in voodoo ceremonies varies depending on cultural practices and local availability. In some cases, practitioners may obtain animal parts through hunting, fishing, or farming. The demand for animal body parts fuels practices such as poaching, trapping, and illegal hunting, which can lead to the suffering and endangerment of wildlife populations.
Many of the Etsy merchants claim the animal parts of obtained through “ethical means,” which could also mean that they obtain the body parts from slaughterhouses. But how do merchants explain their possession animal parts that do not originate from typical “food animals?” Numerous species of exotic bird body parts are offered on Etsy, and many of these could originate from African Voodoo markets. There is also a proliferation of bird wings and heads, and dried or taxidermied bodies on offer, with no explanation of how they died or were acquired.
Exotic animal parts are OK with Etsy, just as long as they aren’t from endangered animals! Merchants can make any claims they choose about the ethics of obtaining these animal parts, and there is no means to confirm any of it. Even if, in their belief, their products are “ethically obtained,” my own opinion as a vegan is that all the aforementioned activities are not only cruel, but dangerous for communities as they perpetuate myths about the effectiveness of spells and incantations. The sale of animal body parts can also pose risks to public health through the spread of diseases and zoonotic infections. Handling and consuming animal parts without proper hygiene and safety measures can lead to the transmission of pathogens and pose health hazards to individuals and communities.
The ethics of performing spells to harm others (even if they aren’t actionable) are highly debated and depend on various factors, including cultural beliefs, personal values, and the intended consequences of the action. In many ethical frameworks and moral philosophies, the desire to intentionally cause harm to others through metaphysical means, is considered unethical and morally wrong. Many ethical systems, such as utilitarianism or deontology, emphasize the principle of minimizing harm to others. Intentionally casting spells to harm individuals would generally be considered a violation of this principle. Ethical considerations also involve respecting the autonomy and free will of others, including animals who are killed for these purposes. Using spells to manipulate or harm individuals without their consent infringes upon their autonomy and moral agency.
IMO, the whole idea of using any form of supernatural or magical means to seek revenge on others reflects deep-seated issues within society:
- Lack of empathy and understanding: When individuals feel wronged or hurt, they may not have the emotional maturity or support to deal with those feelings constructively. Instead, they may resort to seeking revenge as a way to alleviate their pain or regain a sense of power. This lack of empathy for humans extends itself to animals as well.
- Social norms and media influence: In some cultures or communities, revenge might be glorified or portrayed as a justified response to perceived injustices. This can normalize vengeful behaviour and make it seem like an acceptable or even desirable course of action.
- Feelings of powerlessness: People who feel marginalized, oppressed, or disenfranchised may turn to voodoo or other forms of magic as a means of asserting control over their circumstances or seeking justice when they feel powerless within existing systems.
- Misguided beliefs: Some individuals may genuinely believe in the efficacy of voodoo or other supernatural practices for influencing others or causing harm. These beliefs can be reinforced by anecdotal evidence, cultural traditions, or misinformation.
- Psychological factors: Revenge can be driven by complex psychological dynamics, including feelings of anger, resentment, or a desire for validation or retribution. These emotions can cloud judgment and lead individuals to prioritize harming others over finding healthier ways to address their grievances.
Selling animal body parts for rituals raises ethical questions about the treatment of animals and the commodification of living beings. It’s also in conflict with ethical principles of compassion, respect for life, and stewardship of the natural world. Animals may be killed inhumanely or exploited for profit without regard for their well-being, for useless “trinkets” in rituals.
Since Etsy has ignored complaints about the selling of non-endangered animal parts, the responsibility lies with the consumer, who is responsible for determining the demand for products sold on online marketplaces. It’s essential for consumers to educate themselves about the ethical and legal implications of purchasing animal parts, reject superstitious beliefs, to make informed choices that align with their values, and distinguish between scientific findings and pseudoscience.
heatherclemenceau 