More on Badger:
The Strength and Tenacity of the Badger:
The superior claws and digging power, as well as the vicious and tena cious fighting qualities of the badger, led to the Oglala to associate this animal with curing practices and desired powers for warfare. In both these skills, the badger seems to have been closely associated with the bear; however, because of the badger's relatively small size, the powers for curing associated with him seem to be directed, appropriately, to medicines for children. Eagle Shield, who stated that he had received powers from the badger in a dream, claimed to have power for curing children, although he also indicated that: "some consider his medicine [the badger] stronger than that of the bear, as he digs deeper and further into the ground."21
As the underground Power of the Earth, inherent in the roots and herbs, came to be represented through the form of the bear, so too the badger seems to be associated with a parallel concept. In an Oglala legend, for example, the hero Iron Hawk is told that the badger is "an earth animal-he lives and digs in the earth. This food means that you also must live on the earth. It is good for you ... this is holy earth and you are going to walk on the earth."22
The essential and justifying power-principle underlying the Oglala Akicita Badger Society (Ihoka) lies in the observed and sought-after strength and fighting qualities of the badger. The term lhoka itself "seems to mean badger mouth and was explained as referring to the characteristic grimaces and growlings of the badger when attacked."23 It
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should also be noted that the "no-flight" or "no-retreat" custom observed in warfare by certain members within the Societies certainly had its model in the fighting behaviour of the badger.
Legends and traditions: Badger
According to Oglala (Lakota) belief, badger is an earth animal because it lives in a den and digs in the earth. Badger represents fighting qualities which a warrior would do weIl to emulate. It attacks when necessary, with powerful aggression, using teeth and claws that can rend hard earth. So, badger symbolizes the wiIlingness to fight for what we want.
Badger has been linked with medicinal roots, and in some ceremonies the medicine man or woman would use a badger's claw or paw (or some thing representative of them, such as a rattle decorated with badger fur) to dig the disease from the affected part. The curative power of badger is similar to that of bear. Both taught man what roots and herbs were good to eat. The shaman of bear medicine also used a rattle or claw to dig at disease. Badger, as smaIler than bear, was more often associated with children, and its medicine was often woman's medicine, while bear was so male that in some tribes there was an interdict against women touch ing or treating the skins.
In his book Lakota Belief and Ritual, James Walker described a rite used to predict the future where a person who killed a badger extracted every thing from the body cavity, leaving only the blood. If the blood had a smooth, mirror-like surface, the person could view his reflection. If he saw himself and his head was white, then he wiIllive a long time and become a grandfather. If the image reflected looked unweIl, then the person wiIl soon die. If, however, a red head was seen, the person will kiIl an enemy.
In the History and Topography of Ireland by Giraldus Cambrensis, written in the 1190s, badger was referred to as an unclean animal that bites and
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frequents rocky, mountainous places. This book further states that, digging with its feet, badger makes holes as places of refuge and defence. Ironically, given what comes before, the author of this book draws the conclusion that badgers are born to service by nature. In later times, keeping a badger's tooth in one's pocket was supposed to make a gambler unbeatable.
Throughout history badger has been on the receiving end of atro cious behaviour. The verb 'to badger' is derived from the European custom of badger-baiting and means 'to persecute' or 'to annoy'. Likewise, badger has been subjected to periods of persecution and exter mination in post-Columbian America and in Europe. The farmers of the western United States regularly destroy badger nests, out of fear that the holes will trip up cattle. They forget the service badgers provide in rodent control. Recently, badgers have become infected with the tuber culosis virus in Great Britain, which can then be transferred to man via infected cows' milk. Perhaps one of the best measures of renewed hope for badger is the more measured response that this outbreak has received when compared to previous ones.
MEDICINE AND Power
DIRECTION ELEMENT TRAITS ASSOCIATIONS
North Earth
Courage, strength, perseverance Aggression, keeper of stories
The badger is called upon to impart persistence, determination and endurance. It will dig for hours to unearth its next repast. Similarly, once it has gained access to another animal's den, badger will wait for hours for their prey to return.
Badger also gives mental energy and fighting spirit. Once badger has bitten into something it won't let go. It would die rather than give up, so badger teaches us how to stick to a project and see it through to its completion.
As a digger, badger medicine refers to the use of medicinal roots. It is considered one of the strongest medicines because of the badger's reputed tenacity. Its medicine can be called upon when others fail. Badger gives deep healing of infections. Few people own the badger fur, paws or claws - fewer still would want to - required to invoke its medicine; however, ceremonies can be performed with a rattle upon which a badger's foot print or claws have been drawn. Often this substitution is made by the Native American medicine man or woman of the current day.
Calling upon badger is supposed to allow the healing to penetrate deeper into the system. Many of the motions used by Raike healers, such as plucking out an area of blockage, are similar to those used by badger medicine people of old.
Badger's energies include not only healing but prophecy. Badger medicine could be called upon when scrying with water, crystal or glass.
A more European perspective of badger - for the Eurasian animal is a social animal - is that of storyteller. Thus, badger was the keeper of history in the form of legend and lore. Badger knows both past and future while maintaining a firm grasp on the present. This means that badger, despite its so-called aggressive nature, is a powerful mentor, a giver of strength and wisdom.
The badger person is the boss everyone fears. Chances are the rough exterior hides a lack of self-confidence, timidity and doubt. This person may be gruff, but the badger individual gets the job done. This person is unwilling to quit. The individual with badger medicine has innate heal ing abilities and may be interested in alternative therapy. Like armadillo, badger digs deep; therefore, it is difficult to keep secrets around a badger.
This deck has been sitting in my closet for over a year, and your posts have made me want to pull it out and start working with it.
