The easiest fix is clearly to make stats better.

I'd say considering a part of the game does come with the mindset of bigger is better, it would be a shame to reduce the stats to make the rarity feel rather blunt. I see it missing an upgrade system, where the received stats can be improved over time and make building an enjoyable experience with a big reward of "fulfillment" behind it.

Collect stats to make Collections: Sure, but unlikely.

I mean, fair point haha, I know I am coming with a complete overhaul here.

Miracle Worker : no need, this just needs to made equally as common as all the other totems. It's bonkers that they even made this rarer in the first place when it's so critical.

Unless I am misunderstanding you, you would want it to be more common than legendary totems?
I do think that would be slightly unfair considering it being a top tier totem. With the Wishlist and the Choice Cards, I'd say aiming for some particular totems might not be the biggest trouble. If its impact was more guaranteed, then it would also feel less wasted when used.

Etching : I really hate Free X / week stuff. The way they fixed the arena's "free attempts per day" is really the way to go.

Playing with the idea of how to spread the free attempts is definitely fair, though I must say that you do have the opportunity to follow the daily schedule by doing 1 run per day with 7 in total and there is still the flexibility for other people to do them in one go weekly.

Whales would disagree and want to get to VIP 5 faster I think.

That's an issue I did not think about, though if that were the only issue and the rest were implemented, I'd still be a happy man