I was so excited and grateful to work on this sacred tattoo design in between my journeys to Bimini and Alaska. I finished it right before leaving on my current vacation actually – a great send off!

I always marvel at the timing of designs and how they are always infused by all that is going on individually with my clients, me personally, and the collective energy at large.

This design also spoke loudly to a personal Mandala wanting to channel through, although this one will be worn over my beautiful client’s Heart Chakra on her back.

I find myself continuing to stare at it and being drawn in deeper with its layered motion. It feels so alive and fluid with movement and really powerful, yet in a divine feminine way. And it’s no wonder, as my client so beautifully walks in this energy.

I keep seeing more in it as I look at it and I’m sure many of you will too.

This wove itself into a Divine Mother and Creator Mandala, but rich with layers of symbolism and a little Celtic flair.

Here’s a little bit about what is in the design:

I wanted it to have an organic and vibrantly alive feeling, even though sacred geometry speaks through as well with the Mandala, as if it is fluid, moving, emanating, creating and weaving itself – soft and feminine, yet strong and powerful.

At center is the Triskelion. It felt important and so beautifully created the focal center, anchoring point to the design flow.

I love the multi-layered symbolism in this symbol, which provides depth to the design, but ultimately reflecting the depth of my client.

Its symbolism includes: action, cycles, progress, revolution, moving forward, spirit – mind – body, mother – father – child,  father – son – holy ghost, past – present – future, power – intellect – love, creator – destroyer – sustainer, creation – preservation – destruction, the otherworld – the mortal world – the celestial world, the trinity,  mystery, feminine, intuition, subtleness, subconscious, spirituality, illumination, hidden desire, personal growth, human development, and spiritual expansion.

During the process I kept getting a lot around the number three and that Trinity energy for her, which you also see in the Triple Motherhood Knot that were woven in, in three areas. These are the three heart entwined symbols bottom, left and right. It’s stylized to symbolize a parent and child embracing to convey the enduring bond between them. This symbol looks like 2 hearts created out of knots – one lower than the other but intertwined eternally. And my client truly is the epitome of that loving mothering energy that is not only so important to her, but truly is her strength and gift to share in service, in and out of the home.

The number three also speaks of the Triple Goddess and Maiden, Mother, Crone energy. This felt significant and honoring, not just for aspects of her and the cycles in her life that they represent, but also represent her and the two women dear in her life that have recently transitioned – her great aunt and grandmother.

Three also from Tarot, is the Empress card, which really spoke to me for my client with her symbolism of the archetype of feminine power, mother, healing, water energy, creation, creativity, abundance, fruitfulness, fertility, intuition, emotions, passions, prosperity, productive action, nurturing, love, harmony, union, sensuality, continual growth, all things beautiful and lush, and Mother Earth.

Then the number six also came through, which you see in the white parts of the design.

But first let’s back up. There is an organic lotus underneath the layered design, that peaks through the other parts. And layered over it is a stylized Tree of Life that reaches above and below in mirror with its limbs and branches, as well as extend out and around to create a six petaled temple-like design that draws the limbs together at the top of each sacred temple.

The number six is also significant and felt meaningful for her. It represents harmony, balance, soulful integration, perfect union, communication, sincerity, love, truth, enlightenment, naturally revealing solutions for us in a calm, unfolding manner, delicate diplomacy in sensitive matters, reliability, lighting our path in areas we require spiritual and mental balance, and encourages compassion and forgiveness. It is connected with the very powerful Hexagon and Merkaba.

There is then an interlaced eight pointed Octagonal flower that weaves through the petals of the lotus and the limbs/temples of the tree. The symbolism of eight has to do with continuation, repetition, cycles, inner strength, patience, wisdom, gentle power, faith in your abilities, courage, protection, energy, vitality, good health, healing, empowerment, endurance, success, manifestation, prosperity, balances material and spiritual worlds. Octagons symbolize regeneration, totality, infinity, rebirth, transition, and are considered good luck for the Chinese. It represents a Bagua, which is a Feng Shui tool for flow of Chi, but also represents the constantly changing forces and natural phenomena of the Universe as described in the I-Ching.

I then carried through more spirals to frame each of the six points and tie in with the Triskelion at center, but also to move the energy in all directions and keep it fluid, while also balancing masculine points with feminine curves.

The Lotus itself is a powerful and ancient image symbolizes harmony, spiritual illumination and unlimited potential. The lotus is a type of water lily which rises from the sludge of muddy waters and opens into a beautiful flower. It is often used as a mandala, or circular symbol, but any way you use the Lotus in a spiritual practice, it will provide a resonant field that reinforces the concept of resurrection. Human mistakes and challenges are the fertilizer for brilliance and awakened creation as the Lotus shows us. Born in the murkiest of ponds, Lotus still emerges pure. Use the Lotus as a reminder that “this, too, shall pass.” Be assured that all fertilizer nurtures a beautiful new life. In the greater world, Lotus is a peaceful cosmic beacon for forgiveness, gratitude and compassion to prevail where the sludge of conflict has resided. Using this symbol on water invites a balance between humility and pride.

The Tree of Life captures the essence of Celtic belief in the interconnectedness of all things – earth and sky, plants, animals and all beings – in the cycle of life. This Tree of Life depicts a tree, leaves opening in the new Spiral cycles of life into eternal journeys that lead to abundant of heart expansion in the process. The trees roots grounding in the earth and the limbs reaching in different directions of where the path will lead on the continuous journey of enlightened awareness. These roots grounding you with the Earth and the relationships and aspects of life you hold dear, keeping you balanced, as well as nurtured in giving and receiving.

I curved some of the inner branches for a feminine flow, also to double as the center of the Lotus, and to create a hint of loose, open heart shapes – the source of love in giving and receiving.

There is an abstract suggestion of almost a Spider-like quality to these limbs, which I noticed after the design was done. I found this very interesting, as I began the channeling by asking my client’s Animal Spirit Guide – the Spider –  to help guide me in weaving this creation for her.

The Spider symbolizes strong feminine energy, creativity, life spirit, weaver of destiny, patience, receptivity, tuning into life’s ebbs and flows, integrating shadow self, spirit of creation, and in many traditions is the totem symbol of the Mother. For example, in Ancient Egypt the Spider represents the Goddess of the Divine Mother, Neith and in some Native American Indian tribes she is the symbol for the Creator of the World.

And so I see this as the “web of life” that my client is weaving from the source of her heart and soul. It feels that the Spider has guided this creation and that this is her Magickal Web Mandala of all things dear to my client, all things to support her, and all things that she will continue to weave, create, share, nurture, and contribute through the love of her heart.

If you would like to partner in co-creating your own sacred visionary piece of artwork or tattoo design to embody the empowerment you desire, you can contact me at tania@spiritualskin.com.

There is currently a waiting list, which I am moving through as quickly as I can.  I can only provide a guesstimate on timing. You can easily make your deposit at the link provided below to embark on this journey in partnership with me.

For more information about the process and pricing please visit: What is a Tattoo Design Consultation

Some people have preferred to read my book, Spiritual Skin ~ Sacred Tattoos: More than Skin Deep, especially if they are new to sacred tattoo designs, before embarking on this journey.

If you are drawn to learn more about sacred tattoos you can order a copy of the book here: Spiritual Skin

It is also available in Kindle format here: Spiritual Skin

You can also order your personal copy here: Signed and Inscribed Copy of Spiritual Skin