Blog Archives
An Inside Look At One Soul’s Sacred Tattoo Experience – Mari’s Journey with “Spiritual Skin”
So, you’ve heard a lot from me about my own tattoos and my insights on the sacred designs I am blessed to be able to partner in co-creating, but other than some of the testimonials you can find at my website, we have yet to hear a personal story shared from the other side of this collaborative process.
Today, will fill that missing link, as I bring to you one of my beautiful clients – turned dear friend – who truly embodies her own unique expression of sacred body art. I love that designing these sacred pieces brings me into collaboration with souls across the globe, from every walk of life and age, and allows me to be a vehicle of support, as I am humbled to work so intimately with each soul.
I have made many life-long friends and reconnected with soul family because of this work and I am grateful to witness the blossoming and shifts that each individual journeys, as they so graciously invite me to walk along with them for a brief, but powerful part of that path.
Today, I am excited and honored to share with you one of my dear clients and friends, Mari Braveheart-Dances. She and I, along with her gifted tattoo artist, Bethrah Szumski, have created already 4 sacred tattoo designs and are in process of 3 more. She is an incredibly courageous woman – just as her name reflects – who dances with symbolism and understands this process in reflective resonance to my own journey.
Mari’s experiences have created huge shifts in her life, that I’ve been grateful to be a part of, hear about, and witness. She has recently made a huge transition, during the time we have known each other, which has her courageously following her dream to empower and support herself. This has involved a physical move and soon to find her transitioning across the states to a special area in California so that she can pursue her intents and gifts. I’m so excited for her.
If you’ve seen my own sacred body art, you can see how she and I are walking expressions of our unique souls made visible through our skin, as you explore her photos shared here. It’s definitely not the path for everyone, but for many it is one tool and way that we have chosen to embody our self-expression and create integrative healing portals via the vehicle of our bodies as artistic and cosmic temples. Some people may never be drawn to tattoos, some may wear one, and others may find that several speak their individual language wanting expression.
Then there are people who will be triggered by the sight of tattoos, which will bring up their own individual processes to explore (or not), as well as people who are daily experiencing their own shifts in judgments, perspectives, and ideas surrounding tattoos.
You may find these two articles to be of interest if you are considering this path:
The Essence of You – Do Tattoos Support Or Hinder Your Personal Expression?
Sacred Tattoos – Personal Portals To Genetic Rewiring
The most recent piece Mari and I worked together on was her Shaman’s Necklace, which was the first piece I had created as a neck and chest ornamentation. It was quite the undertaking on many levels, but I have to say, when I saw it completed, I was incredibly moved by the way it not only had come to life, but how Mari radiated in wearing this like the true Goddess that she is.
I’ve shared photos of Mari, her sacred tattoos, and the designs we have worked together on, throughout this article, to explore as you read her personal thoughts on the process we have embarked on. I look forward to the continued journey with her and hope that you find her experiences to be insightful and inspiring.
Here’s Mari Braveheart-Dances as she shares from her heart about her “Spiritual Skin“
Mari’s Thoughts on sacred tattoo designs:
My Tattoos are my Intentions. They are my heart and my soul. You put an energy into your body, your mind, your being, your skin – and you are changed. But the change for a truly energetic/spiritual experience of course comes from within yourself first.
Putting permanent ink on your body is a huge decision. It is not simply ink on skin. As a creator, you have the creative license to adorn your naked body if you wish to. This is no cause for shame. This is something to be proud of. When you take it to the level of interconnecting your inner world and intentions or whatever way you view it, with the outer world: energetic as well as physical – you engage a level of existence for yourself that heretofore was unheard of.
Make no mistake about it. Inking oneself is huge. In a perfect world, it would not ever be taken lightly. It’s serious business, at least in my opinion. I care about body, and I care about my being myself. I love the absolute beauty and creative genius that goes into my Spiritual Skin! Why is it huge?
Because Spiritual Skin shifts things. Tania can explain all that, but I am simple about it. My world has shifted as if the tectonic plates had mis-aligned in the past some-odd years. My Spiritual Skin journey has been a part of my waking up from a bad dream, and coming closer and closer to the light I wanted in my life.
My Tattoos are Incredibly Beautiful. To see them is to know beauty and symmetry, true love, anam cara, transformation, warrior-ness, phoenix, Powerful Woman, Wolf, Raven, and The Sea, among others. All this is beautiful. It is a small part of me, Mari Braveheart-Dances. I am grateful to my co-creatrixes: Tania Marie who designed most of my tattoos through a beautiful process of weaving our energies back and forth in an infinity pattern of connection. She is not only an artist in the physical realm of being, but also and equally importantly in the spiritual/energetic realms — and Bethrah Szumski (Bethrah doesn’t have a tattoo website, as she no longer tattoos except for long-held clients) who as an artist transferred Tania’s designs onto my skin. With a true tattoo artist – one who inks you – I insist on them being both artist and tattoo artist. Bethrah is both. She made everything flourish together in one living, breathing, intentional work of art. Not only that, but Bethrah added the beauty and meaning that tied it all together. All three of us are certainly co-creatrixes of my beautiful Spiritual Skin!
Since Tattoos are much more than ink on skin, hence the experience “Spiritual or Sacred Skin,” you have to expect your life to change. If you do tattoos like I do them, as intentions, your life will change. You must trust the universe to bless you with the beauty of your intentions. Also understand that you will have to hold on to your seat, as it may be a bumpy ride in terms of adjustment. If your family is as conservative as mine, you may not fare so well. I would say to be aware, always, of energy from yourself and others. Tattoos call people’s energy. They call your energy. They are, in my opinion, a bid for power. I speak of Spiritual Skin.
It’s very important to believe in yourself, and to feel proud of your work. Tattoos are, to me, a work of art and art being life itself – equivalent to life. Tattoos = Art = Life!
And there you have it – a fragment of this wonderful and wondrous, and very beautiful – energetic and spiritual and physical journey of Spiritual Skin.
~ Peace and Love, Mari Braveheart-Dances ~
Mari’s personal process with the inking and her thoughts on how to approach and understand the unique journey that will be your own, relative to you and the energy you are integrating:
It was a shock to me to experience being tattooed for the first time. I was not prepared at all for the pain. But as I have had many tattooes, I’ve learned that my own state of mind is the most important factor in the experience. I think, too, that it is essential to have an excellent relationship with your tattoo artist as this encourages the healing process as well. It’s helpful to me, in fact essential, to focus on very deep breathing both before, and during the inking process. Also, I personally don’t schedule too much around a tattoo session, as I find that it takes away from the relaxation I need in the healing process.
I always go into a session with the knowing that I will heal perfectly, and I am vigilant about aftercare. My tattoo artist at first refused to do my hands, for various reasons – not the least of which is that hands are known to heal poorly. But I “knew” that this would not be the case for me. It was painful, of course, but not unbearable – it actually went incredibly well, and I have a pretty big tattoo on one hand. Healing was unbelievably perfect. I don’t think I’ve ever had such excellent healing as my hand tattoos!
For my large chest piece, which was done over about five or six sessions, I experienced the greatest learning curve being inked. The chest is a pretty difficult place to be tattooed, and on the third time I was the most peaceful I’ve ever been on a tattoo. It was the only time I experienced some ability to step outside the pain and find my way to experiencing it as less-pain, and I was able to continue longer than both my tattoo artist and I expected me to.
The last section of this chest piece, which is actually a sort of “necklace” that goes from one side of my neck, across my chest, and to the other side of my neck, was unexpectedly the most difficult tattoo experience I’ve ever had. I realized that it had much to do with the energetic intensity of this particular part of my tattoo – and for the first time I experienced severe bruising. I’d had the same sort of work done on the other side of my neck, and that was not the case there. In other words, often the experience of being tattooed is related to the type of animal or symbolic design that is being inked. As I looked in the mirror at my neck, I saw that Raven stood in the shadow of “the great bruise,” and I understood on an energetic and personal level why that had to be.
There is almost always some sort of “opening” into new experiences as I’m being inked, but I find that the main opening takes place over time, as I become more and more open to the shifting taking place within me, and in my life, as a result of living with my Spiritual Skin.
Mari on her experiences with me and what it has meant to her to work with the process of tattoos as “Spiritual Skin”:
To me, getting tattoos has always been about the spiritual meaning of them. I would get to a point in my life when I would want to have a design that would signify an important accomplishment or change in my life.
I have searched through many different means, ways to transform my life. I have never experienced anything as powerful and life-altering in a positive way as the experience of tattoos as Sacred and Spiritual.
I began to try to find out if anyone else had these same experiences, if anyone else cared about the Sacred and Spiritual Energetic shifts that can occur with Tattoos. In my searching, I found Tania Marie who wrote a beautiful book called Spiritual Skin – Sacred Tattoos More Than Skin Deep. I was drawn to her book by the title, and it enhanced my experience even more.
Eventually, I was compelled to email Tania and discuss the possibility of having her work with me to design some Sacred Tattoos for me.
It is almost impossible to put into words what this experience has meant and continues to mean to me in my personal life. The process of co-creating with Tania, Sacred Skin that is meaningful and life-changing, is so much more than just designing a beautiful tattoo. So much more than mere ink on skin. Any good artist can create a beautiful design. But I know of no one who does the kind of work that Tania does.
Working with Tania is like working with someone on a different plane – someone who takes what you say about who you are, and listens to the energy behind your words. Tania has the beautiful ability and gift of being able to read a client’s energy and also to read the energy that is coming through from the universe that is most needed for the journey of wholeness to be made complete in the sacred tattoo design.
My heart and soul trusts this woman with complete openness and faith in her incredible ability to truly listen. This is a rare, rare gift, and it shows in the designs she creates for me.
My life has changed, and continues to change, in miraculous ways due to the Spiritual Skin designed by Tania Marie especially for me. These Sacred Designs are so much more than beautiful ink on skin – they truly are portals to different depths of experience of the fullness and wholeness of life.
I am blessed and honored beyond measure to be a part of such a Sacred and Transformative Process – working with this beautiful human being to bring in the healing designs that are what I need at that time.
May you be blessed with your choice to work with this truly gifted and spiritual woman. You will never regret one second of this choice.
_________________________________________________________________________________
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.
You can easily make your deposit at the link provided to embark on this journey in partnership with me. There is currently a waiting list, so deposits are needed to hold your place, since the designs are created on a first come, first served basis.
For more information about the process and pricing please visit: What is a Tattoo Design Consultation
To enjoy a visual journey of some of the sacred tattoo designs I’ve had the honor and privilege of co-creating, please visit: Spiritual Skin for my YouTube video. You can also explore some of the tattoo designs I have helped create, along with completed images as “Spiritual Skin” here: Tattoo Design Gallery
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
Galactic Butterfly Activation – New Sacred Tattoo Design
Another amazing journey into the realm of sacred tattoos comes to closure. I have a special affinity to this one, as it shares a symbol I wear on my own “Spiritual Skin” – Hunab Ku, otherwise known as the Galactic Butterfly.
And so it is, that I was honored to bring to life the Galactic Butterfly’s Realm in my own interpretation for a sacred tattoo. I got to play with this in my painting, “Spirit” – part of my “In Lak’ech” series, but was excited with the creative challenge to focus on an alchemical infusion for sacred body art.
I even have a sore thumb where it connects to my hand and into my forearm, from focused work on this piece. Another reason I spread my work out, as it is important to keep my “tools” – hands in tact for all of the healing arts work that they do. Yes, even artists and healers have work challenges they need to be mindful of and keep in balance, otherwise we can’t work! And that includes our ability to take care of our needs first, so we have more to give – something important for everyone.
But back to this sacred body art, I was just so excited by what channeled through and its timing of completion comes right before I go in tomorrow for my own sacred piece and celebratory closure of my tattoo journey. Love that this is the piece sending me off! Hunab Ku – One Giver of Movement and Measure. My very first two tattoos were a butterfly and this symbol. 😉
This piece is a counterpart to another sacred piece I had already co-created with my client (pictured left). This one will continue moving the energy up and through her Chakras and into the wholeness of that completion, illumination, activation, channeling the Divine Feminine, bringing harmonic balance, and anchoring authentic truth, power, and freedom that was intended.
It is intended to sit at the upper back and will start from the bottom of the neck/throat Chakra (the tip just reaching up over the back of the collar bone) and then flowing down and coming to sit somewhere mid-back. The design will flow over the Throat, Higher Heart, and Heart Chakras, and draw energy into the Solar Plexus, where the other design is also drawing up into. It is quite large at about 14 inches long from top to bottom and at the widest area at the bottom where the Lotuses are, it’s about 13 inches wide.
The elements that came through include, as shared, the Mayan Hunab Ku at the top – the Galactic Butterfly, which I channeled into my own interpretation of its magnificent Cosmic essence – creating an organic petal or flame like opening at top of its wings. Could be both Sun and Moon energy in the top portion of design as well.
Then three, 7 pointed Star Lotuses as that Trinity energy, as well as an interpretive 7 pointed Faery Star – also known as the Pleiadian Star and gateway to the Otherworld. They are guarded by two graceful butterflies that come from the realm of the Galactic Butterfly and signify also transformation, celebration, transition, lightness, soul, time, grace, elegance, freedom, joy and bliss, miracles, flexibility, cycles of life, creativity, gentleness, preciousness of life, as well as the medicine the ability and clarity of mind needed before self-transformation.
The energy from the Star Lotuses flows down into organic Lotuses of the Earth – bridging Cosmos and Earth. And these Lotuses are surrounded by water for that flow with the sea of life and ability to change with grace.
Down the center, the Galactic Butterfly’s bottom winged energies flow into an Infinity energy (mirroring my client’s other piece and keeps the energy moving up and down) through the third Star Lotus that then turns into the water below. I worked in some similar flows from the other piece, so they work in balance and some of this design will likely be stippled like the other in some of the areas, which will tie it in and look ethereal and lovely.
Under the center Star Lotus, is my interpretation of a cosmic Bee or Queen Bee, if you will, that came through.
Bee symbolizes understanding female warrior energy, connection to the Goddess Diana, reincarnation, the power of community and harmony, importance of our place in the collective, productivity, service for a greater good, concentration, prosperity, fertility, and sexuality. The Bee is also a symbol for accomplishing the impossible and anything you put your mind to, as aerodynamically its body is too large for its wings and should not be able to fly.
The Bee reminds you to extract the honey of life (that empowerment of fun, joy, opening your heart to the epitome of love and life and to life fully and uninhibitedly). The Bee also makes our lives fertile with ideas, creativity, and productivity with the promise of fulfillment if we pursue our dreams. Its honeycomb, a hexagon, is the symbol of the heart and represents the sweetness of life found within your own heart and is also the symbol of the sun and its energies. The Bee reminds you to savor the honey of life, do all you can do to make your life fertile and examine your life to make it more efficient and supportive.
The Bee also is a strong symbolism of the circle of life and balance that they create, as such an important part of our ecosystem. Bees are also considered messengers of the Gods and are associated with the Sun and the Goddess according to Druid beliefs. In Hinduism the Bee relates to Vishnu, Krishna, or Kama. In Egypt, the Bee symbolized royalty. In Greece, it was the symbol of the Eleusinian Mysteries and the Celts associated the Bee with hidden wisdom.
I am always in awe of what channels through and this, to me, is simply alchemical magick.
Don’t forget February’s Offering of the Month, which is a Sacred Tattoo Special:
You have the opportunity to receive a FREE signed and inscribed copy of my book, “Spiritual Skin”, along with a FREE Reiki Healing Attunement for activation of your intentions that the tattoo will help you to embody, when you commission a sacred tattoo design this month. An $85 value.
Plus one person this month will receive 1 hour of sacred design work FREE (a $175 value) by sharing with me what sacred tattooing means to you and how you feel that your design will be supportive for you. I will pick one person from the entries, which can only be sent in until February 14th – that’s only 4 days away. I will then read through what is submitted and choose one person based on the content you share – not compared to anyone else, but in terms of reflection and depth expressed.
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. You can easily make your deposit at the link provided 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
To enjoy a visual journey of some of the sacred tattoo designs I’ve had the honor and privilege of co-creating, please visit: Spiritual Skin for my YouTube video.
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
Tania’s Offering of the Month – February Sacred Tattoo Special 2014: FREE Book, Reiki, & 1 Hour of Design Work
Nestor on her 4th Birthday regally wearing her New Year’s crown
We just celebrated a New Moon in Aquarius and a Chinese New Year of the Horse, back-to-back! Wow! And now, here we are on the first of February already in this amazing year of 2014.
February is a full month for me, as not only is it my brother’s and grandpa’s birthday month, but it is also my own and several dearly departed souls’ birthdays that I honor. It also marks my first “much needed” vacation of the year up north a bit to Mammoth and the Bay Area.
For many, this is the “Love” month, with Valentine’s Day just around the corner, and several National and State Holidays and Observances (a couple of which are this weekend) including President’s Day in honor of Washington’s Birthday, Lincoln’s and Susan B. Anthony’s Birthday’s, and Rosa Parks Day, National Freedom Day (today), and Groundhog Day (tomorrow). And of course this weekend there’s also Imbolc – marking the Celtic beginning of Spring, also known as St. Brigid’s Day.
Nestor is quite comfortable in her Queenly state 😉
Quite a lot of symbolism as we embark on this first month of the Year of the Horse.
One particularly important day to me, is today, which honors my dear Nestor who is no longer physically with me. Today would have been her 11th Birthday and so I also mark this day in heart with some extra special love and honor.
And how powerful to share this with National Freedom Day today, which honors President Lincoln’s signing the Amendment outlawing slavery on February 1st, 1865.
Nestor was such a huge symbol of freedom and independence. Even the way she departed was like an embodiment of all extremes that convey the meaning of what that freedom is worth.
As you know, each month I am offering an extra goody that has significance to the energetic landscape we are experiencing, and just might be exactly what you are looking for, since they come as inspirational nudges from the collective.
This month’s special is in honor of Nestor and that freedom energy, which the free-spirited Horse also is presenting to us. I know many of you are either in process of taking steps toward, or wanting to be more, courageous and honor what that means for you and how your authentic truth and self-expression wants to come through.
I mentioned a lot of the things February is packed with, and one more thing, for me personally, is that in 10 days (on the 11th) I will be getting another of my own sacred tattoos inked – which feels to be balancing closure to quite a journey, and simultaneously the beginning of quite a journey to come!
So celebration is at hand, as I finalize my own sacred skin. Wow! What an adventure it has been and continues unfolding.
Nestor has been such a huge part of my sacred tattoo experience and I wear many tattoos in honor of her and our connection/shared soul missions. This last tattoo I’ll be getting will not only create a powerful cosmic portal of supportive energy and activation for what’s next, but will also be deeply connected to/honoring of her, as well as the two other rabbit souls I’ve had in my life – Joy and Twinkie.
I had no intention to get another, but I don’t ignore when I receive strong and clear nudges, especially when it’s the last thing on my mind. I even had a dream in the last week that was preparing my right arm, where it will go, which was extremely powerful. It was a vividly felt/seen dream that opened my arm and I was gifted an inserted implant right under where the tattoo will be graced. I could feel it strongly even after awaking.
But to get back to this month’s offering – the focus is on sacred tattoos – one of my loves and passions I thoroughly enjoy sharing and supporting others with. Since a lot of the energy right now is truly about liberating yourself into freely and authentically expressing your truth and joy, and letting it shine, for me one of the ways I have found to be part of that empowering freedom and integrative healing journey has been through sacred tattoos.
My clients have all shared the same experience and in the words of Dave Simon, my partner, attorney, and author of Meatonomics about his first sacred tattoo, “I am a corporate lawyer myself, so it took a while for me to come around. But it’s incredibly liberating to do something which allows you to say, ‘I’m no longer subject to society’s petty rules and strictures.’ ” He shared that he felt liberated the first day he was inked, in a way words can’t describe, and that this feeling has continued to unfold for him.
That’s a really interesting statement coming from an attorney. 🙂
So, for the month of February I am offering a FREE signed and inscribed copy of my book, “Spiritual Skin”, to anyone who is also drawn to the path of sacred tattoos and commissions a design during this month, to co-creatively work on with me – a $30 value, which includes shipping within the U.S.
Alongside this, you will also receive a FREE Reiki Healing Attunement for activation of your intentions that the tattoo will help you to embody into this New Year and beyond – a $55 value.
That’s $85 worth of FREE gifts as you journey into a more empowered experience of you.
Tattoos aren’t for everyone, but more and more people of ALL ages (you’d be surprised at the clients I have the honor of working with in terms of occupations and ages) are finding this to be one way and tool that feels mirroring of their chosen path they are embarking on.
I currently have a short waiting list, but the way to take advantage of this opportunity is with a first hour’s deposit and this will lock in the FREE gifts, even if your design isn’t created until after this month. But you will be able to save your place and open the door to the process with me, which I and my client’s have found to begin setting the energy in motion, by opening the channels and consultation sharing that precedes the actual design manifestation.
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.
You can easily make your deposit at the link provided below, to embark on this journey in partnership with me.
To make your deposit, as well as explore more information about the process, please visit: What is a Tattoo Design Consultation
Please mention this offer when you do.
This offer will be good from now through February 28th, 2014.
But that’s not all!
One person this month will receive 1 hour of sacred design work FREE. (a $175 value)
How?
By sharing with me what sacred tattooing means to you and how you feel that your design will be supportive for you.
You can do this by emailing me your written share to tania@spiritualskin.com.
I will be picking one person from the entries to receive the 1 FREE hour.
Entries can be sent in until February 14th (that’s midway through February) and I will then read through all of them and choose one person based on the content you share – not compared to anyone else, but in terms of reflection and depth expressed.
I will announce the recipient within the week following the 14th, after I’ve thoroughly gone through the entries.
This is a celebratory month for so many things and so this definitely feels fitting that sacred tattoos will be a focal point – something very sacred and meaningful to me and that has so much symbolism embodied. You will discover this in my book, if you haven’t read it already.
I’m excited to share this sacred tattoo journey with you this month, as I complete my own journey and will share more on that when it manifests.
Tattoos have a power and magic all their own. They decorate the body but they also enhance the soul. ~Michelle Delio
Symbols work in the most amazing way. They are like codes to speak directly with the divine mind. ~Christopher Penczak
Tattoos fulfill a need to inscribe the self as an individual. ~Margo Demello
Thinking of a unique Valentine’s Day gift?
A tattoo gift certificate makes a great gift that will last a lifetime for that special person in your life.
Lady of Grace, Compassion & Expansive Renewal – Sacred Tattoo Design Blossoms Into Creation
I’ve had such a beautiful journey with this latest sacred tattoo design. I can’t express the beautiful flow that was experienced, but perhaps you will feel it and more by sitting with the reflection of its energy.
Once again, the timing was so divine with this piece in so many ways and beautifully came to closure the even before I was teaching a Reiki 1 & 2 Accelerated Workshop this past Friday. Each design is always infused with Reiki, but this one was definitely part of the initiating energy, which is perfect for the celebration of renewal and expansion it reflects for my beautiful client.
As I expressed to her, I truly felt it to be a dance of energy that felt liberating and expansive with so much potential. And since the designs are a shared experience, it was a really special journey for me to receive these blessings as well. With each of these, I feel that I too get to share in the shifts and blossoming that are taking place so it is like the blessing of Reiki, where each person gets to give and receive within the exchange shared.
Here are some of the expressions I shared with my client on what evolved through her design:
The design (which will grace her back, extending from upper left and flowing down and touching her right lower back and hip/waist) is a blend of organic with stylized/henna woven in. I felt that something both ethereal and extremely graceful and flowing – almost like a feather (which is sort of how I see the bigger picture of this design – not just having feathers in it, but like one giant feather that has come to tenderly kiss the skin of my client’s back, as it floats there. The organic comes in mixing some aspects of realism with the woman’s face and hand holding out the lotus, as well as the head of the peacock and a few of its feathers that are emerging from the ethereal quality of the others. So it’s almost like that bridge between Earth and Cosmos and that integration of divinity embodied within the human body temple.
I created sort of a Mandala design around the woman’s head and peacock’s head of stylized lotus and feathery aspects (doubling also as her hair cascading and crowning her with feathers and lotus), which also create that expansion of consciousness and emanation of the Crown Chakra energy blossoming. And the woman and peacock are resting into, and cradling each other in beautiful union – both looking up with confidence, clarity of vision, and serenity of being.
The woman is my client and an aspect of her in her wholeness she is stepping into, which is evident in the design cocooning around her, but simultaneously blossoming around, as she emerges from this dance of life, newness, opening, and partnering with the parts of self within – represented in the design, including the peacock.
After creating the design, I saw this aspect of the woman to be like that of Kuan Yin – Goddess of healing and compassion- and how she is often depicted with/as peacock.
I didn’t actually set out with Kuan Yin in mind at all. The woman that came through I saw as an aspect of my client/and her soul/higher self in wholeness – the Goddess within. Perhaps I was seeing her in another life, but when I placed the image next to a photo my client had sent me of herself, there was indeed a soul essence signature resemblance that was remarkably there in what had channeled through. It was later, as always I find these surprises, and that I realized the connection of Kuan Yin and the peacock, not to mention qualities and aspects that my client was personally intending to create. So that is how these images are so multi-layered and at each turn there is something new and different to discover depending on the energetic perspective of the moment.
The peacock represents a symbol of integrity, the beauty we can achieve through showing our authentic, true colors, guidance, protection, holiness, nobility, vibrancy, helps you on your spiritual path, breathes new life into your experience, rejuvenates self-esteem, expands your creativity and imagination, and speaks to your courage to show up as your unique self. It also symbolizes glory, vision, watchfulness, royalty, spirituality, awakening, immortality, refinement, beauty, desire, enjoying life, generosity, longevity, compassion, sensuality, immortality, and expansiveness. In Buddhism the peacock symbolizes expansive consciousness and is representative of the all-compassionate goddess Kuan Yin. The eyes of the peacock feathers symbolizing the omniscient essence of the soul that is all-seeing and all-knowing. As a royal status, peacocks represent the realm of the Empress and High Priestess. Being a solar animal peacocks express the essence of vitality, radiance, glory, stimulation, life, health, and invigoration.
I had this vision of the twin soul aspect within, merging into wholeness and that is this beautiful love affair depicted between the woman and peacock and how they merge into, and from, One.
Within the feathery design of the peacock’s brilliance there are spirals of life, lotus stars, and some stylized waves to symbolize water cascading down from the combined Moon and lotus symbol at left. The lotus I found, after I created it with the Moon there, to double as the Sun (like a lotus Sun star), which then again is integrating those aspects of duality as One.
There are many layers to the design (along with symbolic meanings), which are the many layers and roads of the journey and the complexity of what makes each person unique. Rather than have everything very solid, I created “space” between a lot of the design to allow for movement, flow, flexibility, change, and lightness (also that time between time and void space of creation) – this all creating more femininity and an ethereal quality to it, while also having those touches of the actualized portions peeking through (like the realistic peacock feathers, her face and hand, and peacock head) for grounding and manifesting stability.
It is a blend of being able to use alchemy to walk between worlds and create anything the imagination desires.
The design has the essence of abundance as well…like a garden blossoming. And her hand coming through the ethereal feathers, again is like that birthing anew and bringing forth a new creation from the womb of her renewal, which is represented by the lotus blossom she gentle cradles and offers to the world, as if to say,
“Here is what I am and have to offer from my heart in service.”
There is also the symbolism of growth, shamanism/shapeshifting, abundance, courage, strength to shine and bring forth that vulnerability of heart from the depths, spiritual groundedness, willingness to always be open and to evolve, and a bit of the mystical and mystery that creation has in the way it can reinvent itself at will and doesn’t reveal everything at once, but rather is always in a “process”. This beautiful process is what is captured, demonstrating that each step of the journey is perfect and whole.
The image appears fluid and in constant motion, which is the dance of life – ever-shifting.
There is always so much more than I can express and some things that are personal to the client that I leave out, but my hope always is to capture an essence snapshot with the designs I create, that have the ability to shift experiences through their sacred symbolism and the portals they open.
I am so excited to hear that my client has already felt the activations ignite, upon her time spent with her design over the last couple of days, and I cannot wait to see it as part of her skin. I continue to excite with her at the beautiful journey she is creating and sharing.
I love what I do and and am grateful that I can be of service in this way by doing something that is so meaningful to me. I cherish my clients and the ability to share this gift.
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.
Remember that the new rate is in effect since 1/1/2014 and there is currently a waiting list. You can easily make your deposit at the link provided 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
To enjoy a visual journey of some of the sacred tattoo designs I’ve had the honor and privilege of co-creating, please visit: Spiritual Skin for my YouTube video.
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
Impetus for Conscious & Loving Co-Creation – The Alchemy of Visionary Artwork
I put closure to 2013 with this very potent visionary design I had the great honor to co-create in partnership with.
There is so much profoundness to the story of this particular piece, the depth of meaning on a collective level, the synchronous events that unfolded as a reflection of its manifestation, and the beautiful soul whose life’s work in this collective web it reflects.
I can’t ever share enough the immense gratitude and awe that I experience from this journey of life and the connections my life’s work gift me.
I continue to feel so much love, freeness, and excitement from the creation of this piece.
And it was quite a journey that could have its own story shared.
I felt the powerful weight that was the seed for igniting lightness through the process of its creation, much of which percolated in the ethers and then rapidly emerged in divine and auspicious timing.
I can’t go into the details, but perhaps you will simply feel the energy through this visionary design. It was actually not created to be a sacred tattoo, as I do also support people in creating sacred pieces of artwork to reflect and empower their journey, and act as a meditational portal to activate manifestation of the new.
Since these pieces, I feel, are not just personal, but also collective…I have witnessed that sharing the visual symbolism can support energetic shifts when viewed, just as much as they do the moment they come into tangible creation. Things shift in the collective field, in mirror to what is intentfully and whole-heartedly created.
These sacred, visionary designs open up conversations within self and with others, and emanate energy that is deeply experienced by whomever is viewing it. They support healing integration that takes place not always in conscious ways.
This design is a “coming together harvest, serving as a key to facilitate the manifestation of form” and “open pathways to connect with aligned souls”. It is meant as a gateway, or meditational portal, to access the needed pieces within, into an alchemical tool for emergence of enactment.
It is a voice…a conversation of co-creation. A simultaneous seeding and blossoming.
There are so many layers to this piece. The symbolism is all organically interwoven and is the impetus of creation in motion.
I always hesitate to share symbolism within the images, as it is all about personal perspective and what each person sees in their own unique way and in their own unique timing. And most of the time I am not actually consciously aware of what I am creating, but simply follow the energy guidance of where and what to do next. In this way, even I get to excite at the mystery that reveals itself and the magick that happens.
The one symbol I’ll share briefly on is the four circles energetically held in her hands. These circles cross each other and are part of the sacred geometry structure of the seed of life. The full seed of life is composed of seven circles, but the four circles are known also to be the impetus of creation from which the ocean, land, trees and plants were created. So it is like a birthing symbol for all new and implies that delicate balance needed between us and the Earth, which includes new ways of relating, co-creating, co-serving, and with the collective community in mind. Having this symbol between her hands is how she is weaving and working her alchemy and is symbolic of the future of Mother Earth and the destiny of humanity symbolically being in the hands of each of us and how we each weave our thread in that web.
A beautiful energy to ignite 2014 with.
Rather than explain all of the intricacy of this piece, I invite you to deeply explore the image and discover your own personal message revealed within the layers of symbolism and energetically encoded impressions.
What else do you find, see, and feel when you gaze upon the image? And how might it be the impetus for your own loving and creative alchemy?
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.
Remember that the new rate is in effect since 1/1/2014 and there is currently a waiting list. You can easily make your deposit at the link provided 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
To enjoy a visual journey of some of the sacred tattoo designs I’ve had the honor and privilege of co-creating, please visit: Spiritual Skin for my YouTube video.
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