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Africa Under My Skin – An Epic Sacred Tattoo Design Journey
I just completed a very unique sacred tattoo design that not only reflected my client’s life, but took me along on his epic journey in heart and spirit. I’m filled with emotion right now as I write this, so this will likely be a short post on this very powerful piece.
It wasn’t until the design came to closure that I suddenly was hit with the energetic magnitude of it.
This happens often, as while I am in the midst of channeling, I am in that suspended place of receiving and bringing forth. It is at the end that all that came through and manifested, suddenly integrates into experience. And when I step back to take it in, all of the encoded layers really knock on my heart.
Interestingly, I received the request for this piece and read the story while I was in transit, traveling. Very apropos, as you’ll read why.
I also have found it very interesting that this is the fourth sacred tattoo design that is connected with Africa. I have recently helped co-create three designs for male clients who live in Africa, and one that has a very strong connection to Africa and had been traveling there while I was creating his design.
Again, I’m not sure what the full meaning of this is, but I’m honored to be part of these journeys and to be assisting energetically in supporting transformational shifts in that part of that world. I also understand there is meaning for my soul history in this region from things I know in my past, which is why I have felt called there at some point soon too.
Anyway, needless to say, this was a beautiful journey and here is a little about the symbolism.
I took in the energy of my client’s journey and incorporated the specifics he wanted in a way that would emulate the essence of his desires and more. St. Christopher was one of those elements, along with a map of Africa. In the process, I came to see how much St. Christopher is part of his life, and in many ways also symbolizes an aspect of my client. He has carried with him a medallion of St. Christopher since he was one year old, given to him from his grandfather.
A little about St. Christopher: He is the Patron Saint of travelers whose name means “Christ carrier.” St. Christopher is depicted as a tall, robust middle-aged bearded man carrying a staff and Christ child on his shoulders as he wades across a river. He devoted his life to carrying people across an impassable stream and one day a child appears who asks to be carried across too. Surprisingly, the child steadily increases in weight as Christopher carries him across until the point his tiny burden becomes almost too heavy to bear. He then asks the holy child why he weighs so much, to which the child replies that he carries the weight of the world’s sins upon his shoulders. As a reward for his service, Christopher’s staff is miraculously transformed into a living tree, and Christopher himself became the Patron Saint of travelers.
As mentioned, there were many layers to this design, including St. Christopher. The child carried also symbolizes my client’s son, along with aspects of himself…the child who was born in Africa, his inner child, and the child at heart that has returned to Africa – both integrating healing at this time. St. Christopher’s robe flows as the outline of Africa on the left, he looks up at the child, but also up and towards Africa. The child holds the Earth globe in his hands, as the future of the Earth is in the hands of our children, but also as they say, the child replies that he is so heavy to St. Christopher because he is carrying the world’s sins upon his shoulders. The fact that St. Christopher is standing in the water, to me not only depicts his carrying people across waters in travel safely, but also is symbolic of cleansing and renewal, which is what my client is experiencing on his journey and what he is assisting in support of Africa’s people. His journey of helping to link tiny villages and communities for assistance through the bridging of roads is supported and protected by St. Christopher.
Within the map of Africa I also faintly made it somewhat topographic, but also the shadings could be seen as roads, as well as veins and muscle. I wanted Africa to feel alive and pulsing, the way my client explained her to be. So the way I drew it was to emulate almost a heart and veins and blood. I wanted to depict it as he felt it to, beneath the skin, part of him, and emerging out of from under his skin – and also creating in effect, an ancientness of his Mother country.
As my client shared, he feels Africa to be “under my skin and her dirt runs through my veins.”
He also explained that they have a saying there that the reason the soil is so red in Africa is because of all of the blood that has been spilled on her. He shares, “I believe this could be true, but I also have never seen kindness anywhere in the world in all of the places I have traveled to, as the kindness you will find in Africa.”
The whole piece is very “epic” in nature – passing down a legendary story of his life and a piece of Africa’s essence, through his spiritual skin.
As the title of my book goes, “Spiritual Skin – Sacred Tattoos: More than Skin Deep.”
This tattoo really emulates the spirit of this meaning. I am beyond grateful to walk with each soul on their journeys. It is TRULY an honor.
In Lak’ech Ala K’in
If you would like to partner in co-creating your own sacred tattoo design to embody the empowerment you desire, you can contact me at tania@spiritualskin.com.
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 and PDF formats here: Spiritual Skin
Shape-Shifting Sacred Tattoo Design: A Shaman’s Magickal Journey of Emergence
Back in the sacred tattoo design energy flow again, with several powerful pieces emerging. So many of these latest designs are holding amazing shaman, animal medicine, and shape-shifting energy. I love it, love the energy of each of the soul’s they are channeling through, and I am loving how the visions manifest into being!
The shamanic energy really feels prevalent right now, as more and more people are revealing and honing in on these gifts in a focus of return to natural harmony with Mother Earth and the Cosmos as their powerfully integrated selves.
Today’s Spiritual Skin focus is just that – A Shaman’s Magickal Journeyof Emergence. I am officially claiming that I fall in love with each piece I have the honor and pleasure of working collaboratively on and with each I continually uncover the bountiful creative expressions of the collective heart.
This design integrates several powerful symbolisms that mirrored my client’s essence self along with her journey of deeper personal and collective opening in heart service and empowerment.
I always listen and allow myself to be guided to what best hones in on the particular energy in the now moment and that embodies most supportively what would be empowering for each client.
Many times I have much to draw upon and much that is shared beautifully in our interactive consulting dialogue, and so it is always important that I fine tune in to just which frequencies are sharing their music most prominently. Some times I receive images and symbols that are not shared and they become space holders for the new energy, are symbolic of parts of their essence they hadn’t been focused on, and/or end up revealing things my client had forgotten to share or had significance in ways at the time were part of their journey into discovery.
In the case of this one, there were stand-out images and symbolism that definitely came through and I loved how everything wove together like a fine and intricately beautiful web of expression.
Many times, like with this design, I receive images and visions before I hear specifics from my clients, or have read what they have shared. I love when they are reiterated literally or in energy through their expressions.
One of the images that hadn’t been revealed in consulting, but came into being with this piece was the swallowtail butterfly.
Aside from the swallowtail having the butterfly symbolism mentioned below they also are symbols of innovation, which in part came from studies on the reflection and scattering of light by the scales on their wings, which led to the innovation of more efficient light-emitting diodes – LED. Who knew?! They are also butterflies of fairly open country and wide ranges of migration – freedom adventurer travelers indeed. And, with at least 550 species, members of the family are found on all continents except Antarctica making them quite a collective and eclectic butterfly family. The family also includes the largest butterflies in the world, the Birdwing butterflies of Australia. Swallowtails are different in a number of anatomical traits from from all other butterflies, most notably, their caterpillars possess a unique organ behind their heads, called the osmeterium. Not only are they diverse, visionary, and adventurers, but they are highly unique beings with an extra bit of brain power! 🙂
Needless to say, butterfly medicine came through instead of some of the other literal image depictions that had been conveyed, in a burst of vision where a swallowtail unveiled its wings as the unfurling of my client’s “beingness.”
Butterflies are messengers of powerfully transformative healing and regenerative energy and symbolism to the indigenous peoples across time. They symbolize the precious miracle of life, hope, love, transmutation, magick, joy, reincarnation – to the Maya, butterflies are seen as ancestors returning for a visit to physicality and have a very earth and cosmic bridging connection (ex: the galactic butterfly symbol – Hunab Ku powerfully broadcasts your reaching to actively join the consciousness of our galaxy), resurrection, transition, communication, celebration, lightness, time, soul, unquestioning embrace, freedom, keeping the faith, grace…phew!…it felt to be speaking to another aspect of my client in this greater expansion sense with her shifting work, community sharing, spreading of her wings in deeper ways of service and heart-deepening, more and more.
I also love this sharing about Native American Butterfly Legends by Denise Handlon titled Butterflies – Symbols of Life and Hope:
“Some tribes in the Native American culture believe that butterflies can take one’s wishes up to the Great Spirit. Capture a butterfly, whisper your wish to it, and release it to the heavens. It is believed that all wishes will be granted in gratitude for the freedom of this delicate creature. Other Native American stories include the story of the ‘Children who refused to walk’. In order to get the babies to move from four legs to two a handful of pebbles were thrown into the air and as they scattered they changed into beautifully colored butterflies. The children were so delighted they jumped up and began to chase the butterflies.
Some people believe that the Fancy Shawl Dance, as exhibited in ceremonial Powwows, is believed to have been derived from the ‘butterfly dance’. It is the story of a young butterfly whose mate was killed in battle. After removing her beautiful wings she wrapped herself in a drab cocoon and isolated in her lodge. Family and friends stopped by to console her, but she was wrought with grief. Not wanting to be a burden to her tribe she took her wings and medicine bundle and journeyed far and wide.
As she travelled across field and streams, she stepped lightly on each stone, her eyes downcast. It was in this way that she spotted a beautiful stone and her grieving heart was healed. Filled with gratitude for a new life of joy and renewal, she shrugged off the cocoon unwrapped her wings and began to dance a joyful dance.
When she arrived back to her tribe she told her People of the journey she took and the healing stone she discovered. In celebration, the People danced to celebrate a new beginning. To this day, the butterfly dance is danced using brightly adorned shawls in The Fancy Shawl Dance.”
The butterfly that emerged in this particularl sacred tattoo design also portrays that integration and centeredness with having one foot in each world of physical and nonphysical and setting the heart a-flight with the way my client is bridging with her work and travels.
Depicted is a Native American Indian shaman/medicine woman shape-shifting collectively as all of what she embodies and portrays, but remaining individually unique simultaneously. I created her to look somewhat lion-like in facial featuring, as well as brought in some of the deer power animal essence through her facial energy, which had been another aspect of this client’s guides. She wears feathers, perhaps of the eagle or owl in her hair (again more of her guides), entwined twigs and leaves of Mother Earth, and her caped shawl with lion main emerging reminds me almost of the furry bear garments of the Native American Indians (bear and lion both also guides). But the stand-out was the lion and he emerges from her heart and throat chakras –his main and her hair and shawl all merging and integrating, his face doubling as the curvature of her neck and breast, and as the support system of the shoulder area and upper body standing in strength.
At the solar plexus a lotus essence almost like ethereal fire, emerges atop the butterfly with energy integrating into the lion’s mane, her hair and shawl. The swallowtail at the lower 2 chakra areas being released and freeing its creative abundance and joyful breadth of life-giving. Her hands are embracing of letting go within the power of knowing all is within to work alchemy as the magician, shaman and medicine woman that she is.
I see the depictions of all the elements here of earth, fire, air, water and spirit in symbolism.
This sacred tattoo was seen as energetically most supportive on the back – in that upper back area of the heart, higher heart chakra, just below the base of neck to really open and deepen those energies being shared in service and emanating at heart and soul.
I like to let the image reflect to each person what they receive from it, as there is so much more that unveils over time and to different eyes and open hearts than what I could possible share or see. I am in sort of channel trance of receiving when creating so I don’t always piece it all together until it actually manifests. I merely hold the essence and visions at heart until then. My service is to be a conduit for the image to come through and to integrate and weave it into its symbolic form as Spiritual Skin.
This piece of course is hugely rooted in shamanism, centeredness, balance, groundedness, empowerment, expansion, opening, releasing and honoring, as well as deepening emergence. Always so many layers that are much “more than skin deep” images.
If you would like to partner in co-creating your own sacred tattoo design to embody the empowerment you desire, you can contact me at tania@spiritualskin.com.
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 and PDF formats here: Spiritual Skin
Sacred Elephant Tattoo Design for the Heart Chakra
Sacred Elephant Tattoo Design for the Heart Chakra – Click on photo to enlarge
I’ve been so excited to see many of my clients having their sacred tattoo designs brought to life in the flesh this year. 2013 really seems to be an empowering opening for everyone and these Spiritual Skin symbolisms are helping the new energies to take form. I’ve enjoyed the images sent in, and shared, of finalized tattoos and tattoos in the process from my clients. It’s also been an honor to also see some of them in person.
The journey is always an individual one and based on a combination of divine and personal timing coming together synchronously. For this reason, some of the designs I helped co-create last year, are now just manifesting physically, but I’m also seeing the speeding up process, as my newest clients have all been immediately turning around their designs in ink!
This weekend I finalized the last of three sacred tattoo designs for 3 male clients I was working on this week. They have all been so powerful and really took me through quite a journey with each.
This last one is a beautiful marking point to end this energetic grouping with. It is the co-creation of the design work I donated towards a vegan-themed tattoo to the silent auction at Farm Sanctuary’s Animal Acres in Acton, CA, which helped raise funds to continue the dedicated work Farm Sanctuary does in rescue, education and advocacy.
All three of these recent pieces were large, this one being the biggest so far at 10 inches wide by 14 inches tall in measurement. It’s intended to sit center of the chest with head at the Heart Chakra, ear to ear spanning from nipple to nipple, and then trunk tapering down to navel. Pretty powerful and offsets a sort of Yin/Yang energy to my client’s full back piece.
After much reflection on the energies and ideas presented, I felt very drawn to only focusing on the elephant that you see pictured here, as it has such a presence and strength to carry the energy of the symbolism, without a lot more. Integrating layers and aspects within the elephant, representative of a personal soul journey inwardly evolving into manifestation, rather than outside of the elephant, felt resonating. It also felt aligned to keep this design on the more organic and realism side, with some elements of magical and spiritual more subtle rather than poignant, as my client’s back piece was.
Less was more in this area of the Heart Chakra to come from a place of simplistic, yet powerful truth.
I focused on the elephant, a Swahili word, Furaha – which means joy, musical resonance (the Treble Clef), the Sun and Moon depictions, and a Gerber “Daisy” to symbolize homage for my client’s beloved animal companion that bears that name. These came through as the most important aspects to represent and convey.
The elephant depiction is an artistic representation of a beloved photograph by Nick Brandt, a favorite photographer of my client’s. The background, when inked, will reflect (as only a hint in the design template shows) will be like the background in the photo, keeping the elephant in a natural environment, and yet there is a sort of surreal aspect in the desolate plane and the clouds, with the elephant so regally and powerfully present. Darkening the shading near and around the elephant and then diminishing/softening, as it extends out so it is like something materializing, is my vision expressed for how this will come into being when inked.
I placed the Treble Clef in the trunk. You can see it, but it is also worked into the trunk to be a little hidden. I felt since the elephant’s trunk is the way it communicates through sound, this to be a mirroring place, plus the fact we often hear of the elephants “trumpeting” their sound, hence the music overlay.
In the elephant’s right ear (left when facing) I worked into the elephants folds of the ear, the Gerber Daisy in homage to the animal companion in my client’s life named Daisy. And in the elephant’s left ear (right when facing) at the bottom folds I worked in the Swahili word Furaha that was very important also this client. I wanted it not to stand out like a sore thumb, but to look like part of the design. The sun and the moon I placed at the Third Eye/Crown Chakra area of the elephant. The crescent moon supporting and cradling the sun image above and overlaying it (both worked into the folds of the skin a bit) with a infinite spiral center. This felt to be a way to bring integration into the enlightenment aspect (and the journey of ascending , evolution, and centered power) of the elephant and focused and emanating energy. I liked having the sun and moon together in a sort of Yin/Yang balancing way. It also felt to be creating a very intentful energy when you gaze upon the elephant that draws in and gives out from the center of “beingness”.
Close up of integrated symbols into the elephant – click on image to enlarge
A little more on the symbolism involved, as I love to share how very intricate things are, even in their seeming simplicity:
The daisy (a symbol of gentleness, innocence and sweetness of life) in the right ear lends its energy to that of the left brain (which is our more male/analytical/logical part of brain). So the daisy brings this softening to that aspect and lends an “ear” to listening compassionately to others. The word “Furaha” in the left ear, associated with the right brain of (female/intuitive/creative part of brain), brings the essence of joy to this process when we wisely let these aspects guide us in integrated balance with our wisdom. Here we listen to all aspects of life in presence, both within and without, giving and receiving joy in the process of embracing.
The Treble Clef trunk lends its energy to speaking, communicating, engaging, sharing, from the music of your heart and in harmony and synergy with your trueness, as well as to and with others. Understanding there is a subtle musical essence in how we speak and in everything we create and these tones are important in relaying the core essence and energy behind what is shared. So it helps to be mindful of integrating the feeling with the action and having them vibrate and harmonize as one. To speak from your truth and to share your individual song with the world.
The sun and moon help to keep that presence of mind and intention and to stay balanced, centered, integrated, mindful, and having that gentle strength that exudes from within.
Here is some information on Elephant symbolism for anyone interested:
Marveled by the Chinese, Indians and Africans as the most auspicious symbol from the animal kingdom embodying strength, dignity, virility, fertility, prudence, wisdom and intelligence, the elephant is worshipped and honored, sacred and loved. In Buddhism, the elephant is one of the eight precious holy animals and the India God Ganesha (remover of obstacles) is pictured as having the head of an elephant – signs of revered greatness.
In Feng Shui, the Elephant is considered a sacred symbol. Although it is often used to symbolize power, wisdom, strength and fertility, it can also be used to symbolize longevity and success. It can act as the grantor of wishes and as the protector of the household. For most feng shui applications, the elephants are usually depicted with the trunk up, as this symbolizes the showering of good luck, prosperity and victory.
Elephant Wisdom:
Strength
Royalty
Connection to ancient wisdom
Removal of obstacles and barriers
Confidence
Patience
Using education opportunities
There is always more than meets the eye in how I piece things together, than simply a drawing or putting things where ever they fit.
I’m excited to see this come into manifestation soon and excited that James Spooner, Los Angeles vegan tattoo artist, will again be co-collaborating on this one. Fun! James will, as he does beautifully, add his own artistic flair and tweaks to the piece and it becomes, as each sacred tattoo design does, collaborative effort of all three people together.
If you would like to partner in co-creating your own sacred tattoo design to embody the empowerment you desire, you can contact me at tania@spiritualskin.com.
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, 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 and PDF formats here: Spiritual Skin
Sacred Native American Indian Shamanic Tattoo Design
Sacred Native American Indian Shamanic Tattoo Design – click image to enlarge for detail
I just completed the second sacred tattoo design in a series of three separate pieces I’m co-creating with a few beautiful male clients. Wow! These guys are giving off the powerful energy! I’ve been in and out energetically the last several days, as I’ve been receiving and working with these energies that each has to share.
My client for this current piece I’m sharing messaged me today saying “I think you’ve been really busy because I can feel you around me.” 🙂
Little did he know today was the big day of revealing and I was finalizing his sacred tattoo design at that moment!
I love each piece I get the chance to work on, as they are all so reflective of the unique beauty of each person’s energy. And of course every time I create a new one it becomes my new favorite – let’s just say they all are, but for today, I am in love with this piece.
Perhaps it is my own connection with Native American Indian energy, Shamanism and Shapeshifting…or perhaps I just really enjoyed the manifestation of the story that unfolded.
Either way, this is a powerful and large piece (again a left, upper arm sleeve) that conveys my client’s resonance with his Shamanic soul connections.
It conveys Native American Indian medicine wisdom and powers specific to him and his guides.
You can click on the image to see more of the detail enlarged, as well as will get a hint of the 9 subtle stars I added around the main design. The intention is that the background be like the cosmos, with the stars peeking through the shaded areas by using negative space by shading around them. 9, for the completion of a cycle and for wholeness and the culmination of beginning anew.
This piece nearly brought me to tears when it fully manifested. I will let it speak for itself and hope you enjoy feeling the energy this beautiful soul has brought forth to integrate into his “Spiritual Skin.”
If you would like to partner in co-creating your own sacred tattoo design to embody the empowerment you desire, you can contact me at tania@spiritualskin.com.
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, 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 and PDF formats here: Spiritual Skin
Sacred Samurai & Dragon 3/4 Sleeve Tattoo Design
Sacred Samurai and Dragon 3/4 Sleeve Tattoo Design – click on photo to enlarge
I just completed the first of three sacred tattoo designs I am in process of co-creating. These three new creations have been percolating the last couple of weeks, since my return from Bimini, as I have learned not to rush the process and that the perfect moment will reveal itself as to when the design can be channeled in its fullness.
These new designs are all being created with amazing male clients and each of these pieces are quite involved, large, and uniquely span Japanese, Native American Indian/Shamanistic, and African origins of essence. They are exciting to me because they feel to be symbolic representations of how each of my clients are empowering their Divine Female and Male into integration at this juncture on their life journey – a beautiful manifestation of the new energy we are in.
Interestingly, 2 of the clients live in South Africa and one has been traveling in South Africa. So they definitely feel energetically connected, despite their individual uniqueness.
Who knows…it may also be another confirming sign that Africa will be the next upcoming personal sacred journey (I have had a lot of Africa energy and connections taking place the last couple of years), as last year I had felt called there for this year, but the energy switched and Tibet came through, so hence I follow where I’m guided, as everything has a divine timing.
Regardless, I have been excited about these designs and today I share the first. The design is a large, just over 12″ long by 4 3/4″ wide, three quarter, left arm sleeve.
The focal points are the Samurai and the Japanese Dragon (Ryu). I added an extra boost of the element of water, based on what I intuited and my client shared, as well as interwove a very spiritually alchemical symbolism that holds much power for him in the celebration of essence he desired it to have.
For my client, the Samurai expresses the practices of discipline, respectfulness, loyalty and ethical behavior without fear – reminders symbolically to be able to face different and unexpected situations without fear and not to live in fear of loss.
Close up of Samurai and Dragon facing each other – click on photo to enlarge
I was drawn to depict a less armored Samurai than an example that I was shown by my client, still very traditional, yet for me and in resonance with the empowerment he was to symbolize. I felt this would represent moving into the courage in knowing all you have and need is within you, without the need to cover up and protect – a Samurai standing his ground, in the recognition of his power rather than in an angry fight. This symbolizing more of that Dragon Master or Magician essence that I speak about in my Reiki 2 classes where rather than fight something (although prepared for anything), you embrace its reflection as an aspect of you projected and when integrated back, creates wholeness and empowerment.
I added water designs all around the image to symbolize my client’s strong love for the ocean and to represent the ability to flow with the currents of life and be able to weather any experience by sailing through the ebbs and flows of the ocean energy with grace, rather than fighting it.
The Dragon, “Ryu,” rules the water and for my client represents obstacles humans face through life that must be overcome before enlightenment can be attained. So the Dragon represents much more than its literal depiction, but the many challenges, steps, surprises, obstacles, doorways one may experience on the journey of life. And how they are perceived and integrated can make all the difference.
Dragons are one of the four celestial animals and are more traditionally known to represent a very Yang energy of male vigor, courage, vitality, strength, and bravery. However, I feel the dragon to also possess a very mystical Yin energy, as a magickal being of cosmic forces. The Japanese dragon, which is what my client wanted designed, is much more slender and typically depicted as a large, wingless serpentine creature with 3 claws on each foot. Most Japanese dragons are water deities associated with large bodies of water and rainfall. Japanese dragons, interestingly, are a composite of nine different animals with chin whiskers.
- Deer – Horns
- Camel – Head
- Rabbit – Eyes
- Snake – Neck
- Cockle – Abdomen
- Carp – Scales
- Eagle – Claws
- Tiger – Paws
- Ox – Ears
I was drawn to design this beautiful dragon holding a ball, or “pearl of wisdom,” in its clawed foot. In reverence, Eastern dragons are sometimes shown holding a pearl, which can symbolize success, victory, wisdom, prosperity, achievement, and good luck. This felt to be a powerful, tying-in aspect to include for this sacred tattoo design.
I noticed after completing it that the flow of the design created double infinity signs, which was a very cool, natural unfoldment and another magickal aspect added to its energy. 🙂 In ancient India and Tibet this symbol represented perfection, dualism, and unity between male and female. In tarot it is linked to magick and symbolizes balance of various forces. It is also linked to the Ouroboros of cyclicality and enternal rebirth and recreation. In general it is the endlessness, abundant renewal, and eternity of Source.
This is a very empowering tattoo that depicts the mastering of the “Dragon,” as enlightenment is achieved, rather than a fight over or against it.
If you would like to partner in co-creating your own sacred tattoo design to embody the empowerment you desire, you can contact me at tania@spiritualskin.com.
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, 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 and PDF formats here: Spiritual Skin
Sacred Tattoo Designs in the Flesh
I love supporting people in co-creating meaningful and transformatively powerful sacred tattoo designs. The process is so magical and really isn’t something that I can express in words, but the result is always beautiful and deeply moving for client and designer (me) alike. As the energy shifts in our collective experience, more and more people are being drawn to spiritual tattoos and really exploring the process of sacred tattoos in a conscious and all-encompassing way – seeing how it can be such a powerful tool to shifting not only one’s reality, but DNA as well!
If you haven’t read my article on that you can read it here: Sacred Tattoos: Personal Portals to Genetic Rewiring
To read more about the process of sacred tattoo designing with me, testimonials and how you can request either a consultation or design consultation visit: Sacred Tattoo Design and Consultations
You can also contact tania@spiritualskin.com with any questions you may have.
And if you haven’t yet read my book, Spiritual Skin ~ Sacred Tattoos: More than Skin Deep, it is available here: Spiritual Skin along with beautiful reviews from readers who have been touched and transformed by it.
Today I wanted to share a few of the photos from some of my clients, showing their sacred tattoos manifested in the flesh! I love the process of creating, but to actually see and experience the designs come to life in their energetic fullness, is truly magical. I hope you enjoy the photos. I will post more, as clients keep sending them in. To view more of my sacred tattoo designs visit: Tattoo Gallery
After the third session for this sacred tattoo design created for Allison, you can see the design come to life. First session was lining, then shading and color now started. The entire piece will be in color. Can’t wait to see the magic…each step deepens the energy! This design evolved from a previously posted design I shared, that was much smaller and created or her wrist, but as she expanded, so too did her spiritual tattoo to help embody the new energy shifts.
These were the previous stages of Allison’s sacred tattoo design
This is a view of Venus’ sacred tattoo design, which she will also be fully coloring eventually. This photo is after the healing process of the line work.
Full back view of Venus’ sacred tattoo right after her inking session to get the line work on
Jeanne’s sacred tattoo design completed. The shark was a tattoo she had from long ago, which I incorporated into a new design for her now that her energy has shifted.
Scott’s sacred tattoo in completion
Marie-Pier’s sacred tattoo design
Lynne’s sacred tattoo design
Full arm view of Lynne’s tattoo
One of Gaile’s sacred tattoo designs I helped her create. The other is on the other ankle and was a cover up design for an old tattoo she had. This tattoo pictured is being seen upside down, as it’s a heart with sacred geometry, ankh, feathers and more!
Potent Year – A Potent You! Supporting the Life You Desire, One Transformational Tattoo at a Time
It’s a new potent year – time for a new potent you. One tool that has been extremely supportive in aiding my ability to self-create this personal intention is that of symbolic and sacred body art. It’s something many have and are discovering, and I’ve had the honor to assist with.
One way you, too, can assist your own intentions and shift your experience at the DNA level is with a sacred tattoo specifically designed with your energy in mind and what you desire to create as the experience of your life. What energy footprint would you like to step forward with and ground into being?
This and many more important questions, are the doorway into understanding, exploring and empowering YOU! And these are some of the questions I ask as an intuitive designer, when I work with a client.
A new wave of symbolic tattoos is sweeping across the world, as more people come to understand the gifts this art form can provide.
For more information on how this sacred art can alter your experience please read my article: http://journal.tattoo.com/article/sacred-tattoos-%E2%80%93-personal-portals-genetic-rewiring
For design examples potently shifting people’s lives click here:
http://taniamarie.com/NO-CARTgallery6.htm
And for information on what you can expect from a personal consultation with me to support your sacred creation process:
http://spiritualskin.com/whatisatattoodesignconsultation.html
I look forward to supporting your personal journey into creative and sacred personal empowerment for this potent year of 2012 and beyond!
The Evolution of Tattoos Mirroring the Evolution of Life – Inspirational Support for Tattoo Artists Embracing the Path of Spiritually Sacred Tattoos
As things keep shifting in the world, this reflects and dominoes out into all realms creating a transformational revolution of consciously empowered living and loving that is infiltrating all nooks and crannies of life. The more your awareness heightens and you embrace new perspectives and experiences, realizing you can choose more freely, creatively and with empowered intention, the more you start to shift focus and choose more authentically and start letting your beautiful gifts out. The journey becomes one of magical self-creation in every moment, rather than doing things, both reflective or nonreflective of yourself, but not knowing why.
I am seeing these shifts in many realms, but since I have specific focus in certain areas with the path I am on, these are ones I specifically take extra note of and am really excited to see the infiltration of conscious movement in.
One in particular is the realm of sacred tattoos and seeing how people are moving more into desiring spiritually conscious, integrated and symbolic tattoos. I receive a lot of emails with questions about spiritually sacred tattoos, not just from those seeking tattoos, but from tattoo artists as well. There are some wonderful spiritually focused tattoo artists out there, and I am so happy to see that more and more are embracing this as their next stage of evolution in their journey to offer and start channeling through their trade.
What I offer in supportive words to those on this path – tattoo artists especially that are embracing this new direction – is simply this:
It pleases me greatly that you are feeling moved in this new direction with your work and life. If you are feeling this call, it is likely that you have always experienced and possessed natural healing abilities and spiritually rich experiences in some way in your life, but perhaps had not given them much focus, yet it would be a natural process for you. Likely you have experienced and been in touch with these elements and been utilizing them much already in your life. Now is the time when these decisions to shift into new experiences can happen swiftly. It is very empowering when we actually embrace our innate gifts and put them into conscious use as service to others. I love that you are feeling the nudge to go this direction and support your choices. Know that you are not alone. There are other tattoo artists out there that also specialize in this and I feel, more and more will be moving into this direction. More and more people are looking for and in need of these specialized services and so the timing is divine in your feeling this call.
I am not a tattoo artist, but am a sacred tattoo designer and visionary artist, as well as have many sacred tattoos in my own personal body art collection and have had the opportunity to work with artists to create them and to understand this process and how empowering and sacred it is over the 14 years of being involved with this art. This is what led me to share my book, Spiritual Skin, which has been supporting many people to embrace a whole new personal journey and perspective with tattoos. If you feel called to, you might find this book inspiring to your journey – Spiritual Skin
But for now, my advice would be to follow your heart and those intuitive nudges you have and learn to trust them with your work and life. Seeing the body as a sacred temple and understanding the significance of potent symbolism, placement, chakras, researching ancient civilizations and cultures’ symbols and images, and allowing your visionary creativity to integrate with these from your heart and in connection with your intuitive healing guidance, etc. is helpful.
If you start putting this energy out and focusing on this more, you will start attracting more clients looking for you for this exact thing. You can also start helping them in this vein with their tattoos by helping to ask more questions on what they want to achieve with the tattoo, bring into their lives, symbolize, empower, etc. and do research into symbolisms that would help benefit that. This is a beautiful co-creative experience that can have powerful effects both for artist and client.
Many blessings on your journey.
Welcome 2012!
2012 Energy IS: Fearless Love, Integration, Empowerment, Creativity, Natural Harmony, Balance, Magic, Clarity, Wisdom, Flow, Joy, Inspired Conviction
Here is a lovely and supportive message from Spirit Speaks, channeled from Mother Mary that I felt really had a simple and beautiful sharing to address the current changes unfolding and our roles in the shift: http://spiritspeaks.ca/2011/12/becoming-beings-of-light/#more-678
For those who are not on my newsletter mailing list or missed the facebook posts, I wanted to extend these thoughts and sharings from my heart to yours now that we have stepped into this amazing year of 2012…..
As we put peaceful closure to what was quite a full year of transformational experiences, it is time to be ever more present and focused on the now and to leave the rest behind us for good – moving forward only with the love and healing wisdom that is shaping the new we have desired.
Like for many of you, this has been a year of gathering, organizing, tending to, and blending all the ingredients of my story together for the recipe of life path intents I have been envisioning and intending for years and in many ways, all my life.
To many, it may always seem as if it’s a never-ending story of winding labyrinths that challenge us at every turn, but be sure that all the pieces of the journey have been leading you ingeniously back to the sanctuary within – back to the core of YOU. And at that core is the unfolding beauty that is taking form in this new world in harmony with the rest of the visionaries – buds that are promised a life as a flower in the garden of life.
Had it not been for my unfaltering convictions, heart felt beliefs, unequivocally magical life experiences, and the loving presence and supportive nudges from dear ones, I would not be where I stand today. For everything I am deeply grateful and while I still falter, I have learned my processes and how to unconditionally maneuver and assist myself through the challenging times and the self-sabotage. It’s not that we necessarily arrive at a point of being healed of all things without experiencing any bumps. But we learn the perfection of it all and to become empowered through the understanding and trust that we have the ability to shift the experiences more swiftly, the more we consciously understand how we operate, come to integrate all the pieces, and learn how to support a more flowing life.
We are in this time of instant shifting and instant manifesting. So much so, it will almost not even phase you that things changed. This is the beauty of the work we have been doing for so long and what has been percolating. It seems at times nothing has changed, but when you stop to look, it has changed so much and in many cases you won’t remember how you got where you are and how you surpassed the fears you once had.
This is a year of fearless love in every way possible – love of our passions creatively, compassionately and uninhibitedly expressed, love for each other, love of life, love of the earth and all the beings we share it with, love of the mysteries of the cosmos, love of YOU.
My intent is that everyone experience the power and magic of love uniquely through the vehicle of you and cohesively melding with the experience of the collective for the highest good of all concerned. I intend to provide my unique heart contributions to support empowered and loving experiences through creative and visionary healing arts that will help along that journey.
An exciting and full year is upon us. This is why it is important to be mindful of nurturing and taking care of your precious physical being so that it may be a powerful vehicle in life for you to bring about the beauty you are flowing forth. I have learned this and am currently in process of doing the same, after my overhaul with it this year, as I have seen the year ahead in my visions and wise is it to tend to the body that will make it possible. Your body is your temple and through it we are gifted the ability to experience amazing things, as long as we keep it fortified the same way we fortify our spiritual, emotional and mental well being. Integration and honor of all our parts is necessary – not a luxury.
I am heart-fully excited to assist in the miracles you desire this year and beyond, while simultaneously supporting us into natural harmony with the Earth and Cosmos.
My company, Emerald Bridge, will be getting a face-lift and kicking off the year with a lot of new things, both solo and in co-collaboration (as these are times to come together with our gifts):
* Events – Experiences of the senses and beyond: Visionary and creative arts, book signings and art openings, inspiring talks, channelings, high vibe foods, music, fun & more (special guests to be announced). There will be 3 events in the Orange County area at the beginning of 2012 to kick things off with a bang and events will be continually evolving, growing and spreading to help assist with the collective shifts. Stay tuned for details. The first starting in February – A chance to connect and enjoy an integrative, in-person “experience”
* Classes & workshops – in person Reiki sessions – Unique Reiki, empowered living, healing arts and more – taught solo & in partnership (coming in early 2012 – the first in February)
* A new visionary series of healing, empowering and magical paintings for our current times (coming in early 2012 and beyond)
* New crystal pendants to assist with your intents and aligned with the Earth energies of the now – introducing collaborative creations with Reiki Master Teacher and Designer Allison Jacobson for some progressively gorgeous, out of this world high vibe birthing of new crystal friends – we will blending our energies and gifts for some super charged pieces (coming in early 2012)
* Sacred tattoo designs – personal portals to spiritual skin – high vibe creations intuited just for you and to integrate your intents (now available for commission: http://taniamarie.com/tattoodesign.htm)
* Spiritual Skin – Sacred Tattoos: More than Skin Deep available on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Spiritual-Skin-Sacred-Tattoos-More/dp/1463703422/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1325362784&sr=8-2 – stay tuned for book signings and upcoming talk at the Boise, Idaho 208 Tat2Fest: http://www.208tat2fest.com/
* L.O.V.E. Seeds – Love Our Vibrant Earth Lemurian Seed Crystal Pendants and Pendulums (now available at: http://taniamarie.com/crystaljewelry.htm )
For more information about Emerald Bridge and its focus and how you can help in assisting all of these new paradigm creations into being and to continue to grow and provide more inspiring events and offerings please visit here and consider donating any heartfelt amount: http://taniamarie.com/emeraldbridge.htm
Emerald Bridge is in process of evolution into what it was envisioned to be and very exciting things are to come that will be revealed in time, but it can’t all be done solo, nor is that the energy of the now. Any assistance and support is most appreciated. If you would like to donate services that are aligned with the events, please drop me a message. As always, I am available to assist and donate services and offerings towards any collaborations you may have as well that are in heart alignment and mutually resonating.
If interested in more information please don’t hesitate to contact me with questions and inquiries. Any sharing is always welcome.
Wishing you a Beauty-full New Year.
In abundant love, magic and creativity,
Tania Marie
Emerald Bridge
Learning to Embrace Timing: “Spiritual Skin” – New Ebook Now Available Plus 50% Off Painting Launch!
Percolation often catapults a leap. When you think you are behind schedule, that isn’t always the “reality” of the situation. It just “seems” to be. In fact, you are probably doing a lot of the work on an energetic level in preparation and then when you sit down to do the actual work, it moves much quicker and with synchronicity than if you had forced it before its time. Schedules, forcing and hard work is a thing of the past. Divine, synchronous timing, allowing, embracing and ease is a thing of the now.
3 years ago I was planted with the seed of inspiration that this ebook needed to come through, but timing was not right, so I was unable to and didn’t start. Then a year ago I finally knew that timing was closing in, but it had a slow start, as there were still elements needing to come together that could not be forced. It’s the same with my paintings. If I try to force something, it just won’t work. I just know, when the time is right.
All the key elements started to come together that were needed, on time, including things in my life, the right connections, and more. It took me several months to get started, even though I had completed all of the research, had a sense of what to write, etc. At this point, timing and a certain balance within my life that would support its creation, became the last needed elements and then boom, I wrote like crazy and everything I knew I wanted to put in the book just came to me and it all morphed together. It not only was the right timing, on a collective level, but my energy was aligned with what was needed to infuse the book with and to be a proper channel for what was to unfold.
It still took months on end to get it to this point, including edits after edits and learning curves on many technical aspects I had no idea about. And along the way, many major life changes, a brand new website and new work focuses.
So after 3 years of the “seed” stage & 1 year of prep, the percolating process of my ebook finally blossomed into magical manifestation. I am extremely joyous in sharing my 1st ebook with you:
Spiritual Skin
Sacred Tattoos: More than Skin Deep
It has been a labor of love & synchronous unfolding in ways I couldn’t begin to share. I know many of you have been asking about it & all I could say was that it was on its way, as when you create something it can never be rushed or forced into a contrived timing.
The ebook is available both in PDF and Kindle versions. For more information and how to order, please visit www.spiritualskin.com. I am in deep gratitude to all that contributed & am honored for being able to be a channel for this information. I hope you will enjoy.
I will be preparing to get back to creative painting and designing now with this ebook – my “baby,” birthed, which is what it feels like, as so many new inspirations are ready to come forth in abundance.
In celebration of my new ebook launch and a huge surge of creative inspiration that is now ready to explode, I have just announced not only that the ebook is now available in both PDF and Kindle versions, but that I am offering a 50% discount on my latest painting, Rebirth ~ Children of the New Earth.
This special is only if you mention this offer and is good only until June 21, 2011 (Summer Solstice) for the first 20 people. It is good for a canvas giclee, regular price $750. With offer. Now ONLY $375 for a 30″ x 30″ gallery wrap giclee (plus shipping).
This is a huge savings off of a painting that carries the New Earth heart energy for consciously loving and cocreating, a theme that coincides with my ebook, “Spiritual Skin” and a painting that will be featured at Earth Walk 2011.
I am wanting to, in any way I can, help raise the vibrations towards conscious compassion for the earth, the animals, each other….and potent, energetic images hold portal access into that space when we embody and integrate the energy they emanate.
To view the painting click here: http://taniamarie.com/gallery2.htm or contact me to send an image or provide more information.
Creative Wishes!