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Underground > Temple >

Okay guys tattoo time

21:34 / 22.07.03

For a long time I've wanted a tattoo. First one. Base of my spine. That's it, no more anywhere. Can anyone suggest a way for someone who is just beginning to become magickally awakened to find the right symbol?

21:42 / 22.07.03

What do you want it to mean? Start with writing it out in as good a detail as you can. Then find the symbol that fits it. Better to work that way than the other way around.

21:50 / 22.07.03

OK, how about:
"Jesus, I've just realised that Grant and Alan weren't talking bollocks, I need a good sigil that can both protect me and channel energies to positive effect."
Anyway. I think I need more work at this. Don't give me a kicking (Unless of course, it's well-meant, lightly fluffy, a bit spiky and cathartic). I'd be interested to know how other people go about finding or creating sigils for permanent self-marking.

23:41 / 22.07.03

For a tattoo, I'd recommend what I've been thinking about doing. Protection, insight, whatever, simplify and smooth until you've got something aesthetically pleasing. That part is important, since it's going on your flesh, you want as much comfort between you and the sigil as possible. You might want to tribalize it as well. Make it look all spiffy-like. These extra layers don't reduce the effectiveness of a sigil in my experience. If anything, the additional obfuscation aids in burying the meaning. Like a seed. You want to feel like it's a part of you though, that's the most important.

Nietzsch E. Coyote

00:04 / 23.07.03

Figure out what your dreaming is. Make a stylized drawing of it.

00:21 / 23.07.03

Hmmm.

Well, there's always taking bits and pieces and cobbling them together...

Something alive and growing and strong - a tree, perhaps? - contained/surrounded/protected by some shape - a circle (Oroboros?) or a regular pentagon... (equilateral triangles are wonderful, but that's too hard to balance visually, in my opinion)

Help us out, here. Are there items/ideas/ideals you find significant? Things you think you'll still be striving for in 10 years?

Unless of course, it's well-meant, lightly fluffy, a bit spiky and cathartic.
[snort] You don't, by chance, go in for BDSM, do you?

07:21 / 23.07.03

Maybe have something small and seedlike, which you can have extended up the spine now and then when it seems the right time...

Also, possibly look into the visual representation of that chakra, not my field.

As I mentioned on a previous tattoo thread, my first one was a symbol which represented accepting and enjoying whatever life throws at me, but to a lesser degree is an invocation of interesting times. Which I would recommend for anyone else.

Also, my standard warning. Imagine someone who looks a bit like your dad with that tattoo. Because that's roughly how you'll end up looking. Some tattoos seem great at 17 but are an embarisment at 37. You're making a choice to mark yourself for life, which involves accepting that you're going to change with time, so you're inflicting it in fututre versions of your self, and if your awakeyness goes well then you probably don't want to piss of future-cube as they're cool.

Don't forget to let us know if/when you decide.

You might find this Previous Thread about Tattoos.

12:44 / 23.07.03

I ended up going with a representation of the four elements, which was more about my life at the time, but I have also found now that it suits as a place to draw different energy from for different applications.

I think what I am trying to say is that an image that serves a variety of purposes and moods is the way to go. As for actual aesthetics I agree that it needs to be something you think looks good and you can connect with easily.

I am no artist so I talked to a couple of artists (and a couple of Tattoo artists in particular) and when I found one who was on the same wavelength worked through the actual design.

13:08 / 23.07.03

first things first allow me to explain the pain you will go through getting a tattoo on the small of your back. And trust me I went through it last year when I got mine.

As with everyone else the most important thing to think about is how you will feel about the artwork in ten (hell even five) years time. Going for a sigil that will help you now may not be any good in the future, and may even be detrimental to your future growth, so the meaning/desire behind it has to be for the whole of your life.

On the other hand why not go for a artistic symbol that represents you, something you can incorporate in your forth coming experiments in this field and carry around with you.

Mine isn't magical, well the intention wasn't (the infinite sign [yes the one from the invisibles] under the roman numerals "IX") but it can be. Especially as the "IX" is the number of my personality and essence tarot card as laid down by Crowley.

Totally agree with Riff Raff, if you can talk to a tattoo artist about what you want. Also talk to any friends you have who already have ink in their skin (if only to get a reccommendation on an artist).

Remember that this is a powerful place you've decided to have scribed upon. Do your research on what works, not what looks good, and most importantly what will enhance your life the way you wish it to be.

Other than that the best of british to you and let us know the results.

Less searchable M0rd4nt

22:43 / 25.07.03

This is going to sound a little odd, but ask your skin what it wants. It'll tell you. Immerse yourself in design, images, artwork; look at illustrated books, visit visually stimulating places. Keep asking your skin. Visualise the area of your body where you want the tatt, see if an image of the design your skin wants forms in your mind.

(Heh... this all reminds me: I've just re-watched Cube, the film. It's gruesome in places, but there's some wonderful design happening there. Maybe you should watch it, see if you get some ideas

)