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I’ve spent the last two hours staring at my freshly tattooed arm, breaking only to chase off a scaryrabid cat outside. Last night, I came to a conclusion about this new tattoo: it is aesthetically upside down. But tattoos are never perfect. Instead of criticizing surface style, I want to explain how potential regrets can turn into personal power. Whether in battle, ritual, or another reality, when it comes time to put your tattoos to good use, a meaningful mark trumps a pretty one.
1. Placement
My talented artist, Briza, wanted to put the Ace of Wands in the same direction as my other Aces–the Pentacle and Sword. But my vision was to have the Wand going the opposite direction. So that’s what I got.
Looking at it last night, I realized my arm as a whole would look more pleasing if I had gone with Briza’s preference. And so I despaired, and regretted, and went to bed.
Waking this morning, I remembered that I chose the placement for a reason beyond aesthetics. I wanted to embrace both the right-side-up and reversed readings of the cards. By placing the cards in opposite directions, I am accepting the dual nature of the cards.
There are destructive and constructive forces in the universe, and I strive for balance between the two. I want to be able to call on both sources of energy as needed. With all cards going the same direction, there would be no opportunity to see them both ways.
2. Subject matter
These fucking clouds are a buzzkill. Clouds are an integral part of the Aces, and they are taking up a large, prominent area on my forearm. How did I come to a point where I wanted to tattoo clouds on my body? They’re gray, and they’re bulbous. I’ve always hated the cloud on the original Pentacle, so why would I add more??
This may be a weird answer, but the clouds are a shield. They are a barrier. They will protect me, and hide me when needed. They are also a life-giving source of water, and shade, and change. This tattoo brings them new respect.
3. What I see is not what you see
When you get tattooed, you want to admire it. But there are only so many places on your body that you can easily see without aid of a mirror. When I look down, I see these clouds and these birds, neither of which are my favorite elements of the tattoo. I want to stare at the colorful bits!
By forcing myself to perpetually gaze at clouds and birds, I am reminded of two things. One is the reason I got more tattoos on my arm in the first place–to cover up nasty self-inflicted scars. The other is escape. The clouds will forever recall the darker times in my life, when I don’t have a handle on my own energy and I self-destruct. The birds will always represent the choice to leave that state of mind.
I can choose whichever reality I want to exist in. Or I can wallow in depression. With such ambiguous flexibility, I find a constant reminder of the situation useful. My attitude and experience is my choice alone.
I now look at tattoos as tools. The symbolic and literal meanings of the objects on my skin serve specific purposes in this reality and others. As a designer, form versus function is a constant challenge. No matter how pretty something is, if it doesn’t work, it won’t get used. As time speeds up and we enter new planes of existence, I am still searching for compromise.
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Comments
03.20.10
Oh, I've been in this situation too!
03.25.10
Melanie,
What happened in your experience? What was the tattoo? Would love to hear :]
08.21.10
I do not have that much idea about a tattoo, and with your writing I would have to agree to some of the points that you have written. I would say from the pictures that its just cool and awesome tattoo. I loved the design especially its colorful with birds, clouds. That is something that I admire off in Nature like silver charms. Using tattoo as a tool I'm not sure how much far that would go in the real world. Only you would be able to tell with your experience.
08.25.10
OMG! My daughter has a tattoo! And it’s not a tiny butterfly discreetly hidden on her shoulder.
I don’t think there is a butterfly anywhere on her arm. Oh, did I mention that my daughter’s tattoo covers her entire arm? It’s called a sleeve.
Yes, my daughter who never even went Goth during her adolescence, has cell phone spyware on her phone and prefers classic-style clothing, has a freaking tattoo sleeve on her right arm. And there’s more to fill in.
Instead of a dainty rose on her shoulder, the talons of a large fluttering-winged raven hold down an asp which is part of an oak tree. Recently she added a hummingbird at her elbow. And then, she says, this will tie into art that works down to my wrist…. as my eyes begin that glazed-over stare and I mumble to myself why tattoos?
09.19.10
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09.29.10
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10.20.10
Before taking the step to have a permanent tattoo affixed to your body, you must first do some thorough thinking. Take into consideration that any tattoo will be with you for the rest of your life and is VERY expensive and painful to remove. Choose the location of the tattoo on your body very carefully. It may be a good idea to wear a non-permanent tattoo for a while to make sure that the tattoo you're getting is exactly the right size and design you want. Tony from Body Face Shop
10.22.10
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10.28.10
Tattoos, on the very essence, are not temporary tattoos or "prints" in your body. These are permanent and having them removed is more expensive, more painful and has lesser chances of being successful. You don't want to get tattooed with your current boyfriend's name and when you break up after a month or two, he will be a part of you-forever. Mark from jersey
10.30.10
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11.01.10
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11.12.10
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11.14.10
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11.15.10
Cultural symbols that have taken the shape of tattoos. For example, the Swastika carries with it a very pure and holy meaning for the Hindu. In fact it is popular choice for tattoo. But if you turn it around, you will get a Nazi sign is ostracized by lots of folks. So you have to be very clear of the meaning of the tattoo you are carrying on your arm.cell phone spy software
11.18.10
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11.20.10
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11.22.10
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11.22.10
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11.25.10
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11.26.10
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11.27.10
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11.28.10
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11.29.10
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11.30.10
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12.01.10
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12.02.10
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12.02.10
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12.02.10
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