Just as a snake sheds its skin to reveal a bright, new being, so can a tattoo. A tattoo can serve as a marker to a stage in life whether is be a positive time or hard time. It can heal you through hard times or give you inspiration to move forward and to leave the old behind. Although some see a tattoo as graffiti for the body temple, it can for some create a deep healing that goes beyond the skin.
The entire process is a growth not only literally for the tattoo but for the owner. First you must decide to get one which is in and of itself a task. Then you must decide what. This is the most important as you must seek a design that moves you. It has to be something that means something to you now and down the road. So not only do you need to know what but you need the design...a tree isn't just a tree..there are millions of designs of different artists. Its best to think of in your mind what you want then describe it to an artist with whom you connect. Its best to do this as at least when I do it, look for something I have in my head..I never do find just the right thing. And of course you need to know where you want to put it. Should it be private that only the ones closest to you see it? Or bright and loud for all to see?
Once the tattoo design has been born the appointment is made. This should be a continuation of the ritual. For me, I make it like an actual ritual. A tattoo hurts and anyone who says it doesn't is lying. However, you can dedicate this pain to something....someone who has passed, to a goal you want, or to an inner healing, etc. This makes a focus for the pain. I like to say getting a tattoo is like labor, you have hours of pain for something beautiful for the reast of your life and normally once the memory of the pain fades, you are ready for another! ;-)
Once the tattoo is done, its not over. As the tattoo heals over the next few days you can imagine that the healing is occurring in you if you have dedicated this to an inner healing. As the ink stiffens to a light scab its like your shell preparing to shed, like a snake's. As it begins to transform from a dull dark color to a bright shiny clearer color you can feel the inner healing shining through your skin from you inside. Its the evolution of the tattoo that represents your evolution through this stage or issue in your life.
And finally you have a healed but beautiful piece of work that will go with you anywhere and you will remind you to continue on the journey you started with this stage or something that you put in the past...whatever your journey is you have a permanent souvenir.
