Tarot tatoo?
Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 11 Feb 2005, and now archived in the Forum Library.
| Jpoor |
11 Feb 2005 |
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Anyone ever thought of having a favorite image from a card done as a tatoo?
I'm looking at the 3 of swords from the Gilded deck. It would be my first tatoo as well, so we'll see.
What do you all think??
Jim
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| HudsonGray |
11 Feb 2005 |
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LOL, the people on two of the ferret boards I'm on trade jpeg images of their ferret tattoos all the time. Some of them have had beautiful work done. If you're into tattoos I don't see why you can't get your favorite card done on you, it's not a copyright violation after all.
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| Flavio |
11 Feb 2005 |
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I've never tought of getting a tatto... they are (almost) permanent things, but a Tarot card wouldn 't be a bad idea as the cards are already inside our heart and mind.
When you get the tatto don't hesitate to send some pictures, well, that depends on where you want the tatoo :)
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| Grizabella |
11 Feb 2005 |
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I think it's a great idea. I'd get the Fool from Waking the Wild Spirit, I think.
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| tmgrl2 |
11 Feb 2005 |
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I'm 62 years old and getting a tattoo is one of those things I want to do before I die...
Definitely something from Tarot...but may be a symbol...like an eagle or a rose.
terri
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| Jpoor |
11 Feb 2005 |
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I've always toyed with the idea, but never could come up with a picture I wanted on me FOREVER. The 3 of swords from the Gilded deck has quite an appeal to me though. I've started shopping for prices etc.
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| Cariad |
11 Feb 2005 |
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I love my tatoo it is a small but perfectly formed yellow rose! on my left shoulder. It is my absolute favourite flower.
If I was to have another one I would have elements of The Star card or for dramatic effect the 3 of Swords!
Love Wendy
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| prudence |
11 Feb 2005 |
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Jpoor, just be careful about the "energies" you are inviting in thru tatooing. Some folks feel that you should only put on your body what you want in your being/character. Is the 3 of swords a picture of good energies? I mean, as an Empress constellation type, one of my challenges is the 3 of swords, it's not considered a good thing. It's the tendency to rework old wounds in the mind, or to keep thinking about bad or negative things in the past. Some decks see it as a conflict of sorts, others see it simply as pain, or sorrow. But, I haven't yet seen it as a good thing, even if the accompanying picture is pretty. Just thought I'd mention this aspect of that card, perhaps there are better images in that deck whose meanings are less problematic than the 3 of swords.
Good luck,
Astrid
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| Lillie |
12 Feb 2005 |
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I've got loads of Tats.
Who cares about copyright with something like that?
I mean, they are not going to skin you, are they?
Go for it!
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| souljourney |
13 Feb 2005 |
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I've considered a tarot tattoo at some point. Knowing me it will take years to figure out what to get. Love the idea...
I think Astrid is right about the energies and ideas surrounding the tattoo... choose wisely about what you want on you. It might be a pretty image, but look to the meanings also.
I have one tattoo...a celtic knot on my left outer ankle...it's filled in with the colors of the rainbow. There is much positive symbolism in it for me.
My next one will be on the right ankle and be the Chinese symbols for Soul Journey. I'm still doing the research for that.
SJ
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| Lillie |
13 Feb 2005 |
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I've got skulls and smakes and all sorts of weird stuff.
I also have a huge tribal cadecus on my chest.
I've got a few pretty flowers too.
They say that with tats you have to think about living with them for the rest of your life, but really, in the end, you just forget that they are there.
I've got one on my back, and cos I never see it I never even remember its there unless someone reminds me.
And anyhow, these days I'm getting to the age when I don't look at myself at all.
It's just some old woman in the mirror, so who cares wether she likes her own tats or not.
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| Lillie |
14 Feb 2005 |
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I was thinking about this late last night.
As I have already said I have much experience with tats. I have even done a couple.
Whatever I think of mine I do know a bit.
And here is a bit of advice foranyone who has never had a tat before and who is thinking of having one.
First of all, take all the cleanliness stuff as a given, this is about the technical side.
Most tattoists work with designs they are familiar with, the ones all over the walls, so if you want something different, read on.
Some tattoists can do free hand stuff, most would rather not. They work from a transfer applied to the persons body.
Therefore, if you want your own design they will want to make a transfer.
Do not take your card in and say, I want this.
He/she will want to take a tracing from the card. This could well damage it.
Tattooists also often have inky hands when working. You dfon't want them touching the card.
Do your own drawing and take it with you.
Better still, do two. One in black and white lines, for the transfer and the outline. The second shaded in so he can copy the colours.
These drawings must be the size that you want them on your body, otherwise it is pointless.
If you want writing, make sure it is spelt right, make sure he/she copies it right.
Next. When the transfer is applied to the body, be sure that it is right. Stand up, move your arm/leg/whatever, take your time. Look at how the skin moves and stretches.
Check that it is right when you have the relevant body part in a normal position. Usually standing in a relaxed manner is good.
If you just offer up your limb and s/he puts it on there, you may well find that it is crooked when you are standing/sitting normally.
Get it right in the transfer stage. It's too late after.
Lastly. This is not an exact science. You have gone to a tattooist, not a photocopier.
It might not be possible to match the colours perfectly, you might move during the process and get a wobbly line. Or the tattooist might not be any good, there are crap ones out there.
Talk to the tattooist first, explain what you want and let him explain what he can do.
Let him show you stuff he has done.
While it's happening;
Sit still, breath deep, stay relaxed. It will hurt, know that in advance.
So. there you go.
A few basic hints and tips on how to get the tattoo you want.
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| souljourney |
14 Feb 2005 |
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To add just a tad to all the good stuff Lillie has mentioned.
I did find an artist that loves unique free-hand stuff. He doesn't like the flash art on the walls and would rather have someone walk in with a drawing, card, good color copy of something, etc.
I've asked him about a tarot card or portion of it. He told me make a good Color photocopy of it... then he would do some artwork for me to look at, make transfer and go from there. I can't draw for crap, so me drawing anything would be BAD. I'd rather let the artist handle it.
And yes...we placed the tattoo on my ankle twice with the transfer just to get it perfect. I couldn't be happier.
SJ
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| Lillie |
14 Feb 2005 |
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You found a good one there, Souljourney.
Sadly (as you may well know) a lot of your standard back street/high street tattooists (in UK at least) are not so skilled. They are good at flash etc, but let them loose free hand on your body and you could well get a mess.
However, if you ask, most will say they can do what ever you want, cos they don't want to loose a sale.
It cost quite a lot to run a shop these days, especially with all the new hygiene requirements, such as vaccum autoclaves.
In all honesty a pressure cooker and some autoclave tape will do the job.
But the government seems bent on pricing most, if not all tattoists out of the market.
Best advice of all. If you find a good one, stick with them!
Let the put a whole 78 card deck on you!
Of course, I wouldn't presume to tell anyone who already knew what they were doing how to go about it.
It was just a little advice for those that didn't know it already.
Cos a tattoo is for life, not for leaving on a motorway, like the puppy you got for xmas! :D
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| gypsy |
14 Feb 2005 |
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my second tattoo is of "IX" the roman numeral 9, for the hermit. i was going thru a hermit period in my life, and it seemed appropriate. and now, i kinda wish it wasn't there! although i like the hermit side of my personality, it is no longer my entire personality.
i have to say, lillie gave some great advice. (advice i wish i'd had before!) i was very close to having XI where my IX belonged, because the artist had turned the transfer upside down. also, it's positioned wrong and the lines are crooked... i still love the idea but i'm a bit of a perfectionist and those crooked lines really bother me.
i would think long and hard before having tattoos done... not on a whim like i did.
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| tarotbear |
14 Feb 2005 |
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i was very close to having XI where my IX belonged, because the artist had turned the transfer upside down. also, it's positioned wrong and the lines are crooked... i still love the idea but i'm a bit of a perfectionist and those crooked lines really bother me.
i would think long and hard before having tattoos done... not on a whim like i did.
I would never pierce my body or have it inked. I do believe you can do whatever you want to your own body, so it you want to have every inch of skin inked and every flap of skin pierced ... that's o.k. ... in moderation.
Someone earlier posted they have a tatoo on their back they forget they even have since they can't see it. Why did you bother with the pain (and expense) to have it somewhere you can't see it?
I met a man once who was also a tattoo artist, and he had an extremely large tattoo that started on one ankle and wrapped up his leg, across the small of his back, and ended on the opposite shoulder. This took hours and hours of sitting. I only saw it in it's entirety because he was naked. I always thought a half of a tattoo sticking up over the top of your strapless evening gown at a wedding looks silly.
I was a costume designer and made clothes for people. You want to wear short pants today? Take a short pair out of your closet instead of long ones. Want a blue shirt today and wear a red tank top tomorrow? Take them out of your closet and wear whichever you want. That jacket is out of style? Throw it away and buy another one. A tattoo is forever.
Just my two cents...
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| AmberWolf |
15 Feb 2005 |
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Jpoor, just be careful about the "energies" you are inviting in thru tatooing. Some folks feel that you should only put on your body what you want in your being/character. Is the 3 of swords a picture of good energies? I mean, as an Empress constellation type, one of my challenges is the 3 of swords, it's not considered a good thing. It's the tendency to rework old wounds in the mind, or to keep thinking about bad or negative things in the past. Some decks see it as a conflict of sorts, others see it simply as pain, or sorrow. But, I haven't yet seen it as a good thing, even if the accompanying picture is pretty. Just thought I'd mention this aspect of that card, perhaps there are better images in that deck whose meanings are less problematic than the 3 of swords.
Good luck,
Astrid
I tend to agree with Astrid. I guess that depend how you see tatoo, as merely art or as inkinig on your body soemthing that become a part of you. I for myself think the latter is closer to the mark. I want a tatoo one day, but I sure will be very careful what I get done.
That said, I kinda like the idea of a Tarot card.
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| huredriel |
15 Feb 2005 |
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Just an idea, but how about having it done in henna first? I've only got one tattoo on my foot, but had it done in henna to make sure I liked it enough first, and that took me years to get the courage up!
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| Eco74 |
15 Feb 2005 |
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Oh, yes. This is a tricky one.
Not only would one have to consider what having a tattoo would be for (decoration only or deeper meaning) but one would also need to consider if it is something to remind oneself of past times (hence accepted even when things change) or something truly permanent that one can see oneself standing up for to the end of ones days.
For me, it's more something that is going to be a part of me forever, and that if things change enough, reasonably should have enough significance to not bother me.
My choice has not been a tarotcard though, but a turtle on my back crawling up my spine (though the legs are detached from the body) located between my shoulderblades.
Mainly to remind me of the creational myths, order from chaos, that "restingplace" the turtle represents as the creator of order and survivor of the chaos surrounding it - and to remind myself that it's okay to take things slow even when the world around is speeding up to the point where nothing makes sense.
And there is also the "magickal" aspect of the turtle. The creational myths, the "anything-could-be-hiding-in-that-shell" feeling and the many uses of a turtle and ofcourse the many meanings the turtle carries as a symbol.
- So, having all those aspects, I feel I will be able to gain support from the extra "back-shield" I carry even if my life changes more than I could ever dream it would.
If I were to do another one (which I consider from time to time) I would have to find a symbol that speaks to me as deeply and I doubt if a whole card would do that. Some symbol related to a particular card could work though.
(But then turtles do pop up in decks on and off already don't they? *s*)
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| Jpoor |
15 Feb 2005 |
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Ok, I've been looking, so far it seems that I would have to get it done WAY to large in order to preserve the level of detail that I want. Though I hear tell of a guy that can do very small yet intricate work who lives in the area. I'm not giving up, but I insist on it being covered by a short sleeve shirt, and I want it in a place where I can see it. I might change from the arm to the chest, we'll see.
As for the choice of image, I don't really see this particular 3 of swords as a negative card (though it is certainly not 'happy happy joy joy'). It's more of a reminder that growth comes through trials and challenges, and it spurrs me to not dwell on or blow the problems out of proportion, but rather to learn the lesson and get on with my life.
For now, I'll keep looking
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| Lillie |
15 Feb 2005 |
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[quote=tarotbear]
Someone earlier posted they have a tatoo on their back they forget they even have since they can't see it. Why did you bother with the pain (and expense) to have it somewhere you can't see it?
QUOTE]
Hi TarotBear
It was me that said that, and as you have brought up such a pertinent observation I'd better answer.
At the time I had it done I didn't realise I would forget about it so much.
Even though I cannot see it other people can. My husband sees it often and reminds me that it is there by touching it's nose or it's tail. He thinks it's cute.
It marked, and still marks a particular time in my life, as all my tats do. They are a sort of permanent record of my journey through life. Each one has a memory, a moment in time, and in my life enshrined in it's lines. Some are big events, some are just whims, good momments that the tats remind me of.
They are part of me, part of who I am.
It wasn't that expensive really. Especially as it will last forever.
It probably cost the same as a night out. (£20 if I remember)
Anyhow, I am not expecting you to agree with me, but as you had asked I thought I would answer.
Now all this has got me thinking about a tarot tatoo for myself.
I must have a good spot left somewhere...
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| Ahria |
16 Feb 2005 |
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I have got two tattoos and when I got them I made sure each time they were not associated with anyone but myself.
I have a unicorn on my shoulder (not a cute one) which signified me growing up and growing into a person I wanted to be.
I got a phoenix about four years later as I felt I had been rised out of the ashes of my life and was finally the person I wanted to be.
I would only get a tattoo that I am really sure of because it is going to be there forever. :)
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| WolfSpirit |
16 Feb 2005 |
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I would never pierce my body or have it inked. I do believe you can do whatever you want to your own body, so it you want to have every inch of skin inked and every flap of skin pierced ... that's o.k. ... in moderation.
... I always thought a half of a tattoo sticking up over the top of your strapless evening gown at a wedding looks silly.
I'm with you here, tarotbear :) although everybody is of course free to do what they want to...
I once saw a bride in a very romantice white wedding dress which showed her big tribal-style tattoos. The dress in itself was pretty. The tattoos were...not too bad, as tattoos go ;)
The combination of the two looked garish.
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The Tarot tatoo? thread was originally posted on 11 Feb 2005 in the Talking Tarot board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Talking Tarot, or read more archived threads.
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