How Old Were You?

I grew out of my phase a few months after it started! I don't want anymore piercings or tats now.

I don't consider what I'm doing a "phase", but I respect your right to not have anymore. Each one of my tattoos are spiritual for me, and have deep meaning behind why I got each one. My first one was the triquetra and is on my right shoulder blade. I got it when I moved up here to be with my fiacee (now husband) as a reminder of my path as a priestess. It was my personal reminder of my calling to the Goddess, and serving her daily in all ways and in each phase of my life. My second tattoo is the Seal of the Necronomicon. I got it on my left shoulder blade after I went through cancer and had my first son, our miracle child whom I was pregant with during the surgery. (We had no idea I was pregnant as I had the surgery in Novemeber, and found out at the check up in Decemeber that I was pregnant, and we'd not had relations since prior to surgery). It is on my left shoulder to remind me of the balance needed in life. My third tattoo was done just when my son was about a year old. It is the OM with a blue lotus and red/orange fire flame behind it. It is on my right foot to remind me to walk the right path daily. I plan to get its sister done on my left foot eventually. My piercings were done after the birth of each child. I got my first nose ring prior to my son's conception. My tregus I got after his birth as well as the naval ring. I got my second nose ring after my daugther was born. However, I ended up in the hospital in March of this year and had to remove all of my jewelry for an emergency MRI. I couldn't get the second nose ring back in and the hole closed before I left (it was a new piercing), and my tregus jewelry was last the hospital so I've let that close. I plan to have them re-done in the future after proper healing time though, and I will be getting my septum done as well. My ears are one stretch from 1 inch which was my goal when I started stretching. It keeps me connected to my native roots. Namaste-Anora

My future tats include my back piece which will incorporate all of my totems, and my children's birthdates and initials, my dragon/phoenix piece for one arm, and my geisha/cherry blossom tree for my other arm. I'm not sure about the leg and front pieces yet, but eventually I plan to have something worked out. Right now it's a matter of saving the monies to get the pieces done. And all have significance for my life. The geisha is walking art, and that is how I try to live. I admire her ways, her confidence, and her strength. I see the cherry tree as a symbol of the continuation of life, the perfection and imperfection of the spirit. I see the dragon and phoenix as balance, male and female, and love perfected. My back piece means a lot to me as it is a piece containing my profile, my totems, and my children. They are my world, and to express that in art means a great deal to me. Namaste-Anora

You can actually just go to a tattoo artist and ask him to draw something to go over it. The lady across the street has a nephew who does tattoos. I showed her the one on my arm that I can't stand, and told her how I want it covered, but I'm worried how bad it would look because of it's size. She told me to just take a picture of it and give it to her. She'd have her nephew draw up a few sketches and I'd choose one that I liked to cover up this ugly thing. Unfortunatly I just can't afford it now. I think it would be at least $100 to get something decent to cover this up.

Well I got 3 and was able to stop. I regret the 3rd... but the first 2 I still like. One is some hearts and flowers on my ankle, the other is on my shoulder blade, it's a heart, rose and butterfly. That one is still my favorite. The only one I want now is something that will cover the ugly 3rd that I wish I never got.

You don't have to get one just because they do. It's your body, you're the one who has to live with it, not them.

Netty- My husband is heavily modified and got a very good job, and he is able to keep his piercings in. Most of his tattoos are in covered areas, but he does have two large dragons on each forearm that are not covered. No one has ever said anything negative to him about them, it's just who he is. His name badge is even pictured with his large septum ring. Beach- That's ok. I was 32 when I got my first tattoo and nose ring. Some of us just take longer, and sometimes we just need to be around the right friends who allow us to be ourselves, instead of trying to conform to the "society". Namaste-Anora

Hey guys! I was about 42 years old and just ending a 20 year marriange . For me it was like a mark of liberation thing after being quiet for 20 years . It was a flower and vine on my belly . A couple years later I got a small whale tale on an ankle and a big dragonfly with a womans body on my back ... that one hurt .. ouch! I also took my daughter and son to get them their first tattoos when they turned 21 years old . I'm 54 now and I'm still looking foward to getting two more small ones . A paw print , and a small sea shell . I had the belly pierced when I was about 50 years old .. maybe you could say I'm a late bloomer :) hehe

More power to you! I hope someday I can get to a point where I don't care as much about what others think of me. I'm close, but still not there! Some days I really do care.

Alderica- I've the OM on my right foot. It's such a beautiful symbol. I'm glad to hear you are dressing for yourself, it is truly liberating. Have a wonderful week and enjoy your first tattoo. Namaste-Anora