Wednesday, August 8, 2007

tattoos

so I've decided I want some. I've wanted some for a while, but now that I know I'll be making some money once I'm out of school, I can actually start thinking about what I want, the symbolism of it, and where on my body I'd like to get them.

there will be lots of pictures in this entry.. :oD

this is the goddess symbol. I have always believed very strongly that in every woman there is a goddess. women are amazing creatures.. we can endure so much, and always bounce back to some extent. and in the center moon, a celtic love knot. showing enduring, and unconditional love
these would be just like a knecklace just below my collarbones, and held in place by a chain of vines... I need to draw all these together to give you the gist of it... but there are three very meaningful symbols to me all in one design.

the second tattoo I want is a fairly large one, spanning from my left hip to my left ankle. the right side of your body is related to masculine/physical energies and the left side related to the feminine/emotional energies. this is a very feminine tattoo, and comes from the very emotional part of me. there is nothing masculine about it, so I chose the left side of my body.

It will be vines, starting their growth from my ankle, entwined in the vines will be the names of all those people who have shaped my life for the better. my family (some of them anyway), my friends, my passed loved ones, my animals. as more people come into my life, my tattoo will grow to include more vines, and more names. and a flower, or thorn for major events in my life. depending on whether they are good or bad. This tattoo is going to be extremely important to me, its a piece of artwork that I have been working on for the past decade or so, and to have it be a permanent part of my body is special to me.
I like these vines. lacking in the thorns and blood though. I like the way they are tight knit and realistic.

two pieces of art, with very close to my heart meanings. now, to find an artist that can actually do them.

I've also been reading about ailments, and what they could possibly mean. my wrist, and shoulder:

Let's say you have problems with carpal tunnel in your right hand. When the carpal tunnel becomes inflamed it tightens around the nerves in your hand. Causing a tingling in the thumb, index and middle fingers. Because it's on the right side, we can point to an issue you're having with a male figure in your life. Or with the physical things that are occurring within a situation you're involved in. We can see how the tightening can seem like you're being squeezed unfairly or unjustly.

From here no book can give you an answer. You need to look at the situations in your life and determine what the situation could be. Are you treating yourself fairly, or are you involved in a situation involving a male person where you feel they are creating or involved in an unjust situation.


and my shoulder:

Let's say you have tightness in your shoulders continuously, day in and day out. Define for yourself what do your shoulders do? What function to they perform? They carry things, they carry the heavy burdens, carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders. In this example, we're not talking about the left or right side, but both. So how does that correspond to situations? Well, you still have a right and left shoulder. So in this case, we're talking about how you feel you're carrying the load both emotionally and doing all the things life requires you to do physically. This could mean you're responsible for always carrying for the kids, the house, the chores of the house, cooking, grocery shopping and so on. Having no down time for yourself. This can be overwhelming and can often make you feel like you have no emotional support at home for all the things you're doing either.

Monday, August 6, 2007

Spirituality and my faith.

I have always referred to myself as atheist. I do not believe in one true God. I don't believe the story or adam and eve, or the garden of eden. I don't believe in a vengeful God, or one that would punish His children, should they go astray. and here is my explanation for that.

 I watch over people. I try to do right by everyone. I refuse to believe that any parent...God or otherwise, would purposefully damn their child/ren to an eternity of suffering. Hence my disbelief in any sort of hell, or limbo-esque place. Heaven, would only exist if a hell existed, seeing as there is no need to reward if you do not punish. this is why I believe in reincarnation of some sort, in some sense. I believe that all animals are around after they pass away, as are people.

I believe very strongly that we are not watched over by any one being, but that spirits, or thoughts, carry over after a loved one passes, to support and guide in times of need.

Neo-paganism seems to the be the "religion" that best suits my beliefs. it is the only religion that does not have a set guide to follow for your life. it is very simple in that you must do right by others to have others do right by you. if you are a "bad" person, and you hurt people, you will get hurt. Karma I suppose. but an argument for that point would very easily be "bad things happen to good people as well". I'm a good person, now. I am still paying for my past, and probably will continue to do so until the day I die. karma is not for any one person. we are constantly breathing in pollution, just as we take in bad thoughts... it's hard to explain I guess. we feed on each other's karma, not just our own.

I love the term "blessed be". it's a non-preachy version of "God bless you". blessed be means very simply, be well. may you have good fortune, and may good thoughts stay with you.

I'm not intending to be preachy.. but I have never once felt as though any faith suited me. and the more I read, the more I agree. neo-paganism can suit just about any belief that is not in any other religion. *shrug*. does that make me a pagan? is it that easy?

Sunday, August 5, 2007

Paganism, and faith in general.

so, been reading. The term, pagan, is derived from the Latin word, paganus, which means a country dweller. okies, I'm hooked.

Reincarnation (rebirth of the body into another bodily form) was believed by the people, but they did not believe in the existence of heaven and hell.

Today, Paganism (neo-paganism) celebrates the Earth, living creatures, nature, and so on. Most modern-day pagans believe in more than one god, while others are atheistic.
... okies, more hooked.

the book I was reading goes on to explain the major differences between christianity and (neo)paganism. including: Biblical Christianity teaches that the Bible contains God’s words and message to mankind. It is infallible and inerrant. Paganism does not have one main religious text or set of beliefs to follow.

That is the major thing that I love about paganism. I have never believed in the bible. how could God, a supposedly perfect being, create anything so full of contradictions? I don't believe in god, and if I do, I believe in many gods. mother earth, gods and goddesses of nature, love, fertility...

paganism and wiccan traditions don't go hand in hand. Shug was a pagan, but only windy practiced any wicca.. I'm not so sure I believe in wicca. I do believe in the karma aspect, but I don't believe in the whole magick thing. moving stuff with your mind being a learnable ability and stuff like that. this is actually some pretty interesting stuff, and if nothing else.. it's keeping my mind off the stuff that's really bugging me lately