Sigil tattoos

[Santiago]

So we all know that sigils are very pretty to look at. What is the opinion of the forum regarding the use of sigils in tattoos? It would certainly make one looke like an uber bad ass wizard. Is it completely dangerous and retarded though?

[TheSeeker]

That kind of depends on what purpose/function the sigil has, doesn't it...

[Vashta]

I would say it's ok, provided you know what you're getting into.

I have a few sigil tattoos, for each one I spent some time studying the sigil, related entity, etc, immersed myself in it, and then inked them when I was prepared to make a lifelong commitment to their function. To me, what's important about the sigil tattoo is that you are fully aware that you're entering into a permanent, life-altering arrangement. I tend to think of them as being a bit like a reiki attunement, in that the presence of the sigil in your skin acts like a conduit through which you are permanently connected to that particular current, and it can't be undone.

So, yes, but think carefully about it before you do

Dangerous.. Perhaps, depending on the sigil, as TheSeeker said. It depends on the function/entity attached to the sigil, and needs evaluated on a case-by-case basis. You should probably prepare yourself for an influx of interesting sensations. Also, with the actual tattooing, I recommend you meditate on the sigil shortly before and during the tattoo. The sight of blood may help you, as blood is has a powerful effect on the mind.

[Santiago]

What about putting sigils on paintings and never destroying them?

[doodlingowl]

i have one of Pazuzu. No positives or negatives to report.

[TheSeeker]

I have the Meta Rune between my shoulder blades with no discernable ill effects. *twitch-twitch*

BoneTat.jpg (48.85 KiB) Viewed 11776 times

In fact, one might say it's opened some doors. [eek]

[Penelope]

I'm a big tattoo fan, but don't get a sigil that might in any way ever bite you in the ass!

But I more like your question about paintings - I do a lot of painting and like to incorporate sigils into them. This is probably going to sound a bit odd but I also do a lot of knitting (with beer, to death metal, just to break the sterotype) and give out a lot of gifts with bits and pieces incorporated. I like to make good sigils for nice people and channel them back through a sigil tatt on me, for one big hypersigil. It's a lot of good energy washing around.

[ChristopherNight]

I wouldn't say it would be my thing, unless perhaps many years in the future I find one sigil which best encompasses my personal philosophy.

The reason I wouldn't do this is that as a chaos magician, I need the freedom to work within whichever paradigm helps me to achieve my goals. I can't simply change the system I work in when it's literally under my very skin. Additionally, I fear I could find it hard to work with the sigil in a magical sense. It might be difficult to detune my conscious mind from it after activation if it's a part of my body. Plus destroying the sigil after activation would not be an option, I'm not affluent or masochistic enough to laser off and reapply tattoos on a regular basis

[Vashta]

Yeah, the sigils I have tattooed are of the non-disposed-of variety

Things like the reiki symbols, for example, and a number of other currents that I tap often. Those attached to entities.. I enter knowing that it's forever, and with as full an understanding of the risks as possible. It's true, they could turn around and bite me on the ass, but, confronting that possibility head-on is an aspect of a couple of them, and a path I've chosen to take.

As for paradigm shifting.. I still do, I don't tend to disregard the tattoos, I guess I don't think of the currents/entities attached as permanently static, and there are layers upon layers upon layers of functionality and modes of being for these entities, such that in my opinion, they're suitable to be "translated" as archetypes into other systems much like the Loa. I don't revere them as gods or anything (I'm theistic like a Hindu but I don't revere divinity, just accept it as I see it), but I do acknowledge them and invite their currents into my life. I don't really even see the entities as gods, although some of them are, more as archetypal bridges - almost like foundational elements of the whole thing, which we tend to view through these masks or bridges - doorways to the core of the archetype. Maps to the territory.

I guess they're all things I have in the past, or am now, integrating into myself, or acknowledging the presence of in myself. So, the tattoos themselves are probably not really even necessary, but they do quite firmly cement in place the lifelong decision to work with those aspects of both myself and the world about me.

[ChristopherNight]

That's a good way to approach a tattoo, as a dedication to following a certain current of behaviour, regardless of paradigm. I agree with what you said on the importance of meditating on a sigil before having it tattooed on, as in any work of value understanding is vital.

[Jack-o-diamonds]

i like to make up symbols off the top of my head and tattoo whatever-it-might-be right on myself with no more than 6 prior seconds to think of it. makes life more interesting. (and if any of u saw my pics in the pic thread you've seen it.)

[Commander Chaos]

I have a Chronos symbol on my left hand. It's pretty appropriate and looks "uber badass". I know a guy who has a bunch of sigil tattoos. We have both been practicing for almost 15 years though.

[5kinr]

I had an idea a while back to do something like this, only with one of the seals from the Ars Goetia. The purpose would be twofold: I'd always have it with me (and therefore it would probably be pretty impressed on my unconscious), and it could be part of the "arrangement" with said spirit. In exchange for being allowed to call upon them at any time I needed, I would be essentially broadcasting my connection to that spirit (at least subconsciously) to everyone who saw the tattoo.

Also thought of getting a protective sigil done that way, but I think it might lose its power over a long period of time (and it's difficult to destroy, lol).

Of course, all of this is purely hypothetical; I'm hardly advanced enough to work with evocation, and have done only a little work with sigils.