Years back when I went to get this tattoo I was in a fairly rough spot. Heartbroken, lost, having a hard time moving forward- and without much drive to do so. I had been working on this design for a while, trying to work out something that encompassed an assortment of my core beliefs, things that would stand the test of time and not leave. Permanence in an impermanent world.
If you don’t know, now you know (subjectively speaking):
- The three spokes represents that what you put out there comes back three-fold. Positive energy, negative energy, love, hate. You reap what you sow.
- Circle in the middle is to be mindful of trying to stay centered- as was the chosen location of it on my body
- The wave like ends of the three spokes represents the ebb and flow, up and down, tides of life
- The Celtic knots surrounding it are a nod to my Irish/Celtic roots, as well as my earth based “religious” beliefs, with the ways they interlock representing everything & everyone being connected
- Green is to represent nature
When I finally pulled the trigger to get these things etched on my body, man, did it hurt (I am in constant awe of people who can handle getting multiple tattoos, especially in certain areas. Maybe my body is just more sensitive or something?). There’s no such thing as circumnavigating the psychical pain that is tattoos, just as there’s no foolproof plan for circumnavigating emotions- despite the fact that humans have devised a multitude of deferment methods for the latter, to which I am no stranger to having indulged.
Tangents aside- for the first time since getting this first tattoo I’m open to another, but with different meaning & motivations. And perhaps somewhere less painful where I can actually see it. I should note, I wrote this all while re-watching Eat, Pray, Love. I had also forgotten how much I love this movie. And need to travel.
