posted November 17, 2003 02:38 PM         

I have an Apache war shield tattooed on the inside of my right ankle. It has a Thunderbird in the middle of the shield with 3 large feathers around the shield itself. It measures about 3 inches wide at the fullest part of the circle and about 5 inches long from top of the shield to the bottom point of the longest feather.

I got the tattoo because of my heritage and the Thunderbird is the keeper of the fire clan (Sag, Leo and Aries) as well as the sacred bearer of eternal happiness and protection.

posted November 17, 2003 03:12 PM         

I'm into the idea of the Libran scales, even though I'm not that strong with Libran placements, because I really need the balance that they represent, and having that tattoo placed on me would help remind me to stay in that balance more easily, lol.

I'd also be into the Wiccan pentagram that has all of the elements represented by the different points in it, as well as having the top point of it which represents Spirit.

But then, I also think of getting the Pisces Fish, the Aqua Water Bearer, and the Taurus Bull engraved on me too though, since that is my Moon/Sun/Rising combo.

So yes, I definitely like them for their expressional value, that's for sure.

But I agree, you do have to be positive and sure about what you put on yourself before you have it all done, that's true.

posted November 17, 2003 04:37 PM         

On one ankle is the symbol for yin/yang, which reflects the closest thing I have to a philosophy of life.

On the other ankle is a lovely green and purple fairy.

posted November 17, 2003 10:28 PM         

Of course, I would have a great deal of difficulty choosing one in the first place, so that's another reason why it would never happen.

That, and that when I'm 68, I'll feel rather silly at the church tea with my tattoo contrasting sharply against my polyester floral and lacy blouse, or deformed beyond recognition on my 6 inch thick ankle.

posted November 18, 2003 12:02 PM         

The clans stem from american indian astrology and the "medicine wheel"

The clans are as follows:

Butterfly: Air: Gemini, Libra and Aquarius
Frog: Water: Pisces, Cancer and Scorpio
Turtle: Earth: Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn
Thunderbird: Fire: Aries, Leo and Sagittarius

The Spirit Keepers of the Directions are as follows:

Shawnodese: Keeper of the South, represented by the coyote and rules summer - beginning with the summer solstice.

Waboose: Keeper of the North, represented by the white buffalo and rules winter - beginning with the Winter Solstice

Wabun: Keeper of the East, represented by the Golden Eagle and rules Spring - beginning with the Spring Equinox.

Mudjekeewis: Keeper of the West, represented by the Grizzly bear and rules Autumn.

Each keeper rules three moon cycles for example I was born under the Long Snow Moon and my keeper is Mudjekeewis. My clan is the Thunderbird clan and I am represented by the Elk, obsidian and the spruce.

You can find more information here:
http://www.ewebtribe.com/StarSpiderDancing/wheel.html

posted November 18, 2003 12:47 PM         

Thanks for the advice, lol. But I was actually thinking of getting those tattoos inscribed in different places if I really decided to go ahead and do it, like the Fish symbol on one ankle, the Water Bearer symbol on the other ankle, and perhaps the Bull symbol on my belly or something, I don't know, lol.

But I don't know, maybe I'll just keep it to one design anyway, those scales for balance being my only choice in these body arts instead.

We'll see.

posted November 18, 2003 02:36 PM         

I don't really know how to ask this, but if you are thinking of a belly tattoo, are you done having kids? If not, then the tattoo will stretch out along with your belly and won't look right when the belly gets back into shape. My friend has one and as she gained weight (not from a baby, but from food) her tattoo swelled as well and looked weird.

posted November 18, 2003 04:36 PM         

Lol, no, actually I haven't even started to have kids yet, and I hadn't thought of something happening like you mentioned there yet, so thanks for the advice.

It looks like my shoulder blade or some other body part might be getting colored on when the time comes instead then, lol.

posted November 19, 2003 08:02 AM         

Lioneye,

I've also been thinking that 'when I'm 68...' and decided that it shouldn't make any difference then. My Leo/Gem Moon friend is similar to you. She says that she wouldn't want to carry a symbol she has outgrown from. And she is determined to outgrow anything.

Pidaua,

Thank you for all that info. Very interesting. That background makes any symbol somewhat more profound.

Pixelpixie,

Cool! I wish I could design something myself, but I think I better leave it to someone more gifted than me.

Trillian,

If the tattoo is well chosen and represents what the person is, then people who are put off by it are not good for the person anyway.

posted November 24, 2003 02:09 AM         

Congragulations on your tattoo. You won't hear any complaints from this Pisces moon on your decision to forego your first two choices and go for the Pisces signature instead, lol.

I am thinking of getting one of those symbols tattooed on myself one day too.

So did having it done hurt very much? How long did it take to inscribe? And are you still in any pain?

Thanks for answering if you have time!