Ink #2

The tattoo on my left shoulder was my first tattoo and is one I designed myself. It is comprised of intertwined Astrological glyphs or symbols. The Sun/Moon and Ascendant or Rising sign are the three most important points in a natal chart and if you had studied Astrology you would be able to read this tattoo and work out that I have the Sun in Sagittarius, the Moon in Cancer and the Ascendant in Virgo. These three signs don't have much in common and the dichotomy that can arise within as described by their intrinsic traits and characteristics is why I was first drawn to Astrology.

Very few people know about "proper" Astrology. Most only know what they read in magazines and newspapers about "Sun sign" Astrology, which really is only a bit of fun. Serious Astrology is much more complex as indeed people are and is a wonderfully rich archetypal language that can translate much about life and the human condition. A horoscope or natal chart is completely individual to each person - no two people have the same chart.

In Western Astrology there are ten "planets" commonly used in drawing up a natal chart. In Astrology we say planets for convenience but the Sun is a Star and the Moon is a satellite of the Earth. Each planet is representative of a drive within us and where these planets are placed in the chart indicates what areas of life will be of particular importance to us.

For example the Moon is representative of our emotional needs, our gut instincts and Mercury how our mind works and how we communicate. Further information can be interpreted by the sign the planet is in, the house it is placed in and the aspects it makes to the other planets.

It is the one subject I know of that does not judge or demand anything other than understanding and growth of yourself, others and your environment. It has touched every culture, race and religion since man first looked skyward and asked what his place was in the weft and weave of the cosmos and its roots are in the very beginnings of man's understanding of the patterns and cycles of life. It's basic tenet is that what happens in the macrocosm is reflected in the microcosm.

"As Above Is So Below"

It is something that I have found hugely illuminating but like all tenets and beliefs it is highly personal and not something I expect others to like or agree with - just like my tattoos.

Many thanks to Pappa G for sharing his wonderful and very beautiful tattoos and their meaning too :D

This was released around the same time I took up Astrology and got this tattoo done and has a girl with red hair and black tattoos so it's the song choice of today :)