ENSO TATTOO X KARMA YOGA FOUNDATION

Community Tattoo Ritual Event
FREEDOM

This will be the sixth year that we’ve partnered with ENSO tattoo to raise funds for the Karma Yoga Foundation (K.FO)! I am beyond grateful for their ongoing support, amazing talent and for the energy they bring to this event each year.

As most of you know, I spend much time feeling into how to incorporate ritual and ceremony into my life and the lives of those around me. How do we acknowledge shifts, initiations, threshold experiences in ways that honor the literal experiences as well as symbolically acknowledge and activate the pools of our subconscious and the energies of our ancestors and beloved guides?

In answer to this inquiry, I’d like to activate this event as an exploration on the theme of FREEDOM and of tattoo as ritual art and healing ceremonial medicine.

Along with the visual representations that the ENSO team and I have chosen this year to signify freedom, this is how we’ll create the community ritual vibes - you’re welcome to do all of this or none, completely up to you!

• The ink used for the tattoos will be reiki infused for this event by Linda Oshins, Marcia Miller and myself.

• Everyone will be energetically cleansed outside the shop before entering with sacred herbs and/or oils.

• One week before the event you will receive two sigil symbols that I created. One for FREEDOM and on for PROTECTION along with instructions for how to use them to prep your energy body for this experience.

• You will receive a worksheet to explore your intention for this tattoo experience.

• Along with the intention explorer, you’ll be sent a list of suggested mantras which you can silently chant while you’re receiving the tattoo. This practice can help to deepen the energetic imprint.

• Though we know that this year will carry the same light-hearted, joyful, boisterous energy as all the previous years, additionally, our team will be part of a very intentional, collective container for your specific energetic support.

• A playlist that you can cue on your personal listening device to connect with the collective and amplify the intentional vibes.

• If COVID restrictions and safety allow, we may be able to have reiki practitioners on-site to offer mini-sessions before or after your tattoo happens.

This teeeeny shift in event rollout has arisen from the way I personally attend to my energy when receiving a tattoo. Each piece of art I have signifies something important in my life - a loss, pain, awakening, family member, vision, transformation, joy and/or very specific intention. Each (except one) has had a specific chant associated with it, and has had the ink energy infused along with the body. Truly, I think every tattoo is a symbolic signifier and a mini-ritual with our without these energy amplifiers - we’re just turning it up a notch!

Check out some of our awesome designs below!!!

SAVE THE DATE: November 14, 2021
Times: Individually scheduled between 11am and 7p
Location: ENSO Tattoo, 22 E 4th Ave #1a, Columbus, OH 43201
VIEW ALL DESIGNS AND SIGN UP HERE!

Symbolism:
You get to decide the symbolic importance and intention for your tattoo. Here’s are some jumping off points!

Om – is the vibration from which all the manifest universe emanates and is a sacred symbol.  The large lower curve represents the waking state (jāgrat), the upper curve represents the unconscious state (sushupti), the middle curve denotes the dream state (swapna). Within the dot is the symbol of enlightenment (turiyā). The crescent represents maya, the illusion that attaches us to the material world and separates the lower, upper, and middle curves from the dot of enlightenment. A state of enlightenment is attained by transcending the material consciousness.

Enso - is a circle that is hand-drawn in one or two uninhibited brushstrokes to express a moment when the mind is free to let the body create.  It symbolizes absolute enlightenment, strength, elegance, the universe, and mu - the void. (wikipedia)

Scorpion – Symbolizes transformation and deep release of ego structures.  Turns poison into nectar.

Snake – Transformation to higher plains of consciousness.  Shedding of the old in order to experience Rebirth.  Sometimes the poison is the medicine.  Snake w clouds – air element. Snake w moon – ether.

Feather – freedom through flight; lightness of being.

Symmetrical design – this was inspired by Indian Kolam and tattoos from the Balkans.  Both traditionally done by women.  This design carries elements of protection & freedom along with the feel of a Celtic compass – clarity for the path ahead.

Moon & Clouds and Moon + waves – getting us into the freedom of space and unlocking of intuition.

Lotus – overcoming. Wisdom.

Key – key offers protection (lock the door and keep things away) and freedom (unlock the door and set yourself free)!

Luna Moth – freedom from the linear logical world into liminal/threshold experiences.  Sight in the dark.

Trees – these ancient beings hold the vibration of freedom (as does all of nature if you listen/feel). Landscape has a prayer all its own.

Broken chain – I think this one speaks for itself!