I had a birthday this month and, like every birthday, I decided to consciously experience a day simply fraught with symbolism. Facing down an enormous pile of dishes I imagined myself cleaning away the leftover bits of the past year. Surrounded by friends I felt gratitude for the love and support I would continue to receive into the next. As I gazed out a winter window between dish-washing and friend-hugging, a huge blue jay buzzed my startled head. Wow! I hadn't seen one in (what seemed like) years. The flash of white belly and shocking color snapped me right into another reverie, that of the totem or "power animal."
I went to my favorite Website for such instances,
What's-Your-Sign.com and read up on the little guy. The similarities between the mythic qualities of the jay dovetailed with my current life beautifully. Check out what I discovered
here.
If you know me, I think you'll agree!
As a tattooer I get the privilege of working with people's symbols and helping them illustrate their personal myth. When I discovered the idea of power animals I began to enjoy "trying on" the various aspects of the creature, both what we observe in nature and what personality traits we assign to it from our human perspective. The result of such thoughts expanded my personal life experience so much that I made it a habit, and encourage my clients to do their own research when they find themselves drawn to a certain animal (or plants or objects).
So the next time a seagull poops on your umbrella, pretend the seagull has some other reason to get your attention. If you frame it right, researching the metaphysical traits of your gift-giver might just help you soar.
Friday Jones
It's coming up on that frisky season! You know that time of warm days that make us all start to slowly shed our outer layers and reveal that beautifully tattooed body...so take that fancy azz to a tattoo convention and show it off already! I'll be kicking off my spring tour with the venerable NYC Tattoo Convention this weekend followed by the western brodown in Salt Lake City on St. Patrick's Day(ish). Dates in Austin, Glasgow, London and Los Angeles will put me squarely back in NYC just in time for the May migration. Curious of my whereabouts these next few months? Get with my Twitter for the quickest updates. See you at the shows!
Hey hey! My new show