I was having a discussion concerning occult tattoos earlier today, and wanted to know everyone's opinion on the matter. Lately I been having a strong urge to tattoo four of the 50 names on me. I heard arguments saying that they will empower you, and allow you to have the spirit's energies, and other more pessimistic views saying that it will enslave you to the spirit. I really don't believe in such a view but for survey purposes what is your opinion on this? What about other Simon Necronomicon related tattoos like Sigil of Gateway, Frontlet of Calling, etc..? Thanks for reading.

I had a similar thought when speaking with Aranunna, one of the fifty names, and that name suggested to me that if such tattoos are to be taken, the priest should either begin by getting the Agga and Arra symbols as either tattoos, or as talismans that can be worn on the body at all times. He suggested that this will assure the obedience and beneficence of the spirits once they are 'drawn unto thy flesh'. He also suggested a series of auspicious placements for such tattoos - the Agga on the Left shoulder, the Arra on the Right, and various placements of the fifty names, but I think that part is largely subjective, being that we often associate different ideas with different parts of the body - hands as the symbols of action in the world, feet as the sign of the 'vehicle' on the path one walks, the spine as the central column of being, etc.

I don't think the spirit would enslave you, although i think that you should be sure your personal views on existence are in line with the covenant between Mankind and the Elder Gods, otherwise it could result in a rather rude awakening. Aranunna teaches of the covenant, so if you'd like to understand that more in depth, then I would suggest working with that name some before committing. I could not predict the consequences, if there would be any - it's possible the symbol would simply be inert, as in the case of anyone whom Marduk forsakes as a priest.

In the best case, tattooing one or more of the names will indeed empower you, giving you a direct access to that spirit's purview in existence. However, it becomes a two way exchange of power, and I think it would be wise to do them one at a time and get fully acquainted with the new condition each time, and to fully assimilate the influence of the name into your system. As long as the Agga and Arra are on or around your person at all times, none of the names, even the militant ones, will do you any harm either purposely or inadvertently.

What i wonder, is about the tattoo artist doing the work. Should the artist be somewhat familiar, at least a spiritual or mystically minded person, or does it matter? When using the spellbook formula, for instance, no one is supposed to lay eyes on the seal once it has been prepared and charged. So, what are the rules with tattoos?

Any other priests have a suggestion in that regard? I didn't think of it until now and haven't spoken with Aranunna about it.

peace

getting the eye of horus tattooed on my chest over my heart next week. Ashnook has some nec tattoos, maybe he will chime in and answer your question. In my opinion you should think long and hard before tattooing any magical sigil on your body, esp when it comes to the nec.

This post has been edited by distillate: Apr 28 2007, 11:10 AM

Greetings Sagdili Urbara,

I've got quite a few occult/spiritual tattoos (about 20 or so), as a well as a few mundane ones.
Those that are Necronomicon related are the Seals for Namtillaku, Marukka and Maratukku.Also the 'wheel' of Inanna and the Arra, Agga, Bandar.
The other occult tats are mostly Golden Dawn style. Some archangel sigils, (michael, raphael, uriel, gabriel.) I've got three of the Hebrew god names, the Heiroglyphic Monad, one Solomon's Pentacles and the Futhark of winter. Couple others as well.

Also, what Vagrant Dreamer stated is really good advice. When it comes to putting a spirit's sigil on you, do so one at a time and be familliar with their energy first.
As for the locations, I think that's pretty much up to you. It also depends on you line of work, ya know? My job is home based so there was no problem covering my arms and hands, but just something to consider.
Another good point brought up, was the artist putting them on you. Personally, I learned how to tattoo in the ancient way, with a single hand held needle and inkpot. So I did all my own. But we've got to get Ashnook to reply about that one, since he got his done professionally.
All in all brother, take some time to really consider what you want as far ink goes. It's pretty much permanent and the power fluctuations that come with it can be difficult to adapt to. However, I will say that I found it worth it.

Peace,
Nosotro Tehuti.

Greetings Sagdili Urbara,

Ashnook has the Frontlet of calling on his arm and does not seem too crazy as of yet.

I have an Amulet tatooed over my heart that is accredited to make all spirits pay homage. However in the text it is said that this symbol causes madness in beasts and men. I might be just a little bit crazy. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/insane.gif)

I got a price for $160 for the sigil of the Gateway. It will be my next tat.

Peace

My next tat is going to be a "WindHorse" from Mongolian shamanism.
The closest I can explain it is its kind of like the energy/life force of
a person. It like pegasus, but without the wings. At least I have never
seen it depicted with wings. Its an ancestoral thing, as I do have
mongolian ancestry way back. My mongolian ancestors have come
me in dreams and taught me things. So its to honor my them.

(typos typos typos LOL, just HAD to correct them!)

This post has been edited by The Wanderer: Apr 28 2007, 06:56 PM

Don't. Too many changes happen in this realm of the flesh. Why do you think so many people change so quick? This place is pretty much the smithy's furnace, and we are the works in the making.

Doing something of such magnitude is like engraving your mark on a sword before it finished forging: futile.

I would say, when this world slows down a bit with the chaos, THEN get the tattoos. Then, the association of the tattoos to the environment and very fabric of temporal existence will be with one of peace. Then, if chaos starts up again, the tattoo will be rooted in its making with that moment of peace.

Or, just do it on a day that's excessively peaceful, or when your chi is at it's peak, and is most open.

I suggest that from a magickal time-space perspecitve.

Personally, I think you should do it. All I recommend is that you consider carefully where on your body you'd like to place them. There are indeed some jobs that WILL NOT tolerate tattoos in the open ie... hands arms etc. If your current job is blue collar it won't matter especially if your your own boss, But if you ever want a corporate or government job then they'd have to be hidden. As for what you get thats entirely up to you. All sigils have power and a life of there own but You must charge them in order for them to take full power. Whether you charge them through constant thought or elaborate ritual is a matter of personal preference. I think getting the protective ones like the others have suggested is a great first step that way you can blast away or constrain those that follow if they try to negatively influence you.
Just my 2 cents.

To Xenomancer -

As long as there is inner peace at the moment of the tattooing, that won't be an issue. A period of meditation or purification before hand is recommended, in my opinion, for that reason and also to give the Tattoo the significance it deserves. Is the world in chaos? Or is it in the midst of an orderly process, similar to a body fighting off a disease. The bacteria doesn't cause the fever, the body burns it away itself...

to Gmcbroom,

Do you think the pain of the tattooing process itself can be utilized as the charging fulcrum? It allows a conduit for attention and focus on the symbol itself, and given that the tattoo artist will be tracing the sigil onto your skin, you are experiencing it's formation in a way that is far more direct than any other method of drawing, visualizing, etc. I have one ritual tattoo of a personal nature, and since it was laid on, it has manifested it's power from then until now. On the other hand, it was a symbol I had used and charged several times before. So perhaps it's a bad example. None the less, if a ritual were done in the 'hanging' style, the sigil prepared to recieve the energy, and put on hold until the moment of the application, I think that the intensity of the experience should be enough to charge the sigil on the spot.

Just some thoughts...

peace

Certainly.

Another option is to use a hot knife (basically a soldering iron with an Exacto blade) to brand it into your skin.
The pain has proven an excellent way to charge the sigil.

Of course that may have to do with the orientation of She who's symbols I use. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Well said, Vagrant. You really put it in perspective here: On the planes even on the lowest levels parallel to this one, things are at peace.

Why it seems so out of whack, and why I'm so cynical on the whole thing, I don't know what got into me. Sorry. I apologize to everyone here. I'm very sorry about that.

Greetings Sagdili Urbara,
My Brother everyone has forgotten something when you get a tattoo, but I will talk about it later. My recommendations are to conjure the Spirit from the 50 Names of the Necronomicon first before you get into your flesh as a tattoo. Establish a communication with him, let him know you and you know about him as much as you can, be best of friends before you take the next step. Like when you get a girlfriend you know her before you decide that is the woman you want to marry. Tap the energy os the spirit and be familiar with it after you have attune his energy with yours, then I suggest you the tattoo his seal on you body. But before get and agreement with him and let him know you purpose. It will look wierd if someone want to be your friend and that person never make an approach and you noticed that he is wearing your same type of clothes, know where you live, and what you do, I will call the stalking. Now about charging the seal when it gets tattooed on your flesh why are you worry about this simple step. Like I mention at the begining everyones forgot one important thing about tattoo when you get tattooed you bleed and what better form of sincronize the energy of the seal and charging the seal that with your own blood at that same moment your are making a pack with the spirit and is no need of further charging than your own blood and pain your going thru in the proses. You might want to to conduct the ritual that is in the Necronomicon Spell Book or the complete ritual from the actual Necronomicon but that is up to you my Brother. Hope my little knowledge has served you for what you were looking for.

Oh, good point, about the blood. I think we did forget that.

That also brings up the issue of trust. Be sure you really, really, really trust the entities that are the fifty names, and for that matter, the Elder Gods as well, before you go into this - blood pacts are the most serious magick you can do. In Gates, Simon actually expresses that involving blood with any element of the necronomicon is a very bad idea, however I personally trust the fifty names and the Elder Gods with it. Involving blood in a gate ritual now, is probably a big mistake.

Can't believe no one mentioned that till now, 'specially me!

Good call.

peace

Since tattoos involve blood and thus a permanent connection to the spirit afterwards, the tattoo will involve consequences concerning the nature of the spirit and your relationship with it. After I had Utu (Shammash)'s symbol tattooed on my chest, the deity constantly places checks on my actions. While he is not overstepping his bounds, being that he is the Great Judge who judges the souls of the dead as well as the Lord of Justice, I was not fully aware of the implications of getting that tattoo when I got it. I do not regret it, however it is something to think about when choosing a spirit, deity, or any spiritual tattoo for that matter. You are directly, for life, connecting yourself to that power. You must ask yourself what forces do you place that must trust in. That being said, go for it.

Thanks to all of your brother for your advice, and for all your responses. This is something that has been very useful to me, and hopefully to others interested in the same thing. Thanks alot to all once again, and for the usefulness of your advice which have really helped.

i had once thought about getting a nec tattoo my watcher advised placing them on the alter since it is an extention of me but not me , just a thought

This post has been edited by papatwilight: May 2 2007, 07:44 AM

In reply to #1

I do this partly as an obvious plug for my friend's business, although since you are unlikely to travel to the UK to get your work done it is perhaps rather pointless for that purpose!

Nevertheless, she is both an extremely accomplished magician and a tattooist. You may find some of the information on her website interesting, since she deals with the topic of body art from a magical perspective. Additionally, I am sure that if you were inclined to make contact with her by email she would be happy to answer any genuine queries you may have on the subject. She views her involvement with body-art as integral to her magical work, and of course, she takes that very seriously!

This is the site, which is apparently getting revamped but the finished product is yet to materialise. Still, the section entitled "Manifesto" might provide a great deal of food for thought.

http://www.tattooed-lady.co.uk/manifesto/page1manifesto.asp