it starts...

As I promised myself I would this year, I have gotten my first tattoo. It is to be the first of a few tattoos, and the first of three specific crow themed tats.

This is of a small murder of crows, nine to be specific. Flying, widdershin around my left arm. In fact this could be considered 9 tattoos in all, for while it is, albeit an unconventional arm band, it is comprised of nine individual tattoos.

As crows fly (as can be seen in 'Seven Crows') they do not fly in formation, but are asymmetrical and erratic in their flight pattern. And to cement that in the tattoos themselves the two on the back and inside of the arm are in a different trajectory. The first turning in mid air, and the second flying more head-on.

I won't say that this didn't hurt, but as I was prepared for far worse I can say that I have no reservations about going back in about a month for the second in the crow series. That will be a band on my right arm. It will be more of a traditionally designed arm band composed of Celtic knot work and one crow (also in knot work) in the center of the band facing out.

The third will be a Triskle on my upper back, below my neck. And if you're counting that will be 3 tats, totally 13 crows. Aside from Crows and Ravens, I personally have an affinity to the numbers 3 and 9... so 3 tats with crows. One with 9 crows, one with 3 crows and a single to represent my spirit dæmon . Couple all this with the fact that they are all being done as I am 39 and I think the meaning of 3 and nine becomes further solidified in my life.

I am very satisfied with this first tat. An altogether pleasant experience, made more so by the fact that it was done by not only a talented artist, but a fellow Maritimer who, himself and his family have spiritual ties to crows. You can check out his work here.

(Special thanks to Graham and Tony who helped fund the Tattoo with Birthday money)

seven crows

My love and admiration of Crows began as a small boy. I can remember hearing their cawing and thinking how magical and mystical their sound was.

Then, once while out with my grandmother, we heard and then saw some crows. She recited a small poem as she counted them. I was transfixed. I asked her to repeat it and teach it to me...

One Crow sorrow,
Two Crow joy,
Three Crow a girl,
Four Crow a boy,
Five Crow silver,
Six Crow gold,
Seven Crow a secret,
never to be told.

Each and every time I see a crow or crows I recite that poem. And every time I do I think of my Grandmother.

This is one of my favourite paintings of Crows. It's entitled "Seven Crows" not so coincidentally. It's by renowned artist Alex Colville. I'm a huge fan of his, and not only because of his many paintings of crows, but because his paintings look so real you feel as if you could walk right into one as easily as you walk through an open door.