Leo the Lion

Found this Lion, listed under Creative Commons, on Flickr and just had to share it for all those born under the sign of Leo.  According to the folks over at Astrology.com those born under this sign are strong, limelight loving people who are: "an ambitious lot, and their strength of purpose allows them to accomplish a great deal. The fact that these folks are also creative makes their endeavors fun for them and everyone else." So, happy birthday to all the Leos out there!

Ouroboros Back Tattoo

This stunning image comes from the Flickrstream of Amy Messere and is listed under Creative Commons.

History tells us the ouroboros first appeared in the ancient Egyptian book "Enigmatic Book of the Underworld" found in the tomb of King Tutankhamun which dates it to about the 14th century BCE (before the common era).  The story concerns Ra and his union with Osiris in the Underworld. From there the ouroboros is discussed by the Greek Plato as being the first being, complete unto itself: "For the Creator conceived that a being which was self-sufficient would be far more excellent than one which lacked anything..." In the Middle Ages it was sometimes found on playing cards including tarot cards and alchemists also employed the ouroboros as one of their many sigils.  Whoever was using it the symbol has always represented the never ending cycles of birth, life, death and rebirth, in many ways similar to the phoenix, and is a fairly popular tattoo image.

A Crab for the Cancer Sign

Here's a nice Crab, listed as free to use, from the Flickr stream of Dream Master Custom Tattoo.  Those born under the sign of Cancer, like myself, tend to be emotional people with a strong sense of empathy and often have psychic abilities.

Symbolic Valkyries

Found this free to use tattoo on Flickr.  The owner says: "My first tattoo, represents the valkyries taking warriors to valhalla where they will feast until they have to fight in the ragnarökIt was made in the Brutal Tattoo @ Mexico City, Londres #101, Zona Rosa - by Magic."   Pretty awesome ink, eh?

Witches, Cauldron, Cat and Frog

Found this awesome tattoo, listed under Creative Commons, on Flickr and just had to share it!

Ouroboros Yin Yang

This a reader submission from way back in April 2012 from Paul.  The ouroboros is an ancient symbol for the never ending cycles of life and more commonly a snake eating its own tail. This dragon version, with the yin yang and triquetra, is unique. Thanks for sharing Paul!

Hummingbird and Sun

Here, have a twofer.

Beltaine Scorpion

Beltaine Pent

This nice Ouroborus pentacle is another of the great tattoos I photographed on Beltaine!

More Beltaine Ink

Here's another tattoo from Beltaine!

Beltaine Ink 3: Hawk

Another of the great tattoos photographed on Beltaine! This belongs to my cool new friend Bob and was inked at Electric Voodoo Tattoo in Springfield, Missouri.

Amazing Horned God

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This positively gorgeous Cernunnos comes to us from reader Richard who says:

It is a representation of The Horned God, Cernunnos, or Herne. To me it is symbolic with my connection to him as one of my patrons and was done as a devotional act to honor our bond.

Thanks so much to Richard for sharing his stunning tattoo!

Kingfisher Ink

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These gorgeous Kingfishers come from the Flickrstream of Graeme Fraser and are licensed by Creative Commons.

In ancient Greece, the week before and the week after the winter solstice were peaceful days on the sea allowing the kingfisher to hatch her egg. As the Greek goddess Alcyone was represented by the kingfisher we now call these days the Halcyon Days. From Wikipedia:

The myth of Ceyx and Alcyone describes how Alcyone, as recorded by Ovid, pines all day by the shore where Ceyx was destined to return. Unfortunately Ceyx, who is referred to as the son of the morning star (a reference to the solstice, not anything satanic), has died in a shipwreck. Alcyone finds this out, and throws herself into the sea. The gods feel pity for Ceyx and Alcyone, transforming them into Halcyon Birds. The first Halcyon days were those days in winter, on which Alcyone first lay her eggs. Her father Aeolus, god of the wind, calms the seas each year since so she can lay them again.

These are considered days of peace and prosperity. I like to think of these days as a calming time before the insanity of the mainstream holidays kicks in.

Tiger Totem

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This tattoo comes to us from reader Heather! It was inked by artist Alex at Good Times Tattoo in Salt Lake City, Utah. Heather had this to say about her gorgeous tiger:

I've always been attracted to tigers and everything that they stand for. My very first tattoo was of one and I feel like it's not just my totem but that perhaps I was one in a prior life. My love for them surrounds me and my home.

Thanks so much to Heather for sharing her tattoo!

Athena: Watchmen Style

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This gorgeous Athena tattoo comes from the Flickrstream of Ohnocriso and is licensed under Creative Commons.

This tattoo is based on original art by Dave Gibbons from the comic The Watchmen.

Cat People Tarot

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This fabulous tattoo comes from the Flickrstream of tattoo artist Shannon Archuleta. The fabulous original artwork comes from the later, great Arizona artist Karen Kuyendall.

Boar

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This supercool boar was inked by the fine folks at Mod Tattoo out of Stoughton, Wisconsin and belongs to reader Richard. He had the following to say about it:

The boar is a totem spirit of mine and represents my connection to the Earth and also protection, particularly my role as protector of my family.

Thanks to Richard for sharing his tattoo!

Killer Cat

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This supercool tattoo comes from the Flickrstream of Tlindenbaum and is licensed under Creative Commons.

Bat in Flight

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Here's a nice bat from the Flickrstream of Earley Curley and is licensed under Creative Commons.

If you look closely you can just make out what appears to be two nipples, so, I don't know how accurate this is but it's neat all the same!