You can make these ideas completely your own to use as you like.

Because I see this more as a therapeutic tool I would love for anyone to be able to get this tattoo that wants it if it is meaningful to you. I’m happy to tattoo you in my studio in Arizona, but I am also offering online hypnotherapy sessions to those in other places who want to receive the tattoo from someone local to them and still experience the anchoring benefit of hypnosis as it was designed for. This can be done before or after getting the tattoo. This can be done even without getting a tattoo. Just imagining the image of the spiral and the closed circle is enough. But tattooing is what I do and probably what you are here for. ^__^ So I will explain my thoughts behind it for those who are interested.

What is a hypnotic anchor?

In hypnotherapy school, they teach us to give our clients some sort of anchor in our sessions. When you go into hypnosis, you enter a very deep state of relaxation, slowing the brain waves for clarity and heightened awareness. The brain moves from Fight or Flight mode to a subconscious access and connects you to creative thinking, problem solving, and intuition. In this space, the mind is very open to new and positive suggestions. In order to allow the client to have access to this level of calm again after the session in their daily life when needed, we can anchor the feeling to a physical cue (like joining the thumb and forefinger together for example) and suggesting to them while in hypnosis that this action will bring them back to this exact state. It will remind them that they are in control and can relax themself using their mind at any time.

Hypnotic suggestions can be made very personal, worded and tailored to the person’s individual needs. Other examples of common anchors used in hypnosis could be, “Every time I see the color red, it reminds me that I am a non-smoker for life.” Or, “Every time I pick up this writing utensil I take a deep breath in and out, and I will easily recall the information that I need for this test.”

I made the spiral drawing as an idea for a visual cue to go with a physical anchor, inspired by what we use in hypnosis. And something that could be generally useful and helpful for anyone.

Closing the door:

One of my teachers recommends us to have a physical motion to use for ourselves especially as therapists, for “closing the door” when we get overloaded or overwhelmed. Closing the door to the subconscious mind by closing the finger tips, or crossing the legs or ankles. That way when someone else’s “stuff” gets a little too close to our own “stuff,” we can mentally create some separation, take a deep breath, then return to the moment with our 100%.

When you look down at your hand in a closed fist, it creates the natural shape of a spiral. A closed fist evokes the feeling of defense and protecting yourself. If you were to look at your closed hand and imagine a spiral spinning, it is also naturally hypnotic. You can imagine a spiral spinning, burrowing inward, into your own inner world, and blocking out the bombardment of messages from the outside for a moment.

The spiral is a powerful universal energetic symbol; I don’t completely understand how or why. But they are everywhere and always have been. It indicates a movement of energy. Growth is not only cyclical, it happens in a spiral— both literally as in nature, and metaphorically as we find ourselves returning to the same lessons again and again but always moving upward like a spiral staircase. To have a spiral tattooed could be a reminder of your personal connection and relation to the greater cosmos. To be able to see yourself in It, and It in you, I think is very important to remember and easy to loose sight of. Even if you don’t get a tattoo you already have a spiral with you every time you look at your own hand.

Opening the door:

I thought it would be useful to be able to open and close the door with the same tool. Willingness to open to Divine ideas & inspiration to move through us is equally important as being able to close. Listening and receiving that which is for our highest good and highest purpose.

When you create that open loop with your hand, it creates a blank space, a window of opportunity and limitless potential for anything to arise or be created through it. As an artist it is important to remain open, to receive and also to share. Ideas want to use us as a medium to come into the physical world. It is not really about us at all and more about getting out of the way, making the space and emptying.

These are just my thoughts behind why I drew these designs, but there are endless ways to use anchoring.

Hypnotherapy involves making the subconscious conscious, and tattooing makes the inner outer. 🙂 I’m just beginning to explore the overlap of these two practices in a way that can magnify and share the benefits I have received from both in my own life.

I’m very overjoyed to receive feedback, interest and to connect to people who deeply resonate with the same thoughts, just since sharing this one idea. I just felt the need to get out a simple idea not expecting it hit home with so many. Not long ago I was losing my belief in the ability of art to make a tangible difference in the world. But now I‘m starting to understand the value of beauty, joy, and energy as forces of light. We were given gifts and desires planted in our hearts for a reason and we all have a role to be honored. They were not given in vain, nor is it vanity to use them. Letting your light shine is an act of gratitude.

If you are interested in scheduling a tattoo appointment or hypnotherapy appointment online or in person please book here! I would love to meet and connect with you.