How I met my Sister, my Guide - Rachel Christensen
I vividly remember the first time I ever put my gaze on Rachel, it was at Orin Aya festival in FNQ. She looked like this cute fairy being that has just came out from the forest to play in the human realm.
During this time, I have just freshly finished an online course - Sacred Tattooing , which Rachel co-created with Ashley River. I have tried writing to Rachel a few times asking her about being a tattoo resident at her studio - Chrysalis, but for some reason it wasn’t enough clarity for us. I was working solo at the time, attending this festival by an invitation to offer tattooing experience for people at the festival’s art space. The space I got offered to tattoo in - was a small, rugged and dusty storage area for artists’ painting. When I saw this space my heart dropped and doubts were brewing within - I still managed to make a plan to tattoo for one session. The night before the session I could hardly sleep, with my doubts stirring inside of me, at the end I was finally feeling at peace when I made the decision to not go ahead.
The next day, I packed my equipments and move them out from this dusty space and feeling a huge sense of relief. Despite the anticipation and preparation that I have been though - to be tattooing at this festival, it felt good in the heart to just drop the idea. Therefore I decided to enjoy the festival itself instead of trying to work. The sun has just set, night was looming in with warm mist in the air mixed with dust. I walked towards the main stage as I knew one of my friends were going to play soon, as I arrived I saw this fairy like being - I walked towards her and introduced myself and we ended up spent quite the night hanging out. Not long after this day, I moved to the Sunshine Coast and joined her at Chrysalis.
This event of meeting Rachel was mysteriously synchronistic, as if the another level or gateway of sacred tattooing has opened its door for me since I understand the importance of environment for giving and receiving tattoos. I felt like I have passed a school test that day.
Rachel is fearlessly talented with her craft, dream visionary, also determined and funny. I might not be able to match the depth of her emotion, but I am honour to light up her face and nurture her with all I know how. She has showed me the ways of many, allowed me to be in her space to weave and sharing one altar. I love Rachel and I am forever grateful to her because she didn’t think I was less, grateful for the opportunity to weave my offering at the tail end of Chrysalis - one of the greatest legacies of ceremonial tattooing in many’s heart.
