Morpheus Ravenna

@morpheusravenna

Part time werewolf, full time screeching banshee. Artist, ritual tattooist, author, Celtic polytheist. Queer, genderfluid, feminist, antifascist & antiracist. Huchiun/Oakland. LAND BACK. sí / hir #art #tattoo #author

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Morpheus Ravenna@morpheusravenna· 22d

Thank you to my dear friend and colleague River Devora for this lovely endorsement. INK & BLADE will be in print January 2027 - available now for pre-order from @llewellynbooks.bsky.social or wherever you order books! #tattoo #witchsky #pagansky #books

“Part academic text, part ritual manual, Ravenna's deep reverence and respect for the subject matter shines through every page. I have never read a book quite like this before amd I found it fascinating. This is a must-read for anyone interested in tattoo history or in ritual and magic.”
- River Devora, co-founder, House of Apples

Book cover with ornamental filigree in wine and peach colors against black.
Text reads:
Ink & Blade: The History & Sacred Rites of Tattoo Art, Morpheus Ravenna

Morpheus Ravenna@morpheusravenna· 29d

I'm so honored by this endorsement from Nataša Ilinčić @natasailincic.bsky.social. It's always amazing to have your work praised by someone you admire! Thanks Nataša 💙 INK & BLADE is available now for pre-order from @llewellynbooks.bsky.social. #tattoo #witchsky #pagansky

"Ravenna sets an ambitious scope, and executes it masterfully. Ink and Blade delves into the ancient art of tattooing, enriching carefully researched academic knowledge with lived expertise and wisdom. The result is a deeply human book that doesn’t shy away from complex topics such as dynamics of power, identity, sacredness, and body sovereignty. Ink and Blade will have a treasured place on my bookshelf, and book purists will have to forgive the numerous marginalia and underlined text that will mark (how fitting) my copy."
- Nataša Ilinčić, illustrator, author, & anthropologist

Morpheus Ravenna@morpheusravenna· Jun 10

Morpheus Ravenna@morpheusravenna· Jun 7

We have a new corgi puppy in our life now, 5 months old, named Finn. Here are 49 seconds of Finn in play mode, in case you need a giggle today. #corgi

Morpheus Ravenna@morpheusravenna· Jun 6

Final slides, 3/3 www.bansheearts.com/blog/what-is...

Ritual closing:
At the end of a ritual tattoo I like to offer a blessing for soothing & good healing for the body at the site of the tattoo.

If we have honored any beings such as ancestors, gods, or spirits, we thank them for their presence at the end of the session.

Aftercare is also a ritual!

For more about tattoo rituals & the history & breadth of sacred tattooing, you can pre-order my book:

Ink & Blade: The History & Sacred Rites of Tattoo Art

Coming January 2027 from Llewellyn Books.

Link in bio!

Morpheus Ravenna@morpheusravenna· Jun 6

Slides continued, 2/3 www.bansheearts.com/blog/what-is...

Ritual need not be religious. Many dimensions of meaning can be uplifted by ritual, outside of religious/spiritual frameworks.

Rituals for good luck, for honoring ancestors/other important people, rituals for connecting with deeply held values or stories, for marking life changes or inscribing a memory...

How does this look in my practice? Here are just a few techniques.

Sacred design: I invite clients to focus on what is most meaningful to them, how they want to relate to the tattoo.

Sometimes it’s appropriate to use divination, prayer, or other spiritual practices to help guide the design.

Ritual preparation:
Cleansing myself & studio space with incense & blessed waters.
I practice spiritual alignment & may invite the client to join me in taking a few focused breaths together.

For some clients, we may light candles, make prayers & offerings, or perform a ritual blessing on the client's body.

Inking with ritual focus:
We choose appropriate music, may keep incense burning, & practice intention about chatting while working.

Some clients go into meditation while receiving ritual tattoo. They may wear or hold sacred items.
We may recite or chant sacred words during tattooing.

Morpheus Ravenna@morpheusravenna· Jun 6

These slides summarize a few points from the blog about what is meant by ritual tattooing. 1/3 To read the full blog post: www.bansheearts.com/blog/what-is... For a much deeper dive, pre-order my book Ink & Blade, coming January 2027 from @llewellynbooks.bsky.social

White text in a fancy medieval font over a red background with a low-contrast Celtic winged triple spiral image.
"What is a Ritual Tattoo?"

Sacred: from a root meaning to set apart, to dedicate, or to sacrifice something for a special purpose.

Because tattooing involves a heightened intensity of experience& a permanent change to the body, it is inherently sacred - the experience sets us apart from the ordinary.

Ritual: structured, intentional actions invested with symbolic importance, which bring a heightened awareness of meaning and a change to the interior state or relationships of its participants.

Ritual brings another dimension deepening the sacred qualities of a tattoo experience.

While tattooing is already sacred (as in non-ordinary & transformative), enfolding it in ritual can open the doors to even deeper domains of meaning.

This is why tattooing throughout history has often been surrounded in ceremony and systems for honoring and uplifting that sacredness.

Morpheus Ravenna@morpheusravenna· Jun 4

My painting "Keening" is featured on the Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize page! Scroll down to the Imaginative Realism section to see my piece on the page - worth checking out all the other fantastic art that's been submitted too. #art #artsky beautifulbizarreartprize.art/win-2026-bea...

Screenshot from Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize website showing two paintings. On the left, a strange and whimsical watercolor with a child, standing very still and gazing straight to viewer, in a rosy dress and holding a balloon and a pouch; she appears to be standing under water and there is a giant fish floating behind her.
On the right is my painting in oils, a dark cloudy sky low over the blue rippling waters of a lake fringed by green plants and hills, in the air a ragged tear opens and a being seems to emerge from another world through it, she has blue-gray skin sprouting black feathers, her mouth open screaming, and her hands tearing the skin of her chest open in a shape that echoes the tear in the sky. The light behind her and inside her chest is deep red, and the portal is framed by transparent gold filigree shapes like magic in the air.

Morpheus Ravenna@morpheusravenna· Jun 1

Endorsements for Ink & Blade are starting to come in from early readers. It's always an honor and a delight to hear positive feedback. Pre-orders open now, in print Jan 8, 2027 from @llewellynbooks.bsky.social . #tattoo #booksky #witchsky #pagansky

“Ink and Blade is an intriguing blend of history, spirituality, and magic woven around the subject of tattooing. From practical details to divine implications this book is an ideal resource for anyone looking to learn more about tattooing in general or anyone who wants to make tattooing a sacred practice in their own life. Highly recommended and an essential resource for those who view tattoos as more than just ink in skin.”
- Morgan Daimler, author of The Wild Hunt and Pantheon the Irish

Morpheus Ravenna@morpheusravenna· May 30

I made one of those fun little “what’s inside” graphics for Ink & Blade. So many gems are waiting for you inside this book. I can’t wait. Get your pre-orders in at @llewellynbooks.bsky.social or wherever you buy books! Links below. #booksky #tattoo #pagansky #witchsky we

Graphic shows book cover with little phrases next to arrows pointing toward the cover.

TATTOOED AMAZONS & MAENADS

BODY ART FOR HEALING & TRANSFORMATION

RITUALS TO MAKE YOUR TATTOOS MAGICAL

EMPIRES VS TATTOOED BARBARIANS

ANCIENT PRIESTESSES, WARRIORS, &
INK REBELS

ANCESTORS OF THE ART IN DEEP TIME

MAKING SACRED SPACE IN MODERN STUDIOS

PRACTICAL GUIDANCE FOR TATTOO LOVERS

Book cover with decorative filigree in magenta and peach against black. Title reads:
INK & BLADE: The History & Sacred Rites of Tattoo Art - Morpheus Ravenna

NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER
RELEASING JAN 8 2027

Morpheus Ravenna@morpheusravenna· May 30

I will be tattooing at An Tir-West War again this year, coming up July 1-4! Hit me up if you will be at war camp and want to get some ink! Booking details on my site: www.bansheearts.com/tattoo-atww #tattoo #mysca #medievalsky

Panel of three photos of tattoos. A dancing stag with a series of moon phases in black ornamental linework. A raven skull over two crossed spears, over a triple-spiral background in black linework and dot shading. A Celtic armband filled with spirals and crescent forms in two shades of deep blue.

Text reads:

Get Inked at War Camp
Get a tattoo inspired by your love of history!
• Contemporary machine & handpoke tattooing
• Historical tattooing using ancient replica tools
• Modern hygiene & safety

Morpheus Ravenna@morpheusravenna· May 27

PRE-ORDERS ARE OPEN!!! I can't wait to share this work of love with you all. #tattoo #booksky #pagansky #witchsky Pre-order direct from Llewellyn, Bookshop.org, Amazon, or wherever you buy books. www.llewellyn.com/product.php?... bookshop.org/p/books/ink-... www.amazon.com/Ink-Blade-Hi...

The History & Sacred Rites of Tattoo Art
Explore the history of tattooing as a sacred art and use modern tattoo rituals to immerse yourself in spiritual and magical experiences.

Tattooing is one of humanity's oldest art forms, practiced on nearly every continent. It was a sacred way to express individuality, embody power, communicate with the spirit world, tell stories, and so much more. This extensively researched, heavily illustrated book will help you reclaim the sacred meaning of tattoos that has been largely lost in today's world.

Tattoo artist and ritualist Morpheus Ravenna takes you on a journey across the world and centuries, revealing practices from Europe to Asia to the Americas and from the Paleolithic era to Colonial times and beyond. Sí shows how tattoos were used to heal body and soul, connect with ancestors, process death, protect loved ones, honor rites of passage—and how you can do the same in your life. Filled with rituals and tools for both tattoo artists and tattoo receivers, this book is perfect for making body art a sacred experience.

In addition to gorgeous artwork and thought-provoking questions throughout, Morpheus shares wisdom on a wide variety of topics and practices:

• Meditations
• Bathing and anointing rituals
• Ritual clothing
• Inking rituals
• Ritual tools
• Invocations
• Tattoo ancestors and lineages
• Building community
• Aftercare guidelines

Morpheus Ravenna@morpheusravenna· Apr 27

It's time for a seasonal special because your friendly local tattoo artist has to pay tax bills. Now through May 10, get 25% off gift cards. squareup.com/gift/9DPCWB3... I only offer this special a couple times a year so get yours now while it's here! #tattoo

Photo background shows the black-gloved hands of a tattooist holding a machine and tattooing feathered wings on the shoulders of a client, with a dark red filter. Text reads:
"Gift Cards 25% Off
Gift to a friend or use to prepay at a discount!
Link in bio"

Morpheus Ravenna@morpheusravenna· Apr 20

For folks who may be attending Mystic South conference this year, here's the talk I'll be presenting: Ink Sacraments: Tattoo Rituals for Every Body Registration info and schedule at mystic-south.com. #pagansky #witchsky #tattoo

Promotional image with a photo of me, a light skinned person wearing glasses and long red hair tied in braids and shaved on the sides. Another panel shows the black-gloved hands of a tattooist tattooing someone with a wing pattern. Text frame is superimposed over a photo of incense smoke rising from a black pottery bowl. It reads:
Ink Sacraments: Tattoo rituals for every body
Morpheus Ravenna
Mystic South 2026

Promotional image on a green background which reads:
I'm a Presenter!
Mystic South 2026
Theory - Practice - Play
Atlanta, July 17-19
mystic-south.com

Morpheus Ravenna@morpheusravenna· Apr 19

Today’s work, a Semicolon piece in blue Celtic knotwork style. With blessings to all those who are surviving and to those who have lost someone. #tattoo #celtictattoo #semicolontattoo

A light skinned forearm with a semicolon tattoo rendered in two shades of blue Celtic knotwork with dot shading effects. The dot of the semicolon is a trinity knot, and the comma is a knotwork tree whose roots swoop down to form the curve of the comma.

Morpheus Ravenna@morpheusravenna· Apr 3

Also, if you're in the Bay Area, I’ll be presenting a talk on the topic of Tattoo Magic, September 25, as part of the Adocentyn Research Library’s 2026 Speaker Series. Tickets and info at adocentynlibrary.org #pagansky #witchsky

Black background with bold gold lettering surrounding an oval frame adorned with spiraling filigree and leaf patterns. The photo in the oval is of me, a light-skinned person with a side shave and long hair in braids, and wearing glasses and a Celtic torc necklace, superimposed over a wintry landscape. Text reads:
TATTOO MAGIC
The ancient and modern art of enchanted body marking.
Friday, September 25, 2026, 7:00 pm
Adocentyn Research Library
adocentynlibrary.org

Morpheus Ravenna@morpheusravenna· Mar 30

Shoulder section of what will become a full Celtic/Pictish sleeve in blue tones. My favorite style to work in - all freehand-drawn on the body to fit the body’s form organically. For an SCA medievalist friend. #tattoo #celtictattoo

A broad shoulder which is adorned with a ring of double spirals around a central circle, forming a sun wheel-like pattern. It is inked in two shades of bright blue.

Morpheus Ravenna@morpheusravenna· Mar 30

This recent piece is all hand-poked, a style I offer for client who want a more ancestral experience. Celtic spirals with upward reach in leading forms and downward reaching root networks. #tattoo #celtictattoo #handpoketattoo

Tattoo wrapping around an upper arm. Interlocking spirals and leaf and root forms picked out in bright blue dotwork.

Morpheus Ravenna@morpheusravenna· Mar 30

A little piece from my flash, always a favorite! #tattoo

Black linework tattoo on a freckly person’s shoulder. It’s a stag with its legs bent as if dancing, its head turned back over its shoulder so its antlers arc down along its neck. Matching the curve of the arc on the other side are the phases of the moon.

Morpheus Ravenna@morpheusravenna· Mar 13

I’m excited to share this cover reveal for my upcoming new book: Ink & Blade, coming January 2027 from Llewellyn. I worked so hard on this and I’m really proud of what I’ve created. Can’t wait to share it with you all. Pre-orders opening later this year!

Book cover with a filigree ornamental design in magenta and peach colors against a black background, with a Greek key pattern frame encircling the title in a bold Roman font.
Text reads:
“INK & BLADE: The History & Sacred Rites of Tattoo Art -
MORPHEUS RAVENNA”

Morpheus Ravenna@morpheusravenna· Jan 1

The energy I’m bringing into 2026

Page from a Moomin book showing Little My looking as maniacal and determined as usual, careening down a snow slope in a blood red dress. Text reads:
“WHEN you're angry, then you're angry,” thought Little My, peeling her potato with her teeth. “Sometimes you have to be angry. Every little creature has the right to get angry.”

A cutesy cartoon picture of a round little green frog with stars in its eyes holding up a rainbow, its arc ending in two clouds that have eyes and rain down little sparkles and skulls and hearts. The text reads:

DOING MY BEST IN
A SYSTEM DESIGNED TO BREAK ME

Morpheus Ravenna@morpheusravenna· Dec 18

your last saved meme is your moral philosophy LOL Apt given my history with medieval armored combat

A person’s hand showing off a very fancy embroidery stretched in a round embroidery hoop. It features sparkly pink and clear beads and little silver replica medieval sword and flail mace, with the words “This email could have been a duel: FIGHT ME” spelled out in friendship bracelet style letter beads, a detail which I particularly love

Morpheus Ravenna@morpheusravenna· Dec 12

Crown for sovereignty in honor of the Morrígan, woven with hawthorn, mugwort, ivy, feathers, and a flight of crows. Done in a delicate fine line black and gray style. An honor to give this sacred tattoo. Thank you for your trust 🖤 #tattoo #witchsky #pagansky

Photo shows back of the shoulder of a light-skinned person with a fresh tattoo: a crown formed of interwoven vines which form a central triple spiral inside an arched shape. Leaves, thorns, and feathers sprout from the vines of the crown and small crows emerge and fly upward from it. All are rendered in fine black lines and black and gray textured shading.

A wider view of the same tattoo showing several more crows which fly upward above the crown, up onto the side of the person’s neck and behind the ear.

Morpheus Ravenna@morpheusravenna· Dec 6

Because they are Nazis. No, literally. It’s a reference to this notoriously horrific racist reactionary “white replacement” fantasy book that fascists love.

Book cover of The Camp of the Saints by Jean Raspail, with an illustration of a globe being held up by s white-skinned hand while a multitude of dark-skinned hands grasp at it. The tag line reads, “A chilling novel about the end of the white world.”

Morpheus Ravenna@morpheusravenna· Dec 1

Hi friends! To catch up on bills, I'm offering a Solstice Special, now thru Dec 22 EVERYTHING is 25% off on my site: books, original art, handmade things, etc. Discounts are automatic at checkout, no codes needed! Shop page: www.bansheearts.com/shop Gift cards: squareup.com/gift/9DPCWB3...

Morpheus Ravenna@morpheusravenna· Oct 26

I found an Iron Age Sarmatian woman who wore a hoodie decorated with gold embossed decorative plaques! So fancy! She was a tattoo artist. We got the drip, since the 5th century BCE.

Page from an archaeological report showing a line drawing reconstruction of burial garments of an Iron Age Sarmatian woman. She wears a hooded garment with ornamental metal plaques appliquéd on, a fringe along the hood, and fancy panels with organic detailing on the sleeves. She also has big earrings consisting of hoops with large dangling charms. She holds a highly decorated mirror in her left hand.

Morpheus Ravenna@morpheusravenna· Oct 23

@governor.ca.gov this is what your CHP officers are aiding right now at Coast Guard Island. DHS violently attacking protestors, shooting a peaceful praying pastor directly in the face at 5 ft range with riot munitions. Your CHP are aiding them right now to brutalize and arrest these protestors.

Photo shows a short DHS agent in khaki pants, riot vest and helmet pointing a black riot munition weapon directly at a pastor at a range of about 4-5 feet. The pastor is dressed in black with dress shoes and his head and shoulders are completely engulfed in yellow smoke from the riot munitions shot that has just hit him in the face.

There is a small dark stain on the crotch of the DHS agent’s pants as if he has pissed himself. Because cops and feds are pathetic little pissboys with no courage or integrity.

Photo by Jerome Palmer/Oaklandside

Morpheus Ravenna@morpheusravenna· Oct 23

Bay Area folks, ICE is invading, agents are already staging from Coast Guard Island off Alameda. @bayresistance.bsky.social and partner orgs are activating rapid response networks and there are lots of ways to get involved and help. There is a mass rally at 5 pm tmrw 10/23 at Embarcadero SF.

Morpheus Ravenna@morpheusravenna· Oct 22

Adding one more just to clarify what’s going on in this design. It isn’t “Fenrir swallowed the world”, it’s a critter whose body has been contorted into a circle (to fit the old tattoo.) See my very fancy diagram where I marked a line showing the line animal’s spine.

Morpheus Ravenna@morpheusravenna· Oct 22

Update to Nazi-tattoo-gate: the cover up happened and. Uh. I will give yall some tattoo artist opinions about this but first I just have to get this out of my system. LOL LMAO IM DYING 🧵