Support Meridian Ink: Integrative Tattoo Therapy

Previously known as Tattoos and Tarot, Meridian Ink is my alternative answer to a somatic/body based art therapy and social justice wellness practice. After graduating from UC Berkeley’s Ethnic Studies Department I changed course from her law school bound trajectory and instead I committed to my vision of using art as a vehicle for healing and transformation. In 2019 I entered into a masters program for art therapy and counseling where I began to build the bones of this ritualistic tattoo healing practice. Meridian Ink has since grown into an intersectional practice combining tattooing, acupressure, art, and somatic therapy.

The original idea for Meridian Ink came to me in 2015 while still living in the Bay Area. The initial concept was born out of my desire to honor my own self-harm scars through tattoo rituals. I learned how to tattoo via the hand poke method and began tattooing myself and others as offerings of healing and resilience. In 2016 I made the decision to leave California to find the place where Meridian Ink would be born. That same year I arrived in Taos, New Mexico. This place has since become the incubator for this sacred practice.

Utilizing a combination of ritual, body work, and biomimetic inspirations Meridian Ink intentionally uses body markings, with particular attention to symbol and placement, as a tool for deeper body consciousness and awareness of inherited trauma.

The process begins with the harvesting of ecofractals, i.e. symbols/art forms found within natural landscapes. As a biomimetic practice, Meridian Ink is inspired by the abundant creativity found within nature. Common forms and shapes are often replicated by natural processes. The ecofractals harvested for Meridian Ink all correlate to specific principles found within nature, i.e. courage, openness, cooperation, trust, endurance, surrender, etc. These ecofractals are brought together in mandala-inspired (self circle) patterns to become bodyfractals. The bodyfractals are then placed along intentional points of the body, usually meridian lines and acupressure points. For example, a surrender fractal, inspired by visual forms of surrender and acceptance, can be placed along the kidney meridian to bring consciousness to the body’s response to anxiety and a need to control.

Bodyfractals can be placed on the body through a number of ritual practices - temporary tattoos, semi-permanent temporary tattoos, and finally permanent traditional ink tattoos - all done by me. My work as a licensed, trauma informed therapist and art therapist informs my work and my awareness as I journey together with my clients.

Meridian Ink will be launching officially on April 17th, 2024. All funds will go towards funding and renting physical business location where I can see client's in person, all materials, marketing costs, informative community workshops, providing sliding scale services, and business fees.

And by supporting Meridian Ink, you will be supporting a Black/South Asian owned business!

Thank you so much for your support! This dream has been almost 10 years in the making. Each day I get closer to bringing it to fruition <3

To join the Meridian Ink waitlist and be among the first to schedule your consultation and session click here.

To learn more about Salma Vir-Banks, LMHC, ATR-P visit her website and follow her journey on instagram @salmavir