Asetians and Body Piercing

The practice of body piercing dates back to the ancient times, evident even by the mummies found from the old times of Egypt. Body piercings were, and still are, practiced by many for more spiritual, and not fashion, reasons. However, with body piercing and Asetians, there is always the complication of energy. When actively manipulating energy, the last thing an Asetian would want on them, or in their flesh, is a piece of metal, for it interacts with energy and can change the outcome of energy projection. I wanted to know what you all believe Asetians think of body piercings... from both a metaphysical view and a spiritual one...

Also, what do you believe is the most “Asetian” body piercing?

Aghrab

Greetings, Aghrab.

Body-piercing is, indeed, a common practice through the Asetian tradition.
About the metaphysical and spiritual approach, why would an Asetian use it?
It might be a symbol for pain and war. I believe it is also an aesthetic element for women, since metal shines and is quite beautiful, and has an imponent look.
Of course for energetic work, it might not be the best idea to be using anything like that. Even when someone does Reiki, by definition and tradition, all the participants are better to take every metallic element present.
The most vulnerable Asetians to issues regarding body piercing, even being titanium, are, obviously, Viperines, and they aren't known to use piercings which are unwelcome to them.

The most "Asetian" body piercings are eyebrows, belly (for females, of course), and ears (for females too).

Best regards,
Karnath.

Navel and ear piercings are quite Kemetic in appearance... but what do you believe makes eyebrow piercing “Asetian” in feel? It appears to be a more modern-day hardcore piercing that apparently looks amazing only on women.

Aghrab

I agree with Aghrab, I never picture an Asetian male with an eyebrow piercing, or with a piercing at all. I see those decorative details very feminine in general, and that can enhance aesthetics, being sexy and appealing in a feminine way, but not that much in a man.
I also wanted to add that I find the navel/belly piercings the ones that would connected the most with the Asetian feel, especially with all the connections with the Middle East and bellydance. Most bellydancers, if not all, have navel piercings. It is almost like a distinctive body mark of a bellydancer. I find it very pretty and sensual.

Yes, very true, the detail about navel piercing and belly dancers. I see body and facial piercings, overall, as a very feminine thing... I too cannot picture an Asetian male with any.

Aghrab

I suppose I don't have the same perspectives of males and females as most, but I could see either sex wearing the same kinds of piercings, though personally I couldn't stand having a piercing in my own body. The idea of having metal in the flesh has always been an unpleasant notion to me.

I can see belly rings, earrings (this one especially on males actually), and regular jewelry. I wouldn't expect to see an eyebrow, lip, or nose piercing unless the Asetian was practicing a specific energy principle. But this is pure speculation from no actual knowledge whatsoever.

Greetings again,

I don't think body piercing is a strictly feminine compatible element. About navel and ear piercings, I think they're feminine, but this is personal of course. I think eyebrow piercings are quite neutral; if Asetian males use it, I have no clue. Women probably do, so I think we can see it as an Asetian Body Piercing too, although it isn't that important.

About Aghrab's and Jonathan's comments, I must say that you made comments concerning appearence and physical look and details, so you didn't approach that much of spiritual reasons; except maybe the "feminine way" parts, which might be seen as a feminine physical way, or as a spiritually feminine compatible way. Why not tell us your views on spiritual reasons for body piercing on Asetians?

Personal aesthitical opinion? I like to see women pierced on the belly, eyebrow, nose, tongue, lip and ears. Of course not all the elements; I personally think that would be freakish. But a good aesthetical combination of the six types I mentioned.
On men, there are certain types of men that will look more pirate-like, which might look different in a positive way for some persons. Tongue piercings on men can be very strategical (although I personally dislike it). Eyebrow piercings on men, I think that to some it looks good, to others it looks bad.

But I don't really think that's an important matter. It will depend on someone's opinion on aesthetics.

Best regards,
Karnath.

Karnath, in strictly metaphysical terms I would find all types of piercings as something to be avoided, by both males and females. They are metal, and just like any other accessory, it would be better to practice magick without them, raw.

Daniel, a belly piercing in a male? I would find that simply ridiculous. It is a strictly feminine thing, and guys don't just wander around showing off their bellies like girls do. Or if they are, that is just disgusting... at least to me.

When mentioning metaphysics and piercings made of metal, keep in mind that there are such things as entirely plastic piercings, which people who deal with energy and magick, can wear after their piercings are healed. That would have no negative interactions with energy or their system and can be used during rituals and times when they should have no metals on.

Aghrab

I am aware of plastic piercings, and I quite enjoy an earring of that kind. As for the belly ring, I do believe that is a point of personal preference. While it would not suit many men, there are certain body types that it would function well on. I have my own theories about differing set-ups of the shen circulatory system depending on or rather intertwining with the body type. The same way the Asetian Bible spoke of naturally wearing colors which reflect the shen that is weak, a body type with a weak point at the naval (or strong point. My theory is not deeply worked out) would appear more appealing with a piercing, or not appealing, depending on the effect a piercing actually has on the shen center.

Could someone enlighten me as to the effects of piercings and tattoos on shen centers?

As for navel piercings, I thought they were a relatively new thing, resulting originally from the Hayes Code, which forbade Hollywood producers to show, among other things, bare belly buttons in their films. They got over this by gluing jewels onto the navel, and the fad took off from there. I could be wrong.
There are also reports that navel piercings among Egyptian pharoahs symbolised their status/royalty, and as such no other 'common' person could have them. Of course, there is no definitive evidence of this as yet....so it's mere speculation.

On a personal note, I find all sorts of piercings to be an effective way of self expression. true, some do have the tendancy to go over the top, and end up like a tea-bag, but on the whole I find them no more surprising these days than a hairstyle, a choice of clothing or make-up etc.

The advantages of certain piercings on both the female and male body, to heighten sexual pleasure during intercourse, are well known, and I suspect could be used in conjunction with other methods to increase the energetic value of such a situation. Intimate piercings have been used by many cultures for many different reasons, so I have no difficulty in believing that it would also be utilised by the Asetians if that were their personal choice.

Talibah wrote:There are also reports that navel piercings among Egyptian pharoahs symbolised their status/royalty, and as such no other 'common' person could have them. Of course, there is no definitive evidence of this as yet....so it's mere speculation.

Quite interesting, I have not heard such a thing before but in some ways it makes sense. Could you share with us the source that provided this information?

Aghrab

This is an interesting thread. I would agree that metal studs and rings might hinder energy flow, and for this reason I do not see an Asetian or other accomplished energy worker wearing them, not at least during ritualistic times. As to plastic, I hate the idea of it. It sounds too cheap.

Personally I like body piercings, though some people can take it to obsessive levels. As I see it, the body modification scene is all about achieving enlightement through their bodies (piercing, suspension, etc.) rather than through the mind. I would see Asetians using body piercing as a moderated aesthetic complement rather than with any other purpose.

Aghrab wrote:
Quite interesting, I have not heard such a thing before but in some ways it makes sense. Could you share with us the source that provided this information?

Actually, I had to do some rather normal interweb searching to do that, since it was something I had just picked up through the years. I hope this at least backs up what I've said...as you can see, there is no hard evidence supporting it either way, but as you said, it does sound plausible.
I have other papers/books which are definitely more scholarly in their approach which might mention something along these lines also.

http://body-jewelry-guide.com/another-nice-myth-egyptian-navel-piercing.html

Greetings.

The navel piercing as a symbol of power and royalty makes, indeed, good sense, as the navel shen is highly related to power and authority having the royal Ba as its pillar. It relates itself to the lower 3 shens, including the root shen, with the Was (symbol of power) its pillar. Let us not talk of sexual power though, although it's also a powerful element in royalty.

Best regards,
Karnath.

One valid sorce i did find on this subject is this :

http://www.clevelandart.org/archive/pharaoh/photos/photo01.html

and i did find the picture at high resolution here :

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jimmysmith/268747236/

Akhenaten's belly featured also on this site with an interesting idea of hidden symbolism in the shape of the navel

http://www.archaeometry.org/mascaras.htm

Remember that Akhenaton was a Sethian pharaoh and that his monotheistic religion and kingdom was under the power and rulership of the ROS, to be then over-throned by the Asetians in the following dynasties.

Indeed , Akenathen is the most obvious example of a Sethian paraoh ,and this is exactly what I am thinking.
There are statues that show highly different standard and taste , and not navel pierced ,for example King Khafre's statue does not look ( at least to me ) like pierced

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/0sBxym-puTrbp_GdiBUi8g

http://www.geocities.com/unforbidden_geology/Khafre_Statue_3.jpg

i wonder if is not only Akhenaten the source of this myth of belly rings in men as being a sign of royalty .

That is a good point, Hellen. Thanks.
Also I believe that belly piercings could be commonly used among princesses and other female members of royalty, and not really pharaohs.

I see body piercing as a spiritual thing, and a very feminine thing, really. I believe navel to be the most Kemetic one in feel, being associated with belly dance right away when it comes to mind, and of course, ears, very feminine. Micro dermal anchors are also quite gorgeous sometimes, but a different kind of piercing. The problem with those is that they do not come off... but they can look quite Middle Eastern I believe, if done on the right places on the body.

And what is this thing being mentioned of men looking good with their navels pierced? I don't think I have ever imagined anything more disgusting and disturbing than that. Do men walk around showing their bellies now? I hope not...

I wonder... why hasn't anyone mentioned nipple piercing (in females, only, of course) yet? It is one of the most sexual, erotic and hardcore piercing that I can easily imagine on a female Asetian. Quite beautiful, and certainly very sexy.

Dreamer wrote:Micro dermal anchors are also quite gorgeous sometimes, but a different kind of piercing. The problem with those is that they do not come off... but they can look quite Middle Eastern I believe, if done on the right places on the body.

I dislike micro dermal anchors. Too modern and too hardcore for my taste. It reminds me of the art of Luis Royo, not Middle East. It is just too techno...

Dreamer wrote:And what is this thing being mentioned of men looking good with their navels pierced? I don't think I have ever imagined anything more disgusting and disturbing than that. Do men walk around showing their bellies now? I hope not...

I have the same hopes as you.

Erotica wrote:I wonder... why hasn't anyone mentioned nipple piercing (in females, only, of course) yet? It is one of the most sexual, erotic and hardcore piercing that I can easily imagine on a female Asetian. Quite beautiful, and certainly very sexy.

I can agree with you on this one. Although very hardcore, it is very sensual and erotic. Also, it is one of the most ancient forms of body piercing, which may give it further meaning and symbolism.
I can imagine it on Guardians and Asetian female warriors. Or maybe I am just fantasizing too much.

Really now, why is so much focus put on females. The body can be female, but the polarity male, just as the body can be male and the polarity female. This polarity can effect the appearance of the person, and I can see situations where these piercings can appear good looking on either sex. It honestly becomes an aesthetic appeal for each individual. I think when you speak of piercings looking good on females, you are referring to the female who is slim, and likely showing herself off as a belly-dancer. It is that reflective body type in the male sex that I see as aesthetically able to wear piercings without being the object of disgust to the average eye.

But whatever. I'm not talking about my own preference, I'm speaking from a round-about preference level, in which I see myself in the position of many types of people and what they like on a person. Sorry if I'm being a little odd this post. I'm in an altered mental state with everything coming at me very fast as if I were in a hyperactive state. I had an overdose of green tea (straight instant), and so everything's weird. I'm just glad I've stopped speaking in tongues. Here I was pronouncing Aset, Oysit, and Heru, Etu.

Daniel09 wrote:Really now, why is so much focus put on females. The body can be female, but the polarity male, just as the body can be male and the polarity female. This polarity can effect the appearance of the person, and I can see situations where these piercings can appear good looking on either sex.

The energy polarity cannot effect or change the appearance of someone. Only energetically it can give them a more feminine or masculine feel... not change their body or appearance just because of the energy polarity being male or female. And personally, at no situation can I see a navel piercing, which has been mentioned here as one of the main piercings that we are discussing on this matter, look good on a male body, even if that certain male happens to have a more feminine figure. Even energetically it feels strange.

Daniel09 wrote:I think when you speak of piercings looking good on females, you are referring to the female who is slim, and likely showing herself off as a belly-dancer.

Not at all... any woman can have a navel piercing. I don't believe she needs to be a belly dancer, like belly dancing or have a slim belly. Same with the female nipple piercing, I don't believe it needs perfectly huge breasts for it.