໑Essence Tattoo Ceremony໑

An Essence Tattoo Ceremony Is An Embodied Journey To The Core Of Who You Are—Your Essence.

A return to yourself.
To the body that knows its truth, to the soul that remembers, to the rituals that carry us and connect us with each other and with the web of life of which we are a part.
To the quiet layer within you where ancient wisdom has never disappeared, but waits patiently for you to open yourself to listen.

The ceremony opens up a space where you can slow down, land, and be present with what wants to be seen within you.
Everything that wants to take shape already lives within you: your story, your desires, your inner wisdom, the connection with your ancestors and guides, and the symbols that move through your life.

During the ceremony, I will guide you, together with the field and the energies that support us.
You don't have to think about anything; just open yourself to whatever wants to show itself.
We listen to the movements that arise, the images that present themselves, the emotions that speak, the whispers of your body.

In this way, the handpoke tattoo becomes a tangible echo of an inner journey, your unique story. An anchor that reminds you of what has always lived within you.

A ceremony of coming home.
A reminder of your essence.

  • “I asked Iris if she could design a tattoo that she felt would suit me. When she shared the design and explanation with me, it immediately appealed to me and I could identify with it. On the day of the ceremony, Iris started with an energetic session that allowed me to relax completely. During this session, I was able to visualize and feel that the chosen tattoo suited me, which felt really good. Getting the tattoo done was just as relaxing. I experienced no pain at all and was therefore able to remain in the wonderfully relaxed energy that was present. I found this method of handpoke tattooing to be fantastic and it cannot be compared to 'standard' tattooing. This ritual had a real feeling and positive energy that I had never experienced before. And the result is beautiful. Now that I have this tattoo, I look at it and wear it with pride; it belongs to me. Thank you, Iris!"

    - Rudy

  • When Iris showed me the butterfly she had drawn, I knew that this was the one. It immediately felt right. Iris understood me perfectly, and the design was finished in no time. Before she started tattooing, she performed a ritual, which was truly special and magical. I felt very comfortable and relaxed. I felt very connected, safe, and secure. The tattooing went smoothly, and Iris did it very professionally. I enjoy my beautiful butterfly every day and am incredibly happy with it! Iris, thank you so much for this wonderful and beautiful experience!"

    - Marjolein

  • “I am very happy and grateful for the beautiful tattoo Iris gave me. Ever since she started her handpoke art, I had a strong feeling that I wanted to get a tattoo from her. I had been thinking for a long time about a tattoo that would symbolize my life as a dancer. The handpoke technique feels very different from the machine, much softer, and I am incredibly grateful and happy with the result. I would recommend everyone to get a handpoke tattoo from Iris, because she works in a very personal and unique way. The result will always be a beautiful and fitting piece of art."

    - Hazel

  • “I have undergone several sessions with Iris. She has given me body-oriented energetic treatments, sometimes combined with Yoga Nidra and co-meditation. I also received several Spinal NRGY sessions. Overall, I found Iris's treatments to be very beneficial. Complete relaxation and tranquility were ultimately the feelings that prevailed for me. Her care and attention are remarkable and ensure a high-quality experience."

    - Annette

  • "A wonderful afternoon of self-care! If you want to turn inward under guidance and completely surrender, then this is perfect. Delicious cacao and came home completely relaxed. Thank you, Iris!" (Review following a workshop with somatic movement, cacao ceremony, Yoga Nidra, sound healing, and Reiki.)

    - Laura

  • "A particularly emotional experience, which allowed me to see things from a different perspective with the help of the body-oriented energy session. I hadn't realized beforehand that it would be such a special experience. Iris provided a safe environment where everything was allowed to be."

    - Sofie

  • "I felt very comfortable with Iris. The treatment is energetically tailored and performed with care and loving attention. It is a very pleasant moment to relax and process whatever comes up."

    - Hilde

  • "Iris gives warm attention and helps with a pleasant energy. My head is calm again and my body is moving again."

    - Saar

  • "I had the pleasure of experiencing a wonderful Spinal NRGY session with Iris. She is a wonderful facilitator with great energy. Her presence is sweet and gentle, and you feel completely welcome and seen. And everything is allowed to be there. It felt relaxed and pleasant. A truly wonderful experience."

    - Valerie

Since time immemorial, cultures around the world have worn tattoos on their skin as part of life. For thousands of years, the Celts and other ancient cultures tattooed by hand. Tattoos were applied in ceremony and were tangible symbols of guidance, protection, transformation, and connection.
The ceremonies and tattoos served as a rite of passage, a reminder of the essence of the soul and the journey it takes.

My work is rooted in this ancient wisdom: a living tradition in which the body once again becomes a vessel for meaning, connection, and story.
Tattooing in a ceremonial setting is a sacred moment of remembrance. The lines that appear on the skin are not just ink, but energy, story, return, a celebration of life itself.

And at the same time, this work is more than just symbolism.
An Essence Tattoo Ceremony is a therapeutic and healing experience that has a profound effect on the body and consciousness.
The symbolism of a tattoo intertwines not only with your physical body, but also with the subtle energy field around it.
It is a process that opens, remembers, and sets things in motion.
It invites you to return to who you really are and to feel what is ready to emerge within you.

I work with the handpoke technique: a traditional form of tattooing that does not use a machine.
Each dot is placed by hand, with complete attention and care. This requires time and dedication because every movement carries an intention. Because there is no machine noise, there is room for stillness and deep connection.

A ritual of transformation and initiation.
an anchor that connects you to the intelligence of your body,
your path,
your humanity and inner wisdom,
the ground beneath your feet
and the greater whole of which you are a part.

Essence Tattooing,
an ancient practice

Multi-day Essence Tattoo Ceremony

  • After you have completed the application form and we have scheduled the Essence Tattoo Ceremony, you will receive a preparation and integration guide from me.

  • We open the ceremony together with the elements, invite our guides and benevolent ancestors to be present, and thus lay a foundation in which your journey can safely land. From this grounding, we sink deeper into a meditation that helps you to ground yourself deeply, open up, and connect with your chosen plant medicine that supports you during this process.

    Then I will guide you on a Yoga Nidra journey lasting several hours: connecting with your intention, you will embark on a deep journey through the layers of your body, your subconscious, and your inner knowledge. From this state of clear inner feeling, images, words, sensations, symbols, elements, memories, or energies may emerge that are important for your tattoo.

    After this profound journey, I will gently guide you back and provide you with energetic bodywork, which I will apply intuitively and based on what has been revealed during the yoga nidra journey. I may use sound for this purpose.

    This day is meant for turning inward. I invite you to stay unplugged and spend the rest of the day gently and quietly, so that your system can slow down and become receptive to what wants to speak.

    Possible elements of this day:

    • A deep Yoga Nidra immersion lasting several hours

    • Energetic bodywork

    • Sound (vocals, drums, singing bowls, koshis)

    • A card reading with an oracle deck for insight

    • Ceremonial cacao, rose, or hawthorn (heart-opening plant allies)

    • A personal altar tailored to your intentions

    • Exercise to feel where on your body the tattoo wants to be placed. The preparation and integration guide that you will receive before our first meeting contains exercises that will help you to communicate with your body and clearly feel where your system wants to receive this tattoo. We can also discuss the energetic meaning and effect of specific places on the body during this day, and I will guide you intuitively.

    • snacks/fruit/tea

  • In the days following our first ceremony, I let everything that has been received sink in. I design your tattoo based on the images, words, symbolism, and subtle messages that have appeared during your journey—an image rooted in your body language, intuitive information, and the energetic layers of your intention.

    In the meantime, you can prepare your body for receiving your tattoo. The preparation and integration guide that I gave you contains exercises that will help you with this.

  • On the day of your marking, we come together in gentleness and slowness.
    This is the moment when your tattoo comes to life and finds its place on your skin.

    We begin with a grounding meditation and reconnect with your intention. Together, we create a personal altar that carries your intention, your process, and your unique story. What unfolds that day arises in the moment. Sometimes that is silence, sometimes sound, sometimes cacao, sometimes just being present. I listen to you and to what your body indicates.

    On the day of your ceremony, you will see the design for the first time.
    The design is created from what your body, your subconscious, and the energy of our first day of ceremony have revealed. I invite you to trust in this—the image does not come solely from my hands, but from the space we have opened together. Of course, there is room to adjust or add something. Sometimes a little fine-tuning is exactly what is needed; sometimes the design is already perfect as it is.

    I listen to what you feel and need, and at the same time I invite you to trust the process that began long before this day — from the moment you decided to embark on this journey.

    When the design is ready to be placed and your system is ready to receive it, we begin by placing your sacred tattoo—an intimate, slow ritual in which body, breath, and consciousness become intertwined.

    We often conclude with a small blessing on the ground, in the forest behind my studio or in the garden under an old magnolia tree. Afterwards, if you like, we take a few photos of your new tattoo.

  • Integration is an essential part of the journey: it is the space in which the symbolism of your tattoo can settle, your body can speak, and the design slowly anchors its effect.

    After receiving your tattoo, a phase begins in which your body, your energy, and your consciousness attune themselves to what has been newly opened. Your ceremony sets something in motion that requires time, space, and gentleness.

    The integration begins the moment you say yes to this journey, deepens during the ceremony, and often unfolds long after. It is perfectly normal for feelings, dreams, insights, or physical sensations to intensify or soften during this period.

    To support this process, you have received a preparation and integration guide from me. It includes simple rituals, body-oriented exercises, and other tips to help you continue listening to what the energy of your tattoo wants to open up in you. After the ceremony, take plenty of time for yourself, don't schedule any appointments, and be present with everything that moves through you.

    Four weeks after receiving your tattoo, we will have a brief 20-minute integration call. If you still need more in-depth guidance or support after that, you can always book a personal one-on-one session with me.

request a ceremony

One-day Essence Tattoo Ceremony

Would you like to receive a handpoke tattoo, but a multi-day ceremony doesn't fit your schedule or budget? A one-day Essence Tattoo ceremony offers the same dedicated attention, safety, and embodied depth as the Multi-day Essence Tattoo Ceremony.

The creation of your design
Instead of descending together into the depths of your subconscious to receive the symbols for your tattoo, I use my intuition and clear abilities. By tuning into your energy field and the silent layers beneath your intentions, and in connection with my guides and benevolent ancestors, I receive the images, symbolism, and energetic information that your tattoo wants to convey.

Your intention and creative freedom
This process is a dance between my attunement and your willingness. I welcome any degree of involvement in this:

  • Co-creation: Feel free to share your wishes and the symbolism you would like to see reflected in the design with me. Your input serves as an anchor for my alignment, ensuring that the design fully resonates with your energy and intention.

  • Complete Trust: You can also choose to give me complete creative freedom, opening yourself up completely to whatever wants to come through my channel.

Whether you bring a clear vision or a heart wide open to the unknown, the design that emerges is rooted in your intention, energetic field, and the subtle layers that want to speak through you.

  • After you have completed the application form and we have scheduled the Essence Tattoo Ceremony, you will receive a preparation and integration guide from me.

    On the day of the ceremony, we come together in gentleness and slowness. This is the moment when your tattoo physically comes to life and finds its place on your skin.

    We open the ceremony with a prayer to create the foundation, followed by a grounding meditation. Together, we create a personal altar that carries your intentions, your process, and your unique story. What unfolds that day arises in the moment. Sometimes that is silence, sometimes sound, sometimes cacao, sometimes just being present.

    On the day of your ceremony, you will see the design for the first time. I invite you to trust it. The image does not come solely from my hands, but is rooted in your intention, your energy field, and the subtle layers that want to speak through you. Of course, there is room to adjust or add something. Sometimes a little fine-tuning is exactly what is needed; sometimes the design is already perfect as it is.

    I listen to what you feel and need, and at the same time I invite you to trust in the process that began long before this day: from the moment you decided to embark on this journey.

    When the design is ready to be placed and your system is ready to receive it, we will begin placing your sacred tattoo: an intimate, slow ritual in which body, breath, and consciousness become intertwined.

    We often conclude with a small blessing on the earth, in the forest behind my studio or in the garden under an old magnolia tree. Afterwards, if you like, we take a few photos of your new tattoo.

    Elements of this ceremony:

request a ceremony

tattoo only

Would you like to receive a handpoke tattoo, but an essence tattoo ceremony doesn't suit you at the moment?

In my private studio, I also offer the option of getting handpoke tattoos without any ceremony.

POSSIBLE TO EXPAND WITH ELEMENTS OF THE CEREMONY.

request

FAQs

  • The button on this page will take you to the application form for an Essence Tattoo Ceremony. Once you have completed this and we both feel that the time is right for our journey together, I will contact you with available dates and further details to book your ceremony. A deposit is required to reserve a ceremony.

    For a tattoo-only appointment, click on the "request" button on this page. This button will take you to the request form for making an appointment. Once you have filled this in, I will contact you. A deposit is required to reserve a tattoo session.

  • What are the effects of an Essence Tattoo Ceremony?

    Tattooing in a ceremonial setting is a sacred moment of remembrance. The lines that appear on the skin are not just ink, but energy, story, and return—a celebration of life itself.

    An Essence Tattoo Ceremony is more than just symbolism; it is a therapeutic and healing experience that has a profound effect on your body, consciousness, and energy field. It is a process that opens something, remembers something, and sets something in motion. It invites you to return to who you truly are and to feel what is ready to come to life within you.

    In this way, the tattoo becomes an embodied symbol of your essence, a silent bridge to your inner light, and a living reminder of your wisdom.

    Each tattoo is carefully tailored to your intention, your energy field, and the subtle layers that want to speak through you. With the ink, we weave intention into life, making the tattoo an anchor that connects you to yourself, your path, your soul, the ground beneath your feet, and the greater whole of which you are a part.

    The effects of this ceremony reflect the clarity of your intentions, your openness, willingness to go through life's thresholds, and trust in the mysterious. Old patterns, energetic blockages, unprocessed emotions, or old beliefs may begin to shift or release. At the same time, getting a tattoo can help you strengthen your creative power, inner voice, heart wisdom, and personal power.

    An Essence Tattoo Ceremony is an initiation—a ritual of transformation and embodiment—that invites a deeper expression of yourself. It opens a gateway for growth, renewal, and expressing your unique self, your essence, in everyday life.

  • One-Day Essence Tattoo Ceremonies
    The price for a Full-Day Essence Tattoo Ceremony is €1,100 including VAT (€950 for returning customers).

    A non-refundable deposit of €400 is required to reserve your spot. The remaining amount can be paid in full before the ceremony day, either in a single payment or in installments.

    If the tattoo cannot be completed in one day—due to its size, complexity, or because your system requires more rest and space—we will schedule a second day at no extra cost.


    Multi-Day Essence Tattoo Ceremonies
    The price for a Multi-Day Essence Tattoo Ceremony is €1,800 including VAT (€1,400 for returning customers).
    A non-refundable deposit of €400 is required to reserve your place. The remaining amount can be paid in full before the ceremony days, either in a single payment or in installments.

    If the tattoo cannot be completed in one day—due to its size, complexity, or because your system requires more rest and space—we will schedule a extra day at no extra cost.


    Tattoo-only
    The price for a tattoo-only session starts at €300. The final price is partly determined by the size and complexity of the design and its placement on the body. Based on the completed application form, I can make an estimate and provide a price quote. A non-refundable deposit is always required to confirm a tattoo-only appointment.

  • Yes, a payment plan is possible. Please contact us when booking to arrange a payment plan.

  • Due to the preparation, time, depth, and energy invested in each ceremony, I apply the following conditions.

    To book an Essence Tattoo Ceremony, a non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your spot in my calendar.

    This deposit is more than a practical step; it is a confirmation of your commitment and dedication to the intentions for your ceremonial journey.

    Your journey begins the moment you fill out the application form with the intention to book, and deepens further once you commit to a date and make the deposit.

    In this space — the field between intention and actual encounter — a lot can happen. Resistance, doubt, or tension are natural reactions; often this arises because your system senses that a shift is underway. Change can sometimes evoke fear.

    That is precisely why the deposit is a commitment that serves as an anchor: a conscious choice that helps you stay rooted in your process, your choice, and your intentions.

    The remaining amount must be paid before the day of the ceremony, unless we have agreed otherwise in advance.

    Because this work is intensive, energetically profound, and completely tailored to the individual, I only have room for 1 to 3 ceremony clients per month. This limited availability ensures my full presence, care, and attention.

    If you need to reschedule your appointment, you can do so while retaining your deposit, provided that the appointment is rescheduled at least one week before the original date (unless there is a situation of force majeure) and the new appointment takes place within 60 days. Please note that due to my schedule, a new date may not always be available immediately.

    Tattoo only session
    To book a Tattoo Only session, a non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your spot in my schedule. The amount of this deposit depends on the price estimate I make after you have completed the application form.

    If you need to reschedule your appointment, you can do so while retaining your deposit, provided that the appointment is rescheduled at least one week before the original date (unless there is a force majeure situation) and the new appointment takes place within 60 days.

  • Essence Tattoo ceremony
    The symbolism in my designs is strongly connected to the elements of the earth and the universe, medicinal plants, healing herbs, animal guides, and sacred symbols.

    These tattoos are not simply designed, but passed on through the essence of the person receiving them. Together, we decipher this language as it emerges through you, and translate it into a design that can be woven onto the skin.

    The process is a co-creation between your essence, your guides, your ancestors, the creative force itself, and me. It requires surrender and trust: letting go of control and opening yourself completely to the magic, the space, the mystery, and the potential of what wants to emerge. At the same time, we create the design in alignment and care—we make sure it feels right and just right before it is applied to the body.

    I never copy other people's work. On the request form, you have the option to upload photos for reference (these can also be of my own work), but I will always retain my own interpretation and creative freedom during the design process.

    In the years that I have been offering this work, almost all people have experienced that the design emerged naturally from within themselves, rather than being imposed on them. It feels as if it has always been there. This is the essence and magic of ceremonial tattooing.

    Tattoo Only
    I never copy other people's work. On the request form, you have the option to upload photos for reference (these can also be of my own work), but I will always retain my own interpretation and creative freedom during the design process. It helps if you provide as clear a description as possible of your wishes and fill these in on the request form.

  • I work exclusively with organic, non-toxic, vegan, and heavy metal-free ink.

    This is the safest, purest, and most minimalist ink that is kind to both the body and the earth, as it is the purest form of tattoo ink.

    I do not tattoo in color, but use black ink and gray wash variations.

  • It is impossible to estimate exactly how long a session will take, so do not schedule any important appointments after your tattoo session. It may take longer than expected.

  • Unfortunately, I cannot tattoo you if you:

    • Are allergic to metals or ink.

    • have heart and vascular abnormalities.

    • Are pregnant or breastfeeding.

    • Have used antibiotics or blood thinners and have problems with blood clotting (such as hemophilia).

    • Have diabetes.

    • Have an immune disorder (such as psoriasis or rheumatoid arthritis).

    • You have chronic skin disease, skin irritation, or eczema at the site of the tattoo.

    • Are under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

  • Nutrition
    It is important to eat and drink well beforehand. Preferably drinkplenty of water and ginger tea before the session and in the weeks afterwards. Drink at least 48 hours before the session no alcohol at least 48 hours before the session. During the Essence Tattoo Ceremony, I will provide healthy snacks and tea, but I recommend that you bring something to eat yourself. Although you will be sitting or lying still during the tattooing process, your body will be working hard to protect itself from external "intruders." This takes energy, so it is wise (especially with a large tattoo) to eat something in between to provide your body with extra energy.


    Aftercare
    A new tattoo is similar to a graze. Poor care and unhygienic treatment can cause wound infections and scar tissue. In addition, wound infections can lead to a less attractive tattoo. If you take good care of the tattoo, it will take two to six weeks for the wound to heal.

    If you have just had a tattoo done, you need to take good care of it for the first two weeks. You can purchase two products for this purpose: pure coconut oil and Unicura Balance antibacterial hand soap.

    Care

    • Leave the second skin on for 4-5 days .

    • You can shower with the second skin.

    • It is normal for wound fluid and ink to be visible under the second skin.

    • Remove the second skin in the shower after 4-5 days or sooner if it comes off.

    • Is the skin around the second skin becoming red or irritated? Remove it immediately.

    • Do not touch the tattoo unnecessarily and avoid tight clothing, bathing, saunas, swimming for 6 weeks, and intensive exercise/excessive sweating for the first 3 weeks after getting a tattoo.

      Excessive sweating causes too much ink to come out of the wound, which negatively affects the final result of your tattoo.

    • Avoid exposure to the sun and sunbeds for the first 2 months after getting the tattoo, in order to prevent the risk of abnormal pigmentation. If exposure to the sun cannot be avoided, use a sunscreen with SPF 50, but only on a fully healed tattoo. A tattoo that has not yet fully healed should not be exposed to direct sunlight and, if exposure cannot be avoided, should be covered.

    After removing the second skin, follow these care instructions for 14 days:

    • Gently wash the tattoo with water and unscented soap ( such as Unicura Balance antibacterial hand soap).

    • Pat the tattoo dry with clean paper towels ( not a towel!).

    • Then apply a thin layer of aftercare ointment . Use pure coconut oil or shea butter for this, and if your skin is irritated, use Vaseline or Bepanthen cream. Don't use too much, as your skin needs to be able to breathe.

    • Moisturize the tattoo and the surrounding skin by applying cream to this area 2 to 3 times a day and every time after it has been in contact with water. This is a guideline; you can apply cream more often if you wish. Drink plenty of water and ginger tea and avoid alcohol.This supports your skin and body in healing and removing excess ink from the tattooed skin. Alcohol can slow down the healing process.

    • Do not scratch. Do not rub. Only dab gently. Scabbing is part of the healing process, and scabs should be left in place for as long as possible. Do not pick them off.

    Additional information

    • For an Essence Tattoo Ceremony, you will receive a comprehensive preparation and integration guide in advance.

    • I always apply your tattoo with the utmost care. If, after healing, it appears that part of the tattoo has not taken properly, I will touch it up for you free of charge the first time, provided this takes place between 6-10 weeks after the tattoo session.

    • In some cases, I charge a fee for the first touch-up. This includes placements where there is a high risk of fading and/or negligent aftercare. We always discuss this in advance.

    • After 10 weeks, the free update expires and a normal rate applies.

    If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch!