Post by Lady Silver Vixen on Dec 16, 2010 14:41:28 GMT -5
Skyclad and Ritual Garb
Skyclad is a very misunderstood form of ritual garb. Skyclad pretty much means clad beneath the sky, or naked beneath the sky. This practice arises from the idea that psychic energy is restricted or inhibited by clothing, especially tight or binding clothing, though many no longer believe this.
Something else to consider is that we are born naked, we are only pure when in that state, and so if we approach deity in the nude, we are laying aside preconceptions and prejudices of the physical, mundane world to reveal our true, inner, spiritual selves. Basically, we are laying ourselves all out there for deity to see. By setting our clothing aside, it can be said that we are laying our social distinctions and self-deceptions aside as well. This allows us to see and be present in the light of the Great Goddess.
A really good example is the Sahus of India, who are holy people who strut about naked to show that they have moved beyond the outer form of being to the inner essence of being.
Also, when you think about it, back in the day, most clothing were not productive or practical for dancing or dealing with fire, hence another reason for Skyclad rituals. Though a very ancient custom, it’s not very common in modern Wiccan practices. Many wiccans only go Skyclad when doing solitary work or with a romantic partner.
Many people have issues with their bodies, working Skyclad can help one become not only familiar with your body, but it can help you accept your body. Sometimes, clothing and fashion impose many false and unrealistic ideas on our relationship with our bodies. By accepting our bodies as they are, we can break free of the socially imposed ideas of how we should look and dress. There are some people who use clothing as a mask, placing their physical self esteem in external items of dress. But external items are purely illusory and not always under our own control. The main thing to keep in mind here, is that even though many of us have issues with our bodies, we need to set that aside and accept our bodies as they are when we go before our Deity. We lay ourselves out and we are accepted as we are by our deity, and we should be grateful as well as happy for love we receive.
Other Garbs that are commonly used in ritual are Robes, and depending on the tradition Tabards, stoles, street clothes (yes this is common), tiaras and garters.
Robes are one of the most traditional for many witches, and gives the feeling of being free and unbound by the restraints of tight clothing. Robes are also said to allow the free flow of energy without restriction. Tabards are more of a tradition type practice, and allow others to know who’s doing what during a ritual; this isn’t really a common practice but is a practical one if there are several people participating in the ritual. Stoles are a thin piece of cloth that drapes around the individuals neck. Patches are usually attached or woven into the fabric. Most commonly it’s usually the High Priestess and Priest that wear the stole as a sign of their clergy or Elder status. On the stole, the patches that can be present are usually, degree level, clubs and/or organizations as well as temples that the individual is part of.
Street clothes are the most common dress attire that you see in rituals. You are more comfortable and relaxed, and sometimes it’s not practical for other attire, such as in the middle of winter. Tiaras, also known as head pieces, are common as well. Mostly females, the High Priestess in particular, will have one of these or something very close to it. It’s up to the individual but it’s just one of many ways to shift consciousness and get into the “mood” of doing a ritual. Garters are most common amongst women, and usually have knots on them to signify the different covens, they have either been in, or have spawned off their own coven. The High Priestess is the one who usually has one of these.
Skyclad is a very misunderstood form of ritual garb. Skyclad pretty much means clad beneath the sky, or naked beneath the sky. This practice arises from the idea that psychic energy is restricted or inhibited by clothing, especially tight or binding clothing, though many no longer believe this.
Something else to consider is that we are born naked, we are only pure when in that state, and so if we approach deity in the nude, we are laying aside preconceptions and prejudices of the physical, mundane world to reveal our true, inner, spiritual selves. Basically, we are laying ourselves all out there for deity to see. By setting our clothing aside, it can be said that we are laying our social distinctions and self-deceptions aside as well. This allows us to see and be present in the light of the Great Goddess.
A really good example is the Sahus of India, who are holy people who strut about naked to show that they have moved beyond the outer form of being to the inner essence of being.
Also, when you think about it, back in the day, most clothing were not productive or practical for dancing or dealing with fire, hence another reason for Skyclad rituals. Though a very ancient custom, it’s not very common in modern Wiccan practices. Many wiccans only go Skyclad when doing solitary work or with a romantic partner.
Many people have issues with their bodies, working Skyclad can help one become not only familiar with your body, but it can help you accept your body. Sometimes, clothing and fashion impose many false and unrealistic ideas on our relationship with our bodies. By accepting our bodies as they are, we can break free of the socially imposed ideas of how we should look and dress. There are some people who use clothing as a mask, placing their physical self esteem in external items of dress. But external items are purely illusory and not always under our own control. The main thing to keep in mind here, is that even though many of us have issues with our bodies, we need to set that aside and accept our bodies as they are when we go before our Deity. We lay ourselves out and we are accepted as we are by our deity, and we should be grateful as well as happy for love we receive.
Other Garbs that are commonly used in ritual are Robes, and depending on the tradition Tabards, stoles, street clothes (yes this is common), tiaras and garters.
Robes are one of the most traditional for many witches, and gives the feeling of being free and unbound by the restraints of tight clothing. Robes are also said to allow the free flow of energy without restriction. Tabards are more of a tradition type practice, and allow others to know who’s doing what during a ritual; this isn’t really a common practice but is a practical one if there are several people participating in the ritual. Stoles are a thin piece of cloth that drapes around the individuals neck. Patches are usually attached or woven into the fabric. Most commonly it’s usually the High Priestess and Priest that wear the stole as a sign of their clergy or Elder status. On the stole, the patches that can be present are usually, degree level, clubs and/or organizations as well as temples that the individual is part of.
Street clothes are the most common dress attire that you see in rituals. You are more comfortable and relaxed, and sometimes it’s not practical for other attire, such as in the middle of winter. Tiaras, also known as head pieces, are common as well. Mostly females, the High Priestess in particular, will have one of these or something very close to it. It’s up to the individual but it’s just one of many ways to shift consciousness and get into the “mood” of doing a ritual. Garters are most common amongst women, and usually have knots on them to signify the different covens, they have either been in, or have spawned off their own coven. The High Priestess is the one who usually has one of these.