I had an interesting but short discussion on Twitter the other day about going skyclad for ritual. For my non-pagan readers; skyclad means to go nude (the sky clads the body). No, it’s not a sexual thing. It’s merely about shedding the mundane and opening yourself to the elements. Skyclad rituals are probably to blame for the age old image of sexual orgies around a bonfire.
The question for the day is, do you go Skyclad?
I have not, not even for private rituals at home. I had no idea that skyclad rituals still occured to be honest, but Twitter proved me wrong lol! All public rituals I go to are clothed, deemed family friendly (as in children are there), and do not require a commitment to the Grove or Church. I have no issue with anyone going skyclad, it’s just not something I wish to be involved with. First off, I have had body issues for years. Most stemming from the sexual abuse I endured as a teen. Despite my growth and working through the emotions stemming from the abuse, it’s not something I can just get over. I would feel too vulnerable in a group to be naked. I am just not a trusting person. At the same time I still have the feelings about nudity that I was raised to have, kinda hard to toss it all away after 34 years. I don’t want to see anyone naked unless we are going to engage in a specific activity (which is probably why I am not a fan of porn). Maybe had nudists raised me I would feel differently?
So for my pagan readers, do you go skyclad? Have you been to public rites that include skyclad?
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not a pagan, but i heart me some naked time. mine is usually in a river in the woods, i’ve never really had naked time in front of multiple people (other than girl friends while getting ready for some function), but as long as they were naked too, i could deal.
skinnydipping in a plunge pool in the middle of nowhere is one of the best feelings in the world.
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Never been skinny dipping lol!
I love being naked, especially outside. I love clothing-optional space, like festival space. But I’m rarely skyclad for ritual. I find it distracting. Ritual can make me feel vulnerable as it is; going skyclad feels like too much. Plus, a lot of ritual is at night or in the morning, and it can be cold, even in summer. I like a good ritual robe.
I feel very vulnerable in ritual as well!
The skyclad rituals I have attended were invitation-only or members-only. I have been to public rituals at clothing-optional festivals where a few of the participants were skyclad for at least part of the time.
I am glad you stated your issues, it should help people understand why it is not just a given that Pagans or mages would have no problems with nudity.
.-= Freeman´s last blog ..LilithsPriest: @PaganGmaSayin We have a dedicated room in our house for Temple functions. That was a big selling point for the house. =-.
I think it’s important people know that we have issues like everyone else, I am sure I am not the only one with these types of things within our community. There may be a time where skyclad becomes the norm for me and that’s cool, I don’t dismiss it totally. It’s just not for right now.
Like the first person mentioned… Not pagan, but do enjoy going clothesless… Never have out of my house though lol. We joke about when we have our own (rather large) place and the space to do so..
I’d heard of skyclad before of course, but have never heard of actual instances where its done (just in general that it is sometimes or can be). Maybe because I don’t live in an area where you hear about many pagan gatherings… I don’t know. And besides you, the two people I really talk to often who are pagan don’t do that either… One I think is due to her kids and the area she’s in (we haven’t really discussed it) and the other goes the other route, she completely covers as part of her religion. Which I think is just as interesting
I did have an ex ask me if we Catholics really dance naked down the aisles at our weddings though. Slightly unrelated, but I will never forget that one…
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Yea kids make a difference. I tend to go to things that if the kids decide they want to go I want them to feel comfortable and welcome in that space. The eldest would absolutely freak out if anyone was nude.
Really? Catholics dancing naked down the aisle? Where do people get this stuff?
Great post Angela!
I actually talked about this topic in one of my recent blog posts and in my newest Bex’s Hexes episode. I use to be totally against the idea of skyclad, but then I participated in a skyclad ritual at this year’s Pantheacon in CA.-it was amazing! It was women only-which is the important part for me and it had this awesomely safe and joyous feel to the whole ritual-it was very improve your self-esteem themed throughout. I now practice skyclad in my solitary rituals-why not no one can see you…and I do think it makes a difference…it helps to improve my self esteem and helps me to embrace my sexuality. I was raised very conservative Christian so this is not always easy for me. I think it is a really important thing to do as a witch-at least once in your life
I encourage everyone to try it…don’t be like me and have an opinion on it when you have never tried it-LOL!
Blessings,
Hoi Sum
Bex
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