Pagans - how many of you go Skyclad during ritual?

Question

Sorry about the headder but I have asked questions in the past and had ittle response so i am hoping I will catch more people this way.

Disclaimer: Everyone answering this question has already heard about Jesus and that we are going to hell -thank you for your concern.

I have never gone skyclad I dont feel the need (I do have a strong urge to remain bare foot). I was wondering how many out there really practice this, as I am a sole practitioner and dont really know many others.

If you do what are your reasons, If you dont do you need some other way of dressing or like me feel the need to have bare feet?

I am also thinking about going to a camp and was wondering if there was a lot of pressure to do this. I dont mind if anyone else wants to, we all have our own needs but its just not for me. I'm in Engaland by the way.

Groans - oh *(^%£$**%£ knew this would happen ask a genuine answer and get all the boys

Go on any more out there

(naked boys too people naked boys)

Jim i'm shocked at you!

sorry for expessing myself clumsily chuck didnt mean to offend - cant name u u dont have one

Answer 1

There are two Traditions of Wicca that I know of that are specifically associated with skyclad worship: the Gardnerians (who do it all the time) and the Alexandrians (where some groups worship skyclad and others worship robed).

Myself, I've done skyclad group ritual once. It was an amazing and enlightening experience. To come before the Gods "as you are", and to stand in the presence of others without any sign of rank or "window dressing", creates a spirit of both openness and equality. Also, because being naked is generally such an intimate act in our culture, being naked in our rite greatly enhanced the sense of being a special space, apart from the mundane world. Given the opportunity, I would do group work skyclad again.

In my personal practice, I always worship skyclad. :-)

And if you go to a Wiccan camp and people are pressuring you to work skyclad, feel free to tell them that they're being rude and presumptuous. Unless, of course, it was advertised as a skyclad event, in which case they've got a leg to stand on in terms of expecting you to join them. ;-)

Answer 2

I agree with you. I love going barefoot but have never felt the urge to run around Naked except at a Naturist Gathering. I rarely do much ritual though. If I feel the urge to talk to the Gods and Spirits I do so over a cup of tea (I'm in the tiny Duchy of Wisconsin) or whatever else I'm having that day. They usually join in. I love sitting and hearing the trees talk.
If you feel the need on going to a camp and seeing how others work, do so, but don't get pressured into doing it "their way". Your way is right for you. If they try and pressure you they're not doing things correctly and are exactly the reason I tend to stay away from ritual.....sorry, I was harping again.
I also stay solitary, mostly from choice and sometimes because I just don't know how to work with others (I never have had much practice at it and the times I have I haven't had a good experience)
Blessings on you, though. May you have a good time.

Answer 3

Being skyclad in ritual, at least for some initiatory Traditions, serves a specific purpose, and is practiced rarely.

It's not about "feeling the need", it's about having the experience of being utterly without defenses, and about reaching a stage of not associating nudity with sex.

So, yes, I've done skyclad ritual. Rarely.

And I generally want to be barefoot, although if we're celebrating outdoors, this is sometimes impractical. Heck, sometimes it's even impractical indoors. Wearing only socks on my feet seems to work for me when the floors are cold enough to interfere with my ability to focus on the ritual.

Answer 4

I'm pagan and I've never felt the need to go skyclad in ritual. Like you, I have the urge to be barefoot (when weather permits).. I've been to a camp where they had both, and no one felt pressured one way or another to either wear or not wear clothing.

Most pagans I know are accepting of whatever anyone else wants to do, as long as no one is being harmed by it. So, do what feels right for you is usually the way it goes :)

Many blessings on your path.

Answer 5

I prefer bare feet as long as it is warm. I was also fortunate to be raised in a home where nudity was acceptable. Miracle for my dad (a Mormon) natural for mom (a witch), and since I am a solitary it is not unusual for me to do rituals skyclad, but then
i am skyclad most of the time anyway (except frying bacon)! I have always hated clothing!
BB
)O(

Answer 6

Raven's Voice has it to rights

Skyclad is not about "Ooo, look at me, I'm naked"
Skyclad is about making a declaration that you are so free in your person that you can bring only yourself into the ritual without a though of what you look like and who is looking at you.

"...And as a sign that you are truly free, you shall be naked in your rites......"

I have gone skyclad, and will do so again when the time is right.

Answer 7

I am a non-ritualistic solitary practitioner pagan. I seldom do ritual with others and the few I have done were robed. I have no problem with it, do as you feel, but let no one pressure you. I love going naked in my private residence but don't want to freak the neighbors by the rituals I do outside. Personal choice my dear. And you are from England! I would love to visit and tap into some powerful force lines there!

Answer 8

I never felt the urge to go skyclad. I have been to rituals where robes were optional and no one made me feel bad about being robed. There was no pressure to be nude, none at all.

Like you, I need to be bare footed. I like the feel of the earth/floor on my feet.

Answer 9

I am " skyclad " all the time but I have never had a ritual doing it. Gives me something to think about. It's nice and warm here where I live.

Answer 10

I've done skyclad rituals, but only when the nudity complemented the object of the ritual; openness, self-esteem, acceptance of myself, etc. Generally, I prefer to work in my robe however,for the symbolism associated with it, and because I made it myself.
But I've never been self-conscious as far as nudity in public goes.