By: Keitha (FireWind)
Posted: September 21st, 2002
"And as a sign that you are free
you shall be naked in your rites".
- 'Aradia: the Gospel of Witches' by Charles Leland
Naked? As in skyclad? As in 'without clothes'? Are you crazy?
No, it's not a joke, and it isn't as crazy as it first might seem. Being naked,
or "skyclad" is a very common ritual practice for very many solitary Wiccans,
groups and traditions. There are good reasons for this practice, and it is quite
common. However, it can also be a bit off-putting for those new to the practice,
and also occasionally attracts those who misinterpret the intent. This article
is a general introduction to the idea of nakedness in the Craft, and some
implications for beginners.
First of all, lets examine the first thought that generally jumps to mind when
talking about nakedness: sex. The purpose of being skyclad isn't to titillate an
audience, or to provide a spectacle for others in the group. It's also not used
to attract new members to the Craft, and it isn't used to encourage sexual
activity in the group. Almost the opposite, in fact. More on this shortly.
Ask yourself, why do we wear clothes? Originally, it was almost certainly for
protection from the elements. Warm skins kept us comfortable in the winter, and
light coverings protected our more delicate areas from sunburn in the summer.
Why then, do we find beadwork, dyes, and other decorations on ancient clothing?
The answer seems clear: to make ourselves more attractive. Now ask yourself why
you can spend a lot of money on nice clothes when any basic covering will do?
Again: to make ourselves more attractive. Why is the expensive outfit better
than the simple one? Because society tells us that we are more attractive when
we look a certain way. And the vast majority of the time, we judge ourselves
based on how society and our peers see us.
Our clothing gives clues to others on how we should be treated. The person in
the ripped jeans and T-shirt will be treated differently, in general, from the
person in the business suit. All other things being equal, the person in the
suit will generally get slightly better service. This is because their clothing
emits clues of power. There are different types of power, of course, but they
are beyond the scope of this discussion.
In addition to assigning us an initial rank in the hierarchy of our
surroundings, our clothing also creates expectations about our behavior. Picture
this: you are in a busy elevator with several others when the elevator jams.
There is one person in a dark suit and briefcase, one person in black clothing
with heavy black eye makeup and knee high boots. One person is wearing shabby
clothes and ripped shoes, and one person is wearing the uniform of a paramedic.
Who do you look to first for suggestions on what to do?
No matter which person you chose, your choice is necessarily based on an
expectation of values and behavior. The clothing of others has caused judgments
to be made about the wearer. And in general, most people act in the way they
feel they are expected to.
When we choose our clothes, we do so with this knowledge in mind, however
subconsciously. When we take off our clothing and become skyclad, we also take
off all the expectations and judgments that come with those clothes. We remove
the mask that we show to the world, and simply become ourselves. Naked,
unashamed, proudly "just us".
When we are naked in a group, we are no longer judged on our wealth, our homes,
our net worth. We are no longer cool because we have those spiffy new shoes. The
reminders of our societal "place" are removed. We are judged now almost solely
on our character, personal achievement, and sense of duty. This is what it means
to be free.
The vast majority of the time, nakedness in Craft groups is completely
unconnected to the sexual act. In fact (and frequently to the complete surprise
of beginners), sexual tension can drop dramatically after a skyclad ritual. Why?
Probably because a barrier has been broken; you've seen with your eyes and there
is less mystery and titillation. You realize that nakedness without sexual
signaling ends up being simply, well... nakedness.
There is also a power in nakedness. When you take off your clothes for ritual,
you are saying "I am beautiful the way I am. I choose to be free. I know who I
am". It is a challenge, and an overcoming of ingrained limitations. It is a way
of staring in the face of "you can't" and saying "I will".
Of course, sometimes people have the wrong idea and assume that nakedness is
always accompanied by sexual activity. They hear about the "naked Pagans" and
head to the nearest gathering like sexual tourists. If the behavior of such
people proves inappropriate (comments, jeering, unwanted sexual advances, etc.),
they are generally calmly and firmly made to feel unwelcome.
Now, also know that sexual activity is not seen as "wrong" or "bad" in the
Craft. We tend to be fairly accepting of almost all consenting adult sexual
practices. However, in the Craft, sexual crimes are considered to be
particularly abhorrent. If you encounter any kind of unwelcome and intimidating
sexual advances, you should speak up, and/or call the authorities at once. The
last thing we want is to foster any kind of harmful or illegal behavior.
In regards to going skyclad, as in most things in the Craft, beginners are
encouraged to experiment and decide what is right for them. However, you should
never feel forced to engage in any activity. Most groups are understanding of
beginners, and it is rare to find an open ritual that involves skyclad work.
Every group and tradition is different; some never work skyclad together, and
some traditions almost always work skyclad. If you are unsure about the question
when attending a new group, then ask. And if you are uncomfortable with the
idea, don't be afraid to say so. Likely the group will work robed instead.
Usually, this question won't even come up, because skyclad rituals are not
generally open to the public. But if you are attending a large gathering or
festival, you should be prepared to encounter other skyclad people at some
point.
We are all perfect and beautiful in the eyes of the gods. Being skyclad both
emphasizes and celebrates this fact. There is nothing wrong with being naked,
and nothing perverse. You were born naked, and even when you cover up, all your
naked parts are still underneath. It is a natural and innocent thing to be, and
does not automatically imply a desire for sexual activity. Being naked reminds
us that we are all naturally, equally, beautiful.