What to wear to Circle


This depends on what Trad or Coven you belong to. Today rituals will vary from skyclad to robed to street clothes. Which is correct? All of them can be. Lets look at both the pros and cons of each way.


Skyclad: Pros - you are close to nature, you are the way you were ment to be before the God and Goddess. In a group it shows perfect love and perfect trust.

Cons: Weather, Can't do it in a public place, some people are uncomfortable, people join circle just to look at nude people.


Robe: Pros - you can be skyclad under them, they add to formality of the ritual, They can be another tool you create.

Cons: If you can't make your own they can cost a lot of money. If the ritual isn't at your home, its another item you must take with you.


Street Clothes: Pros - You can go from work to ritual. Its what you are wearing.

Cons: It lacks any formality, The dress of the group can vary greatly from a pair of shorts to a suit.


Some Trads say all rituals must be skyclad. If you are in one of those Trads you will be skyclad. Others give you the choice of skyclad or robed. (everyone in circle will be either skyclad or robed not both) With many modern witches Street clothes is the only way. Sometimes the HP and HPS will be robed and the rest will be in street clothes.


With skyclad - everyone should try at least one ritual skyclad, even if you do it by yourself. (and if it can be outside - its even better). BEWARE: it can be habit forming.


Robes should be a part of every Witches wardrobe. Even Witches in Trads that go Skyclad at times will be at open circle and rituals where skyclad is forbidden because of the public nature of the area. It really adds to the ritual and festivities when everyone is robed.


Robes can be worn over street clothes, but the preferred way to wear them is skyclad under them. When it gets real cold out street clothes may be needed.


Street Clothes, which is getting more popular, has very little good that can be said about it. For the Witch on the go, it seems the logical thing. Also the beginning Witch may not have robes yet - so its the only way they can go and feel comfortable.


Do not do a ritual skyclad if you feel uncomfortable. This would take away from the workings of the ritual. I know people who will work skyclad with their Coven, but never with outsiders present - even when the outsider may be students. This is were the perfect love and perfect trust that a Coven must have comes in. Many Covens demand that you are skyclad when you become part of their Inner Circle. If you can not trust them enough to be skyclad in front of them, then you don't have perfect trust.


TO DO:


If you do not have one - make a robe. This is not hard - take an old sheet fold in half - cut hole for head. Get robe and tie around waist - instant robe. If you know how to sew do it up better than that. I have a picture on my website with my first robe, which was made from a sheet. Go down and click on photo album - when you get to the photo albums look at the one called Dragon Palm Circle - members and friends. I no longer wear that one and if I can I will up load to the photo album a picture with my current robe.


DISCUSSION:

What do you wear for ritual and why.

What are your feeling about Skyclad, Robed, Street Clothes.

Skyclad Vs Robe Vs Street clothes

Give good points for each

Give bad points for each

Give times one is preferable over the other.


QUESTIONS:

1. What is Skyclad?

2. When making a robe, what kind of materials are best?

Read page 38 Buckland’s Complete Book of Witchcraft

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