Pagan Nudity: Uncovering the Facts
Skyclad on the Road to Freedom an irreverent look
By Helix
Male or female, in ritual or out, some Pagans are nearly as uncomfortable as their Christian counterparts when it comes to naked humanity and others revel in it as naturally as a fish in water. Different backgrounds and different perceptions lead to different views on the subject, but the important thing, it seems to me, is that the Pagan outlook allows the option. There are far too many do's and don'ts, I cant's and I must's laid on us by contemporary society which makes a relaxed atmosphere in a pagan environment a breath of fresh, revitalizing air. Fortunately the pitfall of reversal (i.e., I can be naked, so I must be naked) has so far been avoided. After all, the situation in a nudist colony (where if nudity is not an absolute requirement, it is at least expected) is no freer than the nudity taboos of mainstream society.
Skyclad Ritual
Some groups always wear robes in ritual, some never do, and others do or don't as they feel it appropriate to the season or task at hand. If you see a coven out freezing their buns off in the middle of winter you'll know they are really dedicated—or really fanatical.
There are some classical reasons propounded for a requirement of nudity in ritual. One of these is the magick-is-restricted-by-clothing myth. Please-save it for the New Agers. Magick is scarcely as limited as all that; and even if you subscribe to the silk-as-shielding school of thought, how many of us wear silk robes?
Then there is "so that ye may be free ye shall be naked in your rites." Those that don't see the contradiction please reread the first paragraph of this article.
Following that is the nudity for protection idea. This can be a favorite of those who (in all innocence and religious sincerity of course) may occasionally incorporate illegal substances into their rituals. While it is unlikely that law enforcement officials would be allowed to divest themselves of clothing while on undercover assignment. It is far more likely they will just break your door down rather than bother with such subtlety. Especially if there happens to be a weekly/monthly procession from your home of folks who can barely drive and you have a huge pentagram on the front lawn for the neighbors to admire.
Nudity as a sign of sincerity or as a device for fending off the lunatic fringe is another reason. The logic runs something like this: If they are really sincere (coven dedicatees) they'll be willing to do it and we can weed out some of the nuts and curiosity seekers. Of course, you may only wind up with a different flavor of nut.
There are even some fairly reasonable reasons for incorporating nudity into a group's rituals. It can drop artificial barriers. It can be a prelude for the participants to let go of preconceived notions and see each other as they really are—not just physically but mentally/emotionally as well. It can be a growing-closer experience
Do you want to know the really, truly, absolutely only reason to do your rituals sans clothing? It's because you want to.
Festival Nudity
Most festivals, if not totally open to nudity, at least have an area or two available for skyclad activity. Those with restrictions seem to have two primary reasons for limiting skyclad activities to certain areas:
One is simply that some areas of the festival property may be seen from public roadways. This one certainly seems reasonable enough—who really wants a crowd of curiosity-seekers and a likelihood of a complaint bringing the police to invade the festival? Maybe some of the politically active "show-off crowd", but not me.
The other reason I find much less logical and somewhat philosophically objectionable. That is the idea of having some areas designated for at least minimal genital coverage because it might frighten or make small children uncomfortable. Let's face it, small children have no nudity taboos. Until they are forced on them by their elders. So what we really have are parents with nudity hang-ups, not children. Therefore, I see no valid reason for this latter designation. After all, no one is making them or their children go skyclad (or even come to the festival, for that matter).
Evidence that Pagans aren't as free -thinking as they might like to believe can be seen in the Pagan adolescent population at festivals. Most of this age group, "male and female", are no more comfortable with nudity than their Christian counterparts. Hmm— something wrong with this picture? While it is true that adolescence is a period of change and body image adjustments, one would think that having parents with fewer body hang-ups would lessen the trauma. Perhaps not— especially if the parental hang-ups are only buried a little and not erased. On the other hand, it could be that outside influence (classmates, etc.) is strong enough to counter any positive parental influence.
Shedding your cares, and your clothes, for the duration of a Pagan festival can be an enlightening and rewarding experience once you've passed that major hurdle (for those to whom nudity does not come naturally) of actually getting your clothes off. Some find it helpful to have a reason to shed their clothing—going for a swim, for example. Somehow disrobing for a skinny dip may seem more acceptable than just shucking your clothes to walk around and enjoy the sunshine. (To me there is no difference but I know many folks feel otherwise.)
Fears and Jeers
Both sexes have their own unique qualms about public nudity. These are, naturally enough, brought on by the very plumbing differences we all so very much enjoy.
Since male equipment is external and therefore quite visibly displays changes, the biggest male bugaboo seems to concern: "Well, um, you know, what if I, ahh, get an erection?" I recently overheard an ex-Catholic that was trying to get into the swing of the Pagan experience, comment about being embarrassed because every time a skyclad lady would walk by he would get an erection. As previously mentioned, Pagan festivals are not nudist colonies and their unwritten rules are not necessarily the same either. While it would probably be considered rude to walk around with a constant erection, hopefully Pagan ladies are open-minded enough to forgive a little slip now and again— especially from someone totally unused to public nudity. They may slip and snicker a bit on such occasion but, hopefully, we can forgive them that in return. The main thing to remember is that it isn't really a big deal and the problem will quickly cease to be one as you get used to the situation.
The big problem for women, on the other hand, seems to be a really strong sense of vulnerability, especially in connection with exposing the pubic area. Many women don't seem to have a big problem with exposing their breasts but that last step can be a stumper. Not being female, there is little solace I can offer in this area except to point out a couple of things. At a Pagan festival you are (or should be) among friends. No one is likely to try to hurt you or make you do something you don't want to do. You are probably safer from violation naked at a Pagan festival surrounded by horny men (and women!) than you would be on the streets of New York in a Sherman tank.
One irrational fear that may be shared by both sexes is even though naked people may surround you, you feel that everyone is looking at you. This might be a result of one of two things. It could be that you have a deeply ingrained nudity taboo from early childhood—perhaps as a result of some drastic negative reaction to nudity from parents or others close to you. Or it could be that you just have a body image problem; that is, for whatever reason, you don't feel comfortable with your body (overweight, underweight, scars or whatever) and therefore feel that you would stand out adversely in any crowd. Foremost to keep in mind here is that this is not a beauty contest. You are doing it for yourself to enjoy the freedom, not for someone else's benefit. Part of Paganism, it seems to me, is getting beyond the reliance on what others think and learning that your own thoughts and feelings are just as important as those of anyone else are.
The converse of this can be a problem as well. Maybe you are really proud of your body and part of the pleasure you get from being skyclad is a (conventionally shameful) touch of exhibitionism. Why be ashamed? It hurts no one and someone is sure to appreciate it. Enjoy.
Special Problems
Paganism attracts people from many different walks of life, philosophies and sexual orientations. Therein lies one of its major strengths. Some of the more out of the ordinary Pagans may find they have special problems when it comes to public nudity. The usual gay or lesbian person need have no more qualms about appearing skyclad than their straight cousins, but what about the transvestite? A would-be woman trapped in the body of a man (or vice versa) who relies on clothing to provide a sense of identity could find themselves not only physically naked but psychologically bereft as well. Before engaging in such activity or deciding to deprive him/herself of the freedom it might be wise to give the subject some thought. If clothing is the only thing providing a sense of opposite sex identity to the transvestite he/she might be well advised to give up the masquerade and save him/herself a lot of trouble. If, on the other hand, their inward sense of identity is strong enough it shouldn't matter what their outward appearance signals to others.
It saddens me sometimes to see those people who are still so locked into the I cant's of conventional morality that they feel obligated to cover themselves at all times—even when swimming or participating in a sweat lodge. It equally gladdens me when I see someone so comfortable with himself or herself that they can be naked while wearing a tampon without giving it a second thought. There are no vulgar or disgusting parts of the body or bodily functions. It is all a miraculous integral whole, every inch of which is to be enjoyed by us—the Children of God and Goddess. The freedom to be as we are, even unto not being free, is a valid expression as well, as long as we don't try to shove it onto others. So, I say again, what is the real one and only reason for chucking your clothes and enjoying the Pagan option of bodily freedom? It's because you want to. | 
