skyclad

[Angel]

I've just started working skyclad a couple of nights agpo and I find it to be the most liberating and beautiful thing i have ever experienced. I'm just wondering who else performs skyclad and who doesn't and why/why not.

[Myst]

I do if no one's home. Having only moved out of my parents' house 8 months ago I'm still enchanted by the ability to just walk around nekkid when I want to. When my fiance's home I tend to avoid it though - him staring at me could probably get distracting :)

[Rick]

OK, I can see this becoming one of those 47 responses threads where everyone says "It's personal opinion". So, that said...

It's what's practical. Skyclad in a public park is a bad idea in all the places I know of (read: illegal). Skyclad in your own backyard COULD be a bad idea, if the neighbors can see you (there was a case making the rounds on the e-lists awhile back about a coven being cited 'cuz the neighbor could see them through a crack in the fence. I know, sounds like peeping tommery to me, too...). If you're practicing alone & the drapes are drawn, where's the harm? In a group setting, I personally don't believe it's appropriate if children are present (I'm old-fashioned that way). If all parties involved are consenting adults, & everyone's in agreement & comfortable with it, & no public decency laws are being broken, then it's OK. (I site public decency laws 'cuz you can't be arrested for being a witch, but you CAN be arrested for being naked in public, & spiteful neighbors could use that against you.)

[Socharis]

Originally posted by Rick
OK, I can see this becoming one of those 47 responses threads where everyone says "It's personal opinion". So, that said...

It's what's practical. Skyclad in a public park is a bad idea in all the places I know of (read: illegal). Skyclad in your own backyard COULD be a bad idea, if the neighbors can see you (there was a case making the rounds on the e-lists awhile back about a coven being cited 'cuz the neighbor could see them through a crack in the fence. I know, sounds like peeping tommery to me, too...). If you're practicing alone & the drapes are drawn, where's the harm? In a group setting, I personally don't believe it's appropriate if children are present (I'm old-fashioned that way). If all parties involved are consenting adults, & everyone's in agreement & comfortable with it, & no public decency laws are being broken, then it's OK. (I site public decency laws 'cuz you can't be arrested for being a witch, but you CAN be arrested for being naked in public, & spiteful neighbors could use that against you.)


Dont forget that there are different laws here in England, just so British ppl dont get the wrong idea.

I think before going skyclad you should look at your local laws and also see if you think there would be an objection to it.

Just my 2 bits worth.

[Rick]

Checking local ordinances is sound, practical advise, Socharis.

[Myst]

Here in Ontario you could wear a fig leaf where Adam did and be safe whether you're a man or woman (just fyi for those who are in the area) :)

[Rick]

Originally posted by WillowRaven
Here in Ontario you could wear a fig leaf where Adam did and be safe whether you're a man or woman (just fyi for those who are in the area) :)

OK... I'm bookin' a flight.. can ya meet me at the airport? And if you're only wearin' a figleaf, where are ya gonna wear the red carnation, so I'll know it's you? :bad: :p :bigredgri

[Myst]

how did I know that was coming ;)

I wonder if we can substitute the carnation FOR the fig leaf...

[Rick]

Originally posted by WillowRaven
how did I know that was coming ;)

I wonder if we can substitute the carnation FOR the fig leaf...

OK... I was gonna respond that I couldn't, but we're keeping this PG-13, so...

[bloodstone20]

mentioning that your were going to mention something you didn't think would be apporpriete to mention the same as mentioning it?

[Rick]

Originally posted by bloodstone20
mentioning that your were going to mention something you didn't think would be apporpriete to mention the same as mentioning it?

Literalist... 8O

[Socharis]

PG-13??? is that like PG to 13??? confused???

[Rick]

Originally posted by Socharis
PG-13??? is that like PG to 13??? confused???

Ya know... like the movie ratings:

G= for general audiences
PG= parental guidance suggested
PG-13= may contain material not suitable for children under 13
R= restricted to audiences 17 & older, unless accompanied by a parent or adult guardian
X= absolutely no one under 21

There's also an NC-17, but I must confess that I don't really get that one, & it doesn't seem to be used much...

[mol]

Ive done both and I have felt no different. The strongest experience ever in Magickal practice I was wearing shorts and a t-shirt.

[Socharis]

Originally posted by Rick


Ya know... like the movie ratings:

G= for general audiences
PG= parental guidance suggested
PG-13= may contain material not suitable for children under 13
R= restricted to audiences 17 & older, unless accompanied by a parent or adult guardian
X= absolutely no one under 21

There's also an NC-17, but I must confess that I don't really get that one, & it doesn't seem to be used much...

Its different here in the uk, we use ;

U
PG
12
15
18

[Rick]

Originally posted by Socharis


Its different here in the uk, we use ;

U
PG
12
15
18

Seems more to the point...

[Rævyn Cigány]

All I know is that I wouldn't want to be skyclad anywhere in the southern states (especially Florida and Louisiana) because someone would definitely mistaken me for one of the alligators... :crazy: three kids weighing total of over 27 pounds does that to a body.

BB

Rae )0(

[Swanspirit]

Merry Merry,
It depends...... I prefer to work skyclad if I can , but I dont ever insist if someone isnt comfortable, for any reason, and I am not comfortable with others peoples kids there in a private circle even if they are.
I do like attending clothing optional pagan festivals , for the sense of freedom.... really .... there is nothing like dancing skyclad around a huge bonfire with a group of uninhibited people and a great drum circle going ALL NIGHT LONG.
Nothing else like it ,,,,,,,sighhhh
Love and Light
Swannie

[Mariposa De La Luna]

Originally posted by WillowRaven
When my fiance's home I tend to avoid it though - him staring at me could probably get distracting :)

My husband staring at me does make me distracted! I can feel the thoughts running through his mind, you know, and can tell when they get around to more intimate things.

I practice skyclad, outside, and solitary. I've also been clothed, inside and in a group. I like being solitary the most, I still have some hangups but its when I feel most free. I'm lucky because I don't have any nieghbors out back, the back of the houses are basically flush together and I normally go out in the dead of the night, when I'm not too tired. I've had some profound experiences that way that I haven't otherwise.

[Angel]

Looks like we've got some diverse opinions on this subject. My basic, condensed opinion is a s follows: If it feels good do it!!! Ritual nudity is good for me, i really enjoy it, but I'm never gonna insist thta others must aswell. That would zap any sacredness straight away.

[mol]

Hehe...all right...who posted the attachment and made me look! ;)

[Swanspirit]

HI Mol!
I just went thru the thread and ahhh errr,,,,
the only attachment I could see was ........ well....... actually ..... mine :>
here is a close up :>
Love and light
Swannie
that sound you hear is NOT muffled laughter .....

[Rick]

Originally posted by mol
Hehe...all right...who posted the attachment and made me look! ;)


Semele! Your husband was lookin' at naked art!!!

[Swanspirit]

OHHH I havent laughed that hard ..... in a
while LOL,, ohhh toooo funny.
pssssssssst wanna see some more??
ROFLMAO OHHH BAUBO the BELLy GODDESS
where are you when I need you ........


Laughing laughing
Swannie

[Litha]

Swannie,
you are more refreshing than cinnamon peppermint burst gum!
hehehehee :bigredgri

As for being skyclad, before I b/c Gard, I found early on that I could channel power much better unencumbered by clothing.

As for my sweetie booboo peeking into my home office where my working altar is, he knows by now that if I'm nekkid amidts wafting clouds of Gloria incense that it not a good time to compare belly buttons and whatnot :eek:

[Swanspirit]

And you are So Sweeeeet............
LOL comparing belly buttons , and besides Rick started it ............... or was it Mol???
LOL
Yes skyclad starclad moonclad , water shimmer and moon beam clad....... works very well with energy, and when I cant get skyclad,,,,, I try and remember I am skyclad under my clothes all the time :>

Love and HUGS
Swannie

[Socharis]

Originally posted by mol
Hehe...all right...who posted the attachment and made me look! ;)

LOL 8O

[IOLO]

Skyclad is the only way to work for witches anyway. I can't speak for wiccans or other pagans.

If one is ashamed of his or her body....I don't see how one can command the forces of nature.

Also, the proscriptions on nakedness are from another culture and religion(s)....if someone elses ideas are dictating your feelings and resposnes....you again can hardly expect to be in control of yourself....which witchcraft requires.

Because witches, pagans, and wiccans are minorities prudence would dictate acceding to the laws of the place in which one finds oneself....so one has to make accomodations to practice as one ought.

Just what I was taught...and my opinion.

Merry Be!!!

IOLO

[IOLO]

.....Your Swanship....isn't that Botticelli's "The Birth of Venus"??....the original is up here in Boston at the Gardner ( no relation ) Museum....

[Semele]

Originally posted by Rick



Semele! Your husband was lookin' at naked art!!!

Of course he was!!!! Why else would he be in here!!!;)

[Lilu]

Actually IOLO I have to respectfully disagree. I consider myself a witch, and I prefer to work clothed. Do I have hangups about my sexuality/nakedness/etc? No I don't. I walk around my house naked most of the time with the curtains wide open. I am totally comfortable with being naked.

I once had it explained to me by someone that worked skyclad that they preferred to do it because they considered it "different" and it put them in the frame of mind for ritual. I could see where this might be so if you don't run around naked much. However, I find that a nice robe/dress/sarong used specifically for ritual puts me more in the mind for ritual than stripping off all my clothes and getting into it.

Lilu

[IOLO]

So mote it be.....

Most of the witches with whom I work when we do work together (which is only occasionally) would probably disagree with you....but then again...we are not doing ritual ....so perhaps you're correct in that regard.....The only ritual I do is with the Freemasons....and there we wear tuxes and aprons and all kinds of paraphenalia...hahaha...so maybe for ritual and ceremony skyclad is not the proper attire....8=)

Merry Be!!

IOLO

[Swanspirit]

if one accedes to the laws of place ....isnt that dictating ones thoughts or feelings or;
is that simply acting in accordance with the outer constraints. skyclad does in time and with experience afford one a heightened perception at times, I think would be a benefit . It kicks in that primal survival energy that comes with vulnerablity . Also acts for me as a more sensitive baromater to the "energy weather around me " . For instance if it is very cold out, and I am working skyclad and warm and comfortable I know which levels of working have becaome available.
Last winter, I had plant by my outside alter stay in bloom well into the winter months .........after all the rest of the exact same plant has long since succumbed to winter. only a few inches away :>. Took pics of that , now if I could only work some magic and FIND them LOL .......
The original of the Birth of Venus is in Boston!!!!!!!! OMYGODDESS dont just sit there go take a picture LOL and send it to me :> Now I really have to come and visit you :>.
Speaking of Starclad ......... here is another ...... ahhh attachment . courtesy of MAxfield Parrish , another incredible renderer of the female nude form ........
Mol..... the sound you here is NOT muffled laughter .....
Love and light
Swannie

[IOLO]

...I stand corrected ( but NOT skyclad at the moment...I'm at work...hehehe)....the BOV WAS here....but my art affizianato "gumba" here tells me it went back to the Ufizzi...it was on loan here at the Gardner for a show....since the Gardner has quite a few nice Botticellis ( which would be worth the trip to see....)

If I may digress for a bit ( and you KNOW I NEVER digress...hahaha) about 10 years ago or so...the Museum of Fine Arts here had a Goya exhibition....had one of the largest "gates" of any show they ever put on.....and on one day in a line that took an hour to get through...there must have been 3,000 witches, pagans, and wiccans...so many pentacles were flashing about that one of the guards was heard to inquire if this was a "club" or something coming as a group....hahaha

You're going to kill me for this....but it's the absolute truth....Parrish's grandaughter is a friend of mine....and her ex is quite a witch in his own right (rite??..hahaha)....Joanna was involved for a while but of late has become born-again or something...

But back to the "thread" I agree with you....for working magick...i.e doing witchcraft....skyclad does make one more sensitive to the energies which are actually involved......but I also agree with Lilu...for ritual...clothing is probably quite appropriate.....

Merry Be!!

IOLO

[Swanspirit]

Let you live.......in the manner to which you are accustomed ..... there are froggies and toadies a plenty in the pond for now.. hehehehe just got a brand new batch of tadpoles .....Goddess they are all skyclad too ..... reminds me ......I am supposed to go to the Ocean again today.. it is a SHAME we cant have a nude beach ..... sigh......
Some of the local women have been known to appear on more remote locations of Assateague
(I HEARD THAT!!!!!! its a NATIONAL SEASHORE for goddness sake!) skyclad and while I wont go so far as to swim naked in the ocean at night.... those sharks are waterclad you know, we have been known to dance up a little melody under the stars and do a little working here and there under the moon , it is really very nice :>
Love and nekkid pagin dancin...
Swannella

[Sephiroth]

i love skyclad. my girlfriend and i go around wen nobodys home. but thats beside the point. ummm i feel much more free wen im skyclad in a ritual like my energy isnt confind like my cloths.