Pagan Snapshots: Ritual Clothing
first offered in approximately 1994
by Jeffrey Pierce
There is no standard garb in the Sylvan Tradition, although I am slowly leaning toward the concept of certain garments (which I'll address in a moment). If Sylvan Witchcraft did have standard garb, it would most likely be a good pair of hiking boots and an extra pair of socks! Likewise, there isn't standard garb for Wicca. While some Covens may dictate what their members wear, this varies greatly from group to grpoup.
If you lean toward ritual garb, follow two simple rules:
- Wear it for magickal significance
- Wear it because it looks cool
Because it looks cool? Certainly. One of the main components in spellwork is self-confidence. The act of putting on something that you are personally attracted to is a method of mentally preparing for magic, so long as you only wear that item for magical purposes.
My personal garb varies greatly, although I do have certain rules I adhere to (and in no way expect other practitioners to). While doing ritual work in the forest, I usually wear at least a single item of green clothing. I've always associated the color green with the earth and it helps me mentally focus on connecting with Earth energy.
If you are looking to acquire ritual garb, I would suggest researching the people that would have celebrated your tradition in earlier times. What did they wear? You may want to pattern your clothing after a certain culture you feel a connection with.
I am also considering investing in some material and making hooded mantles for my coven-mates. They'll be reversable, with the color associated with their sun sign on one side and the color associated with their moon sign on the other. The hoods are in honor of the memory of the burning times, while the individual colors are in respect to the validity of each practitioners' individual path. The sun sign color would be worn on the outside during Sabbats and the moon sign color visible during esbats. The mantles will also serve as a way to link us together as a Coven during major festival rituals.