Skyclad

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For the folk metal band of the same name, see Skyclad (band).

In Wicca, skyclad properly means "naked outdoors", though it is frequently used to mean nudity anywhere.

Some contemporary Wiccans perform rituals skyclad. This may be done for various reasons. Although some hereditary witches claim that their families have always practiced skyclad, nudity was probably introduced into witchcraft by Gerald Gardner, the father of Wicca, who was a nudist and insisted his coven practice nude. The Charge of the Goddess, attributed to the goddess Aradia, is the closest thing witches have to a standard prayer. The charge contains the line "and you shall be naked in your rites."

Discovered in Italy in a 15th century witch's "confession," the charge suggests older roots to the connection between nudity and witchcraft. Doreen Valiente, Gardner's high priestess, cites the frescos of the Villa of Mysteries at Pompeii as a precedent for nude rituals.

Clothing is also shed so that individuals can be as natural as possible when worshipping the gods and simply, because the coven's circle is a safe environment. Starhawk states in Spiral Dance, "nudity establishes a closeness and honesty among coveners and 'is a sign that a witches loyalty is to the truth before any ideology or any comforting illusions.'" Today, many pagans do worship skyclad. Some pagans perform rituals without clothing but they wear special jewelry or cords.

Solitary Wiccans often perform ritual skyclad as well, but for different reasons. Many believe clothing inhibits the flow of energy during a ritual, for example.

In Jainism, skyclad refers to a branch of Jainism called Digambara.