skyclad

Skyclad is a term used primarily in contemporary Paganism and Wicca to describe ritual practice conducted outdoors under the open sky, often without clothing. The phrase reflects the idea of being clothed only by the sky, emphasizing a return to nature, humility, and a sense of equality among participants in the presence of the divine.

In skyclad rites, practitioners may form a circle, invoke the elements, cast a sacred circle, and perform spellwork, gratitude, or seasonal celebrations. Nudity is symbolic for many adherents, representing honesty, vulnerability, purification, and a direct, unadorned connection to nature and the divine. However, skyclad is not universal within Pagan traditions, and many groups conduct rites while clothed. Practices vary by tradition, locale, and personal or communal comfort. Rites are typically held on private property or in designated sacred spaces with appropriate permissions, and participants must consider safety, hygiene, weather, legal constraints, and cultural norms.

Beyond its use as a ritual term, skyclad also appears as the name of a British metal band formed in the early 1990s. The dual usage reflects the term’s resonance in both esoteric and cultural contexts, though the band’s work is separate from religious practice.

Skyclad remains a niche concept within modern Paganism, often discussed in relation to symbolic meanings of nakedness, nature, and ceremonial openness to the elements and to the divine.