Symbolism and Costumes

[Rebecca Hickman]

I know this rant isn’t going to be popular and may offend certain individuals. I apologize if my personal views are offensive and I do not intend to sound pompous or more knowledgeable than others. Nor do I believe I am right and anyone else is wrong. These are my personal opinions! Feedback would be lovely.

I am a proud Pagan! And I am passionate about spreading religious equality, respect, and the validity of Paganism as being a strong and beautiful path. Fighting for the respect of Paganism is a bit difficult when a large portion of Pagans dress up like wizards, fairies, and medieval princesses.

What is with the costumes!?

The Medieval gowns, the fairy wings, the capes, the cloaks, the magical wands, vampire teeth, belly dance costumes, and stripped stockings???

Is as if some pagans are more interested in playing dressing up in fairytale and fantasy costumes. Paganism has been around since ancient times, then why medieval? Cloaks and capes are from a particular time period and contemporary capes and cloaks are called jackets and hoodies. Wands are used to direct energy from the body outward, and they are unnecessary.

I know some people see cloaks and capes as symbols for lifting the veil, closing off the outside world for ritual, cloaking themselves in night, different holy colors, and so on!

Do these costumes make you feel more magical? Do they make you feel more spiritually open? Should you just go all the way and paint your face green and wear pointy hats?

It’s 2009 people… adults dressing up like fantasy characters with outdated tools and symbolic creatures representing forces of nature or the human psyche is ridiculous to me and I believe to be embarrassing for paganism. We were born in this time and in this space for a reason! Paganism isn’t an opportunity for renaissance reenactment! Are people 500 years from going to be dressing in t-shirts and jeans to feel more magical like the pagans of the past?

Medieval gowns, cloaks, robes, fairy wings… perhaps you are more interested in fulfilling childlike fantasy of days of old?

I truly agree with Joseph Campbell, a wonderful mythologist and seeker of faith and knowledge. If you have no knowledge of him I highly suggest you read one of this books or watch one of this amazing documentaries. Campbell looked past the differences in faith and searched for the similarities. He realized that all myths, religions, and spiritual practices where interconnected and full of symbolism. All the Heroes, Deities, myths, mythic creatures, and damsels are representations and symbols for aspects of the human psyche and human life. Fairies- the innocent childlike feminine wild forces of nature. Dragons in mythology (European and Asian)- guardians of wealth and purity (princesses). If you study symbolism, mythology, and various world religions you see amazing similarities and representations. The human subconscious is wonderful. Have you ever asked yourself why the colors in color therapy and art therapy and the colors in candle magic, stone magic, and color magic share the same meanings?

All religions are filled with symbolism and representational imagery and tales. Even the many deities of the world represent different objects, emotions, and characteristics. Gods and Goddesses of Love, Peace, War, Fertility, Joy, Motherhood, Abundance, the Earth, the Sun, the Moon, the sky, the rain… so many different Gods representing the same things. The emotions, characteristics, and surroundings of humans. Deities even look just like the humans which evolved in specific locations. Hindu Gods look like the Hindu people, Greek Gods look like the Greeks, and Native Celtic Gods look like Celts. God created us in God’s image? Or… did we create God in our image to create a physical and visual conduit in which to pore energy?

I’m not saying you shouldn’t worship or honor specific deities or you shouldn’t wear fairy wings with your princess gown… I’m saying I personally believe its all unnecessary. And I personally find it difficult to spread respect for the Pagan path, a path scarred in disrespect and misconceptions, when Pagan practitioners dance around in childish and outdated costumes.

I could rant on and on. I have been a student of faith for many years. I have had many different people tell me how things are done, what’s the proper way, and what is right and wrong. Look beyond the surface, research and study. All people have their own unique perception of faith and tradition.

Let me tell you what I have learned to be true for me!

We as individuals are the most powerful magical tools in the universe.

Our bodies are the holiest temples in the universe.

We contain all the grace and energy of the Gods, Spirits, and
Energies of the Universe within.

All things are connected

All things come to pass given time

Allow the divine spark within you to work in your benefit

We are forever

Laughter, the state of pure joy, is the closets we can come to pure divinity/pure energy.

We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.

Holding these statements as truth- why would you ever need to dress up as someone or something else from a different time? Why would you ever need to pray to someone or something outside of the energies within and already surrounding you? Just be your radiant and sacred self! You are already a child of the Universe, a child of God, a child of the Goddess. We are creatures made of the holiest of elements. We are surrounded by fellow sacred beings- animals, humans, and all the aspects of the earth. As we live our lives we experience the equinoxes, the seasons, birth, death, rebirth, love, peace, all the things the many gods and goddesses represent.

I also understand that someone covered with as many tattoos as I am doesn’t get as much respect as I should because of misconceptions and a general lack of respect from certain faiths and backgrounds for modified individuals. So I’m probably no better than someone in a wizard costume.

[Jeff]

A very brave post to share and a great opportunity for all to share and dicuss an often unspoken element of paganism! :-)

I think I understand most of your main points Rebecca and to a significant degree I am in agreement with you. We participate in a spiritual celebratory practice that is so incredibly diversified and unique to each individual that I am sure there are many folks out there to whom dressing up in certain theme is important to their path or practice and I won't criticize them for following what they feel to be right for them. I do however agree that some of that behavior, presentation and such, certainly can weaken any efforts that pagans put forth in the struggle to gain acceptance or credibility in our modern society.

At the same time do we really need that societal acceptance? I mean, it would be wonderful if mainstream society looked at pagans as they do at themselves and everyone else they pass on the street or socialize with. In the end for me however I don't care if anyone accepts my own belief system and spiritual practice or not as it is mine and mine alone.

I believe for some folk who try to work energy in any of the various methods out there perhaps wands, cloaks, pointed hats, stones, crystalsor even lifesavers (ha!) and such serve as keys to help them adapt the right mindset and assist them in raising their energy or aid in their ability to control and manipulate it. I can definitely appreciate that.

Now as to the worship or honoring of specific deities .... I know I have mentioned before the concepts of Universal deity and personal deity. For me I have a kinship, a personal and spiritual connection to two different "personality types" of deity and they both have names and have been subjects of pagan spiritual focus for many centuries. I know when I speak to them I am speaking to the same universal deity or as some might prefer "the universe". To me however each is a different face, a different focus, a different gender representation, a different personality and a historically documented unique pagan deity cherished and revered by my pagan ancestors. To that extent honoring them is also joining with my ancestors and holding up what they too deemed to be spiritually relevent and important as also being spiritually relevent and important to me. Yet in my mind I have the rational acceptance that they are one and the same.

I think this is in part why I have such a universal acceptance of other's belief systems because I see them all as the same in the end just different paths and methods to connect and join together with deity in a manner that is right for that individual.

I think also that a key element to paganism past and present is that there may have been through the years established and accepted societal pagan practices but there have also co-existed, sometimes in more remote or hidden ways, pagan practices that were, well, deviant from that societal practice. That didn't make them wrong or any less relevent or important to those who followed them.

In our modern neo-pagan world I hope we don't develope an inquisitional type view or practice of policing the pagan beliefs and practices of others even when we know it might benefit ourselves in some way to do so. If someone wants to dance around with glitter in their hair, wear a suit of feathers and wear big fluffy bear paw slippers and a big red clown nose on their face and call that their spiritual celebration of their pagan path more power to them. I would sooner defend their creativity and unique spirit than criticize them for being "deviant" from what I believe to be important or right.

So I suppose what I am saying is I agree and believe it would be beneficial to pagan acceptance and maybe creating a "cleaned up" & streamlined central pagan belief system to do away with all the fringe diversity but I think part of what makes paganism so special and meaningful is that very diversity, the variety, the universal and unlimited ways we can all participate and celebrate what it means to each individual to be a pagan.

Again, just my thoughts and I always reserve the right to be wrong! :-) A right I exercise entirely too often .... I hope you have a wonderful day!

Jeff

[Rebecca Hickman]

Inquisitional views isn't what I had in mind.

I view this topic and faith in general from a psychology point of view. Expression is one of the most beautiful gifts the divine has granted us, but identity crisis, psychosis, an under developed sense of self, developmental disorders, and a plethora of different disorders and diagnoses. I personal see dressing up in such cultural extremes as an unhealthy form of self expression, a way to stand out for attention weather positive or negative as some unhealthy sense of self worth. There are many different ways to psychoanalyze why adults dress in mythological and period pieces outside of appropriate circumstances and situations such as a Renaissance Fair or a Halloween event.

And in my personal experiences interacting with individuals who go to extremes have had emotional or chemical imbalances. Individuals who go to cultural extremes are playing out psychologically unhealthy character roles. This behavior and extreme attachment to subcultural extremes can be a result of childhood trauma such as sexual abuse, parental substance abuse, death, and perhaps even a lack of respect or acceptance with piers during adolescence- possibly leading past high school.

And I believe gaining the respect from the general population for the Pagan beliefs and paths would be extremely beneficial for all pagans. To end the media stereotypes and the negative propaganda dispensed during Samhain and Halloween.

Concerning Deities- I an not only a proud Pagan, I am also proud of my Germanic and Celtic heritage. Scottish, Welsh, English, and German! Anglo-Saxon anyone? ;-) I adore the deities of my heritage, I also recognize that we are all one and all children of the same Universal Divine Consciousness and respect and admire the deities outside of my particular heritage. I also find it easy to relate to other peoples deities and practices due to our connections.

Expression is a beautiful thing. But I am a child of the modern world and a child of Psychology. Its difficult for me not to psychoanalyze. It can be quite annoying to others. And while I respect the right for other to express themselves and beliefs. I also respect that we are all human and we are all imperfectly perfect. I also respace psychological diagnoses explaining why individuals may or may not do what they do.

-Rebecca

[Jeff]

I didn't mean to imply that you intended to promote inquisitional views, that was just the natural flow of my thoughts free running at the time. I apologize if it read that way. I know you would never do that. :-)

I find your psychological view of the topic an interesting one. I fully expect that there are many folks, pagan or otherwise, who dress up as a symptom of past trauma, mental disorder or disease. That makes perfect sense to me although I think there are probably plenty of perfectly healthy folks who dress up for some of the reasons I previously mentioned.

I do understand your concern though.

Jeff

[Rebecca Hickman]

Oh, sorry! You're fine!

I also agree that there are individuals who dress up who are perfectly healthy and grounded, I've met a few myself!

-rebecca

[Kushmi]

Another thought; Do as thou wilt an it harm no others.
If folks wish to dance skyclad under a summer moon so be it. That is they're choice. If they wish to dress in something of a costume to express themselves in the worship of their gods, let them. I believe in the concept of self censorship. It is my choice to participate in these things or not. If I choose not, it not my right to judge others for what they wish to do to worship as they will as long as it harm no others. As for the ones who decide that everyone else must worship as they dictate or be damned, then they fall into the area where they are harming others. This is inclusive of all religious groups no matter how large or small.

[Rebecca Hickman]

I simply find it strange when people complain about other groups or religions not accepting or respecting their faith when they dress like gothic medieval fairies or belly dancing tree nymphs.

[Jane Raeburn]

As I'm sure you know, clothes create impressions on the wearer as well as on the viewer. I have never worn faerie wings (and indeed would look completely ludicrous in them), but I do dress for rituals and gatherings with a certain amount of drama and flair, often in long gowns.

I believe the Goddesses and Gods of my faith are important enough to warrant putting on good clothes. Of course I can connect with them just as easily in a T-shirt or even pajamas, but for me dressing up for ritual is a mark of respect for the Gods. If I am organizing the ritual, my clothes also send a message to the participants, to help them identify who to talk to if they have questions.

For some people, Paganism is a chance to express a side of themselves that is suppressed in ordinary life. They feel a need to use clothes to separate their Pagan times from their mundane times. For others, it's more important to make Paganism a part of daily life, and you get some people who deliberately lead rituals in ripped jeans and old T-shirts.

And then there's the "reverence and mirth" thing -- for many people, dressing up is just plain fun, and I wouldn't deny them that. For a variety of societal reasons, there are problems with skyclad rituals, unless you're in a private place with people you trust to understand the meaning of disrobing.

All of which is to say, ask 12 Pagans and you'll get 14 answers....

[Rebecca Hickman]

To me is just cries you are uncomfortable simply playing the roll of yourself in ritual or in everyday life. I see humans as divine vessels of human spirit/energy. We were perfectly shaped in these bodies, in this time, and place. I simply see it as not being true to your own primal nature. I personally think you're more divine in your everyday attire, the way to are most comfortable walking your everyday path through your blessed life than trying to be traditionally formal or uniquely and possibly unhealthily expressive. Besides! The Deity love you for who you truly are, they walk the path with you 24/7. Even as you dream. So all this formal traditional hop scotch seems more human than divine. I also think its just a bit much maturity wise and affects the respect we attain or achieve to attain from other religious communities.

Example- If the president began wearing fairy wings and capes he would loose credibility and respect from world leaders and even from his fellow Americans.

I see allot of "pagan spokespeople" with face-paint and cloaks on and I personally don't blame people for thinking our faith is a joke. I'm not saying I'd call these people freaks, that I dislike them as individuals, or that I really want nothing to do with them. We are all people, we are all perfectly imperfect. I just find it strange when a woman dressed as a vampire bellydancer with a large pentagram is complaining she doesn't get enough respect from non-pagan people. I've come to expect people dressed expressively and strangely in open rituals and gatherings...

[Jane Raeburn]

It's a well-known fact that those who go public as Pagan spokespeople are often those least qualified to do so! And when I'm representing our religions in a public venue, I try to dress respectably and appropriately. The way I see it, other people have a right to dress as they please, and to experience the consequences of those choices.

[Michael]

I think that since Paganism is generally seen (and is!) as a non-judgmental group, people feel free to express their self in a way that works with their outlook. Since many Pagans are also sci-fi/fantasy geeks (I include myself, though I don't dress it), they respond by dressing in that fashion.

We could see it in a way that I think Campbell may agree with: that the symbols in our culture influence us on a subconscious level to such an extent that we associate things like "magic," "spells," "witches," and "wizards" in the stereotypical ways of our culture.

Is it harmful to the Neo-pagan acceptance in our culture? Perhaps. But more important I think is to remain open-minded, accepting, and honest.

Great questions!

[Rebecca Hickman]

I think its important to break certain stereotypes to gain acceptance in particular circles and communities. If pople expect to see us in capes and wizard costumes then would they also expect us to fly, have green faces, and eat babies every once in awhile when we feel the urge... for me its usually on tuesdays... ;-)

[Jane Raeburn]

When I appear at Pagan Pride Day next week, I'm going to be reading Tarot cards, so I'll probably dress a little bit "witchy" -- maybe black, maybe some interesting jewelry. If I were organizing the event and possibly speaking to the media, I would wear a nice dress, a jacket and pearls.