Day: June 15, 2025

(One Person’s View Point) To Be or Not to be Skyclad c.2013

As a High Priestess of a Coven, I am often asked by initiates if the Coven works “skyclad.” When a coven works skyclad, they will or should be upfront about it when you first approach them for membership. Any group that springs this on you after you have joined is unethical and not a group you want to be involved with.

To work skyclad means to work only clad or dressed within the sky and nature; nude, within all the powers that be; to work magick and ritual unencumbered by mortal threads.

It sounds wonderful, don’t you think? Just you and a few very close friends, all standing around in nature. One with the God/dess, not to mention a few thousand mosquitoes and other biting things.

Please don’t misunderstand; I love nature in all of her boundless beauty. But being dressed or undressed to work ritual or magick in circle seems more of a stress than release to most.

I am not saying that one tradition is any better than another because they leave their clothes on or drop the cloak. Don’t assume because I choose not to work skyclad that I have never have. Although I have found over the years that, many times, the idea of working skyclad gets lost and somehow misused by some less than honorable people who will take advantage of any opportunity to abuse.

The human body is a magickal and beautiful part of magick. Nudity without shame is also a statement of freedom from prejudice, inhibition, coercion, and so on. However, some people are not comfortable with the idea of nudity, and that should be equally acceptable.

Working skyclad is traditional for some groups. Many Gardnerian covens still perform their rites skyclad.

The idea has been stated that it was a common practice for the Old World Witches to do ritual and magick skyclad. I disagree. I don’t believe that Native American Shaman or Celtic Witches would have stood in the shivering cold while trying to perform magick as their fingers (not to mention other parts) became frost bitten from the ice and snow. It just doesn’t make sense to me.

The reasons given for working skyclad are many and varied. Most are also sincere in design.

According to some, clothing blocks the energy. This is a personal issue. For myself, the icicles hanging off my butt cheeks block way more energy than that cotton tunic.

I have heard that being nude in ritual deepens the trust between coven members. If I have trust issues with a Coven or its members, standing in front of them with all my wrinkles hanging out isn’t going to increase my trust. Being naked for some is an issue of shame or embarrassment. For whatever reason this may be, once shamed, they will never trust or be less for it.

It is believed that removing the robes will remove all indications of rank, and therefore places all members as equals. Again, a good concept. But the truth is that Joe Bob is still Joe Bob, with and without his clothes.

Being able to remove one’s clothes shows the level of commitment one has to the Craft and/or coven. My level of commitment comes from my heart and soul, not how or whether I am dressed.

Being dressed or skyclad should not affect how you work ritual or magick. There should be nothing sexual about performing rituals in the nude, but in this society, it is hard to keep the crazies out and keep the circle protected from them all.

Do not feel that you must go skyclad because that’s what real Witches do. Real Witches decide for themselves. Feeling uncomfortable during ritual will only detract from your purpose. So if you feel awkward being naked with others or even alone, then cover up.

As a child, I was allowed to watch and, in time, participate in rituals and circle with my Great Grandmother. She and the Sister (her coven) would gather and work great mystical rites of magick. They didn’t read books on what made them Witches, they just knew. They didn’t allow anyone to tell them how to do it, they just did. They didn’t worry about how it was, it just was. And not once did they work or perform any of their sacred magick skyclad. They knew magick is magick until you make it something less.

Some people have something special to wear whenever working ritual and magick. It should be something personal to you alone. It can be a medieval gown, a tunic or jeans and t-shirt. But only wear it for working and bless it to that end. Be comfortable in whatever you choose.

Some arguments for working skyclad can be found in the book Aradia, also called the Gospel of the Witches, by Charles G. Leland. In the Aradia, Witches in worship are specifically instructed to conduct their rites naked as a sign that ‘ye shall be truly free’. Because of this book, many have decided that all rites should be conducted skyclad. I enjoy Leland’s book, parts of which are extremely poetic. However, say it is the basics for a structure of a religion I disagree with.

Also put forth as evidence is artwork and early engraving by artists such Albrecht Durer. In 1497 his engraving portrayed four women undressing for a Witchcraft ritual. If this is the evidence, then no man shall be a Witch. Does no one think it odd that men, during a time when even men were somewhat oppressed, would tell stories or draw the Witches or women naked in their magickal workings?

Witchcraft, ritual and magick unite us on a higher level; One with the oldest Gods and Nature. The freedom and exhilaration of dancing under a Full Moon is one of the ways of drawing close to all those energies and powers. But that freedom should not come at the price of your personal power. You choose if your dance shall be in the sky or skyclad. Magick should always hold a bit of mystery.

If you are considering joining a coven and they perform their rituals skyclad, but you do not feel comfortable with it, find another coven. Do not expect any group to bend their rules for you, just as you should not bend your personal power or comfort to fit any coven or group.

Dance as if no one were watching,
Sing as if no one were listening,
And live every day as if it were your last.

Source: Lady Abigail, High Priestess Ravensgrove Coven Orlando, Fl Copyright © 01012006

(One Person’s View Point) Let’s Talk Witch – Skyclad c.2015

Skyclad

 

There is a simple word that can strike fear into the heart of the bravest Witch: skyclad.

Arrggghhhh! (See, told you.)

Skyclad is the word we use to mean, well, nude. As in, “This month’s full moon ritual will be done skyclad.”

Starkers, as the Brits say. In your birthday suit. Sans clothing. In your altogether. In short, buck-naked. Or as my dad used to say, “stark, nuked nade.”

Either way, it means you are out there under the moon with the breeze blowing through your, er … everything.

Some Witches are very comfortable practicing skyclad. Others wouldn’t do it on a bet. Still others save such dedication for their solitary rituals and prefer to wear garb when gathering with their fellow Witches.

All of the above is fine. There is no rule that says you have to perform Witchcraft naked (thank the goddess), although there are some traditions where that is the norm. And although in the Charge of the Goddess it says “ye shall be naked in your rites,” this doesn’t mean that you have to stand outside at midwinter freezing your whatsits off.

As with most things witchy, you should use your own judgment and do what feels right to you. If you’re comfortable being naked, by all means do your rituals skyclad. If you’re not, you would probably find your nakedness so distracting that you wouldn’t be able to concentrate on your magick anyway, so there’s not much point to it.

The important thing to remember is that in the case of group rituals, you should discuss such things ahead of time and make sure that everyone agrees. There isn’t much that is more disconcerting than showing up at a ritual to find out that you are expected to disrobe when you weren’t planning on it.

 

Source: Deborah Blake. Everyday Witch A to Z: An Amusing, Inspiring & Informative Guide to the Wonderful World of Witchcraft

 

Spell For Tomorrow – Sunshine Power Candle Dressing

(YOU CAN COPY AND PASTE ANY SPELLS POSTED TO A DOCUMENT TO PRINT AND/OR SAVE ON YOUR COMPUTER FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY)

Sunshine Power Candle Dressing

Kate Freuler Llewellyn’s Witches’ Datebook 2023 Page 49

This candle dressing harnesses the power of the Sun and is best used on a yellow or orange candle. This recipe can include spells for success, inspiration, and growth of all kinds. It can also be put on a candle and burned in a place that simply needs a boost of joy.

For anointing, you’ll need

1 drop sunflower oil

1 drop cedar oil

Dry ingredients include

1 teaspoon dried crushed sunflower petals

1 teaspoon hot chili powder

1 teaspoon dried marigold or calendula petals

Combine dry ingredients in a bowl or on a plate. Use an orange or yellow marker to draw a picture of the Sun on a piece of paper. If you like, you can add words of affirmation to the drawing that align with your goals. Place the paper outdoors or in a window where it will be in direct sunlight for an hour or more. Put the bowl of plant mixture in the center of the Sun drawing and let the warm rays empower them with solar energy.

June 16, 2025 Current Southern Hemisphere/Tomorrow’s Northern Hemisphere Moon Phase

Source: nineplanets.org

The current moon phase for June 16th, 2025 is the Waning Gibbous phase.

On this day, the moon is 20.1 days old and 78.97% illuminated with a tilt of -68.89°. The approximate distance from Earth to the moon is 384,224.55 km and the moon sign is Aquarius.

The Moon phase for June 16th, 2025 is a Waning Gibbous phase. This is the first phase after the Full Moon where the illumination of the moon decreases each day until it reaches 50% (the Last Quarter phase).

The waning (shrinking) gibbous Moon will rise after sunset in the east, transit the meridian after midnight, before setting after sunrise in the west.

During this phase, the illumination of the moon will go down from 99.% to 50.1%. Technically, the phase starts as soon as the Full Moon has passed, but it can be difficult to calculate and differentiate the first stage of a Waning Gibbous Moon from a Full Moon when 98-99% of the Moon’s surface is illuminated.

Fun fact: the word Gibbous was first used in the 14th century and comes from the latin word gibbosus which means humpbacked.

Phase Details

Phase: Waning Gibbous

Moon age: 20.1 days

Moon illumination: 78.97%

Moon tilt: -68.89°

Moon angle: 0.52

Moon distance: 384,224.55 km

Moon sign: Aquarius

Source: MoonGiant.com

You can use this link to go forward or backward in time for Moon phase information. If you are curious, you can even find out what phase the Moon was in when you or anyone else was born.

The Moon’s current phase for today and tonight is a Waning Gibbous. During this phase the Moon can be seen in the early morning daylight hours on the western horizon. This is the first phase after the Full Moon occurs. It lasts roughly 7 days with the Moon’s illumination growing smaller each day until the Moon becomes a Last Quarter Moon with an illumination of 50%. The average Moon rise for this phase is between 9pm and Midnight depending on the age of the phase. The moon rises later and later each night setting after sunrise in the morning.

Today’s Waning Gibbous Phase

The Waning Gibbous on June 16 has an illumination of 72%. This is the percentage of the Moon illuminated by the Sun. The illumination is constantly changing and can vary up to 10% a day. On June 16 the Moon is 19.98 days old. This refers to how many days it has been since the last New Moon. It takes 29.53 days for the Moon to orbit the Earth and go through the lunar cycle of all 8 Moon phases.

Phase Details

Phase: Waning Gibbous
Illumination: 72%
Moon Age: 19.98 days
Moon Angle: 0.53
Moon Distance: 376,299.75 km
Sun Angle: 0.52
Sun Distance: 151,988,993.02 km

The 8 Lunar Phases

There are 8 lunar phases the Moon goes through in its 29.53 days lunar cycle. The 4 major Moon phases are Full Moon, New Moon, First Quarter and Last Quarter. Between these major phases, there are 4 minor ones: the Waxing Crescent, Waxing Gibbous, Waning Gibbous and Waning Crescent. For more info on the Moon Cycle and on each phase check out Wikipedia Lunar Phase page.

Useful Moon Resources

Check the weather before a night of Moon gazing at weather.com

For a list of all the current meteor showers visit American Meteor Society

Weekly Horoscope Sunday, June 15 to Saturday, June 21, 2025

Click here to read Georgia Nicols Daily and Weekly Horoscopes

All Signs

Let’s talk about Mars. Mars is an energy planet. It represents the energy we use to live and face our daily pressures. Mars is associated with our ego and our sex drive; and is connected with work and physical love making. Mars stays for six to seven weeks in each sign, and it acts differently in each sign. This week, Mars moves into Virgo, which means everyone will become more fixated on getting things done. We’ll strive to be efficient, organized and seek ways to improve how we do things. We’ll also want to improve our health. Virgo is a careful sign. Oh yes, “measure twice, cut once.” Virgo is also helpful, so everyone will try to be useful, solve problems and fix situations. When Mars is in Virgo, no one will fry bacon naked.

Aries (March 21-April 19)

For the next several weeks, you will work hard to get things done. And, you’ll take pride in your productivity and whatever you accomplish. Although, you might work for the betterment of others, because Mars is tied up with one’s ego, you might find it difficult to do work where you don’t get the credit. The best solution is to manoeuvre yourself into a position where you don’t have to work for others more than necessary. (Mars is not a team player.) You’ll be keen to improve your health. Guard against infections, fevers or accidents. Above all, don’t let your frustrations stay bottled up in silence. Express how you feel – clearly and with courtesy.

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

Lucky you! This week Mars enters the most fun-filled part of your chart! Since Mars is all about ego, you’re ready to declare, “This is who I am!” You will have lots of energy to express yourself in playful ways. Physical sports will appeal, especially competitive sports. Join teams or work out in classes. Do anything where you can blow off some of the pent energy building up within you. Romantically, your nature will be strong! Physical lovemaking will be less about candlelight dinners and more about swinging from the ceiling. Admittedly, Mars can encourage a lack of discipline and doing what you know you should do. It might be hard to get down to work. Oh well. Enjoy yourself!

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

This shift of Mars into Virgo will stir up energy within your family and your home life. For starters, at an unconscious level, it could take you back to your childhood and you might feel old resentments or be aware of old behaviour patterns from the past. “Whaaat? This again?” You might find yourself fighting with people about something that doesn’t even matter. Mars will also create lots of activity where you live, perhaps due to renovations, residential moves or visiting guests. Domestic strife is classic at this time. It will be particularly challenging dealing with parents. Even your professional activities might be challenged because if others oppose you – you won’t like it. Fortunately, the Sun in your sign will give you positive vibes. Keep smiling.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

Fasten your seatbelts because in the next two months, your everyday life will accelerate! Your energy will be high; and you will identify strongly with your ideas. You’ll express yourself with more force, and you might be less inclined to listen to the views of others. This could lead to conflicts, especially if you unconsciously try to coerce others into believing as you do. However, this mental drive will help those in sales, marketing, teaching and acting. But in your everyday world, you might come across as too opinionated. Others might see you as unwilling to listen to what they have to say. Be aware of this influence of Mars because although it can help you – it can also create problems in your dealings with others.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)

Welcome this shift of Mars because it will give you some useful energy! For starters, it will motivate you to boost your earnings and work hard for financial security. It will help you see how to use your possessions to get work done. You’ll see better ways of accomplishing tasks. You might also find that you’re defending your values more than usual. Meanwhile, the impulsive nature of Mars can make you buy things, and later regret them. Especially flashy new cars. (Mars like speed.) This is because Mars makes you identify with what you own. Be careful.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Fiery Mars in your sign will bring great activity in your life for the next seven weeks. You’ll find it easier to work hard to further your own interests. You’ll also find it easier to assert yourself among others. Basically, you will feel that this is your chance to show the world what you can do! Because you’ll be more of a fighter for your own rights than usual, be careful about being insensitive to others. Your physical energy will be high. Use this blessing of Mars to accomplish what you want to do. Don’t fall prey to its tendency to make you bossy and authoritarian. Turn this into a positive productive time in your life because this is what it can be.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

According to where Mars falls in our chart, it can help to us to get things done, or stir up problems for us. In the next 6 to 7 weeks, you might feel vaguely irritable and uneasy. You might create the wrong impression with others. Your efforts at asserting yourself might become undermined by behaviour patterns of which you’re not even aware. (Whaat?) Your mission, should you choose to accept it, will be to be aware of yourself and these little self-defeating acts. If you feel upset, refrain from confrontations with others. Instead confront yourself. Your best choice might be to work alone. However, you’ll find it rewarding to be of service to others. Meanwhile, don’t worry. This is a temporary challenge. After Mars leaves Virgo, it moves into your sign making you an action hero!

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

The next two months are powerful. You want to formulate your goals and begin to pursue them. Mars will make you identify with what you want to accomplish. You’ll work today for what you want tomorrow. And you will work successfully with others. Oh yes — this is not the time to be alone. Join forces with groups, organizations or friends because this combined energy will help you achieve your goals. Coordinate your needs with the needs of others. Physical activity and team sports and workouts with others will appeal. Mars will give you personal gratification from what you do.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

Holy cannoli! For the next two months, fiery Mars will arouse your ambition to achieve! You will identify with what you’re doing and work extremely hard until it’s done. Ideally, you need your own authority or work on an independent project because you won’t be happy with other people telling you what to do. Seek out ways to be your own boss. If not, be gracious and skilful if you find yourself in conflict with authority figures. (Never underestimate the power of courtesy.) If you are in conflict with coworkers who feel threatened — back off. Don’t threaten others. You just want to do your thing! Make that clear in a friendly way. (You can do this because you’re a friendly sign!)

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

The sojourn of Mars through Virgo is good news because Mars will be aligned with your fellow Earth sign. This will boost your interest in creative, intellectual work. You can explore opportunities in publishing, the media, medicine, the law and higher education. Mars will help you assert yourself, and defend your ideas to others. You’ll have lots of energy to expand your mind and your experience of the world. You’ll be keen to travel, learn and meet people from different backgrounds who have different ideas and values. (Admittedly, you might deal more with the law, the courts and legal difficulties. Oops.)

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

In the next seven weeks, Mars will travel through one of your Money Houses — the House that deals with shared property, shared debt, shared wealth, and shared resources. (This includes inheritances and mortgages.) It means you might have confrontations with others about financial arrangements or financial responsibilities. You might have to modify or re-examine your position? This part of your chart also deals with values and responsibilities. You might disagree with someone about how to spend a limited amount of money. Meanwhile, romance will be hot and sexy! The stuff of memoirs if anyone has time to write anything down.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)

Things will be a bit tricky for you because fiery Mars will be opposite your sign for almost the next two months. Because Mars is an aggressive, feisty energy associated with your ego, this means that you might find yourself easily annoyed with partners and close friends. In fact, you might even find yourself dealing with your “enemies” on a face-to-face basis. (!) The upside of this is Mars will give you the courage to put your cards on the table and clear the air. The downside is that it might make it harder for you to be patient with others, and let things unfold smoothly. Try to compromise in order to avoid needless controversy. Think of your own peace of mind.

Welcome to WOTC! A Thought for Today

To all kinds of dad’s no matter how many feet your children have or if your male or female or whatever you feel the most comfortable being in your own skin!! Happy Summerland Father’s Day to my dad and any of yours that have crossed.

If you want to see information on any tradition of witchcraft, herbs, flowers, a Goddess or a God, or anything pertaining to any tradition of witchcraft, please put it in the comment section or email Lady Carla Beltane at ladybeltane@witchesofthecraft.com. I will try to find some information to post about it.

May your and your family’s lives be filled with love, happiness, laughter, joy, and positive things!

Blessed be