wiccan Robes
wicca, like other religions, has its traditions and practices; however, unlike many other religions, Wicca is much more individualistic. This means that more often than not no two wiccans will share exactly the same opinion on how to perform a specific ritual or exactly what is needed for a given spell. There are a few things that are agreed to by most Wiccans, though and they are the Magickial Instruments used.
Wiccan Robes & Instruments
The word “magickial” is not misspelled. This is an alternative spelling to the word intended to differentiate ritual magick from stage magic. Magickial Instruments are the tools and objects used by Wiccans in their ceremonial activities. Much like the chalice used by catholic priests or the Tefillin boxes worn by religious Jews during weekday morning services, These are the symbolic instruments that Wiccan’s use to perform various rituals and ceremonial activities. These include the athame or ritual dagger, the cauldron, the book of shadows and the robes.
The Wiccan robe is worn to symbolize the separation from normal, mundane daily life and the entry into the spiritual state. It also signifies the shift of identity from ones public persona to the true inner self or spiritual self. This is related to the Wiccan name, another element common to most Wiccans. Wiccans will upon entry into the craft take a secret, or magickial name. This allows them to maintain a public identity at work or home while allowing them to pursue their inner life. The Wiccan robes, once put on are the symbolic shift from the public self to the inner self. Wiccan robes are also believed to impart a measure of protection from the spiritual forces that Wiccans believe they are dealing with.
Wiccan Robes: Individuality
Wiccan robes are also an expression of individuality. Each Wiccan is expected to make his or her own magickial instruments. Each Wiccan may have an athame, but no two are alike, or supposed to be alike. modern wiccans will purchase an athame, but will then personalize it in various ways. Wiccan robes are much more easily personalized and often will vary from one Wiccan to another in style, color and decoration. Typically full or floor length, they are often hooded and open in the front. The most popular colors are black, white, red, and purple. While every color has a ritual significance in Wicca, often the choice is one of personal style or preference.
While they are less popular, robes will be marked with various magickial symbols important to Wicca, such as the Pentagram or star symbols. Many Wiccans will have several robes often for different types of ceremonies. Some will be intended for group rituals or celebrations of the wiccan sabbats while others will be for private ritual use. Some Wiccans are less traditional in their practices and forgo the robe altogether or use a tunic to symbolize the same thing. One of the most popular items to be found on wiccan websites is the robe. Ranging in price from just a few dollars to hundreds there are a wide array available. Many of them are intended for normal public wear, a phenomenon new to the wiccan community.
