This site is dedicated to naked communion with nature. This connection is both healing and ecstatic, allowing us to enter a shamanic state of awareness where we become our true selves and nature's advocates. Take nudism and naturism to the next level of naked connection with nature, baring our bodies and souls.
A Shamanic journey into elemental magic and the Heart of Gaia to connect with our sacred selves. Paint your body with the natural pigments of the land and dance naked around the campfire, allow the cooling mud to connect you with the heart of the Earth and gaze into the starry night, letting it inspire you with its wonder.
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Being naked in nature is a highly symbolic and deeply spiritual activity that has been used throughout the ages by countless earth traditions in their sacred rites and rituals. It is the giving up of oneself completely to a higher spiritual ideal. It is an ecstatic activity that brings us into intimate communion with nature and her spirits. Quite simply, it is to know and accept our true selves in mind, body and spirit. If we want an honest answer to the question: Who am I? We must first be prepared to accept ourselves without reservation.
Spiritual nudity holds the key to liberation through the senses. It is only due to our conditioning and false perceptions that we see the senses, and our bodies, as unclean. When we pay attention to and care for our senses and our bodies, they can take us beyond the coarser bodily senses to the subtle senses of the spirit. I call these senses of the spirit the chakra senses. They allow us to experience a union with nature, with each other and with the divine source itself.
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This site is based on my blog The Sacred Self. Below are two articles from my blog. An RSS feed of recent posts is also provided on this site. Starclad, skyclad, or stark naked, the act of removing one's clothes in nature is profound, invigorating and totally joyful! It is a wonderful way to feel free and alive and just step away from all our everyday stresses and strains. Some people approach it from the point of view of paganism or wicca, being skyclad in order to deepen their connection to the energies of nature. Or, it can be a way to relax, catch the sun, take time out, or spend time with friends and family. However you approach it, being stark naked in nature is a very invigorating and freeing experience which engenders a deep respect for ourselves and others, and encourages us to love and honour our bodies and feel truly happy and alive just as we are. To me, spiritual naturism is more than removing my clothes. It is a deeply spiritual ritual that allows us to submit to nature and feel fully alive, awake and ecstatic! |
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The Embrace of Nature
It was mid afternoon on a sunny spring day. The trees seemed to glow with a majestic glow and a few white puffy clouds navigated the clear blue sky. I made my way into the pine forest and found an area where I could safely undress and stash my clothes. I ventured out feeling the damp grass beneath my feet and for the first time felt the sun tingle on my now naked body. I stretched and let out a sigh of contentment!
Spring in Scotland is still quite cold and the air had a definite damp feel to it. Tiny droplets of pure water formed on my skin and reflected back many rainbows from the sun. I walked up the hill track feeling the breeze embrace me, listening to it embrace the trees and watching it move the clouds across the sky. The pine forest had a wonderful damp smell, I took a deep breath full and paused to savour it. I made my way further up the track, sometimes feeling the mud squelch between my toes. I walked for fifteen minutes enjoying the sensations until I reached the gap in the trees that led to the summit of Clatterin Kist.
The trees were quite overgrown and I was careful not to let the sharp pine needles scratch my skin. Crawling through some sections I eventually came to the opening that led to the bare hillside and cairn. Walking across the hillside I became more exposed until I finally reached the cairn situated on a rocky outcrop. The rock felt cold on my feet sending a delightful shiver up my spine! I walked up to the cairn and surveyed the surrounding countryside, the hills in the distance, the expanse of the pine forest and the rolling fields. I stretched again and felt the now strong breeze chill me slightly. I took another deep breath and could smell the heather and the damp rock.
As with all my trips, I first grounded myself using Chi Kung. I imagined water flowing through me as I stood with my back to the sun. I then imagined roots from my feet burrowing deep into the rock, earthing me. This always gives me a deep sense of the embrace of nature. I opened my eyes and stood silently meditating for a few moments, allowing myself to arrive and become centred.
One of the rocks was large with a flat surface, speckled with moss. I lay down on this rock and closed my eyes. At first I was aware of the cold damp rock that seemed to suck me downwards. Then I could sense the sun on my skin. The cold feeling slowly changed to a feeling of being embraced by the rock and before long all I was aware of was the rock and the sun. As I sunk further into this feeling I became the rock being dried by the sun. For a moment I was no longer bound by my physical body. After some time I came back to my self and decided to continue my journey.
I walked across the heather and areas of grass, slowly down the hill towards a small forest of Scots Pine trees in the distance. It took me some time to reach, moving from path to path, but I eventually reached these ancient and majestic trees- the guardians of the hill. I decided that it would now be a good time to open my chakras, so working up from the base of my spine to the crown of my head I did so. As each one opened I felt a deepening connection with nature. My eyes were closed but I could hear the birds and the wind in the trees, the grass rustling and a brook in the distance. I could feel the damp earth beneath my feet and the sun on my skin. I could smell the deep earthy smell and the pine trees. I could feel the life of the forest surge through me as I became lighter and lighter.
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When I finally opened my eyes everything looked different, brighter and more vibrant. It was almost too much to see the rich greens and browns, yellows and reds. I blinked a few times and brought myself slowly back down to earth. I then decided to embrace a Scots Pine tree, firstly tasting its rich bark. As I hugged it I could sense the sap moving up the trunk towards the leaves. I could sense its strength and wisdom. I could actually feel the sap moving along the branches and twigs to each and every needle. Looking downwards I could sense its roots deep in the ground, holding it firmly to the earth. I could sense the spirit of the tree sending out rays of pure love and acceptance and reciprocated. I could sense the energies of the tree rise high into the sky catching the golden sunlight. Higher and higher I went until I was dizzy looking upwards, I would have overbalanced if it was not for the tree keeping me upright! I slowly came back into my body and thanked the tree. After a few minutes sitting next to the trunk collecting myself I decided to find the babbling brook I could hear. I walked through the Scots Pine forest and found the stream. At first it was a narrow ditch, but as I followed it downwards it became wider and eventually flowed over a cascading waterfall into a deep pool of crystal clear water. The water was cold and very refreshing, it brought my back down to earth with a shiver! I slowly lowered myself into the pool, which was waist high and walked into the spray of the waterfall. I took a mouthful of the water and tasted it- it was exquisite! The cold waterfall brought me out in goose bumps as it cascaded over me.
I decided to climb out of the pool and rest on the soft grass allowing the sun to dry me. As it did so I became aware of the moisture evaporating leaving me feeling warm and cosy. I looked up at the sky and watched the clouds effortlessly drift across the blue expanse. I could feel myself sink into the earth and became aware of the entire earth, a giant sphere hurtling through space. I could sense it revolve on its axis and more subtly move around the sun. I then became aware of the boundless sky and felt myself dissolve into infinity. I came around when the Sun became occluded by a cloud. I decided to walk back to my clothing, a long and energising walk through the forest. Once back I could sense the energies of the forest within me and my skin felt energised with the water and smell of pine.
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The Symbolism of Clothes
Clothes are more than just items that protect and keep us warm- they are also symbolic. They are symbolic of the society we live in and the social constraints that we accept. Clothes reflect status, wealth and creed, in addition to carrying out their protective functions. They vary from culture to culture and from climate to climate.
It is easy to see the social constraints provided by some clothes, uniforms for example. There are many different types of uniform; military uniform, school uniform, the wider uniform of the suit worn by so many and even the ‘uniforms’ or ‘colours’ worn by gangs. All these uniforms, even if it is the uniform of scruffiness, carry with them identification with a group and an acceptance of common ideals. Thus our clothes symbolically constrain us. They rob us of our individuality and they become masks to our true identity, just as our persona changes with particular situations.
There are many specific ‘clothing constraints’ which are worth exploring. If we use clothes in the broadest meaning, we can see how many items symbolically bind us within social rules. A wristwatch is a good example. This is a means to constrain us within our obsession with exact time. We feel obliged to run to a well-scheduled timetable and portion up our time between tasks. The rise of the mobile phone as a fashion accessory constrains us to be in contact with social rules at all times, even if we are out in the country taking time for ourselves. Technology in all shapes and forms, as a fashion accessory, constrains us to our technological culture.
There are plenty of non-technological restraints. The neck tie, for example, worn round the throat- the centre of communication. This has been used for years as a symbol in the ’suit uniform’ and also as a symbolic restraint of expressing our true selves. Many of these constraints are related to particular areas of the body. In Eastern thought, there exist mystical energy centres called chakras. Each chakra has a particular function and is related to a particular area of the body. It will be of no surprise to find that the throat chakra is concerned with communication.
Chakra literally means ‘wheel’ or ‘vortex’. In oriental countries and increasingly in the West, chakras are recognised as centres for our vital life-force energy called ‘Chi.’ These centres are joined by meridians that run all over our bodies. Acupuncture and Shiatsu both work on these meridians and there is much written about meridians and chakras. A trip to your local bookshop will provide you with a plethora of books on the subject. Not all people agree with the positions and functions of each chakra and I have provided a general outline that may vary in small respects from one opinion to another.
If we explore the chakras, we will see how each is constrained and also make some interesting discoveries. There are seven main chakras. Each has a particular colour associated with it and they form a continuous energy flow through the body. In Chinese medicine, if these centres are out of balance, illness is the result. One of the best ways to upset the balance is to constrain a chakra and this can be done symbolically through clothes. Let us explore each chakra in turn.
First we have the base chakra, which is deep red in colour. It is situated at the base of the spine and is our connection with the earth. It is our centre of security and it is vital that it is unconstrained so that we can connect with nature. The two energy sources, the earth and heaven (or the sun) are connected through the chakra system, the earth by the base chakra and heaven by the crown chakra.
An important point about this chakra is its proximity to the sacral, or gonadal chakra, which is the centre of our sensuality, sexuality and reproduction. In most societies this chakra is the most closely guarded and constrained. Even if we reveal all our other chakras- we must not reveal our second chakra. Unfortunately, due to the proximity to the base chakra, it is also constrained. If we wear swim-shorts or underwear, these chakras are both blocked.
This brings us to another subtle observation, the confusion of nudity with sexual desire. Being a Naked Spirit is the act of being totally unconstrained by symbolic clothing and being at one with heaven and earth. One of the most important chakras needed to accomplish this is the base chakra. If we cover this up then there is no connection with the earth. The Naked Spirit promotes the total uncovering of all chakras, and for the purist, this means watches and jewellery.
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The next chakra is the Solar Plexus chakra, the centre of our being. It is yellow in colour and is symbolically restrained in western society most of the time. This chakra represents our ego and self-interest. Money belts are worn round the waist. In more open and relaxed (and warmer) cultures it is acceptable to show this chakra.
Above the Solar Plexus chakra lies the Heart chakra, which is bright green in colour. It is the centre of love and emotions ‘the heart ruling the head’. It is also constrained in western society, and societies that value the intellect. It is less so in warmer climates and in places where intuition is favoured over intellect. Think of the Buddha sitting under the Bodhi tree with a bare chest. The Throat chakra is next, it is sky blue in colour and is the centre of communication and self expression. It is constrained in certain situations, such as when using a tie, but in more relaxed situations is uncovered. When we are expected to tow a party line, or act within a company policy, ties are often used. You can almost sense people trying to escape from well-tightened ties. The next chakra lies in the space between the eyes, diametrically opposite the pituitary gland. It is the centre of the intellect and is prized in western culture. It is nearly always uncovered, apart from in situations where one is not encouraged to think for oneself (uniformed services, etc.) Finally, we have the crown chakra, our connection with heaven. This is also prized and left uncovered in western society, as we prefer connection with heaven to our connection with earth. It is interesting to note that some monks shave their head. Perhaps this allows the crown chakra to open fully, thus allowing a deeper connection with heaven? As we can see, each chakra has a particular function and most cultures constrain them to varying degrees. Those covered and those uncovered give us a clue to the culture, whether it is ruled by emotions, or the intellect and whether it allows freedom to communicate. The Naked Spirit promotes the uncovering and use of all the chakras. In societies that frown upon nudity, we see a society that does not like the idea of free thinking, fully open individuals. It is a birth-rite to allow the full opening of the chakras and to be your true self. It is sometimes not enough just to get rid of your clothing, a symbolic gesture is sometimes required to help the opening process. The further I venture from society and symbolic constraints, such as clothes and time pieces- the more open I feel. It is worth learning about chakras and chakra opening rituals. I sometimes practice these and feel amazingly energised. I find practices such as Chi Kung and meditation to be of great benefit to opening my chakras and allowing a fuller connection to nature. |
Copyright © (2008) -
Storm Moon- www.nakedshaman.co.uk
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Lightfooters was created for honouring the sacred landscape and ancestral heritage of the United Kingdom. The primary aims are to maintain the sanctuary and dignity of our sacred places and to promote peaceful connection, ritual and worship at these nature temples. This includes the rite to visit these places naked, or skyclad as it is also known to pagans.
Over the last year a number of publicity stunts have been performed by sectors of the media, defaming and dishonouring some of our sacred chalk figures. It is now time to take a stand against this profanity, least we turn our sacred heritage into a cheap spectacle and perhaps loose our magical landscape forever.
It is hoped by the formation of Lightfooters, that we can speak up on behalf of our sacred sites and foster respect and understanding from society at large. In an age where Live Earth focused our attention on environmental damage, perhaps we should also focus our attention to the plight of our sacred sites and the sacred nature temples of the Earth herself. Click Here for the Lightfooters homepage.
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