Pagan Veiling

Pagan veiling is the act of fully or partially covering one’s head. As with most things Pagan, there are no right or wrong ways of veiling. It comes down to personal choice.

From the style of headwear to how and when it’s used – or even whether to veil at all – this practice can enhance your work if you feel called to experience it.

In this article, we can look at why some Pagan’s veil, how and when it is done, and what you can gain from trying it for yourself.

Is Veiling Oppressive?

The subject of veiling can be a sensitive one, as many people associate the practice with the oppression of women. When talking about Paganism, however, veiling is undertaken by each individual of their own accord and can be used by both men and women.

Rarely is it done to keep the practitioner hidden from others, as we will see in the next section.

In fact, many members of the Pagan community perform certain rituals skyclad, or naked. Clothes, jewelry, and even perfume are often thought to alter the energy and prevent the magick from flowing freely.

This is, of course, in direct contradiction to the notion that Pagan veiling is used as a tool of enforced modesty because that is just not a part of what Paganism is all about.

Some examples of pagan veils.

The Benefits of Veiling

• Shielding

• Grounding

• Focus

• Discretion

• Calling

• Transition

The reasons for veiling in the Pagan community are as varied as the practice itself, and it is important to remember that there is no right or wrong way to do it.

Let’s have a look at some of the more common reasons that many Pagans choose to cover their heads:

Shielding

The crown chakra is especially vulnerable to outside energy sources; a sort of conduit for those energies to enter. Some people, particularly those who are empathic, are susceptible to taking on the energies of others and need some form of protection.

By covering the top of the head, you can create a physical barrier to keep negative energies out.

Grounding

By the same token, the crown chakra can also allow your own energies to escape, leaving you exhausted.

By wearing a veil or other head covering, you’ll allow your own excess energy to leave you through your hands or feet at your direction, transferring into the ground and ensuring you feel calm and not depleted.

Focus

Some Pagans cover all the time, while others will only veil during rituals because they find it helps them to focus. By cleansing your veil with oils or incense that match your intention for that ritual, you are adding an extra layer of intent.

This acts as a signal to the mind that you need to enter your own sacred space and channel your powers.

Check out my course in candle magic.

Discretion

It used to be thought that witches carried their powers in their hair. By covering the head when out in public, you can ‘hide’ your powers from those who are perceptive enough to sense it. The unveiling will then unleash that power when you are spellcasting or performing a ritual at home.

Calling

It is often the case that a Pagan may simply feel as though they have been called to do something, whether that is working with a particular deity or performing a certain ritual.

Veiling is no different. Many deities are depicted as being veiled, such as Hestia, and following suit can be simply a mark of respect towards that god or goddess.

Transition from Maiden to Mother

The triple moon is a common symbol in Paganism, depicting the three stages of womanhood; the maiden, the mother, and the crone. Many women feel the pull to veil to symbolize the fact that they have passed into adulthood and are no longer considered a maiden.

What is the Crown Chakra and Why Should We Protect it?

The crown chakra is one of the seven main chakras – or energy centers – in the body that allow the stream of energy to flow freely within. Located at the very top of the head, the crown chakra connects you to the universal consciousness, allowing you to absorb the energies from the universe into your own body.

Unfortunately, that means that both positive and negative energies can enter, which is why it is essential to protect it at all costs. A crown chakra that is blocked or unbalanced by negative energy can cause apathy, depression, closed-mindedness, insomnia, and nightmares.

These states of mind can prevent you from being spiritually connected to the universe, your deity, or whatever higher self you believe in.

By practicing veiling, you will provide a physical shield between your crown chakra and negative energies, allowing you to remain positive, energized, and balanced.

Check out our latest book on Becomming A Norse Pagan. Available on Amazon in Paperback and on our website as a PDF.

Does Veiling Help With Grounding?

Grounding is the practice of allowing excess energies to disperse into the ground, although you can also use water, sand, or soil. Whether you need to let go of energies created through ritual work or simply the excesses of the day, directing them from the hands and/or feet into the ground will help to restore your inner peace.

When the head is uncovered it is possible for your energy to leave the body through the crown chakra, but this can happen unbidden, leaving you feeling depleted and worn out.

An added danger is that, by allowing these energies to escape without direction, you can also affect those around you who may absorb the energies you’ve sent out. Veiling keeps the crown chakra protected, and will prevent you from losing those energies until you are ready to release them in a controlled way.

Can Veiling Connect Us With a Deity?

Just as veiling in the Christian faith depicts the ‘marriage’ between the worshipper and Christ, so it can represent the union between a Pagan and their chosen deity.

While many Pagans don’t work with a deity at all, others might work with one or more, and oftentimes it is their chosen deity who will indicate that they would appreciate veiling. It then becomes a bond or a link between the goddess and the Pagan.

Who is Hestia?

Hestia was the Greek Goddess of hearth and home and is a popular deity among Pagans.

One of the twelve Olympians, Hestia was the firstborn daughter of Rhea and Cronus, and sister of Hades, Hera, Poseidon, Zeus, and Demeter.

Revered for her role in the family, Hestia is often depicted as wearing a veil and modest clothing, and many who work with her will also wear a head covering to show their respect and devotion.

Can Men Veil?

While veiling in the traditional sense might not work for men aesthetically, there is no reason why a male Pagan cannot protect their crown chakra with a head covering.

Bandanas are a great alternative to less obvious veiling, as are beanies, and even hoodies. All three will create a shield for the crown chakra and prevent energy from both entering and leaving the body.

As with veils, hats and bandanas can be infused with intent before wearing, and can also be cleansed spiritually after each use, making them perfect for use in public and for ritual and spell work.

Take Away

Veiling, as you can see, is a matter of personal choice, and whether or not you wear one, and your reasons for doing so, are entirely down to you. Far from being oppressive, Pagan veiling widens your choice and can add an extra layer of protection and/or power to your practice.

You can choose to cover your entire head by wrapping your hair tichel-style, drape a lightweight scarf, or wear something smaller that covers the crown chakra and leaves the rest of the head uncovered; just like most things on the Pagan path, you do you with no explanation necessary.

Our Founder, Ame Vanorio, is a lifelong pagan, an environmental educator, and a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. She has not veiled in the past and admits to previously not understanding pagan veiling. Recently a friend began veiling and was willing to share her reasoning, thus this article on what I have learned.