My thoughts on what I would possibly wear as a votary.
(Image description: A photo of a light-skinned model with long, wavy, brown hair. She wears a gray scarf draped over her head, while she holds one part across her chest. She stands against a black background.) Credit: Photo by OSPAN ALI on Unsplash
One of the most visible signs within different forms of monasticism are the garments monks and nuns wear. Most often, simple colors come to mind, while brighter hues can also be seen. They are the professional uniforms for different traditions, but they also indicate unity within their communities and mark their distinction within society.
To my knowledge, there aren’t any specified robes, veils, or other apparel for Pagan or Polytheist Monastics. What I have seen is people following their intuition and creating their own sacred vestments. Also, some prefer to wear everyday clothing with some religious jewelry of their path.
A while ago, I discussed my veiling practice and what it meant to me. I still consider wearing a head covering of various types to be part of my monastic practice, even though it is only a marker that’s recognized by myself.
At this point in time, the rest of my garments fall within everyday wear. There is some benefit to having simple, modern clothing as part of a monastic wardrobe, as not every occasion will call for robes, veils, or related clothing.
A monastic path can be focused on inner work rather than pointing out to others about what your spiritual profession is and is sometimes safer, depending on where the monk, nun, or votary lives. Additionally, wearing regular clothes can make you feel as part of the community you might be serving, as some orders of Catholic nuns have opted to do.
I’m interested in developing my own habit at some point, but what follows is speculation on what it might look like. My idea on the matter could change later in the future.
With the looseness of many monastic robes, they have a tendency to neutralize the wearer’s gender. After all, a monastic oath doesn’t necessarily rely on an emphasis on the religious person’s gender. In a way, having garments that don’t define bodily features can encourage less concerns about fitting into mainstream viewpoints on beauty or fashion. On the other hand, someone else may decide to incorporate bright colors, patterns, or other details.
As such, the structure of the garments I envision are up in the air. I like the idea of a tunic paired with a monastic scapular, perhaps with a skirt or loose trousers. In the summer, a sleeveless version would be appropriate to keep cool with or to be placed over contemporary clothing.
A functional feature would be to have pockets stitched underneath or along the sides, based on the personal preferences. A woven or leather belt could also be used to hold pouches.
Many monastic robes are often composed of one or two colors. I’m torn on whether I would want green as the main color or have them vary by season. Green does have some Brigidine connections to the color of oak leaves in spring and as a commonly associated color with Brighid’s mantle. A detail that appeals to me is to have embroidery or applique of oak leaves on the scapular.
I would want veils to be simple to put on, either draped and pinned with a Brighid’s cross brooch or wrapped around the head to keep hair out of the way. Footwear would also vary, based on the needs of the weather or for comfort.
These are some initial ideas of what a Brigidine Polytheistic votary’s attire would appear as, and there is room for the designs to evolve, much like the rest of my path does.
