Historically, throughout various cultures, head coverings have held both practical and symbolic significance. In the realm of paganism, head coverings have been observed in rituals, ceremonies, and everyday practices. These coverings can vary greatly depending on the specific pagan tradition or individual belief system. In certain pagan traditions, head coverings are worn as a way to connect with the divine or to honor a specific deity. For example, in Hellenistic paganism, followers may choose to wear a head covering, such as a wreath or a veil, while participating in worship or ceremonies dedicated to a particular deity. These coverings serve as a visual representation of respect and reverence.

Veiling in the Pagan World

These coverings serve as a visual representation of respect and reverence. In other pagan traditions, head coverings may be used for protection or to focus one's energy. Some pagans believe that wearing a head covering can help create a sacred space or shield from negative energies.

How veiling is making a comeback in the pagan community

When people see the word veiling they usually think of a couple of different scenarios. First might be a blushing bride on her wedding day, hiding her face for good luck. Another might be a mother hiding her face as she mourns the death of her child.

Typically, veiling is associated with Abrahamic religions, but it’s becoming something that is more widely used in the Pagan community.

According to Dictionary.com, the definition of veiling is “An act of covering with or as if with a veil.”

This is a broad definition that covers many different techniques that people have used over the centuries to limit access to sights of themselves.

In the Pagan community, the veil is donned as a spiritual act. Some deities, such as Hestia, are known as veiled deities. As such, some of the people that work with her will choose to veil.

When a person chooses to veil depends on their personal path. Some will veil during ceremonies, others during spells, and yet others will stay veiled any time they are out in public.

In this case, the act of veiling doesn’t necessarily mean covering the face. Unlike the burqa of Islam, a pagan veil is typically used to cover only hair, though on some paths it may be used for facial coverings as well. Also, both men and women may adhere to this type of worship.

In women, it can be seen through complete head wraps, other times it’s a partial covering of the hair. YouTuber C’est Bon Bon talks about her veil in her video. There she speaks about why she uses it and how she cleanses it and prepares it for wearing.

The topic of veiling has been a sensitive one, especially for women. There have been many women who see veiling as oppressive, a reminder of a time when women were viewed as property and were not to be seen except by their husbands. Others see it as a sign of maturity and growth, younger girls keep their hair long, while mature, married women, keep it under a wrap.

The magickal reasoning for using a veil is usually either to work with a deity or to protect one’s self from negativity or other harmful energies. Some pagans have claimed that it has reduced the number of headaches they get because they are using it as part of their shielding process.

There are many ways to veil. Most common is a headscarf or other piece of material wrapped around the head of the practitioner. Wide, fabric hair bands are also acceptable. Some will use a wig or a snood, both of which still provide a covering for the head.

Pagan men who veil also might wear head scarves, but other acceptable options are beanies or toques.

While veiling is as personal a choice as the spiritual journey of every person, it may become a more common sight as paganism grows worldwide.

For those who are interested in veiling and looking for different ways to do it, there are tutorials available on YouTube.

Hi, I’m a Head-Covering Heathen

The practice of head covering can be a pretty heated topic, rife with histories of racism and oppression. For some reason, people tend to lose their minds when they see a woman wearing a veil or head scarf; friends of mine have had people yank their head coverings off their heads. I guess once they graduated kindergarten they forgot about the “keep your hands to yourself” rule. But I can only handle so much controversy at once, so for now, let’s focus on the concept of veiling and head coverings in religious practice, heathen-style. Specifically, why I, a rag-tag Lokean who doesn’t give a whit about modesty or submission to higher powers, choose to veil whenever I leave my house.

Anyone who’s ever had an interest in veiling/covering one’s hair knows at least some of the history. Covering one’s head/hair was often more a matter of practicality than fashion or spirituality: washing long hair is a chore, especially when you don’t have indoor plumbing, water heaters, and hair dryers. It signified a woman’s marital status in some cultures and class status in others. And sometimes, a scarf or veil was just a pretty accessory with no deeper significance at all. In modern culture, religious covering evokes images of Catholic nuns and Jewish women with their array of beautiful tichels, and of course, Islam. Some might even associate it with a few branches of Christianity, particularly those leaning towards fundamentalism (ironically, I order all of my “Lokean nun” veils from a Christian veil shop!). In the pagan and polytheistic world, Hellenes are the first to spring to mind with veiling, particularly devotees of Hestia. Heathens of the Norse and Germanic variety aren’t particularly known for veiling, but we’re out there (in more ways than one, I suppose). As one bound to Loki, my preference for veiling is especially unexpected. The Trickster is an archetype across many cultures beloved (and bemoaned) for turning social order and expectations on their head. Devotees of such figures tend to be fairly transgressive themselves, poking holes in accepted narratives and mucking about with exposing what’s hidden behind ego and hubris. Modesty and submission aren’t something deities like Loki concern themselves with, and falling into line with tradition depends on the benefits offered. But then again, maybe it isn’t such a shock for a Lokean to cover their heads. Y’all expect us to be as outrageous and out of control as possible, so I’ll subvert that by being all cute in my veils and Dublin caps.

These coverings can range from simple scarves or bandanas to more elaborate hoods or hats, depending on personal preference and belief. In addition to their spiritual significance, head coverings may also be worn for practical reasons within pagan communities. Some pagans may wear head coverings during outdoor rituals or gatherings to protect against the elements, such as sun exposure or wind. This practical aspect is often combined with spiritual symbolism, as the head covering serves as both a physical and spiritual shield. It's important to note that not all pagans or pagan traditions require or utilize head coverings. The choice to wear a head covering is often a personal one, based on individual beliefs and practices. Some pagans may choose to forgo head coverings altogether, opting for other forms of ritual attire or symbols. Overall, head coverings in paganism serve a variety of purposes and can hold both practical and symbolic significance. Whether used as a means of connecting with the divine, protecting against negative energies, or honoring specific deities, these coverings play a significant role in the spiritual practices of many pagans..

Reviews for "Pagan Head Coverings: Bridge Between the Mundane and the Divine"

1. John - 1 star

I bought the pagan head covering in hopes of using it for a costume party. However, I was extremely disappointed with the quality of the product. The fabric felt cheap and flimsy, and it didn't hold its shape at all. It looked nothing like the picture advertised. I ended up having to find an alternative because I couldn't wear such a poorly made head covering.

2. Sarah - 2 stars

I was excited to receive the pagan head covering as I liked the design and thought it would be a unique accessory. However, when it arrived, I was disappointed to find that the colors were not as vibrant as shown in the pictures. The head covering also felt uncomfortable to wear as the fabric was scratchy and didn't fit well on my head. Overall, it didn't live up to my expectations and I wouldn't recommend it.

3. Alex - 1 star

I found the pagan head covering to be completely underwhelming. The design was dull and the colors were faded. The material felt cheap and didn't stay in place, making it useless as a head covering. I wasn't able to return it either, which added to my frustration. Save your money and look elsewhere for a better quality product.

The Connection Between Pagan Head Coverings and Goddess Worship