Three things I found really helpful when I started are:
- Looking up veiling customs in my cultural connections and family history. Veiling has been done for thousands of years for reasons both religious and secular, aesthetic and practical~
- Doing a veiling routine like it’s the first time, every time. With the same curiosity and excitement.
- Journaling my experiences and progress.
Discernment questions:
- What makes veiling interesting to you?
- What deity, goal, ideal or do you want to represent?
- Who would be allowed to see you unveiled?
- How does the idea of covering and caring for yourself like a consecrated tool/vessel/space make you feel?
Things I often use to veil:
Layered headscarves + tinted glasses + N95:
Fabric scraps:
A hat:
Ways to bless a covering:
- A spritz of holy water, some smoke or dab of oil for anointing.
- Saying a prayer/petitioning for protection as you put it on.
- Stitching or drawing a symbol on it.
Reasons I veil:
- As a boundary between the secular world and my monasticism. A tangible reminder of vows taken and path being pursued. It’s been very helpful for mindfulness and temper.
- Spiritual protection. Veils can act as energetic filters. Sometimes unveiling at the end of the day feels like the spiritual equivalent of taking yer bra off after work lol.
- Privacy and modesty. I find comfort in having control of what I cover, especially in these times of surveillance and scraping without consent.
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