Magickal Names

[SilentWolf]

This might be a frequently asked question, but do I need a magickal name for myself? How would I use it? Do I need to perform a ritual to get one?

And what if I choose one then later on decide I don't like it and wish to change it?

[Heartfire]

I personly have no idea what picking a magickal name in-tales. But i would say that it has to come from your heart and that in its self would make it magickal. Maybe use the name(s) of things that intrest you, say a flower. Or maybe an animal or something else. I think that as you grow it would be fine to change your magickal name and it may even be a good idea. Other then that, I don't know much more. Have you tryed looking up refences on the net? Just make sure that when you do pick one that it comes from your heart. Gook Luck and Blessings Be!

[white_draco]

A Magick name can be anything, but it is usually something that works with that person, you wouldn't choose a name like Gentle River if you're a dark type person or Black Blood if you're a Happy gentle person. But then again it is what you feel. My public craft name is White Draco because White is associated with Pisces and Draco is an animal of the element Fire which is an element I relate to. Name some things like fave.....
Animal:
Element:
Metal:
Magick:
Color:
Smell:


Combine these to make a short name if ya like...It's fun....

-White Draco-

[Chibi-Fallon]

Mine just kinda came outta nowhere (yeah, I know, real helpful). I had it before I really knew anything about Paganism. It was just a name I like and thought fit me well. Just fiddle around with names for a bit (go to places like babynamer.com or something like that) and pick something that you like if it doesn't work out you can always change it. It's not a legal name changing or anything.

[bluebear]

Hello Silentwolf.
It is my understanding that one's magickal name should have the same numerical value as one's birth number. Lilu's site has some very good information on how to figure these numbers. Check it out if you get a chance.
http://www.geocities.com/aerinleigh/

Blessings
Bluebear

[lucidfire]

I've used a few different magick names since I started like 6 years ago, as my path grows and changes, it comes to the point when I needed to be recognized as a different person, in order to 'shed' who I was and start anew, but I never really forget a name. My first year I was known as snmtriaskyn, my second year I was known as edarkai, and further then upon my journey towards the Goddess I became known as sade. Something I found important was who I shared my name with; I don't treat it like my ordinary worldly name, I try to make it sacred by not telling just anyone; I'd tell somebody I've met and that I know is a good person who doesn't sit there and say "oh that magick stuff is hooey!" because people like that can affect the power of a name if they know it and it means nothing to them. It may sound a little stupid, but in my experience it works very well. My new name I intend to tell to nobody, and there's a lot of power there! However, I've coded it in eldanar, and you all may call me Tirayisatilon, and if you know eldanar you are welcome then to figure out my real magick name and say it or whatever.

It all comes down to why though; why do you want a magick name, what purpose does it serve for you? Do you want it to differentiate your personal energy here and there? Because it can have a big connection to your subconcious in this fashion, and can be helpful for growth and things like that. But if it's more casual than that, and used more for connecting with other people, well then, you might not want to keep it secret like I do, you know? It's all a matter of purpose sometimes..

I like what White Draco said though, as to how you would decide one. Some of my names, I would try to have visions and let a word come to me from deep inside, and the closer those visions come, the more energy of me my magick name represents; it balances out nicely that way.

Dont' feel like there's any "I have to do it this way" about it though. Think of why you're doing it, and let your heart tell you what's best. I like the idea of making it the same as your birth number. Never heard that before, but it's a really good idea, you might wanna think about that

anyways, good luck!

[SilentWolf]

Thank you everyone for that little bit of guidance I needed. :D

[TheWordWitch]

I was given a family name for my birth name - first born female in each generation received the name (no I won't tell!) and it wasn't until I was in my early 20's that I discovered that it was also the name of a Celtic Goddess.
**No wonder the Catholic Nuns treated me with such disdain - each and every time they called my name they were invoking a Pagan Goddess!! :crazy: **

When I began investigating my path, people I would talk to would ask what my "real" name was, assuming that my given name was a Magickal one I had chosen. For years I felt that I was Named for a reason, so I used my given name for all occassions.

This year I began using Word Witch after my Circle began investigating Magick names. But it just doesn't seem to work for me in Circle and in Magick workings. Therefore, online, I use my Magick name, and for all else I keep my given name.

I really think that a Magick name is a personal choice, not something that is required to work effectively within a Circle or with magick. This is just my opinion. The Gods know who you are, S/He is very well aware of your calls to Her/Him in Circle, in magick and in daily practice. We no longer live in a society that murders Pagans for thier beliefs (at least in most Civilized Countries), so the NEED for a magick name used as protection against persecution is not relevant.

However, there are individuals who can feel that their given name does not suit who they really are on a Divine Energy level. I know several people who feel this way, and for them, a Magick Name is crucial to establishing their identity, not only as a Pagan/Wiccan/Druid/Witch/[Insert Label Here], but as a person.

Good luck with your search. The finding of a magick name is a wonderful journey and an incredibly fun undertaking. Not only does it serve to help with your education of the Path (researching God/Goddess names and other 'names' associated with the Pagan Path), but it can also be a very satisfying self-discovery!