Craft names

[Purple_Wings]

What is the signifigance of a craft name? Should I have one? How do I go about choosing a name? Is it okay to have a name of a goddess?

[GalenaFaolan]

If you feel you want one you can go about choosing one or wait till one comes to you. You don't HAVE to have one though. I found a really cool book is the New Book of Magickal Names by McFarland. In that is about every name you could think of and then some!! Choosing a Goddess name is ok if you identify with a particular one. You can choose a name based on something you really like, or your traits, just about anything really. Hope you find this helpful.

[alphalupa]

Wings- Names have power! You can have several names for different areas in your life if you'd like. Taking the name of a Goddess is ok if you identify with the Goddess, Just remember at a large coven meeting there may be 20 Isis or 15 Merlins- suddenly you don't feel so special. So choose well and feel the power and energy of the name that makes you feel like a Goddess in your own right.
Good Luck and Blessed be
Alphalupa

[Teresa]

Some people wait for a name to come to them and when it does they just know without a shadow of a doubt that it is " The one".Others use numerology or other means to come up with one. However it is not required that You have to have a "craft name". That is between You and your " Divine".

[RubyRose]

Originally I did plan on using numerlogy to find my Craft name, but just by chance it seemed to come to me all by itself. Ofcourse nobody but myself and the Goddess knows what it is.

[Geryongesis]

I view craft names as nothing but a faux pas. On the other hand, I do use aliases often. Geryon the Red being my most common. (Read: Stiechyros, the "Geryongesis")

I find that a good alias embodies that which you wish to present personality wise while using it. Hence I use Geryon the Red whenever dealing with anything Apostasy related. Just my .02 USD. Take care.

[ap Dafydd]

You don't need a name, many people manage perfectly well without one, and your progress as a Pagan doesn't hang on having one. My feeling is that when you are far enough down the path to know about your chosen tradition, then a name will be given to you if you need one.

gwyn eich byd

Ffred

[Chesna]

What is the signifigance of a craft name? Should I have one? How do I go about choosing a name? Is it okay to have a name of a goddess?

I have choosen a name, but I am unable to reveal it just yet. I felt I wanted a new name for this new begining and undertaking in my life. the cool thing is I know this isn't the last name I'll have. This name I have choosen fits for now.. but I just know, deep down that I will change it... it feels like the right thing for me to do!!!

Chesna

[Jenett]

What is the signifigance of a craft name?

There's some various reasons. Some traditions or paths use them as a way to help you step into a ritual mindset. Some use them for confidentiality reasons. Some use them for other reasons.

I have two - Jenett, which I use in public settings/online. I use it more widely than a lot of people use Craft names, because my given name is Jennifer, and I will not reliably turn around if someone calls Jennifer. So, locally, I use Jenett because I'll answer to it quickly (even across a crowded room or a large field.)

The other I use only in ritual circle, and only with people I have some degree of trust with - in really large public rituals, I'd use Jenett. The group I work with uses them partly as a deliberate trigger for ritual space, but also as a reminder of what we want to grow to become. (In a symbolic form)

Should I have one?

Depends on you. Some groups or paths require one. Many don't, but encourage people to consider one. If you're working on your own, the call is really up to you. Would it be helpful to you?

How do I go about choosing a name? Is it okay to have a name of a goddess?

Biggest advice: take your time. Think about what concepts are important to you, look at different options that express those concepts.

Check and see what names are really popular, and find something distinguishing. (Try browsing through the individual people lists on Witchvox for some ideas: if you see a name a bunch of times out there, chances are it's popular.)

As far as taking the name of a Goddess, a number of people consider to be something to do *really* cautiously. In taking on that name deliberately, people also often take on aspects of that deity's personality. Really thorough research (including going back to historical sources) is important. Meditating and doing some ritual work with the deity over time (at least a couple of months) is probably also a good idea. That's the way to be sure you really know what you're taking on.

There are some variations - some people use suffixes to names, things like [deity's]son/daughter or whatever, which is not usually seen as quite the same as taking a deity's name (but you still should do the research.)

It's also a good idea to sit on a name for a while. Names can be changed, but once people get to know you by a given name, it can be hard for people to keep track if you change it. taking some time to think about it, even if you're pretty sure you want to take it, can help make sure you don't change your mind in a month.

(Or, for example, you might think about it for a bit, use it privately in your own ritual work for a bit, and only after a while tell other people.)

[saffron]

What is the signifigance of a craft name? Should I have one? How do I go about choosing a name? Is it okay to have a name of a goddess?

Craft names identify your 'working' self from your everyday self. It's like slipping on special clothing. Trad witches try to get their name to match their soul number (numerology). Recently, people take on names that feel right, or that they receive during meditations. "Saffron" is a recent given name. Prior to that, I used Madrone. I grow out of names every couple of years and feel the need to take a new one.

Using Goddess names is a lovely way to honour the Lady.

Saffron

[VelvetBlade]

I agree with others that if you want a craft name....that's wonderful...if not, that's ok too. But I do differ in opinion about taking the name of a God/Goddess. I guess it's kind of like meeting someone who chooses to be called Jesus. I think I'd have a hard time taking them seriously. I think if you are willing to put the time and effort into choosing a craft name, it should be one that is just for you.

~VB