Choosing Your Magickal Name

Names are an important part of our identity. From earliest childhood, we learn that a certain formation of sounds means us. And that particular formation of sounds shapes our psyche in many ways that we only perceive on the edge of consciousness.

The convention of naming is as old as, and older than, the human race. We now know that dolphins and whales have names - series of whistles and clicks that means them. With dogs and cats, that "name" might be a scent, as we know they recognize each other in that way. I theorize that any communal species (and possibly those that are not communal) with a certain degree of awareness of self, probably have some form of name. A way of knowing who is being referred to, whether that is "The Tall One With Red Hair" or "The Musty Smelling One" or "The One Who Came From The North Woods" or "Bob."

Among humans there are many different practices of naming. As a child I was fascinated by the meanings of names, learning that Phillip means "Lover of Horses" and Mary means "Bitter" and Lennox means "From the Field of Elm Trees." People are named for places, occupations, physical attributes, qualities that their parents were seeking, and in many other ways. In some traditions, a child was not given a name until it was proven that they would survive. In some, the child was known by a public name, but their mother would whisper a secret name into their ear at birth, that was known only to the child, the mother and the gods. In some cultures the child was given a name that meant something hideous, as it was believed that this would keep demons or death from trying to take them away.

Our name is a strong force in shaping our personality, part of our self concept. Lets consider "mundane" names first. Take a moment and visualize a Maude, and then a Tiffany, and (whether you know people with those names or not) you will conjure up two entirely different images. I was born Halina, and my parents had considered naming me Stephanie or Anastasia. I think I would have been quite different. I often dreamed of different names that I would rather have had. Just as minor examples of how the name shaped me, I liked that it's a relatively pretty name, and that it is unusual (thus making me feel that I was "different") and yet I hated it because no one could spell it, and I'd have to correct them time and time again (which likely left me a bit picky and exacting).

Why Choose A Name?

So, why do you choose a magickal name? Do you need to have one? And how do you go about choosing it?

Taking on a name implies a change of direction, a new set of learnings. Many magickal and shamanic cultures have a history of taking on new names when a person reaches a stage of growth, such as at manhood rituals and marriages, and spiritual awakenings.

Historically, in the Craft, names were taken for purposes of secrecy and safety. If someone didn't know who you were, they couldn't turn you over to the Inquisitors. So witches named themselves "Fox" or "Star" or "Oaktree" and refrained from telling their true names to their coven members.

Nowadays we take on magickal names for less dire reasons. The main purpose in magickal naming, is so that we can "feel magickal." Just as putting on your ritual robes prepares you mentally and puts you in a ritual headspace, so too, does hearing your magickal name in Circle. Our magickal names remind us of our connection to the Gods and the Earth, and allow us to put aside our mundane selves so that we can work magick.

Do you need to have a magickal name? Is it "the law"? Definitely not. Some magicians feel that magickal names create somewhat of a personality split, or suggest that if you use one, you won't have the power to call upon your magickal self when you are in "mundane name mode". Others feel that the use of a name is worthwhile because it gives you that connection and makes you feel holy. In this, as in all things, go with what feels right for you.

How Do You Choose A Name?

Again, there are many answers. The one that is "right" is the one that works for you. You can take a name from mythology (Cerridwen or Thor) or fiction (Ged or Gandalf), from plant lore (Willow or Mugwort), from gemstones (Amethyst or Emerald) , from totem animals (Bear or Otter), the forces of Nature (Rain or Fire), or a mystical idea (BlueStar or Cauldron) or a quality you would like to create in yourself (Peace or Radiance). You can make up a name, mixing letters until you find something you like. You can even open a book to a random page and see what you get. The possibilities are endless.

If you surf the web, you can even come across Lady Pixie Moondrip's Random Craft Name Generator. This hilarious spoof on naming lets you choose one name from column A, one from column B and maybe one from column C and stick them all together.

In some traditions, your teacher chooses a name for you. I honestly think this is the least effective - who knows your inner self best, your teacher or you?

Perhaps the best way, however is to allow your Higher Self to choose your name for you. Go into meditation and pay attention for a while, allow your unconscious to bring forth a sound or a word or a vision. The right name will find you.

One thing I would caution against in naming, is the use of the names of Gods. In my personal opinion, saying that you are Isis or Zeus or Jesus takes a bit of hubris. And the gods themselves may or may not be pleased. In using the names of god forms, I would prefer to utilize part of the name, or perhaps utilize the letters as an anagram.

The Power of Your Magickal Name

Be aware that taking on a magickal name will change you. Names send a vibration into the Universe. By taking on a name you change your own vibration. In many cases the lessons from this will not be apparent for many years. Some are rather obvious, "Otter" may make you more playful, "Bloodstone" might make you more courageous, "DancingBunnySlippers" will ensure that you never take yourself too seriously.

Because of this change in vibration, author Raymond Buckland suggests that your magickal name should have exactly the same numerology as your birth name. This is a silly concept to me, because it implies that we do not change and grow throughout our lives. Use numerology as a tool, not a straightjacket.

Numerology can be an effective method of understanding some of the changes that your name will make. Because of the fact that I have no 6's in my birth name, taking on the name "Lionrhod" gave me a double 6 vibration (O's are a 6 letter) which enhanced my capacity to understand love and allow it into my life. We don't have the space to go into numerology in this article, but you may desire to pick up a book on the subject.

How Many Names?

Some folks recommend taking on not just one magickal name, but possibly two or three. One is used only with your closest group of friends or coven mates, the other can be used publicly, with pagans outside your core group.

It's an ancient magickal belief that having something's name gives you control over it. For instance it's believed that if you learn a demon's name, you can use that to command it's power. In Ursula LeGuin's lovely Earthsea Trilogy, the wizard Ged commands magick solely by knowing the name of things. Thus the fewer people who know your "real" name, the fewer who can draw on your energies.

In this vein, some magicians suggest having a third name which is kept secret, and only used between yourself and the Gods.

I will suggest that if you take on more than one name, you do so one at a time. Trying to assimilate several names at once can create confusion, and will make the process of growing into your name and understanding it's effects that much harder.

Changing Names

Can you change your magickal name if you find it is no longer serving you? Definitely. People change. Their needs change and their understandings about themselves change, so as you grow, you may find the need to change your magical name. I would suggest that you not change your name more than once a year (and ideally much less often than that) and that you meditate carefully on any proposed change and ask yourself what your purpose is in that.

In some traditions, a witch can (but is not required to) change their name at each degree, allowing them to assimilate new learnings.

Your magickal name is a thing of power. Choose it wisely. Open your self to understanding it and to grow with it and learn. May it bring you much joy and inspiration, and remind you of your connection to the essence of Self, which is the essence of all Magick.

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