Pagans/Wiccans: Magick Names...?

Question

I'm still learning about paganism, and I've heard that many who practice magick have a magickal name. I've heard that it's not necessary to have one, but a person can choose one or wait for it to come to them.
My question is: how do you find your magick name, and how do you know that it's the right one? I'd also like to know a bit more about this subject.

Answer 1

i have been practicing magick a large portion my life. and have gone so far without a working name. i feel that it will eventually come to ME. but if you want one there are plenty of ways to choose one. there are thousands of books on the subject. you can include animal names, adjectives, colors, and gods and goddess that define you. there are also ways to chose a name based on astrology and numerology, but don't just settle for one that you kind-of like. wait until one really speaks to you.

Answer 2

Many people take a patron Goddess or others take a name that has come to them.

I took the name Anthea because it came to me in a dream. My husband's craft name is Zenn. It's a name he's used for a reason he can't explain.

But this name is first and foremost something personal. Its a name you equate to your magickal self. Some people change their craft name because it no longer fits them. That is also a personal decision.

Good luck with yours. If you want to look up God/Goddess names here is a good website.

Answer 3

According to Wiccan tradition, Magickal names were originally chosen as protection. Your covenmates knew you only by these names so if they were tortured they could spill the names of their covenmates without actually implicating anybody. According to Shamanic tradition, a name was chosen to protect the magic-user's real name so that other Shamans or Sorcerers would have less power over them. However you look at it, what you end up with is a secret name, and a public name. I personally have three. One that I use everyday, that was given me by my mother. One that I use with the Pagan community, though it's really very interchangeable at this point with my real name, that is also my pen name and one that is secret, that the spirits call me by.

Obviously, I got my real name from my mother. My pen name, or public name I chose myself after much thought. I chose Dawn to honor my Patron Goddess Eos (I later found out that was the name my mother almost named me, but changed her mind at the last minute, and later my daughter chose for her public magical name the name I almost named her, but my mom talked me out of, saying it would be too weird.) and I chose Black to honor my Matriline(that is, it is a variation of the name of my mother's side of the family, hidden by the patriarchal last names), giving me the name Dawn Black. However, it really doesn't function as a magical name as much as a pen name. People in the local community are just as likely to call me Robin as Dawn (depending how we were introduced).

My secret name was given to me by the spirits. It's just what the Gods and spirits call me when they speak to me. You have to listen, because sometimes you don't remember what they called you later, but maybe it's best not to know, because people shouldn't just know your secret name willy nilly like.

Answer 4

Start here: Power of the Witch by Laurie Cabot and The Witch in Every Woman by Laurie Cabot.

Don't forget, it's always good to keep a journal of your personal search.

Answer 5

I don't personaly use one but when you know, you know. Before going to bed to some meditation, ask for help in finding out your magikal name and it could come to you in a dream. I am a witch myself and a Reiki Master so if you ever have any question feel free to e-mail me at french_canadian_mom @yahoo.ca

Answer 6

first off, stop looking for it. it will come when it's right. I bet you find that helpful!

blessed be

Answer 7

You sound like you just stepped out of the fourteenth century. GET THIS, THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS MAGIC> GOOD OR BAD.
Tammi Dee