I often asked questions regarding how to go about choosing your magickal name. Originally, the taking on of a magickal name symbolized the rebirth or the attainment of a new level of initiation or revelation in the magickal world. The special name was taken for use within a lodge, coven or other magickal order.
Witches in initiatory covens (meaning witches who are intiated by an initiated witch), only have one magickal name, generally. Some witches think they need two magickal names--one that everyone knows and one just between them and the Goddess.
Personally I don't think there is any need in that because the more you use your magickal name, the strong it becomes and the more it becomes you.
The majority of initiatory covens use their magickal names outside of the coven and in places of pagan websites, open rituals, etc., as they feel that they are of that energy of that name that they have chosen all of the time.
They feel that magick is life itself and walk it each and every day whether they are in the coven or the corner shop. They do not see that the Craft and magick are separate and apart.
The more your magickal name is used, the more empowering to you it becomes.
In some covens, the HPS gives you a magickal name, as she is supposed to "know who you really are." I find that absolute nonsense and would not allow anyone to "give" me a magickal name. It is between you and the Goddess and no one else.
Most Witches believe that the Goddess chooses it for you, and you have to quiet the mind and listen to what She is saying. However, your magickal name does not fall in your lap.
In trying to find your magickal name, and most particularly if you wish to name yourself after a God or Goddess, you start out by reading books on different aspects of the Goddess and the names they go by.
Personally I wouldn't advise using a magickal name "willy-nilly". A name holds a lot of power over a person and if you do select a magickal name I woudl only use it whenever you are involved specifically in magickal work.
beantighe
But this appears to only apply to coven witches, Raymond, correct me if I'm wrong.
Personally, I hate the idea of having someone else give me a name - my adoptive mother did that when she had me christened at the age of 2. As soon as I understood that what I was, was pagan, I performed a private ceremony to wipe out what had been done to me as a child, without my consent or understanding, something that I had had no control over and no part in choosing. I'm like you now, I have no interest in Christianity whatsoever, and that aversion is mostly down to my mother.
I chose my name, Beantighe, because it fits me and means 'woman of the house' in Irish Gaelic. You're absolutely right, the more you use a name, the more it becomes 'you', and I'm just as happy to be called Beantighe or Beany as I am to be called by my given name. In fact, my given name comes from Guinevere, which is the anglicised form of Gwenhwyfar, as Welsh Celtic as you can get, and it irritates me intensely when I am asked for my christian name, when I'm not a christian!!
Actually, that's one of my biggest objections, being asked for my christian name, just as a for instance, in the doctor's surgery. Would they ask a Hindu or a Jew for their christian name? Or is it just because I'm white Northern European, and they just assume? It's the assumption that drives me hopping mad! Nowadays I tell them, No you can't have my christian name - you can have my first name - because I'm not a christian!
Raymond
Magickal names don't only apply to coven-based witches. Obviously those witches will use those names when talking to each other and unless you're in the habit of talking to yourself a solitary witch wont use their magickal name to themselves.
However it's good to be known by that name in circle for times when you are presenting yourself to the God and Goddess.
Your magickal name is something you should know before any self-dedication ritual takes place.
When you dedicate you're presenting yourself to the Gods as Beantighe. It would be just bad manners to afterwards continue to present yourself as Jenny.
beantighe
Do you mean in circle/ritual, Raymond, or all the time, in daily life? I do know of people whose real names I've never known, only their pagan names, which they themselves have chosen.
Raymond
I only use mine in circle or whenever I speak directly to the God and Goddess (which isn't always in circle).
evergreen
this may seem really silly but I really love my name Madeline it is me .. the only other name I would use is Evergreen which speaks so many things to me... my name is numerologically an 11 the same as my DOB :)... and it means tower of strength and it suites me 100%.
is there a reason why you need a magical name?
I feel blessed to be named Madeline as it is I don't mean disrespect I am only trying t understand the reason, as I can really understand name change but wondered if it is a must do
beantighe
No, it's not compulsory by any means, hon. If you're happy with your name, and feel it's totally you, then why change it if you don't want to?
In my case, I felt I needed a new name to differentiate between my old self and my pagan self, if that makes any sense, and also because bad things had happened to me all my life under my given name, so choosing another was again like a kind of rebirth, a new beginning, which I needed psychologically. A clean slate, to start over, if you like.
Raymond
Beany is right, it's not compulsory. The taking of a magickal name is almost the same as buying a robe to wear when doing magick.
Once you put on the robe and start using the name it all acts as a trigger and something clicks in the brain and you get into 'magickal mode'.
david hobbs
I do use my magical name because it was given in meditation.
It changed about eight months to a new name.
beantighe
And that's another thing - David's just reminded me. You don't have to stick with the same magical name forever. People often find that they have outgrown their original magical name, or it just doesn't suit them any more for whatever reason. There's nothing to stop anyone from choosing a new one at any time. I did.
