Guest Author - Fiona Blackwolf

The use of magical names in the craft is an old and important tradition. During the burning times it was much safer for the people involved in the craft not to know the real names of those they met with. If one person was arrested they could not possibly lead their captors to anyone else if they could not tell them who they were.

While the use of magical names may have been practical in origin, it has also taken on a more spiritual function. Magical names can connect you more closely with the Divine, or with your personal spiritual group. While it is true that there are still many people for whom magical names offer them a feeling of security and anonymity, most people choose to use them for spiritual meaning.

There seems to be a trend lately, where people new to the craft think that they must have a magical name, so they choose the name of an animal or tree that they like and adopt that as their magical name. While I suppose this could be a valid way to choose, I believe that many Wiccans have forgotten, or never learned the true meaning and reasons for taking a name. It is not as simple as choosing a name for an online message board or chat room.

First, let me dispel the myth that you must be called by a magical name in order to practice Wicca or witchcraft. Many people never choose a craft name. They feel confident in using their given name and that is fine. Some people have a name that is never revealed to other people and is only used in their spiritual practice. Whether or not you take a magical name is a very personal decision and should be seriously considered.

How does one go about getting a magical name? This again is a personal thing and may be different for everyone. Some people may be given a name by a priestess or coven, but most choose their own. When you are ready to begin the search for the right name for you there are several things that you can do.

•Meditate: Meditation is a wonderful way to open yourself up to messages about what your name should be. Spend some time quietly contemplating where you are at on your path. Sometimes walking meditation is an even better way to connect. As you walk be mindful of your steps, maybe counting along, see what images pop into your head. If you are walking outside be mindful of the things around you as well. Often nature will leave us clues along the way.

•Automatic Writing: Sit with your journal either quietly or with some quiet music in the background. Write the question “what is my magical name?” several times on the page. Eventually your brain will begin a sort of free association and you will start writing out words, phrases, questions and ideas. It is important to do this without thinking about what you are writing. Just write. When you are done look for recurring themes or words for ideas.

•Dream: Keep a dream journal. Often magical names are alluded to or given in dreams. Pay attention to the meanings of symbols dreams. Check out a dream interpretation book from the library or take a look at Bella’s Dreams site . Are there recurring symbols in your dreams? Take not of them.

•PAY ATTENTION: This one is by far the most important. Pay attention to the world around you. This is another place where journaling comes in handy. Maybe you woke up with a song in your head and then it was the first song you heard when you started the car. Maybe even the same line. Often the Universe will leave us messages in the most mundane ways. Look for things that seem to come up in threes, or are obviously out of the ordinary.

No matter how you do it, choosing a magical name is an important part of your spiritual path. It should be done with patience and thought. It should be meaningful to you, and often, they are meaningful on many levels. A magical name should reflect your spiritual self. It should be chosen with some measure of reverence and be a name that you connect with on a deep spiritual level. Best of luck to those who are looking for their name, and to those who have already discovered theirs I invite you to take some time to reflect again on the reasons you chose it and what it means to you. Blessed Be.