How do people realize what their craft (or spiritual) name is?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 21 Jul 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

mermaiden	21 Jul 2002
Did you actually have to meditate on it or did it just come to you when you didn't expect it to?

Rhiannon	22 Jul 2002
Very good question! I don't know either. LOL I'll be waiting to read the answers with you. R :)

jade	22 Jul 2002
mine came to me. it suits me. in light, jade

the hermit	22 Jul 2002
This is a simple question with a very complex set of answers. Craft names are an interesting subject. One that in some circles (magickal or otherwise) will induce great debate. There are many ‘conventions’ that some would quote as being ‘THE’ correct way to go about naming. With that said, here’s what I’ve picked up from books, acquaintances, gathers, etc. Let’s start with when and how a name is chosen… Some of the more formal groups of craft folk only select a craft name upon ‘initiation’ into their group (coven, circle, grove, etc.). Obviously, the less formal groups (including many solitary practitioners) choose a name when it suits them. Some groups choose the name for the person, some allow the person to choose. Many craft practitioners simply choose the name or names—some have several, changing them as they proceed down the path or when they change their path drastically—some have a private name that they use only within their circle of fellow practitioners (secret names were once very prevalent—some believe that knowing your ‘secret’ name gives power over the name holder) or even more privately as a solitary, but they also have a craft name that they use in public, at large gatherings or even with the press. The actual name choice can be simple or complex depending on the ‘requirements’ of the group or even the person. Some practice a great deal of soul-searching meditation before picking a name. Some say it just happens. Others simply pick one that tickles them. Some adopt the name of a deity or hero within their religious pantheon to honor it (Thor, Prometheus). Some choose based on family heritage and pick the name of some hero/heroine from that folklore system (Merlin, Odysseus). Some (especially here in America) choose to use animal names or combinations (Silverhawk, Wolf). Others use rocks, flowers, trees, plants for parts or all of their names (Oak Watcher, Rose, Ivy, Amethyst). My favorite ‘craft’ name belongs to a good friend who isn’t a member of the craft, but his wife is. Being the loving person he is, he often accompanied her to craft gatherings. It’s common there to exchange non-secret craft names rather than our ‘legal’ ones. He, being the humorist that he is, got tired of telling people he didn’t have one and then suffering their sad looks. So, here we are at a gathering and a nice witch introduced herself to us. I give my name, his wife gives hers, and he, with his tongue firmly in his cheek, introduced himself as ‘Darin’. His wife looked at him and shrugged, while I tried very hard not to burst into hysterical laughter. The two of us walked away and he turned to me and smiled. “You got it, didn’t you?” he asked with a laugh. “No one else has all day.” For those of you who are wondering why I thought this was so funny? Do you remember the old TV show about a witch married to a mortal? It was called ‘Bewitched’. The witch’s name was Samantha… and her long suffering mortal husband’s name was, of course, Darin. His wife, being the wonderful person she was, eventually saw the humor in it. :D

Sally Gardens	22 Jul 2002
So far I haven't needed one, and haven't come up with one that I feel clicks. The closest I've come is having to choose Internet handles; I had one pagan-oriented one that I used to use, but I don't think I'd use it as a craft name, per se. If you're only practicing your spirituality privately, I wouldn't lose sleep over this. My understanding is that craft names are mainly a concern for those who practice in circles with other people, to protect privacy. I guess some people also use them in solitary ritual/prayer/practice, but I've never felt a need. Maybe I'm just weird, but there's my two-bits' worth.

Sally Gardens	22 Jul 2002
Quote: Originally posted by the hermit For those of you who are wondering why I thought this was so funny? I guess I'm just showing my age, here, because I got it as soon as I read the name "Darin." :D No explanation needed. Too bad "Bewitched" is no longer in the common cultural parlance; it was a clever answer.

napaea	22 Jul 2002
Hermit, I love reading your responses. And look at you go! You'll be an elder in about 6 weeks!!!!!! I really like Hermit's explanations of how people choose or get chosen for. He is thorough and informative. I have 2 names. One is my Native American, or spirit, name. This was given to me by a Lakota elder during a sweatlodge: Blue Sky Flower. My other name, Napaea, came to me through my artwork. I'd done a collage and was looking for an appropriate name for it. I was looking through my thesaurus, actually, and came across Napaea, and basically fell in love with it. It means "hill nymph" or "woodland nymph" and i really thought it fit me. personally, i am a solitary, so i don't have the need to greet anyone with this name. However, I am a writer, and have submitted work to new age or pagan magazines/publishers, and like using the name in that context. After all, my conservative christian family doesn't need to know everything i do, right? I think if you want a name and you aren't involved in a fellowship, coven, or study group, you may just tell your subconscious you want a name. You will either dream it, hear it, or come across it somehow and just know it is for you. You can also do a quest to find it. Read "QUEST" by Denise Linn for more info. Please keep us posted on what you come up with!

Rhiannon	22 Jul 2002
You may also want to look into what your new name will mean for you numerologically. Changing your name is a great way to offset certain imbalances you may be feeling. For instance: my real name, including middle and last = 8 for hard work and success with money (not neccessarily true btw ;) ), my name on aeclectic = 3 communication. R :)

mermaiden	22 Jul 2002
Wow! Once again, you all were so helpful (for those who don't know what I'm talking about, you should see how many questions I have posted since I found this forum) *LOL* Your answers are extremely helpful and I found the ending portion or Hermit's posting very humourous! :D I'm not really sure if I'll deliberately look for a name yet; I do believe that Rhiannon is right about it needing to correspond positively where numerology is concerned. If I do somehow 'stumble' across a pagan name, I will post it here. :) Thanks again everyone!

jmd	23 Jul 2002
The thread so far has really catered well in answering mermaiden's question. I just thought I would add some comments outside of the context discussed above. Other groups and traditions, of course, also use new, 'inner', magical or private names. For example, in AMORC, one chooses a name from a small number of pre-given ones. In the SRIA (and the Golden Dawn), one chooses a name (usually in Latin), partly for its meaning. Often, those who join monasteries or religious orders drop their given names and adopt a new one - like shedding an old skin and putting on a new identity. At times, the name may be selected for the individual, at others, the individual must select it for him or herself. Then there is also the unexpected name that one adopts or 'picks up' from significant circumstances which one undergoes (witness Ravenswing) - or even the name which one may be 'called' or referred to during a meditative or spiritual state. These last two often come virtually unsought for and certainly usually unexpectedly. For some, the newly acquired name remains the intimate knowledge of either only the person or a close group, wheras for others, the new name is rejoicingly proclaimed amongst the community - and what a delight to be part of that community when this occurs!

catlin	23 Jul 2002
Ok, most of you know me as "catlin" but this is not the name I use for my querents. I decided to take a French name, partly because of marketing reasons and partly because I just took the Chinese translation of my Christian name and translated it in French. I also have a secret "Craft" name which came to me out of the blue.

cjtarot	23 Jul 2002
Hi all, Here is a good question (I hope). I am not full Wiccan. I am a Christian who has adopted a great deal from both Witchcraft and some eastern religions (Toa). I have always had a name in my head that I would love to use..Alestar..Is it acceptable to use it and if so when. PS. What does it bring to your mind..that will help me decide if I should addopt it. thanks for your tollerance and input. Cj

catlin	23 Jul 2002
Hi cj, If the name feels right to you, then you should adopt it. There is just a feeling when a name clicks with you, it is your gut feeling which talks then to you.

emily2otters	24 Jul 2002
i added "two otters" to my name not long after 9/11. i was walking on the beach trying to pull myself up out of dispair, and saw two river otters frolicking on the shore. they let me watch them for a long time... they were playing together, and probably mating. i sat down and cried a bucket. the lesson they taught me was great, and the day was a turning point in my spiritual life. choosing a new name seemed like the natural thing to do. currently i'm wrestling with the issue of whether or not to change my legal name to two otters... i don't know if i could handle all the smirking that would result. ;)

the hermit	25 Jul 2002
Quote: Originally posted by emily2otters i added "two otters" to my name not long after 9/11. i was walking on the beach trying to pull myself up out of dispair, and saw two river otters frolicking on the shore. they let me watch them for a long time... they were playing together, and probably mating. i sat down and cried a bucket. the lesson they taught me was great, and the day was a turning point in my spiritual life. choosing a new name seemed like the natural thing to do. Thank you for relating what was obviously a moving experience for you! Quote: Originally posted by emily2otters currently i'm wrestling with the issue of whether or not to change my legal name to two otters... i don't know if i could handle all the smirking that would result. ;) To heck with the smirkers, do what your heart tells you!

The How do people realize what their craft (or spiritual) name is? thread was originally posted on 21 Jul 2002 in the Spirituality board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Spirituality, or read more archived threads.