I was reading up somewhere on Wikipedia and other websites about Doreen Valiente to get a better insight into the history of Wicca. It said she went under a craft name Ameth and I was wondering if this is the case of other Wiccans in and outside this website. If you do have a craft or Wiccan name please share what it is and why you chose it. :) If you don't feel comfortable then that's okay as well I'm just curious as to how and why people go by these names.
Hello im Taylor but i my craft name is Amane Woodhaven it is also my facebook name. The name actually popped up in my head one day and i apodptwd it as my craft name
One of the primary reasons these days for having a Craft name is that it is another tool for putting your mind into a ritual headspace where magic works. Many of us live each day in a world that denies the existence of magic or even of the presence of Divinity. So when we step into circle we use a variety of tools to help our minds reach the point where we KNOW that magic does work and we KNOW that Divinity is present there with us. Candles, incense, certain rituals, ritual dress, working in a darkened room are all ways to open up the channels in the mind to allow that to happen. Likewise we have a name that we use in the mundane world and which identify the person who lives in that world. Our magical name belongs to the magical being which comes forth in circle.
In addition, our mundane name is one that was given to us by our parents. We may love it, we may hate it. We may not feel it fits who we truly are. Our magical name, IMHO, should be chosen to reflect the heart of who we really are or who we wish to become. And given time it will be come the real us. That's why the old magical traditions claim that true names have power. In most cases people chose their magical name for themselves. But in some Traditions you are given a magical name by your HPS or HP when you are initiated.
My public magical name is Lark. I received this during a meditation shortly before being initiated as a 2nd Degree way back in 1992. During the meditation I found myself face to face with the Lady. She put her hands on my head and said, "You are my Lark, for you shall sing my praises."
In addition to my public magical name I also have one by which I am known within my coven...but that name is not shared with those outside of that Tradition.
personally, i don't like to give out my Witch name, just because i feel it's a personal thing. when i was first starting out, the very first thing i got was my Athame, and i named it, none of my other tools have names, but if you ever get your hands on my Athame [and can read runes] i wrote my name and his name on either side of the handle. looking back, i should of left it black, but my tool. it's very simple, nothing like 'Mayven Moonstone' or something, my Athame is named Robyn, my Witches name contains the word 'Robyn' [and it's spelled that way so it works numerologicaly] i choose a robin because there's many tales about them in my family, be it myth, religious, or a way to predict the weather and seasons. i also love birds.
My magical name was something I had to find. I had to use a visualization in which the goddess gave me clues to my spiritual Identity. My final clue was a book, which I found fitting. And I meditated for three days on my clues before I got it right.
It was a very fulfilling process.
I've no idea where mine came from, but it's Vidom Drrokt Karsiit. It came to me while I was meditating, and I don't really use it for much, except casting spells... oh well, I like it! ^_^
Your craft name is something that hold a close meaning to you that you will use when casting spells, circles, ext. most people will meditate for there name to come up with one personal to them.
Doreen Valiente published under a craft name to keep her real name secret, when witchcraft was against the law in Britain. Although Gardner did publish in his real name, his first publications were written as fiction;novels! Otherwise he would have faced prison.
Match your magickal number for added magickal power to either name you use. 9 is the number for both my givin name and my Craft name. They are both my names on many levels - numerically, symbolically, spiritually and actually.
Not to mention magickally.
