wiccan names

[lliae]

This isn't something that comes up too much in my readings but It's something that I've been thinking about a lot recently. As far as I understand, your wiccan name is a name you choose and give yourself during your self dedication rite or during your coven initiation (or both?) and your coven only refers to you with it. Therefore are wiccan names more of a coven thing? Or do solitaries use them too? I think I've heard of using a different name when working with deities too.

The thing is, I don't really identify as wiccan and I don't do much work with deities (or any for that matter at the moment, I haven't connected with any yet) and I'm solitary, but a couple weeks ago after doing a meditation/spell to increase my spiritual growth I had a dream and in it a woman I'd never met asked me what my wiccan name was. She had a vibe of wisdom and seemed like she was my mentor or teacher. After I told her my wiccan name we did a spell or a rite together. After that I saw the name I gave her popped up all over the place in my day to day life.

I'm not exactly hard pressed to figure out the dream or give myself a wiccan name, but I was wondering others take on it.

[Nightwatcher]

Some do it, some don't. Names have power and are closely tied to your soul, some lore says. To give a Wiccan name (or really any alias) during ritual or spell is said to help protect you from possible attack.

I have several "Wiccan names" that I use sometimes for when I'm planning to got o different planes for protection purposes.

[Echo_of_shadows]

When I started on this path, I was working with a coven. Upon my initiation, I was required to choose a magickal first, middle and last name. If you think one name is hard to choose, three is worse. I haven't gone by my full magickal name since leaving the group. When I do bother to use it, I just shorten it down to the first 2 initials and the last name.
So, I am KM Angelwood.
That's the name I have written on everything, but I've also used my screen name here as kind of a second magickal name. I've actually grown quite found of being Echo of Shadows. I actually prefer Echo since I no longer associate with anyone from my former coven, but I still use KM Angelwood for sentimental reasons.
Your going to find as many opinions on magickal names as there are people that follow pagan paths. They are recommended for both solitaries and coven members alike. But there's nothing that is set in stone as to whether or not you have to have one. I think it kind of comes down to psycho drama. Wearing ritual clothing and using ritual tools is supposed to put you into a different mindset than that which you are in during the mundane part of your life. Once you put on the robe and start waving the wand, you mind is in the right place for magickal work. Going from calling yourself Jane Doe to calling yourself Lady Emerald helps ease yourself into the magickal mindset. It's not a necessity, just an aid.
I hope this helps.

[lliae]

Thanks folks

[MsMollimizz]

I've been a solitary witch most of my life...
About 7 years ago I was pleased to meet another pagan
in my area ! After a time, we decided we'd check out
a coven. We both were going thru the "classes" so that
we would know the happenings of the coven. After
awhile I had a gray-out during one of the classes, she
decided if I can't focus all the time I didn't need to be
in her coven. My friend stayed and became part of them
for awhile until attitudes over-ran popular votes and
she left. During the classes we were required to use
a craft name...I did not give them my original craft
name but I did create a new one to use there.
I don't know what others have heard o read, but I
believe your craft name is only between you and
your Deity...
So, what do other's believe ?
Gentle Light
MsMollimizz
P.S. This is what I get for letting a kid do it, can't even tell
there are lightening bolts at the bottom in blue !

[Airelinn]

When I began experimenting in the Craft as a teenager with a friend, we both took on names. Tbh, I don't remember the exact reason, but it was his suggestion and we had a lot of freetime in class hehe. I think part of it for us, was so that people might not trace a note or spell back to us if we left it in a classroom or dropped it. We lived in a real small, conservative town, and had been called into the principal's office to be lectured about black magic and Satan whole the principal kept his hand on his bible the while time to protect himself from our voodoo. True story.

Oonyhoo, I still use it as a pen name, but anymore it's really more out of affection and because I've come to identify with another side of myself when referencing it. Since it's become a huge part of me (or maybe always was) it's not for protection from the spiritual realm. If anything, since it's a name I gave myself I'd feel like it was much more vulnerable.

[Edit for typo hehe]

[Foxface]

Well instead of starting a new thread. How do you know when you've come upon the name for you? Do you feel it inside when you strike the right chord so to speak?

[DebDebTheCrazyCatLady]

Thanks so much for the lessons as well as the thoughts. I will give each response some time to ponder. I do agree it has to be from the inner spirit . Blessed Be