Magical name and shadows we hide behind-

One reason people get into witchcraft and paganism is because the word Witch or even Wiccan is a title. It gives the viewer a sense of belonging. A sense of being a part of something. That fills a gap in their sense of identity. It's a bit like saying I'm a knight or I'm a lord but only not so extravagant. But perhaps it makes them feel a part of something?

Normally witches have to wait a year and a day before they are allowed to even be called witches. And when they do fully become indicated they have to have a initiation ceremony. And that is when they are allowed to choose a magical name for themselves. A magical name is a bit like a nickname that other members of the craft call them by. Sometimes a person can have two magical names. One their friends know them by, and one they keep to themselves or that only them and the gods know. The second one is a lot more personal then the other one. And you don't have to initiated to have a magical name, anyone can have one!

Let me say a bit about how I know myself in the craft. Many years ago before I got into paganism I was known by the name Wolf. Silver Wolf, right?

Though more recently on a pagan site. I started referring to myself as Never Song and then I changed it to Blackbird. I felt quite inclined to chose a dark name for myself then. Because I felt that reflected my inner pain. I mean many others on the site had pretty bright sort of names. Like Summer Tide or something? And I chose Never Song, not the brightest of the lot...

And what gave me the idea for the name? Never Song was because 'never' sounded like the nether world. Which is another name for the astral plains. Which is also known as the other world. Also think of Peter Pan? Some Never Land? Never Song. A song is beautiful, but never is Never? Weird?

Only soon changed it to Black Bird. But why Black Bird? Well, Blackbird was actually the name of the character in my novel a work in progress - believe it or not. I can closely relate to crows and ravens. Only there were so many names by other pagans Raven this, or raven that? I thought choose something a bit different?

Also one thing that separate's a black bird from a crow is that a blackbird is more dignified. Smart and on first thought looks more intelligent then a crow. Don't get me wrong - crows are intelligent in their own way! But I felt a black bird suits my personality more...

Also I can strongly relate to ravens in my craft, I even got a raven altar where I specially focus on psychic work. And also where I do inner shadow work. That is an altar especially devoted to ravens with bunch of feathers on the table and even a dried out actual crow's wing next to it. Ok, and some Halloween decorations. Including a fake scull.

One of my favorite looks when I do rituals is dressed in a black sari when war paint on my face, resembling the image of a raven. And most days I do often come across ravens or similar types of birds. There's even some nesting down our garden by our house. Somehow when I go outside the crows always seem to take an interest in me, looking in my direction. Also crows seem somehow rejected like loners and outcasts. Which I have felt like at times in the past.

Also I work with the god Apollo as my main patron. And he'd associated with crows.

I even at one point did a bit of pop culture paganism and created a god called The Raven God. Whom I also called the Lord of many Gateways. Who is depicted as - guess what! - a raven. And I sort of see The Raven God as another depiction of Hades.

But there's other gods also associated with crows there's Morrigan and Odin. Both of which I also worked with for a short time.

But going back to the part about identity, finding who you are can be hard. I always had it, I looked in the mirror from when I was a toddler up until now. And when I look into my eyes I think- 'I can't believe he's me?'

Before coming up for a name for yourself, I suggest you first do some digging. And do some inner shadow work. Keeping a journal can be helpful. Even if it's a journal on your phone, do some inner digging, express your inner pain. write poems. Then after a while before choosing your magical name, looking back through it and the style of your writing might give you hints about what to call yourself. Sometimes the first thing or name that comes to your mind is the right one? And if you're still stuck you could look up a fantasy name generator on the internet. And see if you might be able to get one or two hints from that?

Doing a deep meditation is another way. Sometimes when we meditate, we see things under the surface. You might even see an image during it. Like of an autumn tree with leaves falling off it. Which you might able to weave into your name. Your dreams are another way.

You could even ask the gods to give you a sign. And you might even be blessed to be given a magical name by the gods. You never know, if you're lucky!

If you are into shamanic journeying you could do a journey and your power animal for any hints on a magical name.

Oracle cards or forms of divination. You could say something like, 'What should I call my magical name?' Keep a card, see what you get...And use that as inspiration. There's even a method, I won't go into here, of choosing a magical name by means of numerology.

And one way, if you're feeling brave enough to try this is try something called 'eye scrying. Which is the same as scrying. Only it's done by looking into your own eyes in a mirror. Only it's a bit more intimidating, I find, than normal scrying. As you might also see dark parts of yourself that are closed off. Though it's a good way of getting to know yourself better. Just as one says - the eyes are the gateway to the soul. You can see a lot from looking into someone's eyes...

I'll finish with the point about something called Archetypes. What's an archetype? Well, the god or the goddess is a bit like an archetype.

Think of looking into a diamond, the diamond has my facets. It's the same diamond, but each of the rough edges of the diamond are different. Just as there are many ways of viewing the goddess, there are many ways of viewing ourselves.

For example there's the lover aspect of the goddess, there's the warrior side. The light side, the dark side. The trickster side. The crone side. And it's viewed the same way with the Divine Masculine as well as the Divine Feminine.

I knew straight away when I became a pagan that I could feel myself and relate to myself as a Warrior pagan. As I could relate to the warrior side of the god and goddess. Which soon became a part of my practice. Which was when I took up practicing sword work with a martial art sword in the garden. And that was my way of connecting with the Divine!

Let me ask you a question: What's your way of connecting with the Divine? What part of the god and goddess do you most relate to? Before choosing a magical name, it's probably best to answer that question first. And magical names don't have to stay the same all through our life. Just as time moves on we change. And so does the earth.

Ideas for names- Robin Lock. Taken from Loki, and perhaps Robin Hood.

Oaken. Relating to the Green Man or an oak tree.

Phoenix rising- relating to working with the element of fire.

Or mad cat could work?

It's your name - you decide!

Blessings- Silverwolf