WITCH'S NAMES
by Elder Miz
Choosing a Witch Name for yourself can be very difficult and many people seem lost on where to begin. The name itself, however, usually seems to be resting with you without your awareness, and 'feeling it out' is more of the challenge than anything. There are many ways to go about finding your name or coming up with one that fits. Below I have developed a scheme for those in need of help.
* Note: Your Birth Name can be your Witch Name as well, you do not need to continue the process if you feel your Birth Name also represent you as a Witch. The following process is for those who feel their Birth Name does not represent them as a Witch and/or is not suitable for their faith or witching practices.
FINDING IMAGES/FEELINGS OF YOUR NAME
Below are some methods of gathering particles of your inner self to eventually put together into your name, or perhaps the name will present itself outright within your search. The point of the following activities is to gather objects, beings, and/or feelings that present themselves. You should keep a notebook handy in which to jot them down for future reference in putting them together. You can try one or all of the following activities, as comfortablility is key here.
Meditation
Spend an hour or so a day for at least a week meditating on yourself. Meditate on your 'inner being', your personality and why it is the way it is, your joys and disappointments, your loves and hates, your reasoning for the person you are today, the symbolic life you take on during dreams or spellcrafting, etc...You should see or feel objects, beings, and/or feelings to jot down and have a decent collection by the end of the week.
Mirror Scrying
In the same manner listed above, scry with your mirror (we recommend clear mirrors for beginners) to obtain the objects, beings, and/or feelings you are questing for. Yet again, you should have a nice collection by the end of one week. Take longer if you need it, especially for beginners, so you can find the appropriate name for you.
Spirit Board Scrying
Some people may find that communicating with spirits or their subconscious within a divination device such as the Spirit Board/Oujia Board is the best answer for them. For this, you will need a companion to equal out your energies, and it is a possibility that the end result will not be as good as one chosen without this method, as you CANNOT use this device alone. However, if you feel this is the method that is best for you, you should be able to come up with things you may not find elsewhere, such as; name you had in past lifetimes, creatures you may have been, ways you have died or sentances you have served, etc. You may want to do this only one night, or over again until you have a decent list. Within this method, you may find your name without even needing the below formula.
Tarot Reading
If you are skilled in this divination practice, you may be able to obtain alot of answers from the Tarot. I suggest a 3-card reading in which you concentrate on your faith and ask the cards for that which relates to the witch in you. Pull 3 cards and read them as 3 main factors of your 'Witch Personality'. Note the pictures on the cards as well as the meanings themselves, as this can be a key in what you need to obtain.
Spanning the Globe
You may find that you feel especially close to or drawn to a specific country or culture, even those you may not be an ancestor of. If so, this is an excellent way to reach your name. Look up the deities home to the area, creatures and/or plants, remnents of the ancient cultures, languages, and so on. Jot down the things that stick out to you in your notebook.
General Thought
If the above methods aren't up your alley, or as an extra way of reaching inside yourself, simply take some time somewhere private where you won't be distracted and lose yourself in thought. Decide on objects, beings, and/or feelings simply by reaching inside yourself and pulling out the best of you. Below is a list you can write out yourself for the easiest way of gaining your name.
1. What makes you happy when nothing else can?
2. What animal do you feel your soul takes on in dreams or magic?
3. What piece of nature (such as weather, plants, flowers...) do you feel you represent?
4. What mystical influences do you feel apart of?
5. What deity do you feel you represent?
6. What "feeling" do you feel you represent?
PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
After you have compiled a list of objects, beings, and or feelings that are apart of you, your soul, and your spirit, now you can more easily sort through the pieces and create your appropriate name. It is important that you remember that your name is that which the deities, worldly planes, and magic in general will be shown to know you as. Putting together your name in some faiths is a magical event in which others may be present, celebrations be had, and perhaps even a group ritual taking place. This is not neccesary, however, and in no way affects the power and influence of your name. A simple day at home pondering is just as good. Unless you feel you need a specific event, do not fret if you cannot insert them into this process. Putting it all together is normally an easy event, as the hard part is coming up with the actual items themselves. Be at ease while you go over your notes, have a cup of your favorite beverage and perhaps even curl yourself up into your favorite chair.
How do I know what fits?
This is not an easy method to decribe, but perhaps with the following example it will be more clear:
Let's say you have jotted down the following:
Wolf
The Color Grey
Isis
Roses
Kindness
Rain
Now hopefully your list is bigger, but this will do will for my example and the items shown above are actually quite common and you may find them on your list. This is NOT bad, common items can actually draw you closer to other Witches with a similar symbol in their name.
Now you can try putting these together...say them in your head while you do so.
"RoseWolf, GreyRain, GreyWolf, IsisRain..."
You can start finding a pattern of that that rests inside you. You should be aware of what sends a spark inside you, as this may mean that name or segmant is right for you.
You can also remember languages, cultures, and surnames into this process. Such as: if you feel drawn to Spanish Cultures, have found that you have been a mother in many lifetimes and are fond of this, and feel represented by the rose- you may find the name "Madre Rosa" is your Witch's Name. In another example: Many faiths title their gods & goddesses with the surname 'Lord' or 'Lady' and believe adding this to your name draws you closer to the deities you worship and/or brings out your own inner god/goddess. So as to the example list, you could decide on "Lord GreyWolf" or "Lady Rain Wolf".
Now lets go more in-depth about the 'feelings' you may have jotted down. As noted in the above example, you jotted down 'kindness". Let's say you really feel that needs to be incorporated into your name but "Lady Kindness" or "Kindness Wolf" does not strike that spark inside you. Most 'feelings' will need to be manipulated in a way that fits into your name. For example: 'Kindness' can represent 'Kind', 'Charity', 'Forgiving', 'Gentle', etc. So you can from there create such as "Lady Charity", "Charity Rain", "Lord WolfKind", etc...
ASKING FOR HELP
The above information should be enough to help you find your Witch's Name, however, asking for help from others is not too much to ask. Friends, family, Coven Members, etc, may be able to finish the task.
I have given many Witches their names, WMC Members and others, and will help those who are in dire need and have tried the above methods themselves. If you have tried and simply cannot settle on a name, you may email witchesmagicalcircle@yahoo.com with "For Miz-Witch's Name" in the subject line. I will then send you a questionaire I have developed for my interpretations and will study it when I recieve it back. PLEASE do not send me an email if you do not desperately need my help, as I am always very busy with WMC and my personal life. I am happy to help when I can, but should not be distracted from other work for WMC for those who do not really need me.
*Update - Elder Miz is currently unable to fill these requests. There has still been an overload of them and we need to give her a break to catch up. If you have already sent this request and have yet to receive a response, you may email us again. It is possible some of these requests were lost.
GOOD LUCK IN YOUR JOURNIES!