What’s in a name? Although Shakespeare said that a rose by any other name would smell just as sweet, in the Wiccan practice, it’s common to choose a “magickal name” once you become Wiccan. In this article, we’ll discuss what a magickal name is, how you choose one, and the significance of choosing a Craft name.
What is a Craft Name?
Simply put, a Craft name is a name that you choose when you start practicing Wicca. Choosing a Craft name gives you the opportunity to choose a name that resonates with your spirit. There are different ways to choose a Craft name, which we’ll explore in a minute. In some Craft traditions, the High Priestess of the coven will give you a Craft name. However, there’s no real “hard and fast” rule when it comes to Craft names. Personally, I think that choosing your Craft name is something very personal that you should choose yourself.
How Do I Choose a Craft Name?
Choosing a Craft name can be done a number of different ways. Whatever method (or methods) you use, you should make sure that your Craft name is something that resonates within you. After all, this is your chance to choose a name that represents who you are and what you believe. There is no right or wrong way to choose a Craft name. Here are a couple of methods that may help you.
Method 1: Meditate. Meditation helps you connect with your spirit guides and, perhaps most importantly, connect with yourself. Spend some time in meditation and focus specifically on what your Craft name should be. Many times, your Craft name will “just come to you,” and you’ll know whether or not that name resonates with you.
Method 2: Use your birth number. In his book “Buckland’s Complete Book of Witchcraft,” Raymond Buckland talks about using Numerology to determine your birth name. To determine your birth number, add all the digits up in your date of birth (so, if you were born on October 31, 1955, you would add 1+0+3+1+1+9+5+5. This would give you 25. Then, add 2+5, which would give you your birth number, 7).
Every letter of the alphabet has a number associated with it in Numerology. See the table below for how it is mapped out.
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
|
A |
B |
C |
D |
E |
F |
G |
H |
I |
|
J |
K |
L |
M |
N |
O |
P |
Q |
R |
|
S |
T |
U |
V |
W |
X |
Y |
Z |
|
Buckland states that you should find a name that, when you add the values for each letter together, should equal your birth number. Using our example above, “WILLIAM” would match the number 7 because 5+9+3+3+9+1+4 = 34 and 3+4 = 7.
If this sounds complicated, that’s because it is. But this method isn’t a required method, so don’t feel overwhelmed by the prospect of having to do a bunch of math to choose your name.
I chose my Craft name back in 2012 when I began practicing. I researched several different names that had meanings that resonated with me. For instance, “Varick” which is German and means “leader who defends.” I also considered “Marius” which is a pagan name that refers to the Roman God of Mars.
A few years later, when I became familiar with Buckland’s method, I added up the values of my Craft name, and it equaled my birth number! So even though I didn’t know about the Numerology method when I chose the name, it served as a confirmation that the name I chose was the right choice.
Do I HAVE TO Choose a Name?
No, you do not. If the idea of choosing a Craft name isn’t something that appeals to you, then there’s nothing wrong with deciding NOT to choose one. You can always choose one later on down the road if you change your mind.
Some people choose to keep their Craft name a secret, using it only when they are performing private rituals. Others only reveal it to a select few (such as your coven members if you’re part of a coven). And others use it openly, such as Silver RavenWolf and other well-known Wiccan authors. The choice, again, is entirely up to you.
Personally, only my Wiccan mother and my best friend know my Craft name. Outside of that, the only time I use my Craft name is during my own rituals. I believe that invoking my Craft name during rituals provides me with an extra boost of confidence and self-assurance. My Craft name differentiates me from who I am inside my ritual circle versus who I am outside my ritual circle. It doesn’t mean I’m two different people; it simply means that I have a certain mindset while performing my rituals.
Best of luck to you as you set out on your path to determine your Craft name! Blessed Be!
