How I Chose My Magickal Name

I finally decided to find my magickal name. It’s common for pagans to take a second name, especially those who work in a coven or any kind of magickal group. I am just a solitary, but since I owned a shop and have a bit of an Internet presence, I felt a need to identify myself.

My first exploration into having an ‘alternate identity’ began more than a decade ago. I was into the BBS scene and liked to chat (Bulletin Board Systems were sort of a pre-internet). My very first online name was Nightmare. No particular reason why, but it stuck and it felt comfortable. I would probably still be using the name today if it weren’t for a small incident a few years ago. I switched ISPs and I had to pick a new login name. But it had to be 8 characters or less. That eliminated Nightmare.

I was desperate for a new name so I could start my new ISP account, so I chose the name of one of my cats. Charlie didn’t seem quite right, so I went with Spook. I have been known as Spook now for many years, but it always felt temporary. It was an Internet name, but not a name that reflected who I was in a spiritual sense.

So eventually, I decided it was time for a new name. I had always hoped the right name would somehow miraculously manifest itself. Nothing happened, so I had to start looking.

A favoured way to find your name is by meditation. Allowing your inner consciousness to bring a name to you. This method wouldn’t work for me because my hectic lifestyle doesn’t allow for much meditation time. Another way of finding your name is choosing elements that represent the kind of person you are, or perhaps the person you’d like to be. This allows for your creativity to take charge.

I didn’t want a ‘typical’ name with Silver or Moon in it. Everything I thought of seemed cliched or over-done. In desperation, I tried several variations of Spook. My favorite was Spookabella, Hag of the Under-realms. Certainly unique, but it still didn’t suit me. Perhaps when I've entered my crone-time. I also tried Spelf, being short of Spook-Elf. Nope.

I borrowed a great book (“Complete Book of Magical Names” by Phoenix McFarland) and hoped it would have some answers. Besides discussing all the reasons for taking a name, and different methods for finding one, there are all sorts of great lists to choose from. Lists of various deity names from different cultures, names from mythology and literature. Along with meanings, it gave me much to think about.

After some reading, I began to despair that nothing would suit me. And then, kablam. One name spoke to me.

“Pythia - Serpent goddess, feminine mystery”

I mulled over the name for a while, then searched the Internet to see what else I could find. I was pleasantly surprised to find more on Pythia. She was the priestess and prophetess at the Oracle of Delphi. That sealed the deal for me. (It's pronounced pie-THEE-a).

When choosing your name, don’t allow yourself to be limited by convention. Trees, stones, animals, colours, planets and even herbs all offer ideas that you can use. There is no right or wrong name, nor any right or wrong way to find it.