Magical Names & Numerology

When someone has completed a year and a day of intensive study and practice, it is customary to take on a magical name when you perform an initiation ceramony. This name should be a personal reflection of you. Some new Witches choose a name of a Goddess or God that they feel reflects who they are, what they strive for or a deity that they feel strongly drawn to. Most Witches feel very strongly that one shouldn't presume to take on the name of a Goddess or God, as they are basically saying they embody everything that God/dess stands for. And logically speaking, we aren't God/desses. That being said,  I highly recommend that you don't.

Many chose the name of a totem animal, while others simply find one that they just feel is right for them. Once you have chosen a name, the only people who should know what it is, is your coven mates. If you don't belong to a coven, then no one should know your magickal name but you. Under no circumstances should it be revealed to anyone. No going around to your friends and telling them what it is so you can hear them tell you how cool it sounds. That's just stupid. Your magical name is meant to be revieled only to the deities you work with during magick and mundane rituals...period. This is how they will know you, and if you're in a coven, how they too, will know you. But that's it. If you''ve already told people your secret magickal name, I suggest you keep it as an internet handle, and choose a different magickal name immediately. Make sure that you let the dieites you work with know what your new name is.
 

Some go one step further, and make sure that their new name is numerically correct for them. This is done through numerology. To find your birth number and thus find if your name is numerically correct, use the following popular guide line.
 

The reason that some Witches like to match their birth number with their name is because your birth number does not change. Therefor when your name matches your birth number you are aligning yourself with that same unchanging vibration; the vibration of the moment you chose to be born. Choosing a name using the number system is not required. Some do, some don't. I personally find it too constricting, but you may feel differently about it. It is also good to keep in mind that once you have chosen a name, it does not have to be your name for life. Some find that they out grow there name and no longer feel comfortable with it. You can change your name as often as you feel is necessary. Your name can also be more than one name. For example, my internet name  is Celeste Moondancer. That's 2 words. You can make yours as long or short as you wish. To a list of a few of the well known Goddesses and Gods along with a brief description of them click here.