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~Random Craft Names~

The Random Craft Name Generator:

80% of all Craft names are made up of the same thirty words. Combined in various ways this principle allows you to make the once difficult task of creating craft names easy.

To use the generator take either 2 or 3 of the following words (using any convenient randomising method, including personal preference). If you take 2, simply run them together; if you take 3, one of the words becomes the first part of the name, and the other 2 are combined to form the second.

The Random Craft Name Generator

Wolf	Raven	Silver	Moon	Star	Water
Snow	Tree	Wind	Cloud	Witch	Thorn
Sea	Black	Green	Fire	Rowan	Swan
Leaf	Mist	Hawk	Sky	Eagle	Song
White	Sun	Bear	Willow	Amber	Crystal
Night	Red	Feather	Storm	Owl

How do you find your magical name?

There are many approaches. Some Wiccans adopt the name of a Goddess or God, in honour of Them. Others look into their family's cultural history and choose a name from the associated folklore: a person with British ancestry may opt for a name culled from British folklore. Many contemporary American Wiccans incorporate an animal in their name, such as "Howling Wolf" or "Eagle Gray Wolf".

Flower and plant names such as (Rose, Oak Keeper, Grove, Fir, or Ash) are other possibilities. You may also simply make up a name. Many Wiccan names consist of two words that have been put together. Such names are usually quite descriptive.
Some famous Wiccan names have been published. Gerald Gardner (one of the people who formed Wicca into the religion as we know it today) publicly used the name Scire.

At least one of Doreen Valiente's magical names was Ameth. A well-known High Priest adopted the public Craft name of Phoenix.

Still other popular names include:

Morgan, Morgana, Morgaine, Morgraine, Lugh and Arthur (all associated with Celtic mythology); Ariadne, Diana, Hermes, Poseidon, Cassandra and Triton (Greek and Roman mythology): Selket, Ma'at, Osiris and other Egyptian names. Among the most commonly used names are Amber, Phoenix and Merlin. Calling out one of these names at a Pagan gathering will usually cause many heads to turn. So there are plenty of possibilities from which to choose. If you decide to use a Wiccan name in ritual, always use it. Use it in prayer. Use it in rituals. Write it, in runes or in English, on your tools. You may even wish to perform some sort of name-adoption ritual. This could consist of casting a circle and invoking the Goddess and God to be present and asking Them to recognise you by your new name. Use of a Craft name may not give you any additional power, but it's a traditional practice, and many enjoy it.

The Taking of a Craft Name:

The ceremonial bestowing of such a name upon the initiate is a part of many initiation ceremonies. Afterwards, the new Wiccan is usually exclusively called by this name within the circle.
Magical names are quite popular among Wiccans, so popular in fact, that many Wiccans have 2 or even 3 such names.

1. A public Craft name (used at Wiccan gatherings, when writing articles and so on).
2. A secret name (the one bestowed during initiation)
3. Perhaps a third name which is only used when addressing the Goddess and God, and is only known to Them and the Wiccan.

Wiccans who are members of more than one tradition may have different names for each group. For many Wiccans, taking a new name is an outward symbol of her or his devotion to Wicca. It's seen as a part of the process of rebirth into the religion.
Throughout history, names have been given considerable magical importance. A spirit's name had to be known before it could be exorcised from a sick person in ancient Sumer, Babylon and Assyria. In Hawaii, babies were given revolting names in infancy to guard them from molestation from evil during their early, vulnerable years. A more fitting name was given to the child when she or he reached a certain age and was less susceptible to the wiles of evil spirits. In some cultures, mothers will bestow a secret name on their children. This 'real' name, unknown to anybody but the mother, protects the child. The common name by which he or she is called has no power over them. In our own country, numerology is used to discover the power of our names and many people change their names to advance in their careers.
With all this importance attached to names, it's not difficult to understand why many Wiccans use Craft names. To cut to the heart of this matter: is it necessary for you to adopt a Wiccan name? If you wish your Wicca to correspond to conventional Wicca as far as possible, yes. If you feel freer than these constraints, adoption of a special name isn't necessary. Once again, the decision is yours alone.
The major reason for utilising a Craft name, as mentioned above, is that it represents the Wiccan you. For some, use of this name gives them a sense of power and mystery which they may otherwise not feel. We live in such a mundane world that it can indeed be difficult to "switch on" the magical side of our nature. Thus, use of a Wiccan name may assist in altering the conscious mind and preparing it for ritual.
Some people take an entirely different approach: they legally adopt their Wiccan name. This may even appear on driver's licenses, leases and other documents. This legal avenue is unadvisable unless you're completely open about your religion, since such a name will naturally draw attention to its bearer. Though many state that they've chosen to use their new name to the exclusion of the old one purely for spiritual reasons, most are also making a public statement regarding their religion - and not all of us are ready for such a step.

Craft Names

To leave the old personality behind and to show the world your new self, you may want to choose a craft name. This name should reflect your personal values. There are several ways to find a Craft Name. Visualization is a way you can find yours. Use the image of the Goddess in her Maiden form. She is Spring, sometimes known as the Huntress, a fresh beginning, a continuation of life, and rebirth. Although she is young we may call on her at all stages of our life.

You may cast a circle using a pastel colored candle to represent the maiden or you may conduct this meditation anywhere without the use of candles.

Find an area which will be free from interruption, sit in a comfortable position and allow your feet to touch the floor. Place your hands in your lap and close your eyes.

Visualize a white light coming toward you. The light positions itself over your head. See the light get stronger.

The light slowly envelopes your head and shoulders. The light gets brighter and moves lower. It gets brighter and covers you completely.

Breathe slow and steady. Relax your body starting with the muscles of your face. Release the tension in your neck, shoulders, arms and hands. Feel the muscles of your abdomen, buttocks and legs relax. When you are totally relaxed, move on to the visualization.

It is near midnight. A full moon is in the sky tonight. See yourself walking along a path in the woods. All around you are trees. As you walk you can hear the whispers on the light breeze which flows through their branches.

The path is clear and well marked, as if followed for many years. The light from the moon is so bright it penetrates the leaves of all the trees around you. In the distance up ahead, you see a clearing where the moon shines bright.

You continue walking until you reach the edge of the clearing. In the middle of the clearing you see a well. You walk toward the well, then stand beside it.

It is an ancient well, with worn stones covered in a beautiful green moss. You look into the well and see how deep it is. You feel all of the days problems, worries and negative emotions fall into the darkness of the well. And now, you feel relaxed.

At your feet you see a small bird jumping and chattering excitedly as if to get your attention. Now you realize he is wanting you to follow him, so you follow as he leads you to the opposite side of the clearing to a hill.

There you find a vine that grows from the top of the hill and hangs down covering what looks like part of a door. You can see part of an iron handle.

You push the vines away to reveal an old oak door. The hinges are made of iron, old and rusty, but were once very ornate. You pull on the handle of the door.

A little dirt from the top of the door drifts down in front of you and the door slowly opens. As you step inside and wait for your eyes to adjust, you notice two torches positioned on both sides of the door.

You slowly select one of the torches and head down the wide tunnel made of stone. As you slowly walk down the tunnel you hear a creaking behind you.

You turn and see the door closing. You turn back to the tunnel and walk on. The light of the torch is bright and lights your way. You do not feel frightened, and as you progress into the tunnel you think of the Maiden, the Huntress, and her strength.

You know if something should happen she will be with you. The tunnel curves one way, then another. There are smaller tunnels that branch off, but you know your path is to follow this main tunnel. You hear the barking of dogs deeper in the tunnel.

You know you are protected by the Maiden and are not afraid. You see reflections and glimmers of light ahead. Voices, footsteps and laughter follow the light. You walk forward to meet whoever is there.

The barking and laughter are louder. You see the light from torches being held by others, but can't make out who they are. When you are close enough, you see a group of men and women dressed in white robes. All are carrying torches. The leader is a woman, tall and muscular.

She wears a short white robe and has a bow and quiver over her shoulders. Her hair is tied back. She wears hunting boots. An owl perches on her right wrist. The hounds are barking and jumping around you as the Maiden stops in front of you. She asks you to follow her.

All but one of the group turn back in the direction they came. This companion links arms with you and coaxes you on. You all follow the Maiden into the tunnel.

You find the tunnel has widened so much it is now a circular room. In the center of this room is a fountain. The water from the fountain bubbles up then flows down into a shallow depression in the floor. The curving of the wall is followed by benches that surround you and the rest of the group. As you set your torches into holders on the wall, you notice the circular wall is covered with bright murals and elaborate carvings.

You walk slowly around the chamber. The scenes on the murals touch something deep in you. The pictures of the forest, the animals, ritual scenes, dancing and music making, all seem to have stirred a feeling of magick and mystery.

One of the companions points to the fountain. The Maiden stands beside the depression filled with water. You walk to toward her. She smiles gently and asks you if you have any questions. You tell her that you want to find a craft name, but have had no luck searching.

She points to the spring and asks if you are ready for initiation. You remove the clothes you are wearing and step into the water. The Maiden picks up a white ceramic pitcher and dips it into the water. She slowly pours water over you, filling the pitcher several times.

The Maiden and her companions sing and chant as the water runs down your body. She blesses you and kisses you on the forehead. You feel your third eye pulsate and become active, and then you dress.

The Maiden tells you the answer you seek, may come to you in a dream or in other forms. The Maiden and her companions lead you back up the tunnel. The journey back is shorter. As you get nearer the door, the group stops and bids you farewell.

They turn back toward the central chamber. You replace the torch in its holder and push the door open.

The Moon welcomes you back to the clearing. You take three slow deep breaths and return to your present surrounding. For a moment you remain quiet, absorbing your experience.

Contemplating on the message which the Maiden spoke, be aware, for messages and answers may come from unlikely places, people, or in dreams.

Important Announcement The MSN Groups service will close in February 2009. You can move your group to Multiply, MSN’s partner for online groups. Learn More
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