📛 Weekly Witchy CHALLENGE - Magickal Names

[BryWisteria]

Welcome!

Thank you once again to everyone who joined in for the previous Weekly Witchy Challenge - It’s Time for Time Magick

Although the clock has stopped for that challenge, it’s time to step up and introduce a brand new theme. One where the spotlight is on… YOU!

The theme for this week’s challenge was suggested by the lovely @Medea and is…

Magickal Names

A magickal name (also called “witch name”) is a name chosen by a witch to represent themselves in relation to their practice. They may use this name publically, within their magickal community, when working with deities or spirits, or keep it personal to themselves.

Some witches choose a magickal name when they complete their Initiation while others choose to let a name develop or find them when they feel they are ready. Some decide to change their magickal name to reflect their current interests, while others may choose not to take on a magickal name at all.

At the end of the day, a magickal name is a personal choice that can represent you and your practice. When, how, and whether or not to take on a magickal name are completely up to the individual witch!

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This week’s challenge is all about exploring the concept of magickal names- but as always, how you do so is up to you!

So are you ready? Because it’s…

CHALLENGE TIME!

Picture from 375 Witch Names (That You Will Love)

STEP 1 : Exploring Magickal Names

This challenge is all about magickal names- but just like choosing a name, how you choose to take on this theme is up to you!

Still not sure where to begin? To help you get started, here are a few ways in which a witch might approach this challenge…

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For those who are searching for a magickal name…

Have you felt drawn to claiming a magickal name for yourself? This is a great opportunity to begin or buckle down on your search!

For a solid introduction to magickal names and how to begin finding one for yourself, check out this helpful guide:

How to Choose Your Magickal Name

From there, you might begin collecting things that are meaningful to you. Pull out your Book of Mirrors or other Witch Journal and start making a list of symbols, sigils, deities, words, topics, animals, items, and more. This list can help you find any trends or key themes that could lead you to a great name!

Some Journal Prompts to help get your creativity flowing:

→ Do you have a favorite crystal, herb, or animal?
→ Do you identify as a certain type of witch?
→ Is there a particular path or tradition you follow (it could be spiritual, religious, or otherwise)?
→ Are there any deities, spirits, or higher powers that you work with?
→ Is there a magickal color that you relate to or want to embody?

Please don’t feel rushed in finding your magickal name! This challenge is simply about exploring the concept- you do NOT have to find a magickal name this week in order to succeed at this challenge. Enjoy your search and know that you will find your name when the time is right!

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For those who have already found a magickal name…

If you are comfortable doing so, please feel free to share your magickal name and the story of how you came to find it (or how it found you)

You might reminisce on how you choose the name you did, offer tips or advice to those who are still looking for a name to connect with, or perhaps reflect on how your magickal name represents you as a person/your unique magickal path

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For those whom a magickal name isn’t for them…

Not every witch chooses to take on a magickal name (and that’s perfectly fine!). If you have chosen to not pursue a magickal name for any reason, feel free to share why that is!

For this challenge, you might consider sharing the other ways you like to represent yourself and your practice. What things (be it items, deities, symbols, sigils, etc) represent you?

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… And More!

The suggestions above are just that- simple suggestions! If you feel called to explore magickal names in another way, please feel free to do so!

As always, all witches are encouraged to embrace their own unique practice with how they explore the theme

Witch Name Generator from Pinterest

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STEP 2 : Share Your Experience

Click here for notes about challenge inclusivity

Everyone is welcome to join the challenge by practicing magick in line with the current theme. For lurkers and those who don’t feel comfortable sharing, it is absolutely okay to follow along with the challenge but keep your entry personal. Feel free to join in spirit and do what feels most comfortable for you!

That being said, please know that if you would like to receive a prize and a public shout-out, it is required that you share your experience.

Getting Your Credit

In order for your entry to be counted, all you have to do is write/share about your experience and label it as your challenge entry. There is a lot of chatting here (which is awesome- chatting and discussion are very welcome!) so please clearly write that it is your entry so I know to count it!

Where Should I Share My Entry?

Click here for instructions on where to share your entry

You are welcome to post it right here- just click “reply” to this post and write your experience in the text box that pops up!

Alternatively, you could create a new thread in the forum (doing so keeps your entry separate and is a good option if you have a lot to share)

Note : If you do choose to create a new thread, please add the “challenge-entry” tag and/or add a hyperlink back to this post so that it can be easily found- thank you!

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Deadline

This challenge will close in 6 DAYS

To join in, please share your experience by:

Tuesday, January 17 at 7:00 AM CET (Central European Time)
( Time Converter: 2023-01-17T06:00:00Z)

(Note that the time zone is CET- if you don’t see your time displayed above, you can use this time zone calculator to check for your time zone!)

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Prizes

For their efforts, all participants will receive a special shout-out and a small prize!

Acknowledgments will be given in a Props and Presents Post that will appear in the forums on Tuesday.

After the challenge closes, you are still very welcome to post but please be aware that no additional prizes will be given. This discussion will remain open for about a week after the challenge finishes.

Picture from How to Choose Your Witch Name

A warm reminder that all challenges are designed to be very open- everyone is encouraged to participate in a way that honors and reflects their unique practice

If you have any doubts about if something is acceptable to post or say, please double-check with the Forum FAQ and/or reach out to your friendly Moderator Team .

And for those new to challenges- welcome! Know that the goal of these activities is to help you further diversify and strengthen your abilities and to bring together the Spells8 forum family to inspire and support one another in creative ways

Picture from Pixabay

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A name is a symbol, something to tell who is who,
It can be many things that define the great you!
So may your name be a home in which you reside,
May it be something you can wear with great pride.
Like a light in the dark that leads you true-
May your name represent what makes you you!

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Blessed Be!

[Solasta_Amore]

Ooooh AMAZING theme @Medea!! I am sooo excited for this one! It seems like I am feeling magic running in my blood just by reading this challenge! And woow…A Magickal Name for Me!? I seldom thought about it. But now it seems like the perfect occassion to conjure up a name for myself in my magick cauldron! I must say, I am very soon coming back with my entry!! Also, I wanted to share my magical name according to the Witch Name Generator with you all ( it’s not my entry! ) It is - ‘Blessed Enchantress’

[Kasandra]

Thankfully, this week’s challenge is simple. I’ll have to write about how I chose my magickal name.

[Solasta_Amore]

@Kasandra We would loove to know your magickal tale!

[Cosmic_Curiosity]

Challenge Entry

I will admit that I didn’t know such a thing as a magical name or witch name even existed until recently. I used to see things on social media with words next to letters where you choose the letters matching your fore and surname. I always did these just for fun. I never took it seriously in all honesty.

Spells, magic and working with the deities have become a massive part of my life over the past few months… but at the same time, they are just that… PART of my life. They are part of what makes me who i am…Alan. I feel that rather than have a name which highlights this part of me, this part of me has become part of my name. (I hope that makes sense). That’s why i tend to sign off posts just simply with Alan.

However, I suppose that my user name (cosmic curiosity) could be considered as a reflection of the side of magick that draws me most. I am fascinated by the stars, planets and moon and the effect that they have on our lives. When the moon controls the seas and oceans, it stands to reason that it must have influence over us (the planet and our bodies both having around 70% water!). The universe is mind blowing: its sheer size, the mysteries it holds and the influence it has certainly sparks my…cosmic curiosity.

Just to clarify, I have absolutely NO ISSUES with those who do choose a magickal or witch name. Good on you…Go for it and use it with pride!

Blessed Be

Alan

[CelestiaMoon]

It doesn’t match the letters, but I’m definitely going to use the name Sensual Fascination somewhere!

[CelestiaMoon]

Come to think of it I could even use it as a name for my company when I start offering my services!

Challenge Entry

Here’s a story of how I chose my witch name, it happened right here with you

Magickal Names - How do you choose?

I’ve been drawn to the moon and people with moon related second names (Moon, Selene, Luna) without knowing as a form of synchronicity way before my witchy awakening… We consider each other sisters with my very first partner now, who’s come to use Moon as a last name, so… I’m honoring that connection by having the same last name as a magickal name! My second name is Celestia, and I think Celestia Moon would sound beautiful and meaningful… maybe a little grandiose b…

How I came upon the Celestia name… it felt right, just like my first name did. It took some time, and trying on different names, which one would feel like my second skin. There’s almost like an audible “click” when that happens. There was one in the Naming an Athame thread for me too.

[Susurrus]

Well, as simple as this may seem… actually putting into words how I went from username to Witch Name that I actually use in the Coven & found myself writing it BoS type of journal I use… this may take some thinking about how to present it I have a weird thing about writing things out & it’s like a perfectionist OCD thing & has to be just right… because my name has actually evolved over the last 2+ years as my practice has gone through different phases, much like the badges that I wear in the forum too I do the same thing with organizing too…

I remember when you chose your name & the stories about it @CelestiaMoon! As soon as I started reading it, I was like… Oooo I remember that! Great job finding it too in the forum!

[CelestiaMoon]

@Susurrus

I remember when you chose your name & the stories about it @CelestiaMoon! As soon as I started reading it, I was like… Oooo I remember that! Great job finding it too in the forum!

That’s so sweet! I remember when you got yours too
Did a little search and found it in case you were looking for it Wizardry of Words Weekly Challenge Entry

[Ancient_Queen]

Cosmic_Curiosity is a great user name. I too love the vastness of space and how the energy from the cosmos guides us, influences us and everything on earth. That energy is us, each and everyone of us because, I believe, that is where we come from and what connects us.

[Aurora_Hestia]

This is a fun theme! I had honestly never thought about this until reading this thread. I’m going to do some soul searching and journaling on this one over the next few days to see what I come up with

Excited about this!

[Artemisia]

Oh oh oh oh oh! I love this one! Sometimes a challenge strikes you with inspiration and excitement right from the get-go. I don’t know why for sure, but this one had me pretty excited!

[Susurrus]

Oh my yes! Thats when I changed it to Siofra… then later I added Strega… I believe theres a post somewhere about that too!

I’ll have to go on a search for that one too Thank you so much @CelestiaMoon!

[CelestiaMoon]

Always happy to help
I’d love to hear that part too, I must have missed it!

[CelestiaMoon]

Strega, striga, strix, lilitu in Romanian… I wonder if there’s any intentional connection to my beloved Lilith?

[Trixie_Thojrne]

I love the surname “Enchantress”! Your witch name makes me smile. @Solasta_Amore

[Susurrus]

Challenge Entry Part 1

Lol … I’m sorry not to Lilith @CelestiaMoon, “Strega” is the Italian word for Witch. I’m very connected to my Irish & Italian heritage. Both sides go back to Celtic spirituality, but I have absolutely no connection to the Welsh or Germanic Europe side of me & most of my DNA is Irish & the Italian Sicilian areas. Plus I was raised by my father who was Irish & Italian. My grandmother who is Italian was a large part of my life & actually lived in an attached in-law apartment to our house from the time I was 15 years old. So, Siofra being from Ireland & the name & meaning connecting to me… as I was working on my genealogy & went further back on my Italian side, I found the Italian word for Witch & added that to my name as my witch name. I practice heavily on the Irish Celtic path & work with 2 of their deities also.

I kind of feel like I just went through my Witch Name in 2 parts for this challenge

[CelestiaMoon]

Awww, I knew it was a long shot!
It’s a beautiful name full of personal significance, that really warms my heart more

[LexiHex]

I love this theme, thank you!
Since i ’ ve been a forum witch since 2009 i always identify myself as ‘Fay’, in fact there is many people who knows me by that name in the real lfe as a bellydancer most of other dancers knows me as Fay too, so i guess that’ s kind of my magical or witchy name.

[MeganB]

@BryWisteria

If I go based on this, my witch name is Entranced Enchantress I think that’s a bit much for a name!

I don’t have a witch name, nor do I really feel the need for one. So for this challenge, I decided to find a bunch of different online quiz things to tell me what they think my witch name should be

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This website says my witch name is Strashnaya Ved’ma – apparently I’m a scary Russian witch!

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This website says my witch name should be Mad Ember Merrill – based on what? I don’t know just a few random questions I answered.

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[Image from Pinterest]

This one says I’m Rotten Dahlia

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And then I found this really cool website that will randomly generate fantasy names → https://www.fantasynamegenerators.com/witch-names.php

I refreshed it a few times but couldn’t find one I liked. I’ve always been drawn to the Willow tree though, and the name Willow in general. Maybe that’s a name I should think about…