I have a question but before I ask the question. I did check the forum before as I was thinking about Witchy Names and saw a few discussions on the forum regarding Witchy Names.
My question is
How do I know it is time to get a Witchy Name as it needs to come to me BUT how will I know that I need a Witchy Name.
A bit about my background as I am 55 years old.
No, I was never told as a child by anybody about Witchcraft. I grow up in a house where you did not talk a lot, as child you were seen not heard. I was born in 1970 and was the 5th child but the 2nd girl in the family.
As I grow up, I knew that I was different from my siblings, but I did not understand why I feel things and see things, and I always thought my mother could be a Witch without her knowing it or she just did not want to tell me about Witches and Witchcraft.
I always felt out, not the same but different in feelings, seeing and cannot explain why I feel things or see things. As I got between 30 - 40 years old, my son started to question things, and he was between 20 - 25, he is the one that assist me in opening up to the fact that I could have been born as a Witch but did not know it.
So, I am still very new to the Craft and enjoy learning about it every day.
But how will I know that I need a Witchy Name? Yes, I did label myself as a Solitary Blood Fire Aries Medium Wiccan Witch.
Many of us just enjoy the sound and feeling of having a different name than what we grew up with. Others want to honor a new path and lifestyle with a new name so the old energies don’t affect them so much. A few use their name to honor their spirit guide or deity. There are those who wish to remain anonymous by using a pseudonym, helping to keep their belief system in the broom closet. Some choose a name to match the numerology of a birthdate or anniversary. In my youth, I hated my given name because of abuse, but I have grown into my name and I kinda like it now- perhaps simply out of familiarity. I’m sure there are plenty of other reasons to change one’s name.
Ooh! And I thought my upbringing was old fashioned! I was one of the last in my area to be taught respect while growing up. It was tricky, but definitely not as hard as your upbringing.
It could have come to you from deeper in your genetic history, like mine did. Mom swore she was an empath when I was a teen, but she always seemed to get it wrong with me. I felt like she was trying too hard. Earlier in my life, Mom was hands off when it came to belief systems, so I was fortunate enough to have the freedom to learn more in general. I basically created my own system based upon experience.
(Trigger warning: abuse.)
I did, too. Early on, my mother tried to tell me I was special in that I had abilities. Then people became politically correct, and “special” took on the meaning of disabled or insane… so Mom began acting on the social definition of a word she forgot she’d given me back when it meant something else. Yeah, she put me in a psych ward partially for having candles on a table, even though she always had candles on the entertainment center. Go figure. The things I felt and saw were translated to schitzo-affective disorder, which is no longer defined as someone who knows they see and hear things others don’t. Now, it’s defined as being creative or imaginative. I had good reasons to hate my name.
I’m glad your son was able to help you see your path and abilities more clearly. I didn’t lose my way until just before Covid hit. Independence made me headstrong. Not sure how to evaluate that in my life as yet.
Basically, if you don’t want to change your name or labels, it’s up to you. Be yourself. You are lovely just as you are.
I think it depends on how you feel, whether you feel like you need a special name or not.
I was very lucky growing up. My parents accepted me for who I am. I was a Daddy’s Girl, but he had passed by the time I found the Craft. My Mom was the one who bought my first witchy book!
My name here, Amethyst, is the English version of the name I’ve been using around the internet since, oh, 2010? Or so? Back then, I was into anime, and my favorite color was purple, and my birthstone is amethyst, so I used Amejisuto. Which, from what translator programs taught me back THEN, is amethyst in Japanese. Yeah, I just checked, and they got it right. Whew!
But beyond color and birthstone issues, I have a lot of connection to Amethyst, and that’s why I chose it.
But you can choose anything—an animal, a crystal, a flower, a herb. Let your son choose one for you, or choose one for yourself. It doesn’t have to be forever. Names change, even here. You can add another name or just change it completely. Have fun with it! It’s all up to you!
@ida1 you have such a beautiful name Ida you don’t come across it very often. I would give yourself to think there is no rush you will still be you if you keep your given name. Lots of members don’t have a witch name, if you still want a witch name then I think you have already found it as you have said that you have a connection to your Zodiac Sign. May be keep it simple.
