Witchvox Article

Author: Rikki
Posted: January 27th. 2008
Times Viewed: 2,945

When an individual comes to the Craft one of the first things they may notice is that there are few in the community who go by Jane, Sarah or Molly. Instead one is more likely to find a Raven, a Luna, or a Shadow. But what really is in a name?

When I first began studying Witchcraft I felt a pressure to choose a new name to fit with my new way of being. As my soul changed, I sought also to change the way others would perceive me by altering that all important label that follows us throughout our lives.

I tried to force a name to come to me. I’d pick one, and then disregard it, never being quite satisfied. As a new and rather naive Witch, I thought it imperative that I select a Magickal name.

It was not until I realized I didn’t need one that I finally found something to call myself.

I began my Journey into the Craft as Isa Goldencrow but I felt that, that was a name I could not live up to. Next I dwelt on Isa birdsong but that name too did not ring true for me. I thought that perhaps I was not as much a Witch I thought I was.

I had read that other people had simply followed their intuition to their new identity. I wondered why I was unable to do this very same thing. I did not quite realize that I had not fully come into the knowledge that you must first understand something to truly put a name to it.

Sadly, at that point I did not truly understand myself. Eventually I gave up my search for a Magickal name, thinking my own suitable enough and often times it is. But for one such as myself, it was never quite right.

I continued my studies in the Craft and those led me on to study other subjects such as history, art, music, and culture. In the back of my mind was the nagging hope that I would come across something that would jump out at me and become my new identity.

I’ve come to an understanding recently within myself that this is not often the case. Sometimes however the unexpected becomes reality if we only keep our mind open to the possibility that it can happen.

It was not until I became comfortable with myself and with my Craft that my name found me.

I remember it quite vividly. I was sitting in my living room Playing Music as I often do contemplating a rather melancholy day when red cardinal perched itself on my front porch railing. I slowly walked out onto the porch so as not to scare the bird away and I was able to get a good look at him.

It hit me like a ton of bricks that my name should be reminiscent of this bird, which I had seen before but not until this moment fully realized his beauty.

I picked the name Ricarda for its resemblance to Cardinal. Ricarda became Rikki and although Rikki was no where close to Cardinal, it fit me.

The image of that red bird sits fresh in my mind whenever a grim thought clouds it for I know that at that moment that bird was there just for me. I had finally found something that related to me, my new path and what I hoped to accomplish.

Before, when I had sought to find a name I had not truly felt one with the path I was embarking on. It was not until I went through a changing of mind that I was able to find what I was searching for. I made the mistake of trying to jump in too soon.

There are some things that will come to you with time, and it is my opinion that this is one of them.

Am I still the same person I was before? For the most part I like to think so. Now however, I am a little older and a little wiser in honor of that I can introduce myself as Rikki.

May I simply say this; you don’t receive something you are not prepared to handle.

When you feel yourself ready to obtain a magickal name it will come to you. Be it from a feeling of intuition, from tarot cards, runes, or other divination, from nature or mythology. It will come to you and you will know it, just a surely as you know the name you grew up with.

There is no point in stressing yourself out over it. In time my name may change a little I might add a bit to it as I grow in my studies of the Craft as well as the studies of myself. At this point in time however I am Rikki and it was not after careful consideration that I became so. I did not leave Kari behind I only elaborated on her.

I am what I was and more.

Before I sought a new name to forget the past but we cannot do that. Our past shapes our future no matter how much we desire it not to. When I came into understanding of who I was, where I was going, and how exactly I got there it all fell into place.

A magickal name can help define you in your new life, it can affect what others think of you and you can use this to your advantage. Or you can remain true to yourself and be patient, trusting that it will find you in due time if you only keep an eye out for it.

Often times we are not as open as we think we are. We are blind to the signs being thrown at us from all directions. It can be hard to avoid this manner of thinking but it must be done.

In conclusion I’d simply like to say that all things come in due time and something as integral as a name needs to be given its due consideration.

ABOUT...

Rikki

Location: Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania

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