The Importance of names and labels...

It has often come up in the Pagan scene that certain people just dont see the point in calling oneself anything....and sure, a rose by any other name would be as sweet. But when we get right down to it, labels have always held a sacred place in Pagan religions. They are a symbol of our identities, be they individual or as a group. Ones name contains within it all their past deeds and actions and so one should strive to tend to their reputation so that it does not become too blemished.
Egyptian magic often involves names and seeking the true name of a Deity or spirit and the same could be said in a good deal of Ceremonial magic. Identity is important.

I think as the Pagan Communities struggle to identify and define themselves, when we come to a general idea of who we are....we can then start to really decide where we are going.

Thoughts?

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Dark Ember on November 12, 2009 at 4:35pm: Good points Nathaniel.

Names are important. They contain vibrational energy and their utterance causes harmonic vibrations with other things around us, be it spiritual or physical. I don't know that calling ones practice or religion anything specific matters as that's usually not part of prayer or ritual but formal names do matter.

That's one of the reasons I changed my name from NightChild to Dark Ember - to make things evened out numerologicaly which, in turn, has harmonic implications.

People often underestimate the use of names. We've become a society that is so blase' about names that they've lost their meaning.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Åmass of Shades on November 12, 2009 at 8:54pm: Interesting. Cool name by the way. A question if I may ask, is it the name itself that has power, or the frequency of the sound being uttered? Or a string, if I may pluck it, does it not resonate? May it be sound itself that exhibits the power?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by J.W.C. Lucian on November 12, 2009 at 10:52pm: very well put and very true. It took me a very long time to come up with a name that means alot to me. I think you really need to dig deep, something that strikes the core.

Like you said "to make things even out numerologicaly which, in turn, has harmonic implications"

that is absolutely correct.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by TwilightEmerges - the Non Pagan on November 12, 2009 at 5:22pm: In my witchcraft, I don't really speak verbally. I don't use words. I don't express my wants or desires or what have yous with chants, songs, or spoken word unless I absolutely feel that it is necessary. Likewise, I don't use names. The spirits I work with I recognize by their characteristics, not by a human word.

Similarly, I do not have a name - magical or no, in my spell work. I am. There is nothing more I need to say beyond this. I also don't see the point in "magical names" [I do realize this may offend some folks, my apologies] beyond a stress of secrecy in certain world situations [aka recognizing people in public. I'm sure you're not going to shout "Hey Mystick Cobblebuttons!" across a road].

:)

Though in discussions I do use labels to label myself [such as a screenname or non-religious witch to discuss my practices] in order to help other people understand.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Tigarus Mani on November 12, 2009 at 5:25pm: I also don't see the point in "magical names" [I do realize this may offend some folks, my apologies]

Why would that be offensive? I mean what you see the point of or not shouldn't offend me or anyone.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by TwilightEmerges - the Non Pagan on November 12, 2009 at 5:28pm: There are some who believe that a magical name is the most important piece for their ritual and to say that there's no point is like pissing in their tea cup. :) I do not mean to piss in people's tea cups unless they deserve it.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Tigarus Mani on November 12, 2009 at 6:52pm: I still don't understand getting upset about it. I have a pagan name (honestly more for fun than out of ritual significance) but I don't really care if other people feel it is for them. You not seeing the point to something I do shouldn't bother me. I don't see the point in a lot of things other people do but it doesn't really matter because they do so why should they care if I do?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by TwilightEmerges - the Non Pagan on November 12, 2009 at 8:25pm: I still don't understand getting upset about it.

Meh. People have issues with all sorts of things. I figure covering my ass is better than having them rant and rave about it. :); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Tigarus Mani on November 13, 2009 at 5:20pm: Makes sense.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Nathaniel Jeffers on November 12, 2009 at 11:09pm: I dont see much point in them really either...I was stating that Identity itself is important because it denotes tribal and clan affiliations and your deeds then become a reflection of the deeds of your tribe.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by TwilightEmerges - the Non Pagan on November 13, 2009 at 10:17am: True. My offline name refers to my ancestral lands and Jesus. Lol. XD YAY for Jesus.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Maire Hel Wolf on November 13, 2009 at 9:49am: I also don't see the point in "magical names" [I do realize this may offend some folks, my apologies]
Mind Set.
Further, perhaps not everyone likes their given Name since very often parents are obviously not sober when they put a name on birth certificates -.-

Yes I use your method as well, rather no name than one I can't possibly use in everyday situations.; ▶ Reply to This