What's in a Magickal Name?

So I had someone send me a question yesterday in regards to what my Magickal Name is. This is something that I came across early on while I was studying Wicca and Paganism. I clearly remember reading about this Magickal Name that you are supposed to adopt and use when you practice your craft. It had to do with shedding the old self, and focusing on the Magickal self. Sort of like a changing of hats so to speak. It was a good idea, and a great way for people that may be just starting to learn to focus themselves. Use your Magickal Name when you practice and you are creating and working with that energy.

Personally I don't have, or use a Magickal Name. After many years with Wicca and Paganism, as well as the Metaphysical I came to realize something very important. Magick is around us all of the time, sleeping or awake, in a circle or in Wal-Mart. No matter where you go it's there so why do we need to put on a different hat in order to adopt a magickal personality? Personally I don't think that we have to. What better name to use, then yours! If we are constantly surround by this energy, this magick, then why only connect to it when you are working. Part of the Wiccan belief system talks about seeing the magick in everything. All things living or non-living have a magick to them. It isn't something that is turned on and off, it's always there. The name game is much the same. Ok, that was a bit more rhyming than I had planned. By using your own name you are working with that magickal energy all the time, practicing or not. You are connecting yourself to the infinite and allowing it to connect to you as well without pushing it aside for any reason. Besides, if we push it aside are we really living by the codes that we work with?

This isn't to say that having a special name, or even a Magickal Name is a bad thing. For all of the Willows, Nightshades, Hemlocks, Lady this or that's out there keep what you got! If it is somethign powerful to you then there is no need to change it, or ignore it. That being said choosing to use, or in my case not use a Magickal Name is up to you! If you do choose to use one, I suggest spending some time meditating on it, find something that speaks to you on a very personal and powerful level. Don't just go and settle for the first cool sounding name that you happen to find while googling 'cool witch names' or something on the internet! Remember, when it comes to Wicca and Paganism there is a lot of room for personal belief and interpretation as well as choice.