Choosing/Using a Power/Magickal Name

What is a Power Name?
This name is a part of you - the part that calls to the power within you, the God/dess and Nature. Essentially when I say my power name it gives me direct access to my power center without having to go through the complex grounding and centering procedures - as this part of me is always connected.

How do I use my Power Name?
So prior to casting a circle or spell I close my eyes and call my power name aloud. As I do so I visualize my magickal self. This is me but the me that is pulsing with power - it can be seen in my aura, flaring with colors and life. My power self is vitually always sky-clad whereas I do not ofter practice witchcraft skyclad - except on the Sabbats. Once I've "connected" to my power self I can feel the power flowing through me - almost a tingling in my fingers and under my skin. This is me connected with the innate power within me, it is also the part of me that can most easily connect to the power of the elements and Spirit. NOTE: Some people have no problem sharing their power name with others - while others keep their power name secret, like many magickal practices - you jsut need to determine what works and feels right to you).

How do I choose a Power Name?
Like everything in Paganism, there are many different methods of determining a power name. When I was choosing my name I performed all of those listed below until I came up with a name that immediately flooded me with a sense of rightness - its a feeling hard to describe, except to say my inner self appeared to be shouting - Yes That One!!!

The top 3 I recomend are the following:
1) The number system: Look at your name - I suggest you use the name you are most comfortable being called. For instance a Robert might be more comfortable being called Bob, in which case he should use Bob. *Write you name on a piece of paper.
*Assign each letter a number. A=1, B=2,C=3, etc. So, as an example, Mary is 13, 1, 18, 25.
* Now separate all numbers into single digits. So, Mary is 1, 3, 1 , 1, 8, 2, 5
* Add those numbers together. Mary = 21
* Now you can have fun, you want to determine a name that equals that of your given name. So you can mix up the numbers thus mixing up the letters - but whatever name you make needs to equal 21. So an example ofthe Power name could be Unafea (21, 14, 1, 6, 5, 1 converts to 2+1+1+4+1+5+1 + 21). Play with it and see what you get.

2) Astrological and Magickal Associations:
Many people have a totem animal or guide and many peoples personalities can also be asociated with colors. I'm a fire sign so Red is an important color to my personality. Look at a list of animals and magical animals - you may find a totem. Also look to a list of color associations you may find one or more color that "fits" you. So if your totem animals are The Blue Jay and the Bear, your power name could be Blue BearJay or a combination there of.

3) Meditation. You can choose a guided meditation to see what you see. Making a mental note of all colors and object and animals. For instance once I received a deep level of meditation I opened my mind asking the Lord and Lady to help guide me in choosing my power name. If I had images of Wolves and Silver lightening, I could make my power name Silver LighteningWolf. (See older posts for guided meditation techniques.)

NOTE: Be careful and sure once you've chosen your power name. The core of the name cannot be changed - as least I don't recommend it. You can add to it like a woman may add her husbands last name after she is married but she keeps the main elements of her name. If you end up not liking the name you choose you won't be able to connect to the power as easily thus defeating the purpose of having Power Name.

SPELL OF THE DAY

Power Expansion

Solitary Power Exercise - Silvers Secret

Based on ritual by: Silver RavenWolf (Referenced in Solitary Witch p. 112)

The following exercise can be used in any ritual, spell, or in daily life. It is an exercise of the mind that, once practiced, will bring you health, happiness and prosperity -- but you must BELIEVE it. [You can also use this exercise to improve your psychic focus, increase your empathy, your inner sight, etc.]Make the name your own - ie. Shannon's Secret, Beb's Secret, etc. [It can also be your magickal name, for instance mine would be RedWolf's Secret.] A little pizzaz never hurt anybody.

ONE: Choose what you will work for. This si the planning phase. All the doubts, worries, ideas and possible solutions should be removed from your mind. The only thing left over should be your desire.

TWO: Cloe your eyes. This allows you to shut out the world around you and focus on the exercise. In time, you will be able to use your secret with your eyes open.

THREE: Take three deep breaths. This brings in more oxygen to the brain and other areas of thebody, relieves stress, urges relaxation of the muscles, and helps to put you in the "alpha" state.

FOUR: Let go of time and space. Say "Release" as you breathe out. When your eyes are closed, it is easy to forget that time and space even exist. Spirit does not need time and space to perform miricles, and neither do you when you mentally release those thoughts of restraint and tough deity energy, which is the next step. If it helps, think of opening your hands (or physically allow your hands to slowly open) while you say the word "Release".

FIVE: Touch deity energy. Say the word "Unity". In the Craft we teach that you and deity are one, and that you share creative force with every manifestation of energy in the universe. This is a given. Of course, you haveto acknowledge this fact, which isn't easy for everyone to do. When you speak the word "Unity", you are affirming that we are all one and that you have the power to become one with everything. If you don't believe this, the secret won't work. If it helps, as you say the word "Unity" think of yourself moving into your conception of god/dess --losing for a moment, your conscious thought of separateness.

SIX: Conceive the form. Visualize the thing. Say the word out loud. For instance, if you are striving for health visualize youself healthy, say the word "Heath" and surround this vision in a white light. For some, this will be the most difficult part of the exercise. You can substitute a vision of a person, place or thing with a feeling as well. Try to hold this visualization - your desire - sharply defined and encased in white light - for at least a count of five....the longer the better.

SEVEN: Accept success. This is important. If you don't mentally accept success, your "secret" will bomb. You must want it and welcome it!

EIGHT: Know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, this will be done. Suspend disbelief. This is also difficult - before performing the exercise, analyze how you feel when something is a certainty. [For instance, you love your children. You do not doubt that love. Feel the confidence and serenity associated with the lack of doubt and stipulations we place on so many things in life.] Remember, you are only having to hold this certainty (along with the visualization) for several seconds.

NINE: Reject any thoughts of failure, now and in the future. Will your mind to think of only success. Fear will ruin your ritual, spell, goal, or focused thought, whether your fear is frivolous or has logic behind it. If Spirit thinks that your request is not precisely in harmony with your life path, Spirit will accomodate your choices as long as you legitimately feel you are working in harmony with the universe and not intentionally trying to hurt others. So, if you cant trust in yourself and your desires, trust Spirit.

TEN: Keep your mouth shut. When you tell others about magick, especially those who don't believe in the process, you are allowing that persons energy to work against you - causing your subconscious buttons to be pushed, instilling that sliver of doubt which will make your goal fail.

YOUR SECRET SUCCESS FORMULA

To Dare

To Release

To Connect

To Conceive

To Accept

To Know

To Believe

To Will

To Be Silent

Essentially the Witch's Pyramid. You can even get a little creative with it. Drumming or a beat will help it become instilled in your soul - After you are grounded chant the following as you go through the steps of the above - release, conect, visualize, etc.:

One, let go!(let go, I am, conceive, accept, I know, believe!)

Two, I am!(let go, I am, conceive, accept, I know, believe!)

Three, I conceive!(let go, I am, conceive, accept, I know, believe!) Four, I accept!(let go, I am, conceive, accept, I know, believe!)

Five, I accept!(let go, I am, conceive, accept, I know, believe!)

Six, I believe!(let go, I am, conceive, accept, I know, believe!)

So mote it be!(let go, I am, conceive, accept, I know believe!)

You can drum or you can tie a not at each step: Let go! (tie the not as you chant or drum) I am (tie the not or drum), etc