On Magickal Names
Kybaon Naesha (kye-bay-on nye-shaar)

Kybaon Naesha is my chosen magickal name ('Kit' for short). I derived it from several ideas and names.For example, I have strong English ancestory, and I wanted that to reflect in my name. From England I took Britain, and from Britian I took the ancient name of Albion. This forms the later part of Kybaon (being the baon)

Magickal names are common among Pagans and Wiccans alike, and now in the technology age, almost anyone with an email address (although I would hesitate to call many of these magickal) Choosing a magickal name is a personal thing, really you just need to choose what suits you, and there is no right way about going about it. Some people choose their names by asking a deity for guidance, ask for inspiration in dreams, write out lists of possible names of things they like and form them into a name, or simply look through name books and find an appealing one.

A magickal name is not neccessary for being a witch, nor does it have to be a secret name. It should be something personal though. Western culture seems to have lost its reverance for names, most children are named by their parents before they are born, and often very little thought is put into the name, usually one that sounds nice is chosen.

Magickal names can be good when performing rituals, because they allow you to 'slip' into your magickal self. Although many witches are constantly their magickal self, there are others who reserve their spiritual tendancies for private, for various reasons. Predjudice against witches is still strong in many countries, especially in small towns. It is sad that some of us cannot walk the streets confident that our religion will not be looked down on and abused by others, but it is true in some places.

The magickal name can be an effective way lead a double life in safety, and a way to forget the hassles and worries of our physical identity, and move more fully into our spiritual self.