Glossary - exWitch Australia (formerly 'Born Again Pagan')

CRAFT NAME

It is customary in Neo-Pagan Witchcraft to adopt a new name upon Initiation, which reflects one's new identity as Witch. A Witch may keep a Craft name secret and use it only in silent meditation or may disclose it only to members of the Coven. Some Witches choose to use their Craft names publicly, while others have both private and public Craft names. Some covens have strict rules against disclosing Craft names to outsiders.

There are two main reasons for the secrecy surrounding Craft names: lingering prejudice against Witches, and age-old beliefs about the power of names (see NAMES OF POWER). In many cultures, it is believed that knowing a person's name gives another magical power over that person.

Many old Spells involve the writing of the victim's name upon paper or an object.

During the witch hysteria, witch-hunters and inquisitors spread the notion that witches were given new names by the Devil after he had signed them to pacts and baptized them. In Neo-Pagan Witchcraft, Craft names have nothing to do with the Devil, who is neither recognized nor worshipped by Witches.

Craft names are highly individualistic. They may reflect personal aspirations, ethnic heritage or an aspect of a deity with whom the Witch identifies. A Witch selects a Craft name through meditation, study or oracular Divination. Some use Trances to receive a name bestowed by the Goddess. Others are given names by their High Priestess. Witches may change their Craft names as they advance from first degree to third degree, the levels of knowledge in major Traditions, or as their sense of identity and purpose changes.

PLEASE NOTE:
One of the major problems with 'defining' Paganism and/or its beliefs and practices is that it is an 'organic' movement, in that it is undergoing constant change and re-evaluation from within, and as such any 'one-size-fits-all' approach to understanding Paganism will be found wanting.

Due to the very 'organic' nature of Paganism, and the many differing Paths and Traditions within it, in many cases no one definition may be universally accepted by all Pagans. Therefore, where such cases of possible conflicting and/or contradictory meanings of certain terms occur I have endevoured to give not only the generally accepted meaning, but also any major 'variations' in belief and/or practice.

Christians who believe this difference in meaning of certain key terms, beliefs and practices to be unique to Paganism need to remember that such conflicts also arise within the Body of Christ - the Church. Take for instance the differing practices amongst Christians concerning Baptism and the different attitudes towards women in the clergy.

- Jean-Luc