What's in a name?

As I have been blessed to travel round these lands I have been allowed to attend and speak at many, many circles. This posting is of lighter note in the discussion of names.

From my view, the names that we use to identify ourselves in the realms of magic are come to us in one of three ways: Self-Created, Bestowed or Tagged.

Self-Created names I have seen are usually taken from something that has touched us in a mystical place...a sound or scene or item that is held sacred and precious.

I have met hundreds of Dragon somethings Raven what-ever's. That is not to say that the name in itself is neither appropriate nor sound's odd, it is simply that for many it lacks imagination and at times the name feels so forced. I once met a young neophyte that had taken the name Gwythbwyl (gwith-bwil) because he liked the way it looked when typed. It was nearly impossible to state his name in a circle and he would jump to correct it if mispronounced...later he changed his name to Rowan.

Between all of the Thor's and Maebs and Rhiannons and I often get the feeling that I am meeting a traveling group of D&D adventurers out on a quest rather than a group dedicated to the worship of the ancient gods.

The names Bestowed are often most intriguing. I have met the embodiment of "Laughter", stood holding hands with "Meadow Rain", been thumped solidly on the back by "Winter Oak" and seen the sparkle in the eyes of "RiverStone"
There is an ease and inner pride when the bearer of a name blesses me with the sound of it. As one who has gone through the trials and been brought up into a circle and been given a name by the gods it is my opinion that there is an insight from those around you assisting in your training, that your teachers have reason for bestowing the name upon you, and if you are of great faith, you believe that the gods whisper your name to the Priest and Priestess just before it is bestowed upon you.

My two children, Pendragon and Twilly are examples of tagged names. My son's name in the world mortal is Arthur, named for a king and so the tag Pendragon came naturally and once he is of age he will decide whether or not to enter a circle and take another name.. My daughter was a tiny fairy, a flittering little dancer within the circle, a bringer of joy. I am not sure who uttered Twilly the first time but it stuck and she loved it and still some 18 years later the name brings her joy.

I have had complex mathematical magicians and astrologists express to me the importance of numerically reducing your "christian" name to it's root number and choosing a name with a number that matches...others say it should be the "opposite" number (a very complex concept if you ask me).

I have seen pictography used, cards drawn, runes scattered, blinded eyes flashed, skrying all done for this important task...and no one way is right for anyone.

Your name is the sound with which you present yourself to the gods. It should be a heartfelt manifestation...the sound or image a verbal representation of your true self...special, secret sound that is to be uttered in the presence of the gods or within a group like-minded - shared as a gift.

My sound is different depending on the circle in which I stand.

In the circle of my "christian" family I go by the sound my mother and father gave me. I honor them and they honor me with that sound and symbol which identifies me.

In the circle of children I go by the common sound "dad" and occasionally "father". This sound and symbol identifies me to them alone, and is precious.

My grandchildren use the sound "grampa" and no other children get to use that sound to call my attention. This sound to me is one most beloved.

My betrothed alone uses a special sound that I choose only to share with her. She alone claims the right to that sound which takes my attention from all else.

Within the circles the sound is "Glade" or formally "Lord Glade" which identifies me.

And when speaking to the gods, I use simply the sounds "Mother and Father", for that identifies my relationship, my kinship, my love and my devotion to them.

The gods have a sound for each of us also...when Pan wishes to speak to me, my attention is called not so much with a word, but a laughing, pipe song filled emotion that is indescribable.

So...what's in a name?

You decide.

You can call yourself "Sky" or "Lord Prancing-Dragon-Stump-Hopper"...

Both make me smile.

Blessed be,

Lord Glade

smiling in the dark...