I am one of those people who asserts that all witches are queer. While the word has often been reserved for either insults or political empowerment, its actual definition makes it a perfect fit for those who would align themselves to a practice that is, shall we say, uniquely variant from the mainstream. Similar terms are used in both communities when describing our shared initiatory experiences. The queer community speaks of “coming out of the closet” as a metaphor for disclosing one’s queer identity, while Witches sometimes use the phrase “coming out of the broom closet” in reference to those instances in which we reveal our magical lives to those around us. In doing so, we may experience a specific type of backlash in which the minority view is seen as threatening the collective majority.

Current queer culture likewise employs the use of self-creation. For us, much of life is about the choices we make, sometimes in opposition to what is expected of us....For some, this might mean moving away and starting a new life, sometimes even with a new name.

For transgender individuals, taking a new name (and by extension, identity) is something that most people wouldn’t find strange. But they are certainly not the only ones. Some cisgender people also do the same, as naming oneself can be a tremendous act of personal power. For some, it can be an act of protection, effectively distancing themselves from a troubled past and people whom we have tried so very hard to leave behind. For others, it can be an act of claiming power: choosing a new identity – or at least a hidden aspect of ourselves — and allowing that process to help shape how we act and move into our individual and collective futures.

In Witchcraft it is often asserted that there is power in knowing something’s true name. When dealing with spirits, one of the first techniques taught is to obtain their name so that we might have a deeper and more authentic connection to them. In that same vein, it is customary to choose a new name for ourselves, which is then used as a magical tool. It is a working, directed upon the self to help empower and guide us on our spiritual journeys. In some traditions there are specific guidelines, such as taking the name of a deity or other mythological figure. In others, one might draw from any number of sources, such as tarot, astrology, aspects of nature, or even one’s individual experiences in trance. Regardless of the specific elements involved in its creation, the magical name is a psychological trigger that can assist in the changing of one’s magical consciousness. Far from a frivolous descent into fantasy or denial, the use of such a name can allow deeper aspects of the individual’s being to step into the forefront. When consciously engaged, this can be one of the most powerful tools in the Witch’s arsenal.