A Vow of Sacred Silence: The Reverence of Keeping My Gods’ Names Private
Author’s Note: The content of this blog reflects my personal experiences and perspectives on magic. Witchcraft is a deeply individual practice, and my approach may not align with everyone’s beliefs or traditions. I encourage readers to explore, question, and adapt what resonates with them. Nothing shared here is meant to serve as absolute truth or professional advice. Trust your intuition, do your own research, and walk your own path.
I believe that the names of my gods are more than just words. In my own spiritual practice, I view them as sacred keys to a realm that I have built a deep, personal connection with. These names hold power, not simply as labels, but as living symbols of the relationship I’ve cultivated with my deities and my faith over the course of many years. When I call on their names it is to invoke the gods, to invite them into my space, and that is something I take very seriously.
It seems odd to most people that I do not use my gods’ names in public spaces or online. I don’t even identify my faith. I refer to my faith practice simply as being an Independent Pagan and, if I have to refer t my gods by anything, it is by a title or a kenning. It’s not because I want to hide my beliefs or practice, but because I believe that the sanctity of those names should be honored. The relationship I have with my gods is intimate and personal, and it is not something to be casually shared or consumed by the public eye. In the world we live in today, names are often tossed around without much thought, particularly online, where spiritual practices and deities can sometimes feel like they’ve been reduced to trends or memes.
When I speak the names of my gods, I can’t see myself as merely uttering syllables; I am engaging in a type of communion, a type of devotion. I do not use their names without intention. I also see the use of these sacred names as an act of power. The gods I work with are not distant, abstract concepts—they are present in my life, offering guidance, wisdom, and support every day. Their names are channels through which their energy can be invoked, something I only do in a sacred space—whether it’s during a ritual, prayer, or personal moment of reflection.
I believe that magic, spirituality, and devotion are deeply personal practices, and part of that personal nature involves setting boundaries around what is sacred. My gods are not part of a spectacle for others or a tag that I can use to get a post more attention—they are part of my spiritual journey, guiding me with wisdom and teaching me lessons. They do not belong to social media feeds or casual conversations.
By keeping their names private, I am protecting the depth of my connection with them. My relationship with my gods is not one that exists for others to judge, critique, or consume. It’s mine to cherish and nourish, and that requires creating a boundary around how their names are shared. I believe in the importance of respecting that sacred space.
Of course, I fully respect and honor other spiritual practices and paths. There are many who feel called to share their deities publicly, and that is their choice, one that I do not seek to invalidate. For some, sharing the names of their gods is as much an act of devotion as the opposite is for me. Deity-to-practitioner connections are deeply personal relationships that are ideally built on trust, love, and respect. And it is up to each person to decide what shape that respect takes for them.
