Similarly, when someone calls you by your name, it is very difficult to ignore that call. Your name contains everything about you: your experiences, your dreams, your fears, your hopes, your very being.
Some people change their names. My mom changed her name four times, three different last names for her three husbands and then, in the winter of her life, she ended up changing her first name as well, citing that her given name sounded 'fat'. It was a weird experience referring to my mom as Kira after hearing people address her for a lifetime as Glenda. I always associated her name Glenda with Glinda, the good witch in Wizard of Oz. I liked her name, I couldn't understand why she needed to change her name. But I see now that she wanted to reinvent herself, creating a whole new identity and leaving behind all her problems and associations and experiences with her old name.
Taking this into consideration, when I name a Spirit Doll I try to definitively capture that unique Spirit with the correct name. Sometimes, I know in the beginning stages of a doll what his or her name will be but that seems to be rare for me. Always I listen for any whispers as she's being made, searching for clues in her dress or eyes. And often it's a difficult task finding the right name.
Usually, if I haven't discovered her name by the time I'm done, I start searching the internet for names, typing in 'witch names' or 'goddess names'. When I do this, an alphabet is presented and I begin the hunt by what I think her name starts with sounding out an "A" or a "K". It's much like trying to remember somebody's name that's on the tip of your tongue. I ask myself, "Does it start with a vowel or consonant, near the beginning, middle or end of the alphabet?" Then patiently I begin the search for the correct name.
Much to my surprise I discovered that in Persian, 'Esther' or 'Ishtar' can be translated as 'Star'! That name, Ishtar, I could work with that name and it seemed to fit this Spirit like an old pair of jeans! Ta Daaaa....proof that the lines of communication between me and the universe are flowing... I just need to listen and follow my intuition!
I wasn't 100% certain though, so again, I did some research. The more I read on the history of Calypso, I knew that that name wasn't the right fit for this doll at all.
I also knew that this doll was a Shaman; I needed a name that perfectly encompassed feathers and fur, and the ecstatic trance state aka "State of Flow" captured in her expression. Calypso who detained Odysseus on the island of Ogygia was not the Spirit I was holding in my hand.
Then on a site about Shamanism I spied the name 'Angelfire' and knew I'd finally discovered who this particular Spirit is! The final piece of the puzzle fell in place and she was ready for her debut. I'll probably still channel a Spirit Doll named Calypso one day but this wasn't that day.
To wrap up, I love the hunt of finding a Spirit Doll's name--it's like getting to name a new baby. Each doll is a new little life in this world who brings me so much joy and happiness that to name a Spirit Doll is an honor and a responsibility I gladly undergo as I wrap and cut and sew and bead and wire up a new little piece of my journey and story, which will, hopefully, touch somebody else in a similar way so that they can make this Spirit a healing part of their journey.
What's in your name?