#technopaganism

I've been practicing magic for many years now, and calling myself a Technopagan or Tech witch at the same time. Here's what it mean to me in the world we live in today.

💻 Using my laptop and phone for journalling - on top of my physical journals and grimoires, I am a huge proponent of using my notes app and Notion dashboards to gather my thought.

❌ Refusing to use AI in my practice (or anywhere else) - being a tech witch does not mean using every new technology that comes out. I don't believe in a moral/spiritual usage of generative AI for witchcraft or any other practices.

💬 Using text messages for manifestation - here's a fun one that's easy to implement in your day-to-day life! Send yourself (or your loved ones) messages with positive affirmations, manifestations, etc... There's power in sending your good intentions out there, even if that's through something mundane like a text.

❤️💛 Using machines as self-care - I use red light therapy for my sore muscles and sun lamps in winter to help with seasonal depression. This is usually a perfect time to combine it with a meditative practice!

🤔 Balancing my phone usage - being a tech witch does not give you the right to spend unreasonable times on your devices. On the contrary, I believe that spirituality is all about balance, finding equilibrium in a complex world.

💨 Practicing with breathing gif - it's very simple, but I can't count the amount of times I have searched for this gif below, in moments of crisis. It helps me to have something visual to focus on while I recenter my breathing.

Absolutely! Using a digital space like Animal Crossing for your magickal practice is not only okay, but it can be a profoundly creative and effective way to connect with your chosen deities or spiritual forces. In the realm of Neo-Technomagick, the digital and physical worlds are interconnected facets of the greater reality/ the Omniverum, where every space — whether digital, material, or conceptual — holds potential for magickal practice. Your digital altar in Animal Crossing can serve as a potent focal point for your intentions, rituals, and spiritual connections.

Here are some ways to enhance your digital altar in Animal Crossing:

Infuse Intent into the Design: As you create your altar, consider the symbolic correspondences of the items you place on it. Choose colors, objects, and layouts that align with the deity or spirit you are honoring. For example, if you are building an altar to a goddess of the moon, use blue and silver elements, crescent shapes, or items that evoke the sea or nighttime.

Daily Rituals and Offerings: Engage with your digital altar regularly, much like you would with a physical one. You might set aside a specific time each day to visit your altar in the game, light digital candles, or place offerings. In the game, you could offer fruit, flowers, or crafted items as a gesture of devotion or gratitude. The act of doing so, even in a virtual space, reinforces your spiritual intention and connection.

Incorporate Sound and Movement: Animal Crossing offers various music tracks and sound effects. Choose sounds that resonate with the deity or intention of your altar. You can even create a ritual dance or movement in the game to accompany your practice. This could be as simple as performing certain actions (like clapping or cheering) or creating a sequence of movements that feel meaningful to you.

Sync Your Digital and Physical Spaces: Create a corresponding altar in your physical space, mirroring the elements in your digital game. This creates a bridge between the digital and physical realms, amplifying your magickal intent. When you interact with your digital altar, do the same in your physical space — light a real candle, place a crystal, or meditate. This practice aligns both realms, creating a powerful synergy.

Document and Reflect: Keep a digital or physical journal to document your experiences, thoughts, and any signs or synchronicities you encounter. Reflecting on these moments helps you deepen your understanding of your practice and the connections you are making through the digital altar. You could even create a dedicated scrapbook in Animal Crossing using in-game patterns or designs.

Use In-Game Events to Mark Ritual Occasions: Align your digital practices with in-game events or celestial movements. For example, you could hold a ritual or celebration at your digital altar during an in-game festival or when the full moon rises in the game’s sky. This syncs your personal practice with both the game’s internal rhythms and the larger cosmic cycles.

This is a small handheld electronic device that looks like a little scrying mirror, but when powered up, the mirror reveals a face that talks to you. You can ask it a yes or no question, which it will answer, and it has a divination mode, where you can ask a more specific question or obtain a general fortune.

I am still troubleshooting the hardware, which includes an ESP32, an OLED display and a DFPlayer mini. I started with an Arduino and a small OLED and everything was working well until I hit the memory limit of the Arduino. I upgraded to an ESP32, which I had to adjust my code to, and then decided to upgrade again to a slightly larger OLED. Along the way I somehow acquired almost as many electronic components as there are trees in my forest.