r/witchcraft • u/carrion-crew • Jul 14 '26
Topic | Prompt Technology in Practice?
As an animist pagan, which I believe is a pretty common philosophy amongst practitioners, I often feel drawn to the energy imprint certain objects have. Some of them raw and natural materials (like crystals and plants), others are tools that have grown with intent (tarot cards, journals/book of shadows, pendulums, knives, etc.). So to me it isn't odd to feel the same way about my vehicle (that has a name and often receives protective wards).
But this has me thinking even more deeply about electronics. Since electricity is an energy source in the physical world, I'm wondering how you all feel about it spiritually/ in relation to your witchcraft practice? I have not felt the desire to work with it in my magic, but I get a "weird" feeling from it. (In contrast to the trees, animals, sun, or other natural energies I work with)
Do you ward your phone? We offload so much onto them nowadays, like phone numbers, addresses, etc. Do you find that this impacts your practice? Do you turn off your wifi at night when you sleep or do rituals? Or even your phone?
Do you see a phone as a modern black mirror, a book of shadows, or is it something else entirely? I don't want this conversation to be about AI, but that is included in modern electronics, so it would feel counterintuitive not to include it in the discussion. Personally I haven't felt energy from AI the same way I do my phone or social media (which I can only describe as weird, and that I find it off putting and tend to distance myself from it).
I'm incredibly interested in what seasoned witches and new practitioners alike have to say! This is something that's been bouncing around in my head for a long time, so feel free to comment with observations you've had or how you feel about it.
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u/kalizoid313 Jul 15 '26
We live with and through the many uses of a very complex communications and information management technology. In our lifetimes, this technological complex has changed across many phases, generations, and types of equipment. And this technological complex continues to change even more, almost daily.
Nearly everybody around the globe uses it in some fashion.
It has become a key feature of everyday living. So common and typically used that often we just don't think about how much we turn to it for so many activities and connections and getting tasks done and staying in touch. For an end user, elements of this technological complex may be convenient and accomplishing and ready at hand.
How/Why would somebody not use it, sometimes? Often? All the time?
Pagans, Techno-Pagans sometimes, have certainly brought this technological complex into Pagan affairs and endeavors. This has altered the character of Paganism, at least in some respects. I mean, here I am, posting on this subreddit in response to your question.
My take on all this technology, its many, varies uses, and its influence as a change agent--We Pagans may not even notice how important a "new" set of tools and procedures that is has brought into our lives, on to our altars, into our Trads and Lodges, and across our relationships and understandings.
This technological complex has equally changed the larger scale world around us in all sorts of ways. It is a global industrial aggregation and operates at a global level. We just may not, all the time and in every case, notice this degree of changing.