Hey you! You want to know something funny? Computers can’t do random. Everything has to come from somewhere. When a programmer needs a random number, they use a generator. This generator has a function in it that spits out a number that fits the program’s needs. How does it feign randomness? Well that comes from whatever the program is seeded with! This can be anything from the timestamp on your computer to the movement of a lava lamp. Anything you can snapshot at that exact moment and translate into a number? That’s a seed! Seed goes into formula, comes out a random number, and gets used by the program. Why does this matter? That tarot app you use is tied to random number generation. Shufflemancy? Tied into the second you hit the button for shuffle. Always keep in mind where your working is seeded from if you are able to determine the source.

Being a technology focused witch, my goal is to use the advantages of technology to supplement or substitute “traditional” witchcraft elements. This includes how I take notes and store information. However, just like picking out a notebook or binder to store an analog Grimoire or Book of Shadows in, there’s a lot of things to consider for a digital version.

If you are looking just to make a Book of Shadows, a record just for yourself, your primary concern is yourself. Think about what works best for you and don’t worry about what works for others. If you think you’ll have use for a Grimoire as well, some place of information you would want to share, then you need to take others into account.

Either way, when going digital for this, you will need to pick some file formats and applications to start with. Here’s a few things you might want to consider:

• How do I best process information? Am I a reader? Do I prefer art? Are tables or headers important? How do I naturally take notes?
• What devices do I want this data accessible from? Does this need to be on more than one device? Or localized to only one?
• Do I want to use a specific device for my BoS or Grimoire that can be magically dedicated to the purpose and kept safe that way?
• Do I want a backup copy of my data? Do I have a method for version control in mind? Do I feel comfortable with elements of my content being stored in the cloud?
• Is there a particular aesthetic/interface/etc. that will make me feel MORE connected to my craft? Is there an aesthetic that will make me feel LESS connected?
• Is any element I am considering a proprietary software/file format/whatnot that will come under threat should the company/software/system behind it fold or become obsolete? Can this file be ‘rescued’ easily if such an event occurs?

If you are interested in this topic and seeing some of my personal considerations when designing my BoS/Grimoire, I am starting a series on it on my Patreon page. For as little as $1 a month, you get access to blog posts and monthly tarot readings sent to your inbox. https://www.patreon.com/lynntheory

I don’t think people realize how much being a witch is essentially being an author and librarian for yourself. You are perpetually taking notes, organizing them for quick reference, and trying to decide how best to store them. Want to know where I’ve been? *Data entry hell* because I can’t settle for ordinary notes. No I know how to make a database so that is what I am gonna do. But planning massive data structures is hard so I’ve restarted at least three times. So… Yeah…

Shelter in Place Order is used as a preventative, and not as a reaction. This order comes soon. I am safe.

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emoji spell to bring good news that warrants celebration

like to charge

reblog to cast

Witchy New Year Resolutions

• Get in touch with my spirituality again
• Do daily tarot cards
• Practice scrying methods
• Work on my digital grimoire on notion
• Pay attention to moon cycles
• Post more consistently on witchblr

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^ an emoji spell to seal my intention to achieve these resolutions