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.
You can tell I feel awkward making these because I don’t use the title field, I just make a header… ANYWAY
Hi, I’m Lynn. If you’re following me, you probably like my techie witch musings. If you do, consider dropping me a Ko-fi? https://ko-fi.com/lynntheory
I’m in the process of adding a store to the page, but for now you can use the commissions feature to get a tarot reading with me, if you are interested. https://ko-fi.com/lynntheory/commissions
If you like my writing and want more of it, check out my Patreon, where for as little as $1 a month you get monthly readings AND a bunch of writing. Win win, yeah? https://www.patreon.com/lynntheory
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…
My messages and asks are open to all who have questions. If you’re an lgbtq+ witch, atheist witch, traditional or eclectic or any in between, POC, woman, Man, or enby, left hand path or follower of three fold law, a disabled witch, or whatever else, I will be more than happy to help in any way I can. I can not promise that I will have the answer, but I will promise I will do my best to help you find the tool or resources needed to get to the answer.
If your ideologies embody any bigoted worldview or any beliefs that outright harm entire groups of people for things that they can not control then this is not the blog for you and I suggest you find somewhere else to push your narrative.
Here we believe love always wins, black lives matter, no one is illegal on stolen land, trans rights are human rights, indigenous voices deserve to be heard, and disabled people should have access to everything baled people have access too.
Remember, witchcraft isn’t white and never will be, and it’s important as white witches to acknowledge the cultures that have had witchcraft at their center and have been tarnished and discriminated against on the basis of their cultures alone. Acknowledging your privilege isn’t bad and is absolutely necessary in a practice that has a history of appropriation (it’s up to us to be educated on what is and isn’t appropriation) in order to ensure you are respecting it in every way you can.
Let’s be real here. Those of us who are on the moons side don’t really have a reason to worry. These moon deities are not dumb, if they’re going to retaliate it’s going to be extremely targeted, not a broad hit at the entirety of witchcraft. Unless you were one of the idiots who actually thought they would hex some of the most powerful forces in magic, you don’t have a reason to be afraid. Just show your deities that you’re here to support them and offer help when asked. They don’t need your protection and they honestly don’t really need help. Extend your support to them as much as you want and show them you’re on their side, but I promise you these baby witches haven’t made a dent on these forces in an attempt to try to hurt them. If anything they just hexed a giant mirror and got it thrown back at them.
