I know a guy who prefers the use of technology to help him with his spellcasting. His book of shadows is a file on his computer, and he blesses all his memory sticks, and can do rituals with his friends over Skype. He's had a lot of people tell him that what he's doing is wrong, and that natural magick is the only way to go. What are you guys' thoughts on this? I think it's pretty cool tbh.
I tend to be a technowitch/technopagan, and although there's many people who will try to discredit you for it, it's still a valid way of practice. For instance, I find its much easier to keep a virtual Book of Shadows as I'm constantly adding to it and editing what I've previously written. I also keep a copy on my iPad and iPhone using ibooks author as I can take my BoS wherever I go. It's not the tools you use that matter, its the intention behind it.
There's a cute "You Know You're a Technowitch If.." thing here that I find amusing:
I think the whole techno-pagan thing is pretty cool. I love looking at online shrines and altars. I'm a natural practitioner, but even I've participated in a few group rituals that were conducted with the help of the Internet. It's also a great tool for witches and pagans who are in the broom closet and looking for different ways to hide their practice from family members.
There is nothing wrong with Cyber Magic! Natural Magic is when you take in the use of your natural surroundings.(Using mostly Herbs, grass, dirt for workings etc. etc.)
It is alright to do rituals and spells over the Internet. Personally, I would never do such a thing considering I follow the Old Ways. If it works for you and feels right, go for it!
I certainly think that cyber magic is valid, certainly if members of a group are some distance away from each other. I heard a story of a group doing the Di Dingir rite by this manner and experiencing electric buzzes while they did it.
But thats only what I heard.
Out of curiosity, if Natural Magic is the use of your natural surroundings, and if you are naturally surrounded by technology like in a lab or something then wouldn't using the technology around you for magical purposes be under that term of Natural Magic? I am not trying to ruffle any feathers, I am just curiious :)
I agree with you there, especially when you think that even computers are made out of naturally preexisting materials, they are a natural object. They simply are more advanced, and I see nothing wrong with taking full advantage of the environment around you
