A few weeks ago, there was a shout on our Facebook about a little astrology app called Co-Star. There wasn’t much response. So, with that, it seemed like a solid time to finally get around to doing a review! This seemed like a helpful and simple solution.
Of course, this ponderance quickly cascaded towards another tangent…
When Did the Rules for Technology in Circle Change?
A common question for new witches and other practitioners is regarding what they need to get started. The answer to this varies from person to person, as well as from tradition to tradition. Furthermore, the question of need is usually easily the dealbreaker to the question in any case.
Generally, no additional materials are required for one to practice magick. Tools are a different topic entirely, and one that will eventually be discussed. For now, to keep it simple, rarely are tools beyond what one can do with their body or their mind, needed to successfully practice magick or to learn how to be a witch.
Tech-NO-Fancy…
Simply put… Unless one is planning on taking the route of a hardcore technomancer, technology isn’t going to have much of a purpose or a place in modern magick spellcraft or ritual.
Magick and Technology Don’t Mix
Looking back through history, or at least the last 40 years or so, fictitious witches often had troubles with mechanical aspects of the empirical world.
Often, many practices will actually advise practitioners to avoid anything electronic while they are doing rituals. Back in the day… (say circa 1996) this was an easy enough aspect to avoid. For example, the movie, “The Craft”, was representative of popularized Wicca back in the day.
Technology didn’t really have a place in circles, spells, or magick as a whole. Needless to say, without a natural place, there was little conflict.
A Brief Editorial Sidenote From Rohanna Irene
I would like to take a moment to be candid here because, in truth, this whole article just sort of train wrecked me. I have tried to show the whole process of how technology was taboo, frowned upon, or (in some cases) totally forbidden from incorporation. This was done in a sort of down and dirty kind of way.
The point is, this article is kind of now an editorial.
Magick Represents a Mindset
With that being said… there is something… off-putting about recommending a proverbial tool of technology for magickal purposes. Perhaps, it is just the old-school expectation of avoiding technology outright…
Then again…it has been a while since we have had anything truly popular and public in Idaho. Years of solitary practice have been firmly placed between me (personally) and a more formal esoteric practice. Hipe
Moving Forward and Embracing Technology With Magick
Many neo-pagans and modern witchcraft traditions teach that ritual and spell working space should be free and clear from technological interactions. Depending on the magick tradition, rules about technological interference have often been seen as an unacceptable practice.
This could mean that the inclusion could result in maladaptive results due to breaking unspoken rules of process, or simply a cultural taboo.
Adaptation Requires Technological Acceptance in Magick Practices
The intent of this article was never to dive so deeply into the discussion about technology and magic. The review was posted well before the blog post here was even considered.
However, this whole dialog break does offer up a chance to discuss the topic. Additionally, it brings up some interesting points about what modern pagans, mages, and other varieties of witches, have to look forward to in the very near future.
It is less about whether or not there is a place for technological advancements in magick, and more of culling for consideration that seems to be necessary. Additionally, as advancements such as phone apps or computer programs are discussed, it feels like there is a hollowness to the whole conversation… that could totally be because I am conversing, technically with me, in a hypothetical-ish motivated manner.
Losing Touch With Reality is Becoming Too Commonplace
It is not until an issue is stumbled upon that that the lack of is lack of direction and leadership within the magical community feels more pressing and apparent…
Who is even in charge of this whole thing anymore? What are we even doing here?
New Rules and a Suggestion for the Management
For now, it is easy enough to stick by whatever rules seem to work best for each individual practitioner. That might not solve any issues when public rituals or events come to play, but that is a case-by-case consideration for another day! For now, it seems like it is beyond the point of time where the rules on technology should have changed (if they haven’t already). Part of me halfway wonders if this whole concept is a thing in my head and people don’t even worry about it anymore. Times are a-changing, and is it just one of those things where I lost track of time? Maybe we should practice what we preach and discuss the issue as a group?
Duly noted. In the meantime, let’s get back to the Co-Star astrology app.
Seriously, this isn’t a sponsored segment (er… breakdown). Honestly, a few of us here at Mage Against the Machine stumbled upon the app, began using it, and were impressed with it. Now we just want to share. PLUS we made a video on it and everything. There is a definite learning curve there!
YouTube Co-Star Astrology App Review
With everything else under consideration, how about we take a look at the review for this app? It has a lot of cool features and overall gets a good rating from us.
Definitely worth checking out!
What Do You Think?
We would love to hear what you think…. about the Co-Star app… AND the video! This is our first review and we are slowly learning new skills for video editing and recording. Seriously, feedback is welcome and appreciated!
Mage Against the Machine 