Modern Paganism- Electronics

So one of the biggest questions I have recieved since the end of my podcast was, "Drake what do you mean when you say modern pagan?" It took me a little while to actually ponder what I meant when I used this phrase. I know that it sounded really good and that it actually is how I describe my practice. I am a modern pagan living in the modern world using all of the modern convinces I can during the course of my day.

I know what you are thinking, what I described was really long winded, but hey that is me! I used to know a person and she really is a great witch. She taught me a lot but she was really stuck in the stone ages when it came to her practice. It won't say any names but she knows who she is. She used to tell me things like we can't have radios or cell phones in circle because it will get in the way of magikal energies. OK! I used to have a huge problem with this because I along with many people in today's world are completly attached to small electronics. I mean who isn't seriously?

Think about it! For me simply waking up for my day on time is reliant on a small alarm clock. I use an electric tooth brush and turn on the lights to see in the morning. I reach for my iPhone and turn it on and get a flood of text messages and emails. At work I use a small palm pilot to do my daily tasks. Even driving in my car I am completely reliant on electronics. So for something that is as engrained into our daily lives as small electronics are, I always ask how it would get in the way of my magick?

My answer is IT WONT! Here is my reasoning, if we look at it this way, what is our craft but an evolution of thoughts put into action? So let's stretch a little more and say this, electronic devices are an evolution of our thoughts put into action. From the discovery of electricity and its power, human thought has evolved. When computers were first invented they were the size of a large room. Now we have the iPad and net books that fit basically in our back pockets. Electronics have evolved with us to help make life as easy and as convient as possible. So why would we not use them in our own practices.

I for one keep a "USB of Shadows." I do keep an actually book but I find that if I need to look something up all I have to do is pop in my USB drive and double click. It is so much easier than fumbling through my rather extensive book of shadows and trying to find something.

I also like to use music in my own personal rituals so I put my iPhone on my speaker dock which is right on my alter and play music. I find that personally it fits rather well with the flow of things. So to those of you who are curious try it out. Step out of the Stone Age and into the modern world with the rest of us. LOL just kidding but seriously don't be afraid of changes because we all think and change over time. Evolve with your thoughts and your practices will change right along with you.

Bright and Dark Blessings

Drake Atlas