Blessing Your Devices? Yes!

The computer is a magical tool. The smartphone is the magical tool of the moment. Don’t believe me? Chances are you got riled up today seeing something on that screen today. I know I did. That’s magic. Try doing that to millions of people with a wand and a cup and a pentagram. It may seem like chaotic and malicious magic, and it certainly is, but someone is benefiting from every click. So why don’t many of us bless our computers and smartphones?*

Let’s build an easy blessing..

I generally work in a Catholic grandma meets Western Occult wizard framework, with enough Chaos punk ethos to strip things down to the base necessities. So I am going to start with the basic necessities here. Computers, smartphones, and the internet are all under the umbrella of communication and thought, so Mercurial spirits seem like a good choice. I do the occasional hymn to Hermes, so I will open with that, but feel free to open with anything that seems right. I am going to use the day and hour of Mercury, because I like the shorthand of planetary day and hour. I will close with a Raphael prayer, both for his Mercurial and healing aspects. One could certainly make a case for the other Archangels too, so if that’s your bag go right ahead, but really any prayer of thanks should work.

A basic procedural framework might look like this. Light incense appropriate for Mercurial spirts, or frankincense, candle, glass of water, or other offerings of your preference. Start with an opening prayer or evocation, wave the devices over the smoke saying something along the lines of (using unnamed spirits to keep it universal*);

“Spirits of protection, Spirits of Healing, make this device, this tool, this portal, safe for me, and for my Peace of Mind. Help me to keep my Equilibrium in the sea of things meant to distract me from my Work. Spirits of Communication, help me to express my Thoughts in a way that will be understood and not judged unfairly, and help me do the same for the thoughts of Others. Spirits of Commerce, help my financial ventures thrive in the online marketplace, and make my purchases true. Spirits of Mischief, turn your eyes elsewhere, and do not deceive me through this device. Spirits of Wisdom, guide me always.”

Say it three times over each device. Close the ritual with a prayer, thanking the spirits for their help in the matter. If you work with saints, you could try St. Isadore of Seville, St. Anthony of Padua, or you can be hip and petition Carlos Acutis, who is reportedly on the fast track to becoming the official patron saint of the internet. I don’t know about you, but I want that kid in my corner. Happy travels online, since that’s the best we can do right now anyway

*I got the inspiration to do this from listening to a recent episode of the “Deeper Down the Rabbit Hole” podcast, so only fair to give a little credit

*Thanks to Six Ways by Aiden Wachter to open my eyes to using abstract spirits rather than named spirits for things like this