Paper short abstract:

This paper explores the intersections between magic and technology as discussed in chaos magic forums on reddit.com. A brief introduction on the chaos magic current is provided. The main body focuses on the interactions between reddit users regarding the use of technology in magic.

Paper long abstract:

"Technomancy...is the magickal study, practice, or phenomena of mystical occurrences or actions involving advanced technology". Thus reads the brief description in the r/Technomancy subreddit (reddit.com), a rather small forum with around 2,000 members. Its logo, however --an eight-pointed star called the "symbol of chaos"-- shows the clear influence of a much larger current in modern occultism; that of chaos magic. Indeed, in the 38,900-member subreddit r/chaosmagick, discussions on the intersections between technology and magic abound. A common topic in both forums is the use of computer coding for the creation of sigils or familiar spirits. These are often described as AIs--programmable entities for which the practitioner provides input ("if this...then that") according to which they are meant to function.

This paper aims at exploring the intersections between magic and technology, and the general idea of technomancy in contemporary chaos magic discourse and practice. A brief introduction and definition of chaos magic and its history will be provided, pointing out key points and ideas where technological innovation and theory have played a central role in the development of the current. For example, instances of programming language appear in chaos magic literature as early as in 1981.

The main body of the paper will focus on the images, language, terms and examples (particularly from the field of coding) used by practitioners in the r/Technomancy and r/chaosmagick subreddits. Special interest will be given to those points where occultists try to negotiate, debate and/or validate the use of technology in magic. This digital ethnography of sorts thus offers a glimpse not just of modern occult theory as it is developing in these communities, but also their practices and tools.