Sigils are one of my favorite forms of magick because they’re so versatile and yet so effective! There are (probably) hundreds of sigil creation techniques, so there’s bound to be one out there that works for you. And even if you haven’t come across a sigil creation method that particularly resonates with you, the beauty of sigils is that you can just make your own technique.
Today’s sigil tutorial is perfect for all the technomancers out there. Or people who just find themselves drawn to the digital over a physical pen and paper. This approach harnesses the everyday technology at your fingertips, quite literally.
The Advantages of Keyboard Sigils
Psst, what are you reading this post on right now? I’m willing to bet that you didn’t print out my blog post just to read it. The device you’re reading on (whether it be your phone, tablet, computer, gaming console, whatever) is ready to be used to make a sigil.
Using your keyboard to make a sigil is great for a number of reasons:
- They’re accessible. You’re likely already on a device that has a keyboard can be used to create a sigil.
- You’re familiar with the layout. The QWERTY keyboard layout (or whatever keyboard layout you choose to use) is likely very familiar to you. You know where the keys are located and can probably type without looking.
- You’re bonded with your device. I don’t mean this in a bad, get-off-your-phone type of way. The fact that you use your device and keyboard a lot is a good thing when it comes to sigil making! You have a connection with what you’re using which makes for a powerful sigil.
- It’s an easy structure. Keyboard layouts don’t change unless you change them. Having a set structure that you can refer to (or already have memorized) makes sigil creation quick and easy.
- It’s covert. Whether you’re in the broom close or not, sometimes you don’t want to broadcast your craft. There’s nothing suspicious about pulling up your phone’s keyboard and mentally (or physically) running your fingers over the keys and creating a sigil.
A Con of Using Keyboard Sigils
While the title of this post specifies a phone keyboard, you could really use any keyboard. All you’re using it for is a reference.
The main difference is that a keyboard’s letters never shift around. In the above methods, the “locations” of the letters change from sigil to sigil. Having them move makes them harder to reverse engineer the meaning (a good thing), but also harder to create on the fly (likely a bad thing).
Again, how you want to create your sigil and what method works best is completely up to you.
How to Create a Keyboard Sigil
Let’s break down the process into simple steps. You can use a screenshot of your keyboard as a reference or directly interact with it. The choice is yours, and the process remains equally potent.
If you type using the “swipe” method, congratulations! You already know how to make a sigil. If you don’t, basically you run your finger from letter to letter (without lifting) to form a single word.
I’ll still walk you through the method because visualizing is a good thing!
Here’s a visual step by step to help explain!
Step 1: Set Your Intent
The first step in any sigil creation is to define your intent. What do you wish to manifest? For our example, let’s say the intent is academic success: “I HAVE ALL A’S THIS SEMESTER.” Visualize not only the outcome but also the feeling of achieving this goal.
Step 2: Condense Your Intent
Next, we streamline the intent to its essence. This serves two purposes: it simplifies the design and masks the intent, which is crucial in sigil magick. This helps us “forget” why we created the sigil and prevents someone from code breaking and figuring out its meaning.
You can do this multiple ways. The most common way, and the way that I use, is by removing duplicate letters first, then removing all vowels. Sometimes, if I have a short intent, I leave the vowels in to give me more to work with.
From our example, remove repeating letters and vowels until you’re left with a more abstract version. “I HAVE ALL A’S THIS SEMESTER” might become “HV L S T M R.”
I like to use my Notes app to help.
Step 3: Trace Your Sigil
With your condensed intent in hand, turn to your keyboard. Begin to trace the letters, connecting them fluidly without lifting your finger. This physical tracing, combined with focused intent, embeds your desire into the digital medium, energetically charging the sigil.
Step 4: Energize and Seal the Sigil
I like to think that using your phone and its battery automatically charges the sigil when its created. The 1’s and 0’s and electronic pulses that occur every time you touch your phone or do anything with it produce enough energy to charge your sigil! Because it’s already charged, it’s good to go as is. The act of that initial creation is enough.
But, you could also choose to write it down and actually draw it in the real world, then charge it with your preferred method.
Step 5: Adding Flairs to the Sigil (Optional)
Following proper sigil creation, start your sigil with a circle and end with a perpendicular line. Likewise, you can also stylize it to your liking, adding flares or whatever you see fit.
This can also be done with Notes.
Tips for Effective Keyboard Sigils
Here are a few additional tips to enhance your sigil crafting:
- Use different keyboard layouts: If you are multilingual or familiar with different keyboard layouts, experiment with them. Each layout can add a unique layer of complexity and personalization to your sigil.
- Combine methods: Feel free to mix digital tracing with traditional drawing. For example, trace digitally but finalize the design on paper or another medium that holds personal significance.
- Charge further if desired: While digital devices do charge your sigils, adding extra energy through meditation or other magickal workings can amplify their power.
Common Questions About Keyboard Sigils
Q: Can I use any digital device to create a sigil?
A: Absolutely! Any device with a keyboard can serve this purpose—smartphones, tablets, laptops, or even gaming consoles.
Q: Is it necessary to be secretive about making sigils?
A: Not necessarily, but discretion can be beneficial, both for privacy and for keeping the sigil’s intent pure from external influences.
Q: How often can I use the same sigil?
A: You can reuse a sigil as often as needed, but it’s generally recommended to create a new one for each different intent to tailor the magick specifically to each desire.
Crafting sigils using a keyboard is a modern twist on a traditional practice, blending ancient magickal techniques with the convenience of digital technology. This method not only makes sigil magick more accessible but also integrates it seamlessly into our daily lives, allowing for spontaneous and discreet spellwork. So next time you’re on your phone or laptop, remember, you’re just a few taps away from manifesting your desires.
