From Dusty Grimoires to Digital Magic: Inside the Smartphone of a Modern Witch
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As a historian, I have a deep affection for all things old, but progress is inevitable. The same is true for witchcraft. The days of spending hours in dimly lit libraries, thumbing through dusty card catalogs in search of obscure texts, are largely behind us. Today's witches download tarot apps, read grimoires on their Kindles, light virtual candles, and share spells through reels and social media posts.
I still love curling up in a hammock with a good book on witchcraft, and I fondly remember losing entire afternoons in the British Library. Yet I've embraced modern conveniences too. So, let's take a look inside the smartphone of the modern witch.
Plant Identification Apps
While I would never recommend relying solely on plant and mushroom identification apps, they can be invaluable tools when you don't have a field guide at hand. It's still important to learn about your local flora and fungi and to develop your own identification skills over time.
Always verify identifications using multiple sources, and when it comes to mushrooms, seek advice from experienced foragers whenever possible. In some countries, such as France, you can even take wild mushrooms to a pharmacy for identification by a pharmacist trained in mycology. Unfortunately, these pharmacist-mycologists are becoming increasingly rare, making it all the more important to approach mushroom identification with caution.
PlantNet – one of the best plant identification apps available.
PictureThis – excellent for identifying plants and diagnosing common plant problems.
ShroomID – mushroom identification and information.
Picture Mushroom – assists with identifying fungi.
iNaturalist – particularly valuable because identifications can be reviewed by knowledgeable community members.
Natural Medicine Apps
Interest in natural and holistic approaches to health has grown significantly in recent years. I find this encouraging, particularly because it has sparked renewed curiosity about herbal medicine and other traditional healing practices. This is especially true among younger generations, many of whom are seeking ways to support their well-being alongside conventional healthcare.
Professional literature and evidence-based resources should always be the foundation of any herbal practice. However, as a quick reference tool, health and herbalism apps can certainly earn a place on the modern witch's phone, providing convenient access to information when needed.
Useful herbal apps include:
Herbal Guide – a handy reference for common medicinal herbs.
Digital Divination
No app can replace years of studying tarot symbolism or the intuition that develops through regular practice. However, tarot apps can be surprisingly useful for daily draws, keeping a tarot journal, or learning the meanings of cards.
Some of the most popular tarot apps include:
Labyrinthos – excellent for beginners and advanced readers alike, with lessons, quizzes, and several tarot decks.
Golden Thread Tarot – elegant, minimalist, and ideal for daily readings.
Trusted Tarot – straightforward readings and interpretations.
Galaxy Tarot – a comprehensive tarot learning resource.
While I still prefer the feel of real cards in my hands, I must admit that a quick tarot reading while waiting for a train can be remarkably convenient.
Moon Phases and Astrology
In the past, witches consulted almanacs, grimoires and handwritten calendars. Today, our phones can instantly tell us whether the moon is waxing or waning and which planetary influences are at work. As a double Cancer, I like to joke that I'm practically moon-powered. I plan my gardening by the lunar calendar, keep bottles of moon water chilling in the fridge, and faithfully charge my crystals under every full moon despite the affectionate eye-rolling of my physics-PhD husband. Coincidence or not, my moon garden always seems to be the happiest and most productive corner of the garden.
Popular choices include:
Moonly – beautiful moon phase tracking with spiritual content.
Moon Phase Calendar – simple and practical lunar tracking.
TimePassages – one of the most respected astrology apps available.
Astro Gold – powerful enough for serious astrologers.
Co–Star – popular among younger users for its modern approach to astrology.
Even if you are not deeply invested in astrology, knowing when the next full moon arrives is useful for many magical practitioners.
Digital Grimoires and Libraries
Perhaps the greatest advantage of modern technology is access to information. A modern witch can carry hundreds of books in a single device.
Some indispensable apps include:
Kindle – access to thousands of occult, historical, and herbal books.
Google Books – a treasure trove of older public-domain works.
Evernote or Notion – perfect for creating a digital Book of Shadows.
Obsidian – excellent for organizing magical notes, correspondences, and research.
Many rare texts that once required a pilgrimage to a major library can now be accessed within seconds.
Meditation and Spellwork
Even witches benefit from a little technological assistance when it comes to meditation and focus.
Helpful apps include:
Insight Timer – thousands of free meditations and soundscapes.
Balance – guided meditation and mindfulness.
Forest – helps you stay focused by discouraging phone use.
Atmosphere – ambient sounds for rituals, meditation, and relaxation.
Ironically, some of the best apps help us spend less time staring at our screens.
Final Thoughts
Still looking for one more magical app to download? At this point, your phone is probably as enchanted as your bookshelf. Light a virtual flame with Virtual Candle HD, pull a daily card with Golden Thread Tarot, build an ever-growing digital library on Kindle, and track every moon phase with the devotion of a true lunar enthusiast.
And if you're anything like me—someone whose coat pockets, handbags, and gardening aprons are perpetually filled with crystals and interesting stones—you've probably already downloaded at least a few of these apps.
Technology may have changed the tools we use, but not the spirit behind them. Whether your grimoire is leather-bound or stored in the cloud, whether your moon calendar hangs on the kitchen wall or lives on your phone, the heart of the craft remains the same: curiosity, learning, connection, and a little bit of everyday magic.