Nervous System is a mathematically inspired jewelry design company founded by a couple of brainy chicks who graduated from MIT. Jesse and Jessica developed a computer program that uses pattern generating algorithms to create the designs for the jewelry. From their write-up at Daily Candy:

The Los Angeles-based duo writes and runs pattern-generating computer scripts that create delicate, naturey designs. Then they replicate the patterns in real form, using materials like stainless steel and silicone rubber to forge earrings, brooches, necklaces, and bracelets.

One of the coolest parts of the Nervous System website is the Play and Learn page where you can play with an applet they've created to simulate the growth of coral and dendritic crystals. The applet is based on an algorithm called "diffusion limited aggregation." (For the mathematically challenged among us they have kindly provided links to information that explains what diffusion limited aggregation is.) Luckily for us, we don't actually need to know the math to use the applet to create interesting designs, but there is an advanced application where you can plug in specific numbers to control how the applet generates the designs. Once you create a design you like, you can have it made into a piece of jewelry.

What, you ask, does any of this have to do with magick?

Using mathematical formulas to create jewelry designs reminded me of a post by Essais from May of last year wherein she described a system she had developed for creating sigils from sudoku puzzles "via a complicated numerology system involving ogam and fractions." Sigils fascinate me, with the endless possibilities they present for magickal application, and I would like to incorporate them into my own work. I was mightily impressed with what Essais had done and hoped that she might share her technique. Clearly there is something in the numbers that works for her magickally.

If it's possible to use mathematical formulas to create sigils, why not talismans and charms? If you knew - or were able to figure out - how to change the numerical parameters of the Nervous System design applet and you were using magickally significant numbers, you could control the creation of a design so that the end product was infused with magickal properties. Once the design was rendered as a piece of jewelry you'd have a mathematically magickal charm to wear.

This idea is extremely appealing to me. I love talismans and charms and have lots of jewelry charged for one purpose or another. I would love to give Nervous System a try. Using numerology or other methods to determine what numbers to use would be easy enough. The trick would be finding a math whiz who could help me understand diffusion limited aggregation!

Come to think of it, diffusion limited aggregation sounds like the name of spell. I mean, who wouldn't want to limit diffusion? But I digress . . .

Posted by Angela-Eloise at 1:16 PM