NMR ISSUE 9

An Introduction to Modern Practical Alchemy
Astrological Forecast 9
Birth and Education of a Magician
Calling up the Spirits of Our Ancestors
Editorial
Electric Almanac
Harvest Equinox Sunstead
Obsidian
Protection from the Intoxicated
Raven, Bear and Grizzly Bear
Tarot Images
The Oldest Magick
The Spirit's Dance
The Story of Two Bridges
The Time of Spirits Samhain
The Ugly Witch Figures
Witchcraft: Yesterday and Today

Articles
Authors
Rituals
Book Reviews
NMR Issues
NMR Covers

Electric Almanac

Matrix Software ($14.95)

I usually find "metaphysical software" to be a source of humor (unless I paid for it). Advertisers often exaggerate computers' capabilities. They claim that a computer can help balance your checkbook—its utility is second only to pencil and paper. You can buy a Tarot program that is second only to a deck and the booklet that comes with it. (And these are rather poor seconds.) To add injury to insult, the software usually costs big bucks.

Computers have their place, however. Astrology is the best example of how computers can help—astrology involves masses of calculations and mindless data. (Tarot, on the other hand, is an example of how useless computers can be, since it is almost entirely intuitive.) Matrix software is one of the companies taking advantage of the "computerability" of astrology. They have also recently come out with the "Electric Almanac." This is a collection of immanently "computerizeable" information. Though it fits on one measly 360k disk (the box also contains a 720k disk), it is filled with enough information to easily make it worth the token $14.95 price.

The aptly named Almanac gives offers a surprising variety of information. It uses astronomical calculations for most of its features. It can tell you the best time for various activities, ranging from planting and hunting to making contracts and repairs. You can find the rising and setting times of the planets. It offers a daily astrology chart, table of planetary hours and lunar calendar. You can get an action graph, telling you when certain aspects are favored or not, for the month, week, day, or hour.

The almanac also offers various oracles. They range from the respectable I-Ching (particularly handy, since it translates so easily to computer) to the amusing "Almanac Oracle" (an electronic "Magic 8 Ball" (answer hazy, ask again later)). The Tarot is about as respectable as another I've seen (by itself) at twice the price. You can also find missing objects, see if a relationship will work and get your lucky lotto numbers for the day.

Though none of this information is in depth, I got more than I expected. Most importantly, it all seemed to be usable. Even if you don't find some of its features particularly compelling, the Electric Almanac offers enough that it shouldn't be difficult to find something of value. If nothing else, the U.S. Metric conversion tables should be useful. At $15, it's hard to miss. If you like almanacs (and have a computer) look into this.