divining with the digital
a weeklong experiment with the art of shufflemancy
there’s no singular correct way to listen to music, in my opinion. as seen here on things i collected, i value various listening formats because they offer different experiences of hearing recorded music. a crisp and clear sound can be just as endearing as one with fuzz, static, and clicks if you set your expectations right. i am also just as fond of queuing up albums to play front to back as i am of a good, eclectic shuffle curation.
this past week, i embarked on an experiment with shufflemancy, a music-based form of divination that analyzes messages as heard in music at random. i’ve previously shared through my deep cuts series that i was familiar with this mystical art before i even knew it had a name. being clairaudient, i tend to resonate heavily with messages i download through sound. i like sound bowls and bells and listening to healing frequencies on YouTube. i’m writing this for the ones who understand what i mean when i ask “what color noise is your favorite?”
i frequently find that music can catch you at the most opportune times. how often do we hear a certain song at the most “coincidental” moment? or a particular phrase in a song playing in the background matches something you just said in conversation?
when it comes to shufflemancy, the following factors can all play into one’s interpretation of a message (at least in my experience):
the titles
the lyrics
the instrumentation
the song length
of course, this is not a conclusive list. like pulling tarot cards, the music preceding or following the song of choice may also inform the insight you receive.
with this in mind, i offer you a diary-style recap of “my week in music,” as determined by the stars (or at least my streaming library algorithm). i shuffled from over 71,000 songs (and counting) in my Apple Music library, basing the song selection on the number of the day. for example, i chose the first song in the queue on Monday, the second song on Tuesday, so on and so forth. what did i learn about the music i connected with during this challenge? what did i learn about myself? take a peek inside my diary to find out.
the week of Oct. 14-20
day 1: Monday
“Lowdown (part ii)” — Michael Kiwanuka [2024]
it was an early and busy day, from babysitting my nephews to onboarding for a new role. i forgot to start the experiment in the morning, so i asked instead what i needed to know about the experiment itself and how the song choice may or may not tie into what i encounter in the week ahead.
“Lowdown (part ii)” is an instrumental track full of strings, so i think i needed to give my mind room to slow down from all that i experienced not just that day but the week before. i needed to tie some loose ends together while allowing some threads to remain free. with this being part 2, Michael Kiwanuka beautifully returns to the sentiment he established on “Lowdown (part i)”. similarly, i don’t have to accomplish ALL of my tasks and goals in one day, or even in the exact moment that the inspiration strikes me. i can leave some things for when i have the energy to handle them.
day 2: Tuesday
“Victor” — Sam Dew [2015]
around 10AM, while lying in bed, i was reminded of the experiment.
it was a perfect opportunity since i hadn’t played any music yet this morning. so i went to grab my headphones in order to not disturb my partner while he slept in. i hit shuffle and skipped to the second song in the queue.
this song is about standing firm in who you are, being unwilling and unrelenting to back down to any challenge that gets in your way. defining yourself on your own terms is an act of reclamation, apparent in the way that Sam Dew sings “that is not my name” over and over.
“i won’t suffer a loss, not another day.”
this is the same week that another Sam Dew song (“NTWFL”) ended up on my favorites mix, so i’ll take this as a sign for me to tap back into his discography.
day 3: Wednesday
“One is the Magic # (Redux)” — Jill Scott [2001]
this is a live rendition of a track from her debut album that shows off her melismatic singing and mellifluous wordplay. yet another song about defining yourself on your own terms (hmm, that seems to be a trend). no matter what you go through, ultimately you’re left with yourself in the end. you might as well be satisfied with who you are and what you see when you look in the mirror.
the song begins with a blaring trumpet before Scott sings briefly in Spanish. while jazz is at the root of her singing style, she has a playful ability to pivot and flow between various styles and topics. the “redux” also implies that she put a spin on this song for the live performance. in what area of my life should i consider trying something new?
there’s a lot to ponder today. i received some heartbreaking news that led me to cancel my plans and tend to my wounds. this was also a day to remember that folks will often show you who they are the first time, so it can be bittersweet when a nagging inkling proves to be true. solitude was the magic remedy for me; one is indeed the magic number.
day 4: Thursday
“Mother’s Love” — Emahoy Tsege Mariam Gebru [1963]
today brought me another instrumental track to ease into the morning. i’m looking at a busy editing day ahead, so this floaty, ethereal piano is perfect to balance out that scenario.
the title of this song makes me think of how caring and selfless mothers will set aside their own needs and wants to garner better things for their children. i have a loving mom who still does this despite all of her children being grown1, and i think this week was a reminder that she’s her own person who needs to understand when to put herself first. sometimes, the messages you get from divinatory practices aren’t for you alone.
also, “The Girl is Mine” is one of the songs i skipped this day — “A Mother’s Love” represents a much calmer, gentler energy compared to the tension of the Michael Jackson/Paul McCartney duet.
day 5: Friday
“Forever” — Mass Production [1980]
the goal of today’s shuffle was to pick the 5th song in the queue, but i definitely couldn’t skip the first track, Tavares’ “More Than A Woman” from the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack2. “Çit Çit Çedene” by Altin Gün and “Hit & Run” by tobi lou were in the queue too. i couldn’t bring myself to pass them up either — the flow between tracks was pretty immaculate.
“Forever” is a really funky love song that’s of its time. what really caught my attention was reviewing the tracklist for their album Massterpiece and realizing that they have a song with my name as the title, same exact spelling with the accent over the e. shook was not even the word to describe how i felt — how did i miss that when i added this album to my library? today, i reevaluated many of my priorities and enjoyed the fruits of my labor. with this album, i think Mass Production reveled in their own art in a similar way. i appreciate the cheeky cover art that features the band as both museum patrons and the work on display.
Friday’s shuffle pick coincided with the debut of Reset & Rewind, a collaborative playlist i worked on for
. this ‘80s song would fit right at home with the throwback tracks and i curated for that thematic mix.day 6: Saturday
“Peace God” — Pink Siifu [2018]3
during the first few days of this challenge, i was so eager to get to the correct track that i sometimes skipped songs without noting what was in the queue. today, i took time to listen to all the preceding tracks:
“Last Day of Magic” — The Kills
“Buck McDaniels” — Yaya Bey
“Soon to Be, Won’t to Be” — Diane Coffee
“Tape You” — N.E.R.D
“Side to Side” — Joshua Griffin featuring Fatai
by the time i got to the track of the day, i’d already revisited some old faves and rediscovered a couple other tunes.4 “Peace God” opens with the sound of a ringing phone and hints at contemplations of faith. the title refers to a greeting commonly used amongst Black men who subscribe to the ideology of the Five Percent Nation. i think to myself: what’s currently testing my faith?
i shuffled the Reset & Rewind playlist for further confirmation. the song that appeared was “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire. what happened on the 21st of September? i was excitedly preparing to move the next day, so i had come to my new space to cleanse (both physically and energetically) and set intentions. i reinstated the transcendence of my altar as all of my usual tools were not available, but my purpose and vision for the space remained crystal clear. it was not a cloudy day in the slightest. i’m reminded that i’m right where i need to be, but maybe it’s time to reassert certain boundaries and fortify my spiritual practices even more.
day 7: Sunday
“Da Mystery of Chessboxin’” — Wu-Tang Clan [1993]
with this being the last day, i diligently paid attention to the preceding tracks as listed below:
“Cadillac” — Sports
“Easier In Heaven” — Dandelion
“Addiction” — JonoJono
“Tears can be so soft” — Christine and the Queens
“True Say” — Ebhoni
i found this mix to be moody and complex, like the experience of listening to “Da Mystery of Chessboxin’.” additionally, the title of Saturday’s song foreshadowed Wu-Tang Clan’s appearance on the final day of this experiment (IYKYK).
one thing about Wu-Tang: they are just as urban and contemporary as they are avant-garde; their debut album is a standout example of that. the concept of combining two different passions (like chess and boxing) and consequently, the rap collective’s allusion to this multidisciplinary sport, is a further extension of this versatility.
this was a day where i split my time between resting and tidying up my space, as i’m still settling in from the move. this song’s appearance also coincided with my significant other showing me a few 20th-century action films on Tubi (They Live and Bloodsport among them), so there’s an obvious thread there. take precise action to make things happen, but remember that balance is important to avoid burnout.
the comprehensive download
among the seven dominant songs of this challenge, i gathered the topics of religion/spirituality, triumph, self-awareness, longevity, and love. so much has changed for me in the past month, and it feels like i’m operating on a new paradigm — all of the aforementioned personal themes are implicated in this feeling of reinvention. as the days of this experiment progressed, i found that the messages were even more apparent, amplified, and aligned. signs can appear anywhere you look — it requires discernment to take what resonates and leave the rest.
overall, this experiment reminded me that there’s so much music to explore in my existing library (despite me adding new music all the time). even the songs i technically skipped held their own significance and recalled music i desire to experience for the first time (or the thousandth). i think that the results of this week will inform how i revisit my own listening archives — whether i explore forgotten music from my last.fm history or my external hard drive. i have a renewed sense of joy in hitting shuffle and seeing what awaits me.
i know motherhood is a lifelong commitment, and i commend her for it.
another record in my collection. i’ll share that with y’all when the time is right.
i should also note that this song was followed by “Habitual Love” by Okay Kaya, reiterating 2018 as a theme.
i’ll leave it up to you to determine which songs fell into which category.
Michael Jackson makes another appearance here through the interpolation of “I Can’t Help It.”