Gen Z Charmed By DIGI Amulets

A New Vision Board

Digital amulets are lock screens that read “Abundance is mine.” A bio that says “11:11 | trust the process.” A Twitter handle like @333babie or @777.rising. Or maybe a Pinterest board called “High Vibe Life” filled with mood boards of Bora Bora, Birkin bags, and Balenciaga slides—because apparently, you can manifest wealth one background image at a time. “My wallpaper says ‘I don’t chase, I attract,’” says Isha Mehra (22) from Pune. “Every time I check the time or my phone pings, it’s like a little reminder from the universe.”

Manifestation is a term most widely used by Gen-Z. They believe it all comes from curating a digital environment to match the reality they live in and the opportunities that they want to attract. And that starts with one thing: phone screen!

The New Nazar

Many people in India still tie lemon-chili charms to cars, apply kala tika behind the ears for babies to ward off evil, but Gen-Z just slaps 444 or 999 in their username, repeating number sequences like 111, 222, or 555. These so-called “angel numbers” are thought to be the new eye that wards off negative energy, have spiritual significance, and signal messages from the universe or guardian angels.

“It’s like digital numerology,” says Sana Shaikh, a spiritual leader. “Each number has a meaning. 222 means alignment. 888 is financial abundance. If you’re constantly seeing a number, the belief is that the universe is trying to tell you something.” And Gen Z isn’t just seeing these numbers—they’re embedding them in bios, email handles, gamertags, and even tattooed into their skin, proving that manifestation now has both a form and a frequency.

Aesthetic vs Identity

Another rising trend is the moon phase bios. Whether it’s “cancer rising | moon in Leo” or “new moon energy only,” astrology is being flattened into bite-sized, bio-ready identifiers. People are obsessed with finding out which moon phases to meet ideal partners, attend meetings, do investments— the list is endless. Couples have also framed the moon phases of when they first met. “These apps are like digital horoscopes but moodier,” laughs Ruhan Kapoor, a college student.

Digital Rituals, IRL Comfort

According to psychologists, a mix of control, comfort, and chaos management is what's the driving force behind this trend. “In a world that feels increasingly unstable—economically, socially, environmentally—young people are looking for micro-rituals that provide agency and structure,” explains Dr. Kavya Nanda, a Mumbai-based clinical psychologist. “Phone wallpapers, affirmations, and bios become tiny acts of self-soothing and intention-setting.”

The mobile phone is the first thing that many see in the morning and the last thing before going to bed at night. So why not protect it from the evil that can’t be seen? “You’re not praying to a god. You’re coding your life with soft, symbolic cues,” adds Dr. Nanda. “It’s deeply psychological. It’s modern magic.”

Placebo or Power Move

While critics say that it’s all woo-woo fluff wrapped to make the modern generation even more ‘soft’. But is there a placebo effect behind this? Science shows that belief, even if symbolic, can shift behaviour. If a lock screen saying “Money flows to me” makes someone feel more confident walking into a job interview, is it useless? Or are we over-reading the situation here?

“Gen Z is a gullible generation. They fall for any stupid thing that is shiny and glows in the dark. There is no sense of logic and practicality with what they buy or invest their time in,’’ says Albert D'Costa, an accountant. Simply changing your screensaver to angel numbers does not make sense to many people.

Even journaling has gone digital, with apps sending customized affirmations throughout the day. Religious scriptures for the day are popping up on the notification bar.

Vibes Replace Religion

According to a 2024 Pew report, Gen Z globally is the least religious generation to date, but paradoxically, the most spiritual. They may not be going to church or temple, but they’re cleansing their timelines, using incense filters, and trusting the algorithm and the universe. This isn’t just a phase of rebellion; it’s a power move where major brands, tech giants, and fashion houses are catching on.

In 2024, Apple’s Spring update included customizable lock screen widgets for intention tracking. Nike’s Gen Z-focused campaign “Dream It, See It, Be It” featured wallpapers with lunar phases and cosmic affirmations. Zara launched a capsule collection inspired by birth charts. “Spirituality is now a design choice,” says Kapoor. “You sell the mood. You sell meaning. That’s what Gen Z is buying.” Of course, there’s always the risk of manifestation becoming just another trend—more cute than cosmic. But for many, it’s not just aesthetic. So, are these digital amulets a placebo or a power move? Maybe they’re both. Whatever they are, they’re working for a generation that’s rewriting the rules of faith—one aesthetic manifestation at a time.