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The Steampunk Tarot: Wisdom from the Gods of the Machine - PGW — Tarot Divination

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The Steampunk Tarot: Wisdom from the Gods of the Machine - PGW

Name: The Steampunk Tarot: Wisdom from the Gods of the Machine - PGW
Brand: Tuttle Publishing
Price: 12.95 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9780804847957

✍️ John Matthews, Caitlin Matthews, Wil Kinghan

Reader Score

4.5

(1 review)

$12.95 ~~$16.00~~ Save $3.05 (19%)

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

This unique tarot deck plunges into an imaginative alternate reality, blending Victorian aesthetics with ingenious contraptions and a punk spirit. It reinterprets traditional tarot archetypes within a steampunk universe, where airships traverse the skies and technology reigns supreme. The 78 cards feature the "Gods of the Machine" as Major Arcana, guiding forces of this world, alongside the "Legates of the Omniverse" as Court Cards—ambassadors representing the skills that sustain this intricate Imperium. Prepare to explore a realm where opulence meets innovation, offering fresh perspectives on divination through a truly distinctive lens.

Matthews, John; , Matthews, Caitlin; , Kinghan, Wil

📚 all books by this author (2) →

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Tarot & Divination

🏛 Tuttle Publishing 📅 2016 ISBN: 9780804847957

Fun Fact

*The Steampunk Tarot* offers a visually stunning and intellectually stimulating journey for those seeking a tarot experience beyond the conventional. Its intricate artwork and clever re-imagining of archetypes are truly captivating. While traditionalists might find its departure from classical symbolism challenging, it's a magnificent choice for enthusiasts of speculative fiction, alternative histories, and anyone desiring a deck that sparks profound imagination. A vibrant addition to any modern esoteric collection.

📝 Description: The Steampunk Tarot: Wisdom from the Gods of the Machine - PGW

Imagine a time when vast helium-fueled airships took the place of aircraft, and where the hunger for adventure and exploration took the human race into stranger places than we ever imagined. The Steampunk Tarot imagines this in an alternate-reality tarot where The Technomage is king, and the Punk Diva is queen. Tumble down the rabbit hole into a construction of technology, machines, retro-art and culture, full of fantastic visions in a time and place that realizes an alternate world to our own. The world of steampunk combines Victoriana, the Gothic, and early invention with a huge dash of imagination and a tremendous sense of style. The Steampunk Tarot is a world apart: a nexus of opulence, innovation and alternate world-views that is reflected in 78 scenes. The 22 major arcana cards are the actors at the heart of the machine, the deos macninae or "the gods of the machine." Acting as mediators of the Gods of the Machine are the 16 court cards who are the Legates of the Omniverse, or ambassadorial representatives of the Four Leagues, comprising all the skills that maintain the Imperium: they are the movers and shakers--the Commander, Lady, Navigator, and Messenger, or King, Queen, Knight and Page. They oversee the other 40 cards of the minor arcana, who are the elemental worlds of Airships, Engines, Submersibles and Gears, or Swords, Wands, Cups and Coins. There are still things to discover and uncover in the Steampunk Imperium. Many new methods of spreading and playing with tarot cards are included, as well as methods of life-navigation by the use of skillful questions. The Steampunk Tarot is an adventurous tarot for the discerning diviner, to be appreciated both by tarot-users and steampunk fans the world over.

💎 Expert review

“

💎

Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

Matthews and Kinghan deliver a visually striking departure from standard tarot traditions, successfully merging punk spirit with Victorian elegance. The reinterpretation of Major Arcana as divine machinery is creative and engaging, offering a distinct thematic coherence that appeals to genre fans. However, purists adhering strictly to the Rider-Waite-Smith symbolism or traditional esoteric history may find the heavy narrative overlay distracting or dismissive. This volume does not suit readers seeking straightforward, classical instruction without artistic embellishment. It is best appreciated as an artistic and imaginative tool rather than a rigid doctrinal text, appealing primarily to those open to alternative mythologies and aesthetic-driven spiritual experiences.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

This book is a delightful discovery for enthusiasts who crave novelty in their spiritual practices or have a deep affection for Victorian aesthetics and mechanical ingenuity. Readers seeking to break free from conventional tarot interpretations will find immense joy in the 'Gods of the Machine' and 'Legates of the Omniverse,' which offer a fresh, innovative lens for self-reflection. It is particularly suited for those who appreciate the fusion of opulence with technology, allowing them to explore destiny through a unique, retrofuturistic narrative. If you enjoy world-building that enhances symbolic meaning, this deck provides a rich, imaginative backdrop for divination, turning each reading into an exploration of an intricate, gear-driven imperium where ancient archetypes are revitalized by steam and steel.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.5/5

★★★★★

If you're drawn to speculative fiction, a fan of intricate artwork, or seeking a tarot deck that breaks from convention, this set will ignite your imagination. It's perfect for those who appreciate a blend of historical charm, futuristic vision, and a touch of rebellious spirit in their spiritual…

Reader rating

4.5

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

Matthews and Kinghan deliver a visually striking departure from standard tarot traditions, successfully merging punk spirit with Victorian elegance. The reinterpretation of Major Arcana as divine machinery is creative and engaging, offering a distinct thematic coherence that appeals to genre fans. However, purists adhering strictly to the Rider-Waite-Smith symbolism or traditional esoteric history may find the heavy narrative overlay distracting or dismissive. This volume does not suit readers seeking straightforward, classical instruction without artistic embellishment. It is best appreciated as an artistic and imaginative tool rather than a rigid doctrinal text, appealing primarily to those open to alternative mythologies and aesthetic-driven spiritual experiences.

❓ Frequently asked questions

While its imagery is distinctly unique, *The Steampunk Tarot* follows the traditional 78-card structure of Major and Minor Arcana, making it accessible to those familiar with standard tarot systems while offering a fresh interpretative layer.

It integrates the key elements of steampunk—Victorian aesthetics, early industrial technology like gears and steam power, and a sense of adventurous, retro-futuristic engineering—into its card designs and thematic narrative, creating a truly immersive world.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Steampunk Alternate Realities

This deck masterfully constructs a world parallel to our own, fueled by a vivid imagination. It invites the reader to step into a universe where historical eras intertwine with speculative technology, offering new frameworks for understanding and interpretation through its retro-futuristic visions.

Clockwork Divination

At its core, the deck explores the intriguing convergence of intricate machinery and spiritual insight. Traditional tarot archetypes are reimagined as "Gods of the Machine," suggesting that even complex, man-made systems can hold profound wisdom and offer guidance in a divinatory context.

Neo-Victorian Aesthetics

The artwork and narrative seamlessly weave together the elegance of the Victorian era with the darker, dramatic elements of the Gothic. This blend creates a rich, atmospheric backdrop for the tarot's symbolism, infusing each card with a sense of historical grandeur and mysterious allure.

📜 Historical context

This deck stands within the modern tradition of themed tarot, which reinterprets classical archetypes through specific cultural or aesthetic lenses. By fusing the established Rider-Waite-Smith structure with the burgeoning steampunk movement, it offers a contemporary take on divination, reflecting late 20th and early 21st-century fascination with alternate histories and technological fantasy, while still honoring ancient wisdom.

📚 Glossary

Steampunk
Deos Machinae
Legates of the Omniverse

📔 Questions to reflect on

How might the concept of a 'machine god' influence your understanding of divine or guiding forces in your own life?
Consider a specific challenge you face. Which 'Legate of the Omniverse' (Commander, Lady, Navigator, or Messenger) might best represent the approach you need to take?
If your personal journey were a steampunk invention, what major components and functions would it possess, and what 'fuel' would power it?