of Airships reflects the actions of this fearsome four.
Court of the Cosmic Blueprint oversees issues of wisdom, diligence, means, resources, work, earth, and physical health. XXI Cosmic Blueprint’s wisdom is shared by the four celestial spheres of influence:
XVII Comet • XVIII Moon Voyage • XIX Solarium
XX Regeneration Machine
The League of Leviathans reflects the cosmic influences of this planetary four.
Complementary opposites
As you explore this template of the Imperium, you will notice that the Gods of the Machine each have their own pairings around the central temple, mediating resonant and complementary principles. Within the turning of the machine’s wheels, everyone alive notices these eleven complementary and opposing powers that cause life such joy and difficulty. It is the task of the Apprentice to meditate upon these principles in order to become an intrinsic part of the machine of life. The twenty-two separate principles of the Gods of the Machine are rarely studied in isolation from these pairings in our world.
| COMPLEMENTARY OPPOSITES | PRINCIPLES |
| 0 Apprentice and I Technomancer | novitiate • mastership |
| II Aviatrix and XVII Comet | spiritual path • destiny |
| III Empress and XVIII Moon Voyage | creativity • imagination |
| IV Emperor and XIX Solarium | authority • power |
| V Horologer and XX Regeneration Machine | time • eternity |
| VI Explorers and XII Suspension Tank | love • sacrifice |
| VII Triumph and XIII Spring-heeled Jack | life-drive • death’s closure |
| VIII Engineer and XXI Cosmic Blueprint | strength • wisdom |
| IX Inventor and XV Cyborg | introspection • manipulation |
| X Time Machine and XVI Stricken Tower | mutability • sudden change |
| XI Brazen Head and XIV Spirit Gauge | justice • temperance |
Experience these complementary opposites for yourself by laying out the Gods of the Machine in these pairings. What do you notice? Look at the pair of principles where you are currently embroiled and choose another card from the Legates and Leagues: what action, process, or question shows you the way forward? Answer the Steampunk Wisdom for these cards to gain guidance.
Seven initiations of the Apprentice
The Apprentice experiences seven steps of initiation in the Imperium via the following triads of mentors, who help explore and assimilate these lessons and stages:
1. Triad of Technology Working with the nuts and bolts of power
I Technomancer • VIII Engineer • XV Cyborg
2. Triad of Invention Planning things out and risking the consequences
II Aviatrix • IX Inventor • XVI Stricken Tower
3. Triad of Creation Conceiving how inventions find their place
III Empress • X Time Machine • XVII Comet
4. Triad of Balance Working with control and authority
IV Emperor • XI Brazen Head • XVIII Moon Voyage
5. Triad of Experimentation Trying out the inventions in practice
V Horologer • XII Suspension Tank • XIX Solarium
6. Triad of Commitment Engaging in and testing what is made
VI Explorers • XIII Spring-heeled Jack • XX Regeneration Machine
7. Triad of Harmony Rejoicing in the results and gladdening the Imperium
VII Triumph • XIV Spirit Gauge • XXI Cosmic Blueprint
If you find yourself undergoing any part of the creative or learning processes without clear guidance, these triads can serve as a metaphysical support to your vehicle. Lay out the three cards of your chosen triad, and in the center place one randomly drawn card from the rest of the pack, to represent the issue you are currently carrying. Then, see how these mentors help clarify your way forward.
Now that you have received your primary orientation, you are invited to step deeper into the Imperium. The machine is powering up, and each card is awaiting your attention. Like the Apprentice, you make ready to step into its depths and discover the motivational forces of life at first hand.
♦ PART TWO ♦
THE ADVENTURY
The Meaning of the Cards
“What the Gods themselves could not promise to accomplish, Revolving Time has brought to light.”
VIRGIL, Aeneid, Book 9
Within this Adventury (an inventory of adventures), each of the seventy-eight cards offers ways to set out on your own quest. The meanings herein outline some of the possibilities that the cards will reveal, although you will find many more in your readings.
• THE GODS OF THE MACHINE •
Each Gods of the Machine card—in addition to an array of meanings—offers a micro-spread of its own, so that you may test for yourself the power of each archetype. Use all of the cards in these micro-spreads, to discover how they power the machine. Remember that the way the cards combine, or respond to their positions in a spread, changes the way that you interpret them (see Part Four to explore this further).
· 0 APPRENTICE ·
The Apprentice is drawn into the worlds of the Imperium by the first flush of enthusiasm to follow his dream. Trusting his innate sense of adventure, and spurred on by his imagination, he wants to enter into the world of possibility. He doesn’t yet know much, or how he will achieve his dream, but his steps are guided. The impulse of the Apprentice is innocent and uncomplicated, for he is one of the youngest of the Gods of the Machine. Like you, he holds all the possibilities in his heart in a childlike way, and just wants to implement what his vision promises. When you follow your dream, your innate sense of adventure is stimulated—you throw caution to the winds and rush headlong towards the pathway that your desire opens up. Your spontaneity can help kindle the spark of the machine, your dream can become its drive and your skills its delight!
Gate of opportunity: ▲ The chance to try things out for yourself is offered to you. By trusting your vision, you experience carefree enthusiasm and youthful energy; by questioning the process, you learn your skills. Follow your dream or your heart’s desire with enthusiasm. ▼ Naivety leads you into some dangerous areas. You risk all on the fall of the dice. Foolhardy bravado beckons you to the edge. Behaving idiotically endangers you and others.
♦ APPRENTICE’S TRY-OUT SPREAD ♦
1. What does this adventure offer?
2.
