The Steampunk Tarot: Wisdom from the Gods of the Machine

The guide book is out of this world and probably the best part of the deck. The cards are a tiny bit stiff but it sounds amazing when you shuffle them. ASMR anyone? The imagery is easy to read though some of the major arcanas don't translate as smoothly. I've already forgotten which card was re-named the Comet, for example but I remember thinking if didn't look it up I wouldn't have associated it. That aside, it's a great deck and I love using it to read on heavy or difficult emotions for my clients

The Matthew's Arthurian Tarot has always been one of my favorites.But they have definitely surpassed themselves with this one. The imagery is astonishing. They certainly collaborated with the perfect illustrating artist for this project!Their renaming of the cards and suits is excellent - it draws me more deeply into this strange & wonderful universe. I think they really hit their pinnacle with the book as well. I love that they include individual, unique spreads for each of the Major Arcana. Each card is treated with reverence for that particular archetypal concept, but there's not the overwhelm of information too often filling-up books that accompany Tarot decks. This allows the reader to develop a more personal relationship with each card. The Mathews really let loose their Creative Imaginations. Every page of the book is interesting, informative, often humorous and always "in character." It is as wonderfully magikcal as the cards themselves. Lastly... the various quotes they've chosen to introduce the suits are simply amazing. Here's what my eyes rested on when I first opened the book randomly to the introduction of the League of Submersibles (Cups):"How by a certain time machine many may stay sometime under water. And how and where for I do not describe my method of remaining under water ... I do not publish nor divulge these, by reason of the evil nature of men, who would use them for assassinations at the bottom of the sea by destroying ships, and sinking them together with the men in them. Never the less I will impart others, which are not dangerous because the mouth of the tube through which you breathe is above the water, supported on air sacks or cork." ~ Leonardo da Vinci's Notenooks

"And since, above all else, Steampunk is about adventure--wherever, whenever and whoever it features--it seemed high time that there should be a way of looking into and through the strange distorting glass of this new-old world, and to explore its vitality and wonder, and its wisdom. Just as we may turn to the tarot to aid us in navigating the shoals of uncertainty which surround us, so, in the alternative world of the Steampunk Imperium, it opens vistas that help us to see things in a new way." - From the Steampunk Tarot companion book by John and Caitlin MatthewsFrom hulking dirigibles to clockwork devices, intricate gears to steam-powered machines, the alternate world of Steampunk blends historical accoutrements with futuristic visions. A realm that evolved alongside our own but with various divergences, Steampunk embodies Victorian dress and manners with Edwardian industrial advancement. Add some clean fuel derived from amber (Pullman's "anbaric powder"), metaphysical experimentation, conscious automatons and thirst for adventure, and you're witnessing the essence of Steampunk.In the scholarly, playful hands of John and Caitlin Matthews, Steampunk--sometimes derided as "goth dressed in sepia"--finds a fresh, bold presentation when melded with Tarot structure and philosophy...a combination resulting in a complex, intelligent oracular system and set of cards.In the Steampunk Tarot, all but three of the Major Arcana--known as the Gods of the Machine in this deck--are renamed, as are the four Minor Arcana suits (Leagues) and Court Cards (Ligates).The Four Leagues are Leviathans (earth), Submersibles (water), Airships (air) and Engines (fire). The Four Ligates that govern the Leagues are Messengers (Pages), Navigators (Knights), Ladies (Queens) and Captains (Kings). In the 160-page companion book, the Matthewses also provide elaborate subsystems where four Regulators (Gods of the Machine) correspond to each League, as well as eleven complementary opposites and seven initiations of the Apprentice (seven triads).I did say the Steampunk Tarot was complex, right?However, even if you decided to forgo understanding or (trying) to apply the convoluted (but fascinating) methods of the Matthewses, the cards themselves still prove a bit inscrutable, owing to detailed imagery of fantastical equipment, intricate technology and unrecognizable paraphernalia. Thus, those who glean scads of intuitive information by illustrations alone may find the illustrations by Wil Kinghan challenging to interpret.However, for those intrigued by the idea of Steampunk sensibilities and hierarchical structures superimposed upon Tarot archetypes, the Steampunk Tarot vastly rewards the patient, the curious and the bright. The companion book is a thinking person's playground and the metaphysician's delight. Rather than simple keywords for each card, the Matthewses give seekers a holistic, perceptive overview, as well as personal lifestyle, interaction and impact (both upright and reversed). A "Steampunk Wisdom" phrase also accompanies each card.The authors also provide a spread for each of the Gods of the Machine (Major Arcana). Most any Tarot author can slap together a spread, but to craft twelve substantive layouts (corresponding to the 22 Majors) that each provide an insightful, meaningful blueprint for a seeker is extraordinary and commendable.I've been using the Steampunk Tarot for the last week with amazing results. Not only have my readings been incredibly accurate and insightful, but also empowering. When I asked a question and drew Triumph (Trump 7, correlating with The Chariot), I was so encouraged by what the Matthewses wrote about this card that I decided to go a step further and try out their 4-card Triumphal Procession Spread.I was so blown away by the psychological depth and precision of this spread that I've placed the four cards I drew in a prominent position on my desk to remind me of the journey I'm on, what keeps me on the road, the obstacles I need to avoid and my final (project) destination.It's obvious that much care and thought when into both the imagery and companion book, so rousing kudos to the publisher (Tuttle), authors (John and Caitlin Matthews) and illustrator (Wil Kinghan) on this superb addition to Tarot literature and thought. My Steampunk Tarot stands ready, awaiting yet another intronautic journey where visions become reality and otherworldly guidance manifests for my soul's evolutionary enjoyment.(To see 18 images from this deck, visit the REVIEWS--DECKS section at JanetBoyer.com)

My favourite thing about this deck is the book; It gives spreads for every major arcana cards. The artwork themselves are beautiful. Even with the bit of cgi, for 2012 (which these were printed) were good for time time. The card stock is flimsy, but not terrible. If you have small hands, they will work better than other decks with thick card stock. It’s a bit of a learning curve if you don’t know Roman numerals with them all being called something different Which is one of the aspects of this deck I like to see. The suits are different, but it’s not hard to get used to. For the value of this price, it’s a nice addition to ones collection.

I love steampunk art and I think it's a very easy to read tarot deck. The book is very thorough.

So much thought and imagination goes into this deck! The creators didn't just change the art and the names of the cards. They imagined an entire world for the deck, bringing not only a new point of view to the Tarot, but a sense of adventure.

I'm an artist and appreciate the time and effort that went into each of these cards, but I am also a writer and love to collect various sets to help inspire me to weave new stories. This wonderfully creative deck will more than meet my steampunk needs. Every card brings something new to the table. Instead of duplications, this deck gives unique details for every card, pulling your eyes into each scene. So top hats and goggles off to John and Caitlin Matthews as well as to the illustrator Wil Kinghan! Truly this is the Steampunk Tarot Set I've been waiting patiently for. LM Fields, Author & Artist for the Dark Seeds series.

The cards are paper thin and damage easily. I opened the package and found that the cards looked used.

Este deck NÃO É para iniciantes, visto que tanto a denominação dos naipes como as imagens ilustrativas fazem referências que LEMBRAM os conceitos Rider-Waite, mas não são óbvios. Imagens bonitas, dentro do conceito artístico "Steampunk". Cartas com qualidade de papel média. Caixa de excelente material, e grande! (Tamanho livro) Destaco a *qualidade do livro que acompanha o deck*, que é um dos melhores do mercado. Traz bastante conteúdo tanto sobre a carta como sobre a "estética steampunk", o que torna o material muito bom para ampliar conhecimentos. O livro faz valer a aquisição do material!

This is a very different kind of tarot deck. Also the name of another famous deck by another famous tarot authority is similar. However with due respect to both sets of creators I must say that this set is of a different genre. The messages are quite intuitive and to my surprise connect instantly. The price is very pocket friendly. Mr James and Mrs Caitlin are highly respected erudite creators who have used their wisdom to present another perspective to the daily problems in the world and their solutions. It is a delight for technical geeks. But anyone can use them easily. Loved it.

La verdad es que si lees las criticas, piensas que te van a llegar unas cartas en papel de fumar. Lo cierto es que me he quedado gratamente sorprendida. Personalmente no soy muy fan de los tarots de cartón duro, ya que me gusta trabajar con ellos y barajarlos y estas se barajan genial. La temática es muy original y las cartas viene acompañadas por un libro súper completo (en inglés) donde explica genial las cartas y propone tiradas para cada una de ellas. La presentación y la caja donde vienen es estupenda también. Vamos.. por el precio para mí es un 10. He comprado tarots de 30 euros bastante peores.

Nella mia raccolta di tarocchi mancava una versione steampunk, quelle che ho visto in giro non erano propriamente di mio gusto ma devo dire che questi sono davvero davvero belli. Grafica digitale che solitamente non gradisco in questo stile è perfetto. Variano leggermente i nomi, non abbiamo più re, regine cavalieri e paggi ma Capitano ,Lady , Navigatore e messaggero, mentre i semi sono Spade-Dirigibili (airships) ,Coppe-Sommergibili (submersibles) , Pentacoli-leviatani (leviathans) e Bastoni-Motori(engines) . Memorizzate queste piccole cose non si discostano troppo dal classico tarocco. Anche il cartoncino è piuttosto buono. Il libro è solo in inglese ma abbastanza facile da comprendere.

Great quality. Love them