The Steampunk Tarot: Wisdom from the Gods of the Machine

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 I do not publish nor divulge these, by reason of the evil nature of men, who would use them for assassinations at the bottom of the sea by destroying ships, and sinking them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

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

The cards were a bit stiff to shuffle but relaxed over time.I love sci fi so I loved the images.... still applicable to tarot

This is a good deck for someone who will be able to connect with the imagery...it did not appeal to me...too sci-fi for me but I can see how this deck could deliver deep messages to someone who connects with the cards..

The cards themselves are very detailed I like the designs wish the cards felt softer they are very thick overall good I'd rate it five but I haven't used them enough to know if they are 5 for durability and use in general

I first tried this out as an app because I am a professional reader and I love steampunk. This is a very accurate deck. These blow traditional decks out of the water.

Such an amazing deck! Different and exciting to see the tarot from this interesting way of cards.

John Matthews has some wonderful tarot decks! This is no exception. I love the artwork on this tarot deck but not being knowledgeable with steampunk, the cards are difficult for me to connect with. I do love the art work and they are a definite plus for my tarot collection and anyone into steampunk will surely love reading with this deck!

I actually ordered this deck by mistake as I wanted the other Steampunk Tarot deck. Unfortunately, or should I say fortunately, I had unwrapped it and did not realise my mistake until I started looking through the cards and not recognising any of them. At first I was prepared to send them back or re-sell but as I looked through, I was blown away by the creative artwork and the novel approach to the tarot in the book. It does not use the traditional suits of Wands, Cups, Swords or Pentacles, but has created (respectively) the Engines, Submersibles, Airships and Leviathans. Each of these are governed by four Regulators of the Major Arcana or 'Gods of the Machine'. These 'Gods' each have a divinatory spread for themselves. The meanings for the 'Gods' can be as a Gate of Opportunity, a Gear-Change (showing the way forward) or Blockages to Clear. The aces to tens have meanings for Personal Lifestyle, Interaction or Impact, whereas the Legates (or Court cards) offer People (who are significant in your life), Processes or Events. There is so much to look at, ponder and discover. There is something for almost everyone in this pack, even with its techie outlook. It is not fluffy bunny but on the other hand, there is no Death card with a skeleton and scythe, no Devil and even the Tower needs to be looked at closely for anything awful about it! I could really identify with the Aviatrix, who doubles up as the High Priestess...So, did it work? Absolutely! I found it very intuitive (and quite humorous) - it was a real joy to use. Now that I have seen it, worked with it and fallen in love with it, if I lost it for some reason and saw it was on sale for over twice as much, I would still buy it again (well, maybe two, just in case!) Feeling very lucky I made the mistake!

The printing was horrendous on these I had to cut them to size couldn't use them even still not great the cards have a warped feel to them and dont sit right when stacked. They were cheap so wasnt worth returning and I'm hesitant to reorder.

the steampunk tarot is great and gods of the machine is one of the best ones in the genre,. i thoroughly recommend you get them if you are into tarot

Very interesting deck.Takes a little time to figure them out. Very good and helpful descriptions in the book, Have many spreads to help in and situation.

Good set of Tarot Cards.