Читать книгу The Steampunk Tarot Ebook - John Matthews - Страница 9

• MANIFESTO •

of

The Guild of Artificers

The perfection of knowledge collected from the book of nature has ever been at the heart of all professors of the arts and sciences. The pursuit of whatever gives a clearer light and demystifies the truth is the lantern by which each lady and gentleman has made their way upon the path to wisdom. Whatever gives promise of a greater or purer light has drawn inventors, engineers, and practitioners of the many arts and sciences to expend their skills and energies to perfect a better beacon by which all beings may walk without stumbling.

In this age of enterprise, we draw our inspiration from the treasury of the aeons to both rediscover and to spring forward into ages yet undreamed. For, though much has been discovered, there is yet more to be rediscovered. Many of our number courageously pursued the light of truth in ages when the microcosm was but dimly lit by occasional sparks from the great machine. Those of our guild bravely labored amid barbaric ruins to achieve what the world now enjoys.

Lovers of wisdom and followers after the truth together hold the axiom that knowledge is for the benefit of all. To that end is our whole labor and care.

The light of the soul shines in all, but when many souls combine, that light shines even brighter. With knowledge and wisdom before us, we expect the rising of a greater illumination, as individuals and nations join together to increase the number and respect of our guild, and to partake with us in the treasures of this universe so that all may benefit.

The philosophy of our guild is no new invention, but has been received by every generation since time was first counted. Many ladies and gentlemen of high renown have wisely imparted these teachings through the aperture of their intelligent understanding, and are in agreement with each other through time and space. In every part of the universe, the truth of knowledge is peaceable and incontrovertibly itself. When this concord is experienced, it makes the whole universe one.

But when knowledge is abused or put to the servility of coining wealth for a few, without respect of the treasury which all inherit, then humanity departs from the machine and all is toil without profit. For the false-hearted who would tear knowledge apart, diminishing the light and shielding its beams from us, would make mechanicals of us all.

Those who serve knowledge will ever find each other, whatever the differences of time, place, or language. With hearts and minds as one, they set their hands upon the mainspring of life, making it all their service. This guild shall thus endure through countless ages, as it has ever done, remaining untouched and hidden from the destroyers of knowledge.