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Steampunk Magic: Working Magic Aboard the Airship
A glove full of Goth, a helping of SciFi, and a vial of Cyberpunk all neatly wrapped inside a Victorian Satchel--the popular new genre of Steampunk is reverberating throughout our culture in art, fashion, style and music. Now you can hop aboard the airship and embark on a spiritual adventure that brings dramatic ritual and practical magic into your everyday life with Steampunk Magic . Gypsey Elaine Teague draws on her experience as a practicing High Priestess and magician and her love of Steampunk to bring readers an entirely new magical system. Steampunk Magic is a compendium of altar arrangements, spells, and magical tools--traditional Wicca and magic with a Steampunk twist. Teague shows how to craft and use a compass instead of a pentacle, use a rigging knife in place of an athame, and join an airship in lieu of a coven. Beautifully illustrated with photographs and art. From
"This book describes the new magical system that stems from the tools and philosophies of Steampunk--the alternate Victorian history genre, and incorporates many of the tried and true methods of other crafts while applying quite a few very unique visioning and application tools specific to Steampunk. I believe that you will find this new system extremely interesting and applicable to your day to day magical and nonmagical life."
"This book describes the new magical system that stems from the tools and philosophies of Steampunk--the alternate Victorian history genre, and incorporates many of the tried and true methods of other crafts while applying quite a few very unique visioning and application tools specific to Steampunk. I believe that you will find this new system extremely interesting and applicable to your day to day magical and nonmagical life."
224 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2013
6 people are currently reading
407 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 24, 2013
I would have rated it higher if she hadn't falsely attributed The War of the Worlds to Jules Verne. To me that is kind of a large mistake to make in a book about steampunk.
March 12, 2013
I couldn't get into this book at all. It may be that the American Steampunk scene is too different from how things are in the UK, but I couldn't engage. The whole 'punk is just DIY subctulure' attitude, as though actual, raw, working class, political, socially challenging punk is somehow not part of steampunk, troubled me. The focus on dress bothered me - yes, Steampunk is an aesthetic movement and dress matters, but its not all about hats and goggles. The idea that your more superior Steampunk is your best dressed Steampunk - not your most creative and social active one, was again a big turn off. Not a whisper of multiculturalism in Steampunk did I find in the costume information. Then, far too many pages on the authors who influence Steampunk, which didn't help or add much.
On the magic side I got far enough in to establish that your coven is called an airship, and drew the conclusion that this was going to be wicca with goggles on. As I hadn't been enjoying the pace, attitude or writing style, I quit at this point.
I cannot claim this is a fair review, I did not read a large percentage of the book. Coming at this as both a Pagan and a Steampunk enthusiast, I wanted to like it. I couldn't even finish it. It may be a difference of culture, I don't know, but it did nothing for me.
On the magic side I got far enough in to establish that your coven is called an airship, and drew the conclusion that this was going to be wicca with goggles on. As I hadn't been enjoying the pace, attitude or writing style, I quit at this point.
I cannot claim this is a fair review, I did not read a large percentage of the book. Coming at this as both a Pagan and a Steampunk enthusiast, I wanted to like it. I couldn't even finish it. It may be a difference of culture, I don't know, but it did nothing for me.
July 10, 2018
Having no prior knowledge to steampunk magic and the specifics of the steampunk subgenre, I decided to read this book. It was partially on a whim and partially premeditated since I kept seeing this book everywhere.
My thoughts are that it’s a great introduction to steampunk. It was thorough and very attentive to detail.
Apparently, though, steampunk doesn’t interest me in a metaphysical sense.
My thoughts are that it’s a great introduction to steampunk. It was thorough and very attentive to detail.
Apparently, though, steampunk doesn’t interest me in a metaphysical sense.
Read
November 19, 2015I don't know what I was expecting? I'm going through a "let's learn about witchcraft and paganism" kind of stage and this was available on overdrive so I gave it a shot and.....?? I still haven't figure out what I was expecting.
It just felt very "I made a bunch of stuff up and did the writing equivalent of glued some gears to it and wrote a book about it."
It just felt very "I made a bunch of stuff up and did the writing equivalent of glued some gears to it and wrote a book about it."
April 22, 2019
Sometimes we find books and sometimes books find us. I was on a quest in a used book store a month ago, got some of what I was seeking, went to look for something else and this particular something else I was not looking for was on a shelf end cap calling attention to itself with the airship on the cover.
Steampunk is by any definition creative, and Ms. (yes, I read the "About the Author" end piece) Teague has found a way to be even more creative. Part explanation of steampunk in general, part explanation of a context of the airship, and part explanation of the "magic" and rituals of her creation (I could be wrong...it might be someone else's creation captured here, but I've never seen anything like this before). Mixing modern steampunk (now there's a temporal Möbius conundrum) with New Age Chopraisms, this is a decidedly different take from "traditional" steampunk.
This is a quick read but there are problems with this book that editing could have fixed. Problem that can be overlooked: misspelled words, mildly jarring grammatical flaws, and one mind boggling misattribution
Steampunk is a fringe culture and it is one of the few things I can just take in uncritically because it is obviously inherently impossible, so if there are any questions in my mind, they stem from logical incongruities within the framework of the universes imagined. And while there are few written creations that I've read as yet that I like (including the commonly cited Jeter and Gibson novels), the visual steampunk is wildly imagined and is more appealing to me.
This quaint take is a far out fringe within that fringe culture. The tongue in cheek role play has a certain charm. Of course, if the role playing is taken seriously in any way, well...there's another head shake. Ms. Teague did say that when at a pagan show in the early '90s in Texas (I've lived in Texas since 2007 and am amazed that there was a "pagan show" back then!) she answered a customer's question as to whether Dove's Blood Oil was made with the blood of real doves by holding up a vial of Dragon's Blood Oil and telling her that it was made from real dragons (apparently it is actually made from the sap of the Dragon Blood Tree), and comments that the customer didn't know she was kidding. I don't know if she's kidding about this, but it did have airships and that I like.
Steampunk is by any definition creative, and Ms. (yes, I read the "About the Author" end piece) Teague has found a way to be even more creative. Part explanation of steampunk in general, part explanation of a context of the airship, and part explanation of the "magic" and rituals of her creation (I could be wrong...it might be someone else's creation captured here, but I've never seen anything like this before). Mixing modern steampunk (now there's a temporal Möbius conundrum) with New Age Chopraisms, this is a decidedly different take from "traditional" steampunk.
This is a quick read but there are problems with this book that editing could have fixed. Problem that can be overlooked: misspelled words, mildly jarring grammatical flaws, and one mind boggling misattribution
The other grandmaster of steampunk [Wells being the first mentioned], Jules Verne is probably best known for the Nautilus and Captain Nemo in Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea with War of the Worlds coming in a close second.No words for that one. Just a head shake.
Steampunk is a fringe culture and it is one of the few things I can just take in uncritically because it is obviously inherently impossible, so if there are any questions in my mind, they stem from logical incongruities within the framework of the universes imagined. And while there are few written creations that I've read as yet that I like (including the commonly cited Jeter and Gibson novels), the visual steampunk is wildly imagined and is more appealing to me.
This quaint take is a far out fringe within that fringe culture. The tongue in cheek role play has a certain charm. Of course, if the role playing is taken seriously in any way, well...there's another head shake. Ms. Teague did say that when at a pagan show in the early '90s in Texas (I've lived in Texas since 2007 and am amazed that there was a "pagan show" back then!) she answered a customer's question as to whether Dove's Blood Oil was made with the blood of real doves by holding up a vial of Dragon's Blood Oil and telling her that it was made from real dragons (apparently it is actually made from the sap of the Dragon Blood Tree), and comments that the customer didn't know she was kidding. I don't know if she's kidding about this, but it did have airships and that I like.
July 22, 2018
A light and maybe little too general introduction to Wicca: Steampunk Edition. While the author does say that it’s not meant to be a complete compendium on the topic and rather an introductory idea, I still think it lacks some basic elements. I you were actually interested in practising Steampunk Magic you’d have to do some exstensive research on Wicca and other pagan cultures beforehand to get an actual idea of what you were getting into. This works better as additional education for already practicing witches.
Still, just finding that something as curious as Steampunk Magic is a thing made me enjoy the reading, even if I don’t think I relate to this exact vision.
Still, just finding that something as curious as Steampunk Magic is a thing made me enjoy the reading, even if I don’t think I relate to this exact vision.
April 27, 2020
No. Just no.
June 13, 2021
If you are into Steampunk Magic this is the book to read!!! Great read, easy and informative. Loved it
August 8, 2014
Book Review
STEAMPUNK MAGIC: Working Magic Aboard the Airship by Gypsey Elaine Teague
Publisher: Red Wheel Weiser
ISBN: 978-1-57863-539-9
Dana Doerksen, Librarian
Seattle Metaphysical Library
Steampunk Magic: Working Magic Aboard the Airship by Gypsey Elaine Teague is a guide to a new and inventive magical system developed using the icons, symbols, style and stories of the Steampunk movement. The book discusses the origins and basis for Steampunk Culture and then dives into to describing the magical system and group formation and administration. The ritual tools, altar items and attire are described including different ways of manufacturing or procuring your own. The final chapters give basic examples of rituals that any system of magic would include in their collection as well as methods of divination and spellwork. There is a fairly extensive resources section which includes books, online shops and conferences to explore. Teague’s purpose is clearly to set out the basics for would be Steampunk magicians and to encourage them to use their own research and imagination to enhance their practice. The book is aimed at an audience that has some familiarity with magical practice or Steampunk Culture or both. I think that it is probably a bit too thin on magical information for someone who is new to magic and its practice in general. I do not think that it was the author’s intent to write a 101 type magical book, but instead to introduce a new way to work within this particular popular culture.
Gypsey Teague is an accomplished magician, author, lecturer, university library branch manager, and is one founders of the Upstate Steampunk Conference in South Carolina. A trip to Teague’s website (www.gypseyteague.com) demonstrates her diverse interests, talents, and varied educational background. She has advanced degrees in Business Administration, Landscape Architecture, Regional and City Planning, Library and Information Science, and Community Mental Health Counseling. She is a High Priestess in the Georgian Tradition of Wicca and the Icelandic Norse traditions. Teague often presents at library, popular culture, and Pagan conferences on various topics. When she isn’t writing, you will often find her in her workshop crafting something new, like a Steampunk inspired wand or walking stick or trying to recreate an older art, like a wooden bucket. Who better to innovate a new magical system around the Steampunk Culture.
The first section of the book takes on the question, “What is Steampunk Culture?” Teague argues that it is a “Victorian science fiction grown-up, a futuristic Victoriana, where anything is possible as long as you don’t use too much electricity, gas, diesel or atomic power.” Popular works of science fiction of the time, such as H.G. Wells, Jules Verne, and Mary Shelley, are used as a vehicle to explore what might have been in an alternative future. The Steampunk movement started in the 1980’s and is still gaining in popularity. New literature, movies, magazines, fashions, conventions, balls, and music are all available to discover by the avid Steampunk fan.
Steampunk Magic itself is based on the travel through and manipulation of the substance known as the Aether. Aether was believed by the Greeks and others to be the material that is said to fill the region of the universe above the earth and the known planets. Steampunk magic does not revolve around any particular deity or deities but incorporates aspects of the culture and times of the Victorian era and the works of such authors as H.G. Wells, Jules Verne, Mary Shelley, Edgar Allan Poe and scientists like Nikola Tesla.
The rest of the book focuses on building your Steampunk Airship Crew and assembling all of the magical tools, altar items and attire that you will need to begin your journey. For example, the four basic steampunk styles of dress that Jeff Vandermeer proposes in his book, The Steampunk Bible, are used to populate your group (or Airship) with various task or subject specialists. There is a nice table on page forty-five which presents the roles of these crew members. The altar requires a compass and large cog and the elements symbolic of the fuel needed to power the ship. Teague also includes some basic ritual construction and spellwork for various needs to help you get on your way. The book concludes with an extensive resources section that includes a list of books for further study and inspiration and other online resources to help outfit your airship and attire your crew.
Steampunk Magic: Working Magic Aboard the Airship was an entertaining and informative read. It is clearly written for an audience that has some previous magical knowledge and wishes to add elements of Steampunk Culture to their practice. I can’t imagine that anyone who didn’t love all things Steampunk would endeavor to create such a practice for themselves, but I know many who do and would take on the challenge with energy and creativity. This book is a great starting point for further research and invention.
STEAMPUNK MAGIC: Working Magic Aboard the Airship by Gypsey Elaine Teague
Publisher: Red Wheel Weiser
ISBN: 978-1-57863-539-9
Dana Doerksen, Librarian
Seattle Metaphysical Library
Steampunk Magic: Working Magic Aboard the Airship by Gypsey Elaine Teague is a guide to a new and inventive magical system developed using the icons, symbols, style and stories of the Steampunk movement. The book discusses the origins and basis for Steampunk Culture and then dives into to describing the magical system and group formation and administration. The ritual tools, altar items and attire are described including different ways of manufacturing or procuring your own. The final chapters give basic examples of rituals that any system of magic would include in their collection as well as methods of divination and spellwork. There is a fairly extensive resources section which includes books, online shops and conferences to explore. Teague’s purpose is clearly to set out the basics for would be Steampunk magicians and to encourage them to use their own research and imagination to enhance their practice. The book is aimed at an audience that has some familiarity with magical practice or Steampunk Culture or both. I think that it is probably a bit too thin on magical information for someone who is new to magic and its practice in general. I do not think that it was the author’s intent to write a 101 type magical book, but instead to introduce a new way to work within this particular popular culture.
Gypsey Teague is an accomplished magician, author, lecturer, university library branch manager, and is one founders of the Upstate Steampunk Conference in South Carolina. A trip to Teague’s website (www.gypseyteague.com) demonstrates her diverse interests, talents, and varied educational background. She has advanced degrees in Business Administration, Landscape Architecture, Regional and City Planning, Library and Information Science, and Community Mental Health Counseling. She is a High Priestess in the Georgian Tradition of Wicca and the Icelandic Norse traditions. Teague often presents at library, popular culture, and Pagan conferences on various topics. When she isn’t writing, you will often find her in her workshop crafting something new, like a Steampunk inspired wand or walking stick or trying to recreate an older art, like a wooden bucket. Who better to innovate a new magical system around the Steampunk Culture.
The first section of the book takes on the question, “What is Steampunk Culture?” Teague argues that it is a “Victorian science fiction grown-up, a futuristic Victoriana, where anything is possible as long as you don’t use too much electricity, gas, diesel or atomic power.” Popular works of science fiction of the time, such as H.G. Wells, Jules Verne, and Mary Shelley, are used as a vehicle to explore what might have been in an alternative future. The Steampunk movement started in the 1980’s and is still gaining in popularity. New literature, movies, magazines, fashions, conventions, balls, and music are all available to discover by the avid Steampunk fan.
Steampunk Magic itself is based on the travel through and manipulation of the substance known as the Aether. Aether was believed by the Greeks and others to be the material that is said to fill the region of the universe above the earth and the known planets. Steampunk magic does not revolve around any particular deity or deities but incorporates aspects of the culture and times of the Victorian era and the works of such authors as H.G. Wells, Jules Verne, Mary Shelley, Edgar Allan Poe and scientists like Nikola Tesla.
The rest of the book focuses on building your Steampunk Airship Crew and assembling all of the magical tools, altar items and attire that you will need to begin your journey. For example, the four basic steampunk styles of dress that Jeff Vandermeer proposes in his book, The Steampunk Bible, are used to populate your group (or Airship) with various task or subject specialists. There is a nice table on page forty-five which presents the roles of these crew members. The altar requires a compass and large cog and the elements symbolic of the fuel needed to power the ship. Teague also includes some basic ritual construction and spellwork for various needs to help you get on your way. The book concludes with an extensive resources section that includes a list of books for further study and inspiration and other online resources to help outfit your airship and attire your crew.
Steampunk Magic: Working Magic Aboard the Airship was an entertaining and informative read. It is clearly written for an audience that has some previous magical knowledge and wishes to add elements of Steampunk Culture to their practice. I can’t imagine that anyone who didn’t love all things Steampunk would endeavor to create such a practice for themselves, but I know many who do and would take on the challenge with energy and creativity. This book is a great starting point for further research and invention.
April 22, 2013
I received this book through Goodreads First Reads.
Omg! Loved the this! I like the melding of the steampunk with the Wiccan-esque rites. I ate it up the minute i got it in the mail.
Steampunk is a new genre for me. I wanted to learn more about it. So I was ecstatic to win this. I'm also own quite a few of Scott Cunningham's books. I died of happiness as I read it.
The author did attribute War of the Worlds to Jules Verne instead of the true author H. G. Wells.
Despite that, it was fun read.
Omg! Loved the this! I like the melding of the steampunk with the Wiccan-esque rites. I ate it up the minute i got it in the mail.
Steampunk is a new genre for me. I wanted to learn more about it. So I was ecstatic to win this. I'm also own quite a few of Scott Cunningham's books. I died of happiness as I read it.
The author did attribute War of the Worlds to Jules Verne instead of the true author H. G. Wells.
Despite that, it was fun read.
April 30, 2013
As is mandated..I won this as part of a Goodreads giveaway.
I entered as it was something I thought my boyfriend would like. He loves it. He highly recommends it. In fact, it has been by his reading chair for days.
I entered as it was something I thought my boyfriend would like. He loves it. He highly recommends it. In fact, it has been by his reading chair for days.
July 12, 2014
I was most impressed by the tarot spread and storage boxes Teague developed. If she intends to continue with similar works I would suggest expansion on these topics.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews