The Spider and The Web

The Spider

The Law

Things are watched by a hidden eye.

The Constellation

The Spider is a small cluster of five stars just off the fourth star in the spiral of The Web. It appears to have two ‘arms’ reaching out towards The Web whilst a small triangular ‘body’ points outwards.

Symbolism

The Spider stands off from the web; quick to react to events in it but separate from it. It represents unknown forces; those that watch the affairs of the world and interfere when they see fit. The Spider stands for things outside the Empire sphere of influence; internals, foreigners, magical powers, great mysteries, those things that stand beyond the Ken of mortal man.

The Spider also represents the manipulator; he who places his thumb upon the scales of fate.

Invoking The Spider in magic

invoking The Spider can be a dangerous business for ritualists since the constellation is often seen to represent the Eternals. Varushka ritualists often use The Spider to represent the doings of sovereigns in their magic. The Spider, though, can be used to represent any hidden hand or unseen force; whether to steer it or to ward against it.

Tulpas of The Spider

the thought forms of The Spider never appear the same way twice. Whether it be the sinister man in black in the corner of the Tavern, the pale skinned and hairless fellow traveller on the lonely mountain road or the mysterious rustling in the undergrowth keeping pace with you through the forest the agents of The Spider are many and varied. One that is a friend to you today may be a foe to you tomorrow; or may draw you into schemes that you wish you had never heard of.

Alignment

Ritualists who invoke The Spider report that it leaves behind a sense of great clarity and detachment as if the affairs of men were watched from the other side of the sheet of glass from a very long way away ritualists may be detached distant and emotional dispassionate and cold after invoking The Spider in ritual.