UNITY LIFE is currently developing a new card system prototype — a contemplative, discussion-based mind map and storytelling tool. This process-artifact of 144 cards is being documented here as the creation unfolds. Through structured card play, complex subjects can be explored creatively and translated into stories that may be shared across different ages and ability levels. The system is composed of an interweaving series of card sets. The titles of the sets are the names, followed by the number of cards in the set and the doubled number for 2 players.
The game centres on a theme illustrated by a visual spectrum of 7 card face symbols which span through the SOLVE 18(36) and COAGULA 27(54) sets — the process of alchemy. Here, 7 stages of alchemy are used as a model for the transformation of matter, nature, consciousness, and primordial essence even within the fraught dynamics between 'sectors' or power institutions in our society. The mass media is the dominant archetype of these sectors, illustrated by the COAGULA 27(54) — the core set of the system which explores strategy. With the KEYS 16(32) set, imaginative concept models about particularly fascinating types of miracles enrich the mind map journey with creativity. A focus on numerology — the symbolism of numbers — infuses the system with enumerated poetry. The most emphasized numbers are 3, 7, 9, 12, 16, 27, 72, and 144. As cards are connected to each other on a 9 quadrant game mat and conversation is explored, a study subject of your choice becomes a visionary storytelling work of art — producing a photo opportunity of a visual mind map.
As the prototype evolves, this dedicated blog will continually document design notes, process insights, and contextual stories behind the system’s development. Some of this material may later work into a formal manual, while much of it exists to preserve the creative process and depth of how the system came into being.
I've finished the process of writing the 9 strategies of the COAGULA ⨺ 27(54) set which all correspond to the bottom left area of the card backs. As well, the third symbol on the bottom right of the card is now composed with titles and short descriptions. Initially, in the documentation for The 7 of 9, the 3 symbol permutations on the top of the card were already defined, but this area has now been named.
This project has been planned for a very long time and may take quite a while to be done, but I am planning to redesign The 64 CARDS. Previously, the plan has been to visually upgrade 32 out of 64 of the cards to a more aesthetically pleasing yet just as educational geometric design. However, new revelations of producing dye cut geometric designs (stencils) over holographic gold material for The 7 of 9 has inspired a new plan to also make sure the designs for The 64 CARDS are stencil friendly for this type of production when they get upgraded. Along with this, I've decided to make the backs into a design which slightly resembles The 72 FACETS (IN 144) and The 7 of 9 — many diamonds (or possibly triangles — we will see) on a grid with visually pleasing margins between them. The amount of shapes that are there will count up to the numbering of the card, to indicate the card number. This will support young people who are learning how to count as an All Ages & Abilities educational feature. There will also be the card title in stencil friendly writing. This is quite a design challenge, but I'm confident that I can do this. Correspondingly, the Quick-Start Guide PDF which instructs the use of The 64 CARDS will be also displayed on the website for an online format option, as inspired by the evolution of The 7 of 9. In moving towards that reality, I have recently added 3 new info rich online galleries of The 64 CARDS. These will also be added to the instructional PDF as one upgrade, just with small icons of each card and info to support quick reference.
Gorgeous new mock ups for the upcoming 7 of 9 tangible cards have been released today, and as a little piece of history, I'd like to offer some design notes on these.
In response to my recent entry in The 7 of 9 Process Artifact Journal — TRANSFORMING AND ARCHITECTING THE PROTOTYPE DEVELOPMENT PLAN & ASSESSING 7 OF 9 CARD PRODUCTION COSTS — a person I had never spoken to before reached out to me with an absolutely gorgeous gesture. They offered to fund the remaining $240 CAD which I cited in that entry that I would need in order to complete the full prototype !! )))) And there was no request for (or dream of) donations in that entry. Now, that donation is received and I've ordered all the materials (Update : Photos of the materials are being added now that they've later arrived, to the images here). So all I have to do now is design it, and it will be manifested.
Today I began working on a "production prototype" for how The 7 of 9 Prototype will be created. I've formally decided to stop making these prototype cards with painting and crayon in this fashion (as seen in the photo) and instead, develop the entire 144 card prototype as my best effort to produce the exact final production format that it will be when eventually for sale.
Today I made the decision to eventually produce The 16 KEYS in a special format when they are for sale. The plan is to save up for a laser cutter to cut adhesive cardstock (of suiting colors) into stencils (from digitally prepared designs) — then adhese those over holo gold sheets. I see the designs for the backs also being purely stencil based, so I'd like double sided holo gold paper. I did some basic research to see if all those materials would be attainable (knowing it probably would) and I was pleased with the availability of choices. This would allow me to supply sales by demand, so that my costs would not be too high.
The first of The 16 KEYS has been created in its new design to become part of The 7 of 9. In fact, digitally, there have been 2 created. The one that was completed was KEY 2 ◊ MIND OF FREEDOM. This key is about strategic mastery — infinite strategic ability. As part of this design project, a plan has been created for how the rest of the keys will be visually organized, and the aesthetic has been chosen for all. As you can see, these are loosely based on the diamond shaped glyphs which are currently in use for The 16 KEYS. However, the use of triangles instead of diamonds has dramatically altered the aesthetic and approach. To me, it seems alien looking — something which I find very fitting to triangles and The 16 KEYS actually too.
In following along with posts from Jared Leto and 30 Seconds To Mars, I noticed that they were celebrating the 20 year anniversary of their single, The Kill. I noticed that if I would write the words you are now reading — a creative storytelling piece about The Kill which I've been pondering for years — it would correspond perfectly with the progression of materials I've been releasing through UNITY LIFE, especially those related to 30STM. So here it is : It's an example of creative storytelling which can be produced from use of The 7 of 9 ⨺ SOLVE COAGULA Mind Map System (Prototype) a game which is deeply integrated with the band's discography.
The powerful 16 KEYS plates that you see here are no longer going to be in use for illustration of The 16 KEYS once they are soon re-designed to match the triangular format of The 7 of 9. However, they will find a new place within the UNITY LIFE resources. These beautiful glyphs will be repurposed into a new card set of 22 cards — 2 sets of 11 — by creating 3 more similar glyphs and mirroring them each upsidown to create a total of 6 new designs on top of what you see here.
An image of one of The 64 CARDS overlaid over the dimensions of The 7 of 9 to illustrate my design plans.
Just before labeling and publishing the card face images for the SOLVE ⨺ COAGULA sets, I caught an important oversight at the last moment. In the rush of preparing the release, I realized I had not yet checked whether the ordering aligned with the discography of 30 Seconds to Mars—something that, in retrospect, felt essential.
Since this system relies heavily on the numerological significance of 7 and 9, I have been considering naming the system 7 of 9. There are 7 main symbols in the system which correspond to the 7 stages of laboratory alchemy, as well as 7 main power institutions (called sectors) of society. As well, the cards will be laid out on a "game board" mat which has 9 diamond shapes, in which to place up to 18 triangular cards. Since the set was originally incepted based on inspirations from Star Trek : Picard, I found an interest in the Star Trek character Seven of Nine who is featured in Picard, as well as Voyager and throughout the Star Trek Universe. I found her background of assimilation with the Borg especially interesting in perspective with my emphasis on power institutions, for which the Borg may be considered a metaphor. Once the set goes through to actual sales, in any larger format, I may need to delete this entry for legal reasons (although I'm not entirely sure). But for now, I feel confident sharing my ideas.
Initially, there has been a need to visually promote the prototype before it is more developed, in order to offer the news in celebration of Jared Leto and Marilyn Manson's birthdays (Jared on Dec 26, 2025 and Manson on Jan 5 or "15", 2026). For visual interest, I've started by creating a handmade series of 7 cards. Let's take a close look at each one, and learn about what they mean and how they will work in the system, after which I will explain more about this handmade approach and visual communication design :
The 7 of 9 system is inspired by a card set which was featured in the series Star Trek : Picard, as well as a connection with Star Trek Next Generation scenes in which 3 layered chess was played. For now, I wanted to share some of what ChatGPT said in my research, just a little more about these two games, for background reference information :
In May 2022 I was keeping a personal diary, as usual, in which I wrote down my daily reflections. At that time, I was watching the new Star Trek series, Picard. In an early episode, I noticed a sweater worn by Picard which fit into my pattern language study of the media called #diamonds2unitylife. This signalled me that there may be important information within the series that would be reflective of UNITY LIFE Mystery School and supportive to my creative growth. This couldn't have been more true. In episode 3, I discovered a card set which was prominently featured throughout the season which in combination with a 3-layered chess game in Star Trek The Next Generation, would inspire this new prototype for UNITY LIFE. Much more information about those Star Trek games will be provided in another entry.
The 7 of 9 was specially dedicated to Jared Leto and his band 30 Seconds To Mars on December 26th, 2025 — his 54th birthday. More info about this dedication will follow.
The 7 of 9 was specially dedicated to Marilyn Manson on January 5th, 2026 — his birthday, which is known as "15". He turned 57 that day. More info about this dedication will follow.
The 7 of 9 was most prominently originally inspired by the series Star Trek Picard. This incredible story has been coming out.
The 7 of 9 was also — in a small but powerful way — inpired by the series Star Trek : The Next Generation. This fascinating element is being explored ongoingly.
