Rite of Clear Thought

The Rite of Clear Thought is a ritual conducted by the Adeptus Mechanicus and is used by those who advance to the rank of Magos. It is linked so deeply with the religious dogma of the Tech-Priests that the symbol of the Mechanicus is even based on it namely the image of a skull with the right side replaced by cybernetic parts. The aim of the Right of Clear Thought is to excise the weakness of emotions, empathy and care. Instead, more logical drives are enhanced in order to further the skills of such Tech-Priests. It symbolises the Cult Mechanicus's doctrine of replacing their inferior organic based parts with superior machine components. Thus, the limitations of Man are overcome and these individuals begin the steps to evolve onto the next level of existence. This is achieved through the Biologus Adepts in depth knowledge of the arts of neuromancy.

This ritual is conducted by the highest and most skilled of Biologus Adepts and involved the replacement of the entire right hemisphere of the brain with machine augments. In addition, the left hemisphere is further enhanced in order to further its logic and analysis. These parts of the brain are kept functional through the use of anti-agapic elixirs that keep the grey matter alive as well as functional. The effects of the rite are evident as the Tech-Priest becomes more single minded and focused with the benefit of logic as well as clarity whilst emotions receding to the point that they are non-existent thus having no effect on the mind of a Magos. Further benefits include the ability to both analyse and learn at an exponential rate. The formation of new synaptic thought patterns allows its user to think more like a machine and thus be closer to the Omnissiah. Those non-augmented in such a way often feel that these individuals are divorced from reality and even mad. ¹

Source

• ¹: Dark Heresy: Ascension, p. 40