The Innsmouth Tarot, Part 4 - The Suit of Flames

The chapbooks from which we derive these images are remnants of a past tradition that still survives to this day. In the Folklore field study faculty at Miskatonic University now reside several important documents which have allowed us to piece together the body of lore which comprises the Innsmouth Tarot. That knowledge lives on in the many commonplace books which the Folklore unit has compiled, as well as the various chapbooks which have been published from them.

Commonplace books are journals which their authors have kept, usually with a particular focus. A tradition which has been largely abandoned in recent years, these journals were once a widespread practice which saw various and quite personal pieces of knowledge “scrapbooked” together for a specific purpose. Often this lore was of a medical or herbal knowledge, focussed upon the study of treatments of animal or human health. In former times many of these personal journals became the focus of witch-hunts which saw their authors burnt at the stake

Occasionally, these journals were published, so as to spread their knowledge to a wider audience. These publications were in the form of chapbooks – low-cost publications, targeted at a particular audience. The best known of these kinds of publications are “Le Dragon Rouge” and “La Poule Noire”, magical grimoires which contained the essence of various previous compilers’ observations about many magical procedures. However, chapbooks are not solely repositories for arcane lore, and the tradition of chapbook production – and its modern iteration of “zines” – continues today.

Many of these kinds of documents are extant in the New England folk nexus and can still be purchased for a handful of change from various local sources - often an element of teenage “coming of age” rituals. It is these holdovers from ancient days which have enabled us to compile the tarot deck which we are now able to present. Of particular interest is the folklore unit’s copy of the 1865 “Admiral Southwick” chapbook, a lunar almanac which has the complete listing of the Shadow suit on its back cover: without this vital document, we would have had to resort to creating that entire suit almost from nothing, without any kind of direction. This is a great discovery indeed.

This instalment covers the second suit in the tarot deck, that of Flames. Unlike the Shadows suit, extant cards and associated information have survived and references to these sources are included where appropriate.

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The suit of Flames oversees the spiritual aspects of life. It is the equivalent of the batons, or club suit, of other card decks. The court cards comprise various identities from the Cthulhu Cult legends as does the Shadows suit, and the number cards all have their own individual meanings.

Unlike the Shadows suit, there remain extant cards in the sets that have been recovered. Because of this, known cards can be reproduced in new forms and not merely speculated upon. The grimoires which have been recovered speak of the various cards and so they can be regenerated with a fair degree of accuracy; where no cards exist and no reference can be found, we have had to extrapolate upon the rest of the information that we have to hand.

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The Ace of Flames

The suit of Flames represents the powers of the spirit and the Ace indicates those powers at their highest aspect. This card stands for creation, birth and beginnings of all kinds. It represents new determination or enterprise, invention, fortune, or an inheritance. When inverted it indicates a false start, a cloudy outlook, or an unrealised goal; it can stand for decadence, an empty existence or vexation.

The Ace of Flames is extant in the Kester Library card set and shows the method whereby this new set of cards indicates the suit of each Lesser Arcana image. Shadows are indicated by a single dot under the card’s number; Flames are shown by two dots; three dots signifies a Storms card, while four dots stands for a Stones suit card. It’s pleasing to be able to continue this system as indicated by this rare survivor.

The Two of Flames

The Two of Flames symbolises the fire of anointment, the assuming of a holy mantle or sacred fire. The card depicts two warriors, both exemplars of their tribes, but whether joined in purpose, or opposed, none can say. The source of this card is the Newburyport set which, as is typical, contains only a short text.

When upright, this card indicates the appearance of a leader, or the assumption of new – possibly spiritual – duties. In some instances it can stand for the champions of opposing factions meeting over a dispute. Inverted, the card can be read as a sign of sadness or trouble, restraint forced upon one by others, or a loss of faith.

The Three of Flames

Signal fires communicate across the divide. This card stands for negotiations, practical knowledge and enterprise. It is a card which symbolises business acumen. When inverted, it indicates assistance with an ulterior motive; treachery; rejection and loss.

The Four of Flames

A candle in the window is a traditional signal for a beloved to find their way home. This card signifies romance, new prosperity, the comfort and tranquillity afforded by community. When upside-down in a reading, it signals the loss of these things and insecurity.

The Five of Flames

Corpse lights, or “Will-o-the-Wisps”, drift through marshy wilderness, signalling danger, death and decay. Like the unfinished business such haunting is supposed to imply, this card suggests unsatisfied desires, struggle and onerous endeavour. When inverted it speaks of trickery, complex contradictions and possible legal issues.

The Six of Flames

The flames of war herald the approach of conquest. This card indicates a triumph, or the receipt of good news. It speaks of advancement and gain. When upside-down, it foretells delays of an indefinite duration; fear and apprehension; disloyalty.

The Seven of Flames

The flash of lightning indicates success, gain, and the overcoming of obstacles. It speaks of a sudden advantage and the surmounting of overwhelming odds. Reversed, it stands for strategies confounded: anxiety, losses through hesitation and uncertainty; embarrassment and indecision.

The Eight of Flames

Phosphorescence is a bioluminescent glow that appears when water is vigorously stirred. This notion of action is the hallmark of this card’s divinatory meaning.

The card stands for speed, hastily made plans and decisions, sudden progress in an undertaking. Inverted, it speaks of jealousy and dispute; harassment and quarrels; discord. Unconsidered action and the negative consequences that arise.

The Nine of Flames

Another nautical motif stemming from the Marsh influence in Innsmouth, the Dark Lantern is a device which seeks to prevent open flame from getting out of control while at sea. It also allows the sighting of stars to be undertaken at night without ambient light impinging upon night-adapted eyes. Of course, such a device also has many uses when it comes to criminal activities such as smuggling...

This card signifies hidden enemies and the expectation of difficult times ahead. In that the lantern shields the flame and keeps it secure, the card also speaks of preparation for adversity and a sense of discipline. When upside-down, the Dark Lantern indicates obstacles, adversity, problems and delays; it symbolises displeasure, calamity and disaster.

The Ten of Flames

Like many early societies, the people of Innsmouth have taken notice of certain heavenly phenomena and have read into them indications of the future or of divine intent. Like many other cultures, the Comet has been recorded by them as an omen of ill-fortune. The Newburyport Set shows one interpretation of this card and it unequivocally states the idea of an ominous portent.

The meaning of this image is to be burdened, to have cares pressing down upon one. It speaks of the struggle to maintain one’s ground in the face of imminent difficulties. When inverted, the card symbolises troubles and intrigues; subterfuge. It indicates the presence of a traitor; duplicity, treachery and deceit.

Bugg-Shash – The Jack of Flames

The Jack of Flames is represented by another one of the Drowners, that entity known as Bugg-Shash. This horrid being is supposed to derive a form of nutrition, or protection, from its association with the Great Old Ones, but whether this exchange is beneficial to all parties, or parasitic, is unclear. Worshipped at one time by sub-Saharan tribes, the only known literature on this being consists wholly of a range of incantations to summon it in order to destroy one’s enemies. Given the interpretation which the card has, it must be assumed that the designers of the card sets felt themselves to be simpatico with the actions of this creature.

The meaning of this card is the notion of a trusted friend. It stands for an envoy or emissary. Of course, a hideous monster sent to attack one’s enemies can certainly be regarded as such! When placed upside-down, the card stands for malicious gossip, instability, a bearer of bad tidings. It can mean an inability to make decisions, or displeasure.

Zoth-Ommog – The Knight of Flames

Zoth-Ommog, according to the legendry to be gleaned from the Ponape Scriptures and the Teachings of the Esoteric Order of Dagon, is the eldest son of Cthulhu and its mate Idh-Yaa, born upon a distant world and now trapped beneath the waters of the Pacific, supposedly to the north of Ponape in the Carolinas. This being is said to be the most energetic and feisty of the three sons of Cthulhu and its spirited reputation makes it a natural match as the Knight of Flames.

This card stands for a departure – a journey, or flight, into the unknown. According to its position within a card spread, it could stand for an alteration, or absence. When inverted, the card stands for discord: the break-up of a relationship, unexpected change, or quarrelling.

Kassogtha – The Queen of Flames

“[I shall ride along] an unknown [road]

Until the day when, having travelled far and wide,

I finally reach the Pine Forest,

Until I slay ferocious Humbaba,

And exterminate from the land Something Evil…”

This quote is part of the Epic of Gilgamesh, from Tablet III of the Standard Babylonian Version. It refers to the ancient horror Humbaba, a terrifying giant entity composed entirely of intestines. In this depiction, we have perhaps the very earliest reference to the entity known as Kassogtha.

Kassogtha is said to be the third mate of Cthulhu, by whom the twin horrors Nctosa and Nctolhu were spawned. Some sources refer to Kassogtha as Cthulhu’s sister, but there is little consistency in the various readings and the assertion may derive from a mistranslation. Kassogtha is said to appear as writhing mass of gelid coils held within a fluid matrix – such coils may well be interpreted as the lashing intestinal appendages of the Babylonian demon Humbaba.

The extant cards give us little else to go on: the Kester Library set merely depicts a pleasing knotwork design reminiscent of Celtic decoration and the Newburyport set presents only a name and suit designation.

In a card reading, the intention of this image is for chastity, friendliness and honour. In some circumstances, it may refer to a sympathetic and understanding person full of feminine charm and grace. When reversed, it stands for fickleness, deceit, and jealousy; unstable emotions and a possible infidelity.

B’Moth – The King of Flames

The King of Flames is represented by B’Moth, another avatar of Great Cthulhu. The cult associated with B’Moth holds that its desire is to return the world to a primitive state such as that before recorded history. To this end, the cult devotees attempt to destroy manifestations of modernity, such as construction and sites of industrialisation. Cult activity of this being is most often encountered in developing nations across the planet.

B’Moth appears as a damp and clinging fog of luminescent blue, green and yellow. It is said to be able to contact its devotees telepathically and drive them into orgiastic states of intense fervour. The Kester Library version of the card faithfully depicts this notion.

Symbolically, the card stands for a mature and all-knowing father-figure. It speaks of wisdom, sympathy and erudition. When turned upside-down, it implies grandiose and extravagant ideals, severity and austerity in execution and pronounced dogmatism.

To Be Continued...