Tarot, is a procession of triumph. I have arranged the cards of the Rider Waite deck, in a circular formation to demonstrate the cyclic wheel:
I will explain the associations as we move around the wheel, but these correlations are not set in stone, they can certainly be customized by each respective cultist. This serves as an example, to demonstrate the archetypes and allegories which represent the metaphors within the Cult of Cthulhu paradigm.
0 - The Fool
Cult association:
Azathoth
The blind idiot god, and nuclear chaos. At the beginning of the cycle, this represents the frenzy, and delirium of of a start. The folly of a foolish undertaking, seemingly unwise, lacking intelligence, but needed none-the-less. Aimless adventure, perhaps even superficial. In the 5th century, a bag of plated coin (for show), was referred to as follis, this is where the term fool is derived from by 12th century. Azathoth, as the blind idiot god, is the fiber of the universe but not yet formed into decisive thing. The demon-sultan, must begin the cycle beckoned by drums and flutes to bubble, and begin the formation.
I - Magician
Cult association:
Abdul AlHazred
The insanity, skill of occult methods, rooted in confidence to perform, but loss and destruction. The Magi, work meticulously with skill to derange the mind. In order to break habits, deconstruct that which is essentially holding us back, we must work earnestly, and with diplomacy to create mania. Fanaticism, is essential in order to propel forward along the wheel.
II High Priestess
Cult association:
Yog-Sothoth
The mystery of the gate, not yet revealed. Wisdom, science, magic represented in yog-sothery. It is here that the secrets are held by the keeper of the gate. Though, their keys are not near their locks. Spheres glowing with possibility, knowledge not yet applied.
III Empress
Cult association:
Shub-Niggurath
The quest, initiation, action taken in lieu of ignorance to seek even more knowledge than held before. The ram, bucking against falsehood and disinformation. Absorption, fertility, and birth of a thousand truths. Through the deep roots, trees of knowledge form to be used to cycle through to the acquisition of power.
IV Emperor
Cult association:
Tsathoggua
Control, reasoning, conviction, aid, protection, and power. The toad-like gargoyle created by the Atlantean High-Priest Klarkosh'ton mentioned in the Pnakotic and Necronomicon scripts recorded by madmen. This iconic earth-dweller, can force the current of the the Fool's journey with its hundreds of rudimentary feet.
V Hierophant
Cult association:
Ipsissimus, Venger As'Nas Satanis
The flow, inspiration, alliance, and captivator. The Netzach Sephirah on the Kabbalistic Tree of Knowledge on the pillar of Mercy. Tactical effort to change the Will current. Self-discipline instituted to user man towards becoming. The organizer of religion. Zealous devotion to one's task.
VI Lovers
Cult association:
The Fellowship
Group trials, Love Under Will, Law of Attraction, fellowship, and the supporting structure of the cult. For there can be no cult, without cultists. Collaboration, and collective Work.
VII Chariot
Cult association:
Miskatonic University/Providence
The symbolic university to acquire the ammunition required to achieve Providence, willful intervention to corrupt habit and mechanized process. Miskatonic study is the pathway to triumph. The harbinger of Occult study, and future-casting (knowledge of the future).
VIII Strength
Cult association:
Nyogtha
Mother Hydra, power, energy, action, courage and magnanimity. The shapeless mass, which will take form as it is needed to take control. Considered to be one of Nyarlathotep's avatars, the thing that should not be - is. As you cycle around the wheel, there may be times when you must invoke the hydra. Cut off its head, and two grow in its place. Absorbing the intelligence of the mind-to-mind exchange. Vampiric in nature, taking what it can, when it can, to move along the wheel to the 9th position.
IX Hermit
Cult association:
Shuggoth
Corruption, dissimulation, the rogue. There may be times when you must commit treason against the system, the appointed leader of your world. Even if that leader, is YOU. If you find yourself assimilated into the machine, you must rage against it. Be not the slave, but instead rise against your master. Do not remain the rogue, instead use this position as the power to forge your will to succeed in your task.
X The Wheel
Cult association:
Awakening
Mid-cycle, you should experience a success in your ability to awaken. The continued Work, is remaining awake vs. falling once again to a sleeping, mechanized, and automated state. Fortune and felicity while momentary, can be prolonged with tactics which foster awakening. Remembering, self-observation and continuous Super-effort, will serve you well in the cycles of being.
XII Hanged Man
Cult association:
The Cult of Cthulhu
Represents the Modus Operandi and Ontological study of the self. Discernment, intuition, divination, circumspection and willful sacrifice. Working the cult paradigm, the cultist may find ways to remain conscious rather than slipping into states of unconsciousness.
XIII Death
Cult association:
Internal Alchemy
Contentment leads to stagnation. You must once again corrupt your state of being, destroy the stagnation by transmuting it into something corrosive, an end to current state, to compel action to becoming even more than you are presently.
XIV Temperance
Cult association:
Atlach'Nacha
Management, moderation, and accommodation. The great weaver, spider woman, who builds bridges between the dreamland and waking world. She dwells on the Tree of Death, waiting to smite those who do not seek to create. She controls the arachnids, working with the Magi in exchange for Arcane knowledge. Devotees to her work to create the Philosopher's Stone. Atlach'Nacha's task is never-ending, nor should your task to be creator and bridging gaps in your own personal development.
XV Devil
Cult association:
Cthulhu
Dead, but dreaming. Cthulhu is the harbinger of force, super-effort, fatality and evil. For that which is good to one, may be an evil to you. Your sleeper within, cries out to be awakened from its slumber with a vengeful force to move about the cyclic wheel towards becoming.
XVI Tower
Cult association:
R'lyeh
Your emerald kingdom. The architecture of your design, rooted in adversity and calamity. You must struggle to raise R'lyeh from the depths of the ocean. This is no easy task, for there Cthulhu waits...dead but dreaming. Awakening your sleeper within, means to also raise the city of chaos. The green flame beacons from the depths of the mental dimension. For when it rises, all reality perceived or believed will change.
XVII Star
Cult association:
Polaris
The glaring eye, watching, observing, peering down when you seek privation and abandonment. The all seeing eye, when you wish to hide and give up on your task. We all have moments of frustration, and deviation from the plan when it gets too hard as an avoidance tactic. Polaris is there to keep your aim on your target. You are nearing the end of the cyclic wheel, to give up now would only be a reset. You start again, having acquired nothing, no becoming and the eye weeps. Instead, allow the glare to cause you discomfort and serve as a reminder that YOU should be watching yourself.
XVIII Moon
Cult association:
Nyarlathotep
The hidden enemy, terror, darkness and deception. Nyarlathotep will use insanity to provoke you and move you with his ancient sorcery. You are nearing the end of your Fool's journey, do not allow the hidden enemy to deviate you from your course, leading you further and further away from your goals. Let Nyarlathotep, be the reminder that there is something hidden within you, which could give cause to begin the journey again, and acquire nothing, become no more than you are at this moment.
XIX Sun
Cult association:
Suffering
Materialism, contentment and marriage of ideas. You could work hard each day, but if you are not putting forth a super-effort, you may have been lulling yourself back to sleep by the time you reach the 19th position on your journey. The key is to enact willful suffering, as a means to an end. Otherwise, you have married materialism once more, in such a way, that it takes you completely off course. Acquiring material goods in this lifetime is a strong desire, as is a complete focus on materialist views but may not be indicative to becoming more than you are at this moment.
XX Judgement
Cult association:
Hastur
Judgement, a change of position and transition; Hastur can not stay. The yellow sign is present, the sigil of change is constant. You are at the end of your journey, heading towards the 21st and final position in the cycle. You may have suffered willfully, to achieve your immediate needs and desires, but there is a long term goal in mind, you will never be finished with this task; thus Hastur can not stay.
XXI World
Cult association:
Reality
You have reached the final position, have you become something more? Better or worse? How has this altered your reality? Before taking a step towards the Fool once more, you should be able to recognize attributes of autonomy, power and self-deification.
The wheel turns again, as you step off the 21st position and start again at 0.
Inspired by:
Yrreiht's Blog Post Discussion: Freedom