moth-short

[moth-short]

The Fire-Circle Tantra | Moth 8 | Author Unclear

The one known extant copy of this in Western Europe was stolen from the British Library in 1892. One Harvey Hattington confessed to the crime and claimed to have eaten it, with butter and garlic, in a moment of ungovernable whimsy.

Herein the Great Hooded Princes are shown beseeching the Wood to rise and devour an invading Timurid army. The 'Dapple-King', the 'Honey-Tree' and the 'Sea-Twins' all deny their request, until they enlist the help of a burrowing secret-keeper...

Armed with blackmail material from the 'burrowing secret-keeper', the Great Hooded Princes petition the powers of the Wood for a second time, and are successful. One quarter of the Timurid army is devoured by bees, one quarter drowns themselves, and one quarter 'disrobe themselves until nothing remains.'

I feel that the most important question here is: who are each of these characters? The Dapple-King is most likely to be the Moth, the Honey-Tree is almost certainly the Malachite/the Ring-Yew, and the Sea-Twins are the Witch-and-Sister, or the Sister-and-Witch. The Dapple-King is identifiable not by means of having heard the name before, but of what happens in the third paragraph - one quarter "disrobe themselves until nothing remains." This is identifiable as the shedding that those affiliated with the Moth undergo to Ascend - and thus, as aspected with the Moth in the moment of death. Additionally, there is the 'burrowing secret-keeper', who can only be the Velvet, associated with secrets and, in their very occasional depictions, takes the form of a mole.

As amusing as the thought of the Velvet having blackmail on the rest of their fellow Wood-Hours, the important question to me is: who are the Great-Hooded Princes? What are the Timurids? As much as I search, I have only seen the Timurids mentioned in this specific Tantra, and the Great-Hooded Princes I feel I have seen before.

Ah, yes. In the Twin-Serpent Tantra, and in the One Hundred and Eight - I have read the former, but not the latter, and it is since lost to me. I will keep an eye out for another copy.

In the Twin-Serpent Tantra (Knock 8 | Author Unclear), it describes the Great-Hooded Princes are described as "a dynasty of unclear origin", made up of 54 individuals, who existed in a History secret to our own. Having learnt of their destined death in that History, they escaped by means of the Mother of Ants (source: One Hundred and Eight | Scale 4 | Author: Eva Dewulf) into a different History in which they still live, and met the alternate versions of themselves, which they joined to become a hundred and eight. Hence the names of the Twin-Serpent Tantra and the One Hundred and Eight.

This is as much detail as can truly be gathered about one of the Histories' civilisations, however I feel it is truly informative - the Great-Hooded Princes are truly powerful Knock-Long, whose dynasty stands strong in another History. I originally read a replication of the Fire-Circle Tantra because I had heard from the Librarian that it was related to the Moth, however this is more fascinating than I had expected, and I'm glad to have read it.

#cultist simulator #book report #book: the fire-circle tantra #aspect: moth #weather factory #book: twin-serpent tantra #book: one hundred and eight

[moth-short]

Bloody hell, it's talking about the Secret Histories, isn't it? I just recalled when I was rearranging my notes earlier that History is often capitalised as "First History", "Second History" etc. Amendment: this is not sad poetry, this is occult prophecy, but it's not about some event of the past- I believe this is about the Second Dawn in some way. An end to History, due to Sorrow dissolving Sense - that can't be said to be optimistic.

@hush-house-yard-sale I have your answer about what the Debate of Seven Cups, or at least a solid theory on its basis. I'm not sure it's a good one, but it is one. Please disregard any letters I have sent you in the midst of trying to decipher this accursed book up to this point.

The Debate of Seven Cups | Moon 10 | Author Unclear

"Distillations of Spirit" recorded by an alchemist who identifies himself in the foreword as "But Sir Thomas Browne's Reflexion."

Time is a pure Flame, and we live by an invisible Sun within us.' -

"Darkness and Light divide the Course of Time, and until that Course is Run, Eternity remains History's Bed-Fellow. Sorrow then is Sense's final Solvent, and even a Tear, should it fall enow, might destroy a Stone…"

This book itself is often debated as to its meaning - its assigned aspect itself, Moon, implying it is a mystery, a secret not to be uncovered easily. However, I believe it to be more accurately aspected to Moth, to change, and you will learn why.

"Time is a pure Flame, and we live by an invisible Sun within us."

Time is a pure Flame - untouched, natural, simply a form of nature. This may also imply some connection to Forge - change through destruction of the past - however I believe this may be a little too far of a reach. It is an interesting thought.

We live by an invisible Sun within us - naturally, if Time is a natural thing that will always exist, then we live by Time instinctually. We understand that it exists on an instinctive level and follow it like the Sun over the horizon.

"Darkness and Light divide the Course of Time, and until that Course is Run, Eternity remains History's Bed-Fellow.

Darkness and Light divide the Course of Time - I believe this to be referring to night and day respectively, night and day dividing time into sections of darkness and light.

and until that Course is Run, Eternity remains History's Bed-Fellow. - This part confused me for a while, however I believe it is referring to that until Time ends, present events will continue to pass into History - Eternity will continue, and History will be eternal, as it will never end.

Sorrow then is Sense's final Solvent, and even a Tear, should it fall enow, might destroy a Stone…"

Sorrow then is Sense's final Solvent, - A Solvent, after some dictionary-searching, I have found to be something that another dissolves into. This can then be assumed to mean that Sense dissolves finally in Sorrow - if there is Sorrow, Sense dissolves.

and even a Tear, should it fall enow, might destroy a Stone... - "enow" is simply another word for "enough". This line refers to erosion - should enough Tears fall, the force of it might eventually cut away at and destroy the Stone.

Such as it is, the book can thus be understood:

"Time is natural, and we instinctually live by it. Until Time ends, History will eternally continue. However, Sense will dissolve in Sorrow, and if enough Tears fall, even a Stone may break."

I believe this to be Moth-aspected due to its talk of what seems to be change, however a case for Forge may be made. Moon, until such a thing can be clarified, is appropriate.

Although pretentious, I'm not so certain this counts as a truly occult book - rather, it may simply be sad poetry. Unless it's some sort of occult prophecy foretelling of the Sun's inevitable end by way of someone's sorrow, or some-such. Actually, perhaps it is speaking of the Sun-in-Splendour's sundering? I am uncertain as to the period it was written in. Perhaps the Librarian who recommended me the book would know the answer.

#book of hours (game) #book: the debate of seven cups #updated report #additionally i was wrong about the aspect that the debate of seven cups is #turns out i was right and it should be moth

[moth-short]

An Analysis on the Nature of the Carapace Cross

This entry cannot be fully in character, as it contains information not published in-universe. Sunset Diaries is not seen in either Cultist Simulator or Book of Hours, but in Enigma, Weather Factory's CultSim ARG. All of this is sourced from the Wiki, and will feature many different books in quick succession. It will also feature spoilers for the Moth Ascension of Cultist Simulator, in addition to spoilers as to the activities of the Nocturnal Branch in Book of Hours, aswell as the furthest place in the basement.

Sunset Diaries | Author: Christopher Illopoly

As the memoir of Christopher Illopoly, this one holds a place in my memory. Not for his previous works, but for what it holds - precious information on the lost species that holds our attention so much, the Carapace-Cross. We will be looking at only the foremost paragraph - "March 1959 '[THE CARAPACE-CROSS DID NOT PERISH BUT PASSED WITHIN]'. Of course they did; of course they did. By definition, this changes nothing, and yet I cannot ignore it. At the very least it lends strength to Coseley's arguments. I am beginning to think, after all, that he is right. "Birds of a feather stick together." Teresa, Teresa. Perhaps, had we known, it would have changed nothing for you, either. Is it fair to tell you? '[THE CARAPACE-CROSS DID NOT PERISH BUT PASSED WITHIN.]' I feel sick." (source: Cultist Simulator wiki)

From this point, this will feature spoilers for the Moth Ascension from Cultist Simulator.

The relevant line here is, of course, "The Carapace-Cross did not perish but passed within". This has been on my mind for weeks, since I have read the passage. At first, this seems like utter nonsense - at least, unless you've played through the Moth Ascension of Cultist Simulator.

None of it seems to relate at all to the Carapace-Cross, until the ending - the "Dodo and the Dragon" ending, where it says, paraphrased, "the Carapace-Cross are as dead as the Dodo and the Dragon". The achievement description is, "I have become something winged, dark and undying; something that no longer exists." Okay, so, there are no Moth-Long in the world. They hide in the Mansus as Carapace-Cross. This is a revelation in itself. But what does this mean?

The Manner in which the Alchemist was Spared | Forge 14 | Author Unclear

"In the days of the Carapace Cross, when humanity lived in the dark and ate on its knees, humans could enter the Mansus like vermin. One learnt the arts of Flint, the arts of shaping and remaking..."

If the Carapace-Cross lived at the same time as humans, then what does this mean? Consider it another way: humans were Carapace-Cross from the very beginning, and in the Moth Ascension you are reverting back to a previous state of humanity's being - the Carapace-Cross passed within, into the depths of the human DNA, and can be pulled back out with enough pursuance into the ways of Moth, who had, akin to the Carapace Cross, passed within the Wheel and usurped it from the inside-out. (Source: In Memory of Gods)

In Memory of Gods | Winter 10 | Author: "The Barrowchild"

The Barrowchild describes how the Grail drained the Hour called Tide, how the Moth 'usurped the Wheel from within', stealing its skin, and how the Forge first eclipsed then shattered Flint. 'Perhaps these are glories,' she observes, 'but then it cannot be that Glory is merciful.'

Five Creations | Grail 14 | Author: Scholar Shohei

"THE CARAPACE ORIGIN: we were born from shell, like the children of the wasp from the spider. THE GLORIOUS ORIGIN: our life-motes descended from Light. THE ORIGIN BEFOULED: we were found naked and smeared with muck in the roots of the Wood..." "Shohei's preferred theories are that we are the children of apes who walked upright, although his tone here is satirical; or that we consumed not only our parents, 'which is not the Crime of the Sky', but also our origin, so that we came from Nowhere."

The Moth "usurped the Wheel from within". The Carapace-Cross "did not perish but passed within". I hate to say it, but it seems like humanity is due to be usurped from within, as was the Wheel before by the Moth. The 'Carapace Origin' suggested by the scholar Shohei may be a theory that humanity are, indeed, of Carapace-Cross origin - though the Wiki points out the passage, "or that we consumed not only our parents", stating that it implies that humanity evolving from their ancestors the apes is akin to the Moth usurping the Wheel, and that they are cut from the same cloth.

So, to summarise the theory already covered: humanity came from the Carapace-Cross, evolving from the progenitor as from apes. Carapace-Cross DNA is thus buried - far back, where we could not know it.

From this point, we are discussing Book of Hours spoilers for the plot of Cucurbit Prison, the Nocturnal Branch of Hush House. There are also spoilers for the furthest place in the Basement, where the final secret of Hush House is hidden.

Cucurbit Prisoner Records 1927 | Nectar 12 | Author: Governor Collers' Private Secretary

"Accounts by Governor Collers' private secretary of interventions and experiments in the last years of the Cucurbit prison, focusing particularly on prisoners he believes might have Carapace Cross lineage."

"Two prisoners suspected of oneiric crimes are enouraged to access their inner Carapace Cross tendencies, and develop the attributes of the Seglaz-kind ('sickle-formed pseudocrustacea'). Regrettably they lose the ability to breathe air; one dies and Collers releases the other into the sea. Collers describes how he's successfully induced an unstable Carapace-larva to develop into a greater form, using Insects and Nectars techniques in the context of considerable Moth-aspect. He hopes that similar techniques might be used to expedite the moral development of prisoners..."

There is so much to look at here. Not just in how utterly unhinged Governor Collers clearly was, but just in general as to the subject matter at hand. This almost seems to confirm the theory that humans evolved from Carapace-Cross even just in the blurb - if humans can have Carapace-Cross lineage, that must imply it, correct? At least, unless humans bred with Carapace-Cross, and it is only select members of humanity that have the lineage, and such why only select members of humanity feel the call to change and have their Carapace-Cross DNA usurp theirs.

I would like to say that the two species are unlikely to be biologically compatible, but considering the fact that it seems that the Carapace-Cross also have several sub-species - such as the Seglaz-kind mentioned in the prisoner records here - it is surprisingly likely that at least one sub-species is capable of interbreeding. Perhaps it also implies that Carapace-Cross, as long as they are of the major species, can develop any such attributes of their sub-species.

We can even see the Carapace-larva Governor Collers had "successfully induced ... to develop into a greater form" in-game - it has not hatched, and still hangs in the Mazed Cell.

In conclusion, I believe it abundantly clear that Carapace-Cross are either humanity's precursor in Secret Histories, or a species that has bred and whose DNA lies dormant in select bloodlines. It has been said that Carapace-Cross and neanderthals were around at the same period of history, and Carapace-Cross have been implied to have a staggering amount of subspecies (akin to the staggering amount of species under the banner of "insect", so who knows what the Carapace-Cross name is truly referring to?) - so who is to say what is wrong? Perhaps the Carapace-Cross were never a species at all.

Recall the Taxonomic Rank system of biology - it goes species (the specific kind), genus (what it is), family (what kind of animal it is - cat vs dog, or somesuch), order (e.g carnivora, carnivores), class (e.g mammalia, mammal)... Perhaps Carapace-Cross is not a species. Perhaps this should be obvious. Perhaps Carapace-Cross is akin to a class - or even more likely, a phylum - "a group of organisms with a certain degree of evolutionary relatedness" Sources: (Wikipedia - Taxonomic Rank and Phylum)

Perhaps that is what Carapace-Cross are. Not a species, not a genus, but a banner - a precursor to many, many species, that had to fill an extremely wide array of evolutionary niches for their respective habitats, which would make complete sense for how many types of Carapace-Cross are described on the statue in the basement, the fact that Carapace-Cross can be both dark and winged, and this strange Seglaz-kind, a crustacean that breathes water instead of air.

The Carapace-Cross' true revelation of Book of Hours is not that they have passed within humanity - that was already known in Cultist Simulator. The true revelation of Book of Hours in regard to the Carapace-Cross is that Carapace-Cross are an evolutionary point for so many species in the Secret Histories-verse that it could be said that they are within everything. This is just a theory, but I feel it has some basis.

Thank you for reading.

#book of hours (game) #cultist simulator #lore #the HIGHER I RISE the MORE I SEE #carapace-cross #book: sunset diaries #book: the manner in which the alchemist was spared #book: in memory of gods #book: five creations #book: cucurbit prisoner records 1927 #book of hours spoilers #cultist simulator spoilers #long post #weather factory

[moth-short]

It's probably not controversial to say the Hours aren't gods. Might be a bit moreso to say they aren't people. Not anymore. See while ascension past being a mortal clearly confers benefits, it also bears limitations, and I think it is at the rank of Hour that they chafe the tightest.

To be Long is to either serve an Hour or to be hunted by them until you submit or succumb; to be forgotten is the perennial third option, imperfect as it may be. Each variety has its own peculiarities and sacrifices made; no physical form, no rest from dance, no warmth hotter than your own body. An expiration date. Always some concession to rules and Principles laid by somebody else.

To be a Name more explicitly demands service to an Hour, and further seems to come with some role to fulfill. Names are usually mentioned in the context of which Hour they belong to. Often they are taken to be mere facets of that larger power, regardless of their method of creation.

So to actually be an Hour, one might imagine, would finally permit shedding these bonds, and allow license to one's own power for one's own purposes. But that's the trick. An Hour is defined by enactments, called upon in rites, and typically taken as a known quantity by outside observers (be that with anticipation or dread). An Hour is not free to do what they will, any more than a hurricane could change its course or a clock could strike twelve twice. The immense power is counterbalanced by the nature of it; elevation of one's nature to the status of law doesn't leave much space for changing one's mind afterwards.

#this is a fascinating concept! #i think this makes a lot of sense with what we have learnt about the Hours :) #weather factory

[moth-short]

The Debate of Seven Cups | Moth 10 | Author Unclear

"Distillations of Spirit" recorded by an alchemist who identifies himself in the foreword as "But Sir Thomas Browne's Reflexion."

Time is a pure Flame, and we live by an invisible Sun within us.' -

"Darkness and Light divide the Course of Time, and until that Course is Run, Eternity remains History's Bed-Fellow. Sorrow then is Sense's final Solvent, and even a Tear, should it fall enow, might destroy a Stone…"

This book itself is often debated as to its meaning - its assigned aspect itself, Moon, implying it is a mystery, a secret not to be uncovered easily. However, I believe it to be more accurately aspected to Moth, to change, and you will learn why.

"Time is a pure Flame, and we live by an invisible Sun within us."

Time is a pure Flame - untouched, natural, simply a form of nature. This may also imply some connection to Forge - change through destruction of the past - however I believe this may be a little too far of a reach. It is an interesting thought.

We live by an invisible Sun within us - naturally, if Time is a natural thing that will always exist, then we live by Time instinctually. We understand that it exists on an instinctive level and follow it like the Sun over the horizon.

"Darkness and Light divide the Course of Time, and until that Course is Run, Eternity remains History's Bed-Fellow.

Darkness and Light divide the Course of Time - I believe this to be referring to night and day respectively, night and day dividing time into sections of darkness and light.

and until that Course is Run, Eternity remains History's Bed-Fellow. - This part confused me for a while, however I believe it is referring to that until Time ends, present events will continue to pass into History - Eternity will continue, and History will be eternal, as it will never end.

Sorrow then is Sense's final Solvent, and even a Tear, should it fall enow, might destroy a Stone…"

Sorrow then is Sense's final Solvent, - A Solvent, after some dictionary-searching, I have found to be something that another dissolves into. This can then be assumed to mean that Sense dissolves finally in Sorrow - if there is Sorrow, Sense dissolves.

and even a Tear, should it fall enow, might destroy a Stone... - "enow" is simply another word for "enough". This line refers to erosion - should enough Tears fall, the force of it might eventually cut away at and destroy the Stone.

Such as it is, the book can thus be understood:

"Time is natural, and we instinctually live by it. Until Time ends, History will eternally continue. However, Sense will dissolve in Sorrow, and if enough Tears fall, even a Stone may break."

I believe this to be Moth-aspected due to its talk of what seems to be change, however a case for Forge may be made. Moon, until such a thing can be clarified, is appropriate.

Although pretentious, I'm not so certain this counts as a truly occult book - rather, it may simply be sad poetry. Unless it's some sort of occult prophecy foretelling of the Sun's inevitable end by way of someone's sorrow, or some-such. Actually, perhaps it is speaking of the Sun-in-Splendour's sundering? I am uncertain as to the period it was written in. Perhaps the Librarian who recommended me the book would know the answer.

Edit: I have since found out that The Debate of Seven Cups is, in fact, Moth-aspected. I feel quite satisfied that I figured that out despite being very mistaken that it was Moon-aspected.

#book of hours (game) #book report #book: the debate of seven cups #weather factory #aspect: moth

[moth-short]

An Introduction to a simple book enjoyer

After reading some of the many books of Hush House, I decided to publish my analysis of certain texts that catch or may catch my interest. Please be patient, as I do not have access to many of the books at will, as I am but a simple visitor among many.

#an introduction

[moth-short]

Hello Mx. Librarian,

I would appreciate some book recommendations from your library relating to the Moth, the nature of its aspect, and anything you might find relevant to recommend.

This is purely for a recent fascination with the subject from a book enjoyer.

Sincerely,

Moth-Short.

(I was going to go with Moth-Please-Reply-Shortly, but I supposed it would be a little too long.)

[Once again invokes a horrifying and arcane device from a History-Not-Yet-Written]

You'll forgive me for my collection being incomplete, the fire was quite devastating.

If you're looking for information on the Moth, I'd recommend starting with De Horis Book 1, for an overview of the Hour. It's a good place to begin if you want information on the Wood-Hours in general. The Moth also appears in The Chandler's Wish and The Fire-Circle Tantra, but I can't say that either of them are really about the Moth in the same way.

I do also have a nice allegory, called The Debate of Seven Cups, which you will hopefully enjoy. I can't guarantee it's about The Moth or its aspect, but I'm tempted to give it to you anyway and see if you can make any more of it than I could.

#interaction #the librarian #book of hours (game)