I find my hand-colorised version of the ‘Lovecraft the milkmaid’ picture has found a use, on the cover of Angelo Cerchi’s 2020 book The Hidden Coven. A strange choice of picture for the book’s topic, perhaps, but I’m guessing that ‘the balance’ may have some symbolism in occult circles (scales of Thoth, probably) or perhaps in personal divinatory methods such as the tarot.

The new book suggests that “the real facts” of his tales were not simply invented by Lovecraft and were had from meeting with real cults, and the Italian author seeks for evidence in the work and life. The title Coven hints at what a reviewer makes clear — these were supposedly the same as Miss Murray’s cults. Such claims for Lovecraft’s supposed ‘insider’ occult knowledge have been heard before and are easily rebutted by the letters and the many accounts of those who knew him. Judging by one Amazon review, this slim new book of 150 pages adds little that’s new.