Intentionality

From Hadar's Le Veritable Tarot de Marseille, Judgment; from the Greek Rune Tiles, Phi:

The gate of liberation is always open.

—Koshin Paley Ellison

While this card depicts the Last Judgment of the Bible, it symbolizes redemptive action that leads to liberation. In other words, we pause on our madly spinning hamster wheel and question the ideas we've rigidly held and the behaviors we keep repeating. It dawns on us (hearing the trumpet) that our expectations were more than a little off kilter. In our moment of clarity, we see the gate of liberation that has always been there, just waiting for us to notice it. As Arthur Brooks wrote, "our minds are habitually unbalanced, but not intrinsically so; the key is to build new habits of thinking." Phi in mathematics represents the golden mean, a special ratio found in the designs of nature, art and architecture that make these creations more pleasing to the eye. Yet this ratio still must exist within the laws of nature; things can't be created while ignoring reality. Phi encourages us to see through a different lens; there is a way to intentionally see the beauty and good in life, even when it doesn't meet our standards or wishes.

Defensive Stance

From Hadar's Le Veritable Tarot de Marseille, the Nine of Swords; from the Greek Alphabet Runes, 'Phi:'

          According to Bursten's interpretation of the Marseille Tarot, the Sword suit represents 'defending' and the Nine is the result of one's efforts. Looking at the boundary created by the curved swords, there is a sense of being walled inside of a fortress. But is this worry without an evident cause? The flower buds at the four corners point outward as if they too are an attempt to be a part of the boundary. But they have been cut off from the plant and therefore have no chance to blossom. The fortress created may end up becoming more of a prison for the person inside. Phi is the Greek letter in mathematics associated with the golden mean, a special ratio found in nature and intentionally produced in art and architecture. It was thought this ratio made creations more pleasing to the eye, and thus this letter symbolizes an appreciation of beauty. Together with the Nine of Swords, these draws suggest not letting anxiety become so much of a focus that it completely blocks out all else, including the beauty and joy of life.

Weeding Time

From the Le Veritable Tarot de Marseille, the Three of Swords; from the Greek Alphabet Runes, "Phi:"

       "Defending" and "making a plan" are Bursten's labels for this card. Hadar's booklet that comes with the deck speaks of fruitful research. We often make a plan and set goals for what we want to achieve, but how often do we set boundaries for what we need to protect? The flowers/cones on this card have been cut off from the plant so they will not reproduce. They make me think of the poison oak and ivy that grow in abundance here; books have taught me how to identify these plants so I can rid my yard of them. Ideas and words can invade like these vines, casting doubt and fear where there should be none. Once planted in my mind, they can grow rampantly. Time to find my gardening gloves and do some weeding.
       Phi in mathematics represents the golden mean, a ratio that occurs in nature and has been incorporated into art and architecture. It was used in creations to make them more pleasing to the eye, such as in Da Vinci's paintings or the construction of the Parthenon. Like the Three of Swords, it symbolizes planning and acting with intention. To stay mentally and emotionally balanced, I need to investigate what I hear and read (especially on the internet). If there are no facts to back up these "truths," they need to be dumped in a spam folder.