The truth is a fascinating pursuit! I see multiple concepts at play here, each of which brings its own energy to the table. Empirical evidence is the stuff that exists, and our “beliefs” don’t come into play. The earth is spherical. This is fact. Belief is spiritual. It’s the radical notion that we can, and do, accept that which we cannot see. Therefore, I don’t “believe” that the Earth spherical; I accept empirical evidence that it is so. On the other hand, I practice cunning folk rituals, not because I have empirical evidence that they work, but because I *believe* they work.
I love the fact that this post has raised some really interesting opinions about 'truth' and I think your added points about belief above are spot on, thank you!
I think this reading highlights a kind of groove I'm in at the moment looking at ambiguity, and to what extent things are black or white... like the "Yes, or No... which is it?" post from April... https://tarotbyphil.substack.com/p/yes-or-no-which-is-it?r=52qzmh
There's a rabbit hole here, and I have to say I'm really enjoying the journey down it... 😊
For me personally, I make the distinction between reality and perspective. Instead of truth and not truth. Because I think that’s where people get really confused.
Reality is reality. Our interpretation of it is perspective. And there’s lots of philosophical breakdowns in there, but it always comes back to that. As a psychotherapist might say, our feelings are accurate, the narrative is often not.
Not knowing your exact exchange with that friend, I can only hazard a guess that may or may not feel accurate for you.
But one of the things my therapist often says to me is that, in a magnanimous effort to understand what happened between myself and another person, I often take on the fault of the situation because I have afforded them much more credit for capacity than they are capable of.
To break that down further, here is one of my favorite quotations: “
"You can’t control how other people receive your energy. Anything you do or say gets filtered through the lens of whatever they are going through at the moment, which is not about you. Just keep doing your thing with as much integrity and love as possible.”
-- Nanea Hoffman
The reality in that situation is that you’re both human. And by your description, you made an error in judgment. And the other person was not able to accept your explanation —but that does not make their conclusion truth. It makes it a perspective screened through their own issues.
They are looking at the situation through their lens and their applied narrative. That does not make it a truth. They can call it their truth, and that defensively clouds the issue. It’s not their truth. It’s their narrative.
Again for me personally when you get into questioning what is truth, it gets very cloudy very quickly. But when you realize that there is reality, and everyone has a perspective and a narrative they place on that reality, it’s almost inarguable.
All that aside, I’m really sorry that they were not able to see or accept your real intentions through their lens.
Thanks, as ever, for your thoughts above, and the additional perspectives they add to those expressed in the reading. Yeah, 'cloudy' is a great word to add here... this reading took me to a number of different places before the human aspect of it jumped out at me.
I agree with your points above, thank you, they add lots of things for me to think about, especially around the poles of reality and perspective... they also suggest that maybe 'reality' would be a mind-bending thing to read about in the future, too... hmmmm... 🤔
"But one of the things my therapist often says to me is that, in a magnanimous effort to understand what happened between myself and another person, I often take on the fault of the situation because I have afforded them much more credit for capacity than they are capable of." is also a very interesting point, because when I reflect on the context for this, I don't feel the blame for the end of the friendship, only for the mis-placed words that led to that (some months before)... for which I unreservedly apologised...
I think I learned two things from that particular situation... the first was that the person concerned was probably not going to become a long-term and close friend anyway, because I am no longer cowed by the volatility of others (it was an angry attack), and secondly, if they are unwilling to discuss an apology, even if they then choose to reject it as insufficient, then a similar situation would undoubtedly arise in the future, and I don't really want that in my life... I regret it, but know it is a balanced responsibility, rather than solely my own, for the end of the friendship... if any of that makes sense?
Anyway... 😀 back to the post!
Thanks again for reading, and for taking the time to offer such an interesting perspective, I really appreciate it!!! 🕯️
The thing is I always did... I grew up with, "well... what could you have done better in that situation?" which served me well for most of my life, even though it left me permanently in the wrong 😀 But, you know... I've reached a certain age where I also recall the expression, "It takes two to tango", and feel the blame a lot less than I would only a few years ago 🙂
Yeah, that’s a very universal pattern. A great coping and survival skill .
An example would be, if our parents are falling short at parenting, they being our soul source of survival, and us not being able to control them or have any agency in the situation, we then take on the problem. We make the problem our fault because it’s the only thing we can control or do anything about.
I did that for most of my life. With relationships.
I always deep process to find out what I could’ve done better, but I identify their choices versus mine. Instead of conflating them with mine. It definitely takes two to tango, but if they step on my feet, it’s on them. lol
I love that you used Thoth for this reading. I caught my breath when I read the positions and the cards. I'm going to go off and think about this, you've given me a point of contemplation and I am happy for this! I love that the Queen of Swords made an appearance😊
Hi Nicole, thanks for reading, and commenting and I am really pleased to read that this post has given you something to contemplate, too!
Yes, it was a nervy return to the Thoth, but, oh boy, I am so glad I did... all the old feelings of deeply layered meanings behind the spread in front of me returned. It was hard work, in the best of possible ways 😊
I really like the Thoth QS... in fact, I think it is my favourite QS. In light of the questions I was asking I think she found making an appearance irresistible!
Oh man, this brings up a vivid memory I have of being with a friend, I wouldn't be surprised if it was a year ago today given the freaky alignment the Thoth deck brings... But it was just an intense conversation circling around Truth. I remember declaring, "I just want to know the truth!" and my friend asked me, "Are you sure you want to?" Implying we couldn't be able to handle it and it would seriously disrupt our perception, and it's like yeah, duh that's kind of the point! But I least I can breathe with a little more clarity and certainty!
It's boggling how such a matter-of-fact concept is completely malleable. But like you've implied, it must evolve to find itself.
I love all the things you have woven into this and how you are using the Thoth deck again. You have also influenced me to finally break that deck in; some other dear long-distant friend gifted it to me, and a guidebook, a few years ago, when I was confident enough to tell others that I do indeed read the tarot.
Hey Molly 👋🏼 Thanks for stopping by reading and commenting 🙏🏼
I'm really happy to see that you loved the approach, and my return to the Thoth... hugely influenced by you recently, I have to say... thanks so much for the kick up the a*se that took me there 😀
Yeah, I really like your points above on truth, too! I think we've all found ourselves with that "Are you sure you want to?" question hanging in the air over us, threatening us with something scary if we say yes... but sometimes scary is good, isn't it?
I'm glad to have returned the Thoth influence... looking forward to seeing/hearing what you do with it... it really is an amazing deck 🤩
I very much believe that scary can be good! There’s usually more love on the other side of fear, to get out you must go through! 🙏🏻❤️and yes the Thoth deck has so far proven to be amazing, it’s crazy to think about how much magic is in there and that Crowley/humans are capable of receiving it!
Oh, yes! I am SO glad you are enjoying an experience with the Thoth 😊
That's an interesting binary, too... the line between love and fear, and which comes first... not exactly what you're saying above, but the first thought that came into my mind as I read it... 🤔 hmmmm... where's me Thoth?
Yes, the personification of Truth. And it makes me think about the divine feminine archetypes of Wisdom aligned with Athena, and Sophia who is the divine light of Wisdom. Athena's energy is on the battlefield wielding the sword of Wisdom, whereas Sophia is the embodiment of the divine light of Wisdom itself. ✨✨✨
The truth is, Thoth is probably my favorite deck—not because it’s easy, but because it doesn’t flinch. It doesn’t sugarcoat or soften the message to make it more palatable. It speaks in symbols that unravel you, layer by layer, with both precision and a little pain. Your spread really captures that kind of clarity. The kind that cuts through the noise! It’s a reminder that truth isn’t always comfortable, but it is always liberating when we’re ready to meet it. Thank you for sharing this reading.
It’s funny—I’ve had an astrology dice inventory for two years, and I sold out yesterday, the same day I happened to have the Thoth deck in my pocket. My booth was right by the stage, so it was tough to hear, and I only did astrology dice readings—no tarot this time. I sold the dice and some tarot talismans, but no full readings. Some events lean more toward retail, others toward readings. It always seems to shift with the energy.
There are three 12-sided dice - one for the planets (plus nodes), one for the 12 zodiac and one for the 12 houses. Very fun to roll and read. Much simpler than tarot for quick reads in a busy market.
Fantastic and fascinating reading on Truth, Phil! I am delighted to read how you included and decided upon using your writing which you edited out from your previous publication. Here it makes sense and provokes a deeper insight into what constitutes Truth. For me, I find it intriguing to see and learn how it is directly pertaining to the feminine archetype and with Air. I am unsurprised by the lack of Fire as Truth does not burn but enlightens. It is not a singularity but a Mutable light that changes as it is carried on the winds of change. Sending you many Blessings, always 🙏✨🕉️✨
Wow, Tom, thanks for such great feedback, I am SO glad you have obviously enjoyed it, and it has raised some questions for you, too... 🙏🏼
Right, let's see...
... elementally, I see air energy as masculine, which for me represents an outwardly directed energy. This reconciles (for me anyway 😀) with the notion of truth as a 'construct.' I am thinking of external truths, like the flat Earth metaphor for example, rather than the internal, spiritual truths sought by II·The High Priestess for example... which btw your comment above has inspired me to consider a reading on exactly that (What is Spiritual Truth?), many thanks 🙏🏼 It's way above my level, as this was, but hey, why not try it? 🤷🏽♂️
Yes... absolutely this...
"I am unsurprised by the lack of Fire as Truth does not burn but enlightens. It is not a singularity but a Mutable light that changes as it is carried on the winds of change." I was only momentarily surprised by this, as I was equating fire with passionate belief, before I realised that fire, for me, represents divinity, and then would begin the argument about absolute truth, and whether the divine could be wrong... way out of my depth 😅
... and...
"It is not a singularity but a Mutable light that changes as it is carried on the winds of change." is an absolutely beautiful sentence... I am going to meditate on that... stunning, thank you 🙏🏼🕯️
Right back at you, Phil!! Your post definitely raised a lot for me as you correctly identified. I think where I was meditating upon your work held the complex nature of Truth as something which can change and is not something concrete - it is not an edifice moulded by Fire and Earth. And the only Mutable Air sign is Gemini which brings us to Mercury / Hermes- the swift nature of mind, intellect and communication. As well as the inherent creative quality of Truth. His half-brother, Apollo, pulled the sun on a Chariot no less. And Athena is half-sister to Apollo and cousin to Hermes. Lots to digest! Blessings 🙏✨✨
Yes, changeability is the key... it is also the thing that surprised me, as I'd never even considered it (although it's obvious!) before 🙂
Thank you VERY much for that Greek mythical rundown... that is really interesting. It made me think of the mobile nature of Mercury/Hermes... their frequent changes in the sky and the regular retrogrades... that sense of mutability, if applied to truth, and a nature that can articulate in many different ways what it wants to communicate to you... pinging off the varying characteristics of the sphinxes standing in for Apollo!
I read somewhere that Aletheia is the Goddess of Truth, and then, interestingly (to me at least 😀) that she is not considered one of the major Gods... now that begs a question, or two, about the value of truth, doesn't it? 😀🙏🏼
The truth is a fascinating pursuit! I see multiple concepts at play here, each of which brings its own energy to the table. Empirical evidence is the stuff that exists, and our “beliefs” don’t come into play. The earth is spherical. This is fact. Belief is spiritual. It’s the radical notion that we can, and do, accept that which we cannot see. Therefore, I don’t “believe” that the Earth spherical; I accept empirical evidence that it is so. On the other hand, I practice cunning folk rituals, not because I have empirical evidence that they work, but because I *believe* they work.
Hiya Margaret 👋🏼
Thanks for stopping by and commenting... just for fun, have a look at this...
https://www.sciencefocus.com/planet-earth/why-isnt-the-earth-a-perfect-sphere 😄
I love the fact that this post has raised some really interesting opinions about 'truth' and I think your added points about belief above are spot on, thank you!
I think this reading highlights a kind of groove I'm in at the moment looking at ambiguity, and to what extent things are black or white... like the "Yes, or No... which is it?" post from April... https://tarotbyphil.substack.com/p/yes-or-no-which-is-it?r=52qzmh
There's a rabbit hole here, and I have to say I'm really enjoying the journey down it... 😊
Thanks Phil! I’ll take a look.
Great read. So complex.
For me personally, I make the distinction between reality and perspective. Instead of truth and not truth. Because I think that’s where people get really confused.
Reality is reality. Our interpretation of it is perspective. And there’s lots of philosophical breakdowns in there, but it always comes back to that. As a psychotherapist might say, our feelings are accurate, the narrative is often not.
Not knowing your exact exchange with that friend, I can only hazard a guess that may or may not feel accurate for you.
But one of the things my therapist often says to me is that, in a magnanimous effort to understand what happened between myself and another person, I often take on the fault of the situation because I have afforded them much more credit for capacity than they are capable of.
To break that down further, here is one of my favorite quotations: “
"You can’t control how other people receive your energy. Anything you do or say gets filtered through the lens of whatever they are going through at the moment, which is not about you. Just keep doing your thing with as much integrity and love as possible.”
-- Nanea Hoffman
The reality in that situation is that you’re both human. And by your description, you made an error in judgment. And the other person was not able to accept your explanation —but that does not make their conclusion truth. It makes it a perspective screened through their own issues.
They are looking at the situation through their lens and their applied narrative. That does not make it a truth. They can call it their truth, and that defensively clouds the issue. It’s not their truth. It’s their narrative.
Again for me personally when you get into questioning what is truth, it gets very cloudy very quickly. But when you realize that there is reality, and everyone has a perspective and a narrative they place on that reality, it’s almost inarguable.
All that aside, I’m really sorry that they were not able to see or accept your real intentions through their lens.
Hiya Leo 👋🏼
Thanks, as ever, for your thoughts above, and the additional perspectives they add to those expressed in the reading. Yeah, 'cloudy' is a great word to add here... this reading took me to a number of different places before the human aspect of it jumped out at me.
I agree with your points above, thank you, they add lots of things for me to think about, especially around the poles of reality and perspective... they also suggest that maybe 'reality' would be a mind-bending thing to read about in the future, too... hmmmm... 🤔
"But one of the things my therapist often says to me is that, in a magnanimous effort to understand what happened between myself and another person, I often take on the fault of the situation because I have afforded them much more credit for capacity than they are capable of." is also a very interesting point, because when I reflect on the context for this, I don't feel the blame for the end of the friendship, only for the mis-placed words that led to that (some months before)... for which I unreservedly apologised...
I think I learned two things from that particular situation... the first was that the person concerned was probably not going to become a long-term and close friend anyway, because I am no longer cowed by the volatility of others (it was an angry attack), and secondly, if they are unwilling to discuss an apology, even if they then choose to reject it as insufficient, then a similar situation would undoubtedly arise in the future, and I don't really want that in my life... I regret it, but know it is a balanced responsibility, rather than solely my own, for the end of the friendship... if any of that makes sense?
Anyway... 😀 back to the post!
Thanks again for reading, and for taking the time to offer such an interesting perspective, I really appreciate it!!! 🕯️
Yeah, I think you hit the nail on the head. Their propensity of volatility was probably going to create a situation like this, inevitably.
I’d have to say I’m in the same boat; I just won’t go out on a limb to try to rescue these types of relationships, once I identify them.
The thing is I always did... I grew up with, "well... what could you have done better in that situation?" which served me well for most of my life, even though it left me permanently in the wrong 😀 But, you know... I've reached a certain age where I also recall the expression, "It takes two to tango", and feel the blame a lot less than I would only a few years ago 🙂
Yeah, that’s a very universal pattern. A great coping and survival skill .
An example would be, if our parents are falling short at parenting, they being our soul source of survival, and us not being able to control them or have any agency in the situation, we then take on the problem. We make the problem our fault because it’s the only thing we can control or do anything about.
I did that for most of my life. With relationships.
I always deep process to find out what I could’ve done better, but I identify their choices versus mine. Instead of conflating them with mine. It definitely takes two to tango, but if they step on my feet, it’s on them. lol
We've learned and evolved! Haven't we? 😊
Thank heavens! lol
I love that you used Thoth for this reading. I caught my breath when I read the positions and the cards. I'm going to go off and think about this, you've given me a point of contemplation and I am happy for this! I love that the Queen of Swords made an appearance😊
Hi Nicole, thanks for reading, and commenting and I am really pleased to read that this post has given you something to contemplate, too!
Yes, it was a nervy return to the Thoth, but, oh boy, I am so glad I did... all the old feelings of deeply layered meanings behind the spread in front of me returned. It was hard work, in the best of possible ways 😊
I really like the Thoth QS... in fact, I think it is my favourite QS. In light of the questions I was asking I think she found making an appearance irresistible!
Oh man, this brings up a vivid memory I have of being with a friend, I wouldn't be surprised if it was a year ago today given the freaky alignment the Thoth deck brings... But it was just an intense conversation circling around Truth. I remember declaring, "I just want to know the truth!" and my friend asked me, "Are you sure you want to?" Implying we couldn't be able to handle it and it would seriously disrupt our perception, and it's like yeah, duh that's kind of the point! But I least I can breathe with a little more clarity and certainty!
It's boggling how such a matter-of-fact concept is completely malleable. But like you've implied, it must evolve to find itself.
I love all the things you have woven into this and how you are using the Thoth deck again. You have also influenced me to finally break that deck in; some other dear long-distant friend gifted it to me, and a guidebook, a few years ago, when I was confident enough to tell others that I do indeed read the tarot.
Just more every day magic!
Hey Molly 👋🏼 Thanks for stopping by reading and commenting 🙏🏼
I'm really happy to see that you loved the approach, and my return to the Thoth... hugely influenced by you recently, I have to say... thanks so much for the kick up the a*se that took me there 😀
Yeah, I really like your points above on truth, too! I think we've all found ourselves with that "Are you sure you want to?" question hanging in the air over us, threatening us with something scary if we say yes... but sometimes scary is good, isn't it?
I'm glad to have returned the Thoth influence... looking forward to seeing/hearing what you do with it... it really is an amazing deck 🤩
I very much believe that scary can be good! There’s usually more love on the other side of fear, to get out you must go through! 🙏🏻❤️and yes the Thoth deck has so far proven to be amazing, it’s crazy to think about how much magic is in there and that Crowley/humans are capable of receiving it!
Oh, yes! I am SO glad you are enjoying an experience with the Thoth 😊
That's an interesting binary, too... the line between love and fear, and which comes first... not exactly what you're saying above, but the first thought that came into my mind as I read it... 🤔 hmmmm... where's me Thoth?
Yes, the personification of Truth. And it makes me think about the divine feminine archetypes of Wisdom aligned with Athena, and Sophia who is the divine light of Wisdom. Athena's energy is on the battlefield wielding the sword of Wisdom, whereas Sophia is the embodiment of the divine light of Wisdom itself. ✨✨✨
Tom, this is brilliant, thank you! I want to know as much about these Gods as you do! Do you have a favourite text you can recommend? 🙏🏼
Your welcome Phil. Robert Graves is a good shout ✨✨✨
Brilliant, thanks! On it… 📚🙏🏼
The truth is, Thoth is probably my favorite deck—not because it’s easy, but because it doesn’t flinch. It doesn’t sugarcoat or soften the message to make it more palatable. It speaks in symbols that unravel you, layer by layer, with both precision and a little pain. Your spread really captures that kind of clarity. The kind that cuts through the noise! It’s a reminder that truth isn’t always comfortable, but it is always liberating when we’re ready to meet it. Thank you for sharing this reading.
Thanks so much for stopping by, and taking the time to comment. I have replied properly to you on your kind restacking of this post.
Many thanks!!! 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
Did you use your 'big girls deck' yesterday? How did it go?
It’s funny—I’ve had an astrology dice inventory for two years, and I sold out yesterday, the same day I happened to have the Thoth deck in my pocket. My booth was right by the stage, so it was tough to hear, and I only did astrology dice readings—no tarot this time. I sold the dice and some tarot talismans, but no full readings. Some events lean more toward retail, others toward readings. It always seems to shift with the energy.
The most important thing is that it looks like you had a great day!
Off to look up Astrology Dice now... 😀
There are three 12-sided dice - one for the planets (plus nodes), one for the 12 zodiac and one for the 12 houses. Very fun to roll and read. Much simpler than tarot for quick reads in a busy market.
I really fancy looking at those... Googling as we write...
https://www.amazon.es/-/en/gp/product/B0C5ZVKJYB/ref=ewc_pr_img_1?smid=AOHCRN708L7ZS&th=1
https://www.amazon.es/-/en/gp/product/B0B8BLZY53/ref=ewc_pr_img_2?smid=A1AT7YVPFBWXBL&psc=1
Fantastic and fascinating reading on Truth, Phil! I am delighted to read how you included and decided upon using your writing which you edited out from your previous publication. Here it makes sense and provokes a deeper insight into what constitutes Truth. For me, I find it intriguing to see and learn how it is directly pertaining to the feminine archetype and with Air. I am unsurprised by the lack of Fire as Truth does not burn but enlightens. It is not a singularity but a Mutable light that changes as it is carried on the winds of change. Sending you many Blessings, always 🙏✨🕉️✨
Wow, Tom, thanks for such great feedback, I am SO glad you have obviously enjoyed it, and it has raised some questions for you, too... 🙏🏼
Right, let's see...
... elementally, I see air energy as masculine, which for me represents an outwardly directed energy. This reconciles (for me anyway 😀) with the notion of truth as a 'construct.' I am thinking of external truths, like the flat Earth metaphor for example, rather than the internal, spiritual truths sought by II·The High Priestess for example... which btw your comment above has inspired me to consider a reading on exactly that (What is Spiritual Truth?), many thanks 🙏🏼 It's way above my level, as this was, but hey, why not try it? 🤷🏽♂️
Yes... absolutely this...
"I am unsurprised by the lack of Fire as Truth does not burn but enlightens. It is not a singularity but a Mutable light that changes as it is carried on the winds of change." I was only momentarily surprised by this, as I was equating fire with passionate belief, before I realised that fire, for me, represents divinity, and then would begin the argument about absolute truth, and whether the divine could be wrong... way out of my depth 😅
... and...
"It is not a singularity but a Mutable light that changes as it is carried on the winds of change." is an absolutely beautiful sentence... I am going to meditate on that... stunning, thank you 🙏🏼🕯️
Right back at you, Phil!! Your post definitely raised a lot for me as you correctly identified. I think where I was meditating upon your work held the complex nature of Truth as something which can change and is not something concrete - it is not an edifice moulded by Fire and Earth. And the only Mutable Air sign is Gemini which brings us to Mercury / Hermes- the swift nature of mind, intellect and communication. As well as the inherent creative quality of Truth. His half-brother, Apollo, pulled the sun on a Chariot no less. And Athena is half-sister to Apollo and cousin to Hermes. Lots to digest! Blessings 🙏✨✨
Yes, changeability is the key... it is also the thing that surprised me, as I'd never even considered it (although it's obvious!) before 🙂
Thank you VERY much for that Greek mythical rundown... that is really interesting. It made me think of the mobile nature of Mercury/Hermes... their frequent changes in the sky and the regular retrogrades... that sense of mutability, if applied to truth, and a nature that can articulate in many different ways what it wants to communicate to you... pinging off the varying characteristics of the sphinxes standing in for Apollo!
I read somewhere that Aletheia is the Goddess of Truth, and then, interestingly (to me at least 😀) that she is not considered one of the major Gods... now that begs a question, or two, about the value of truth, doesn't it? 😀🙏🏼
Cameron, you are a masterly restacker! Thanks very much for your generous help 🙏🏼