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The Fool

The Fool is the eternal optimist of the Tarot. He is the blank page at the start of the book, the deep breath before the plunge. He does not see the cliff as a fall, but as an invitation to fly. Untethered by the rules of the world or the scars of the past, he moves with a lightness that looks like madness to the weary, but is actually the highest form of wisdom: the courage to begin.

Symbolic Attributes

  • Element:Air
  • Arcana:Major Arcana
  • Suit:Trump
  • Archetype:The Divine Madman
  • Numerology:0 (off the scale; pure potential)
  • Hebrew Alphabet:Aleph/Ox/1

Keywords

freedomfaithinexperienceinnocence

Description

The Fool is the eternal optimist of the Tarot. He is the blank page at the start of the book, the deep breath before the plunge. He does not see the cliff as a fall, but as an invitation to fly. Untethered by the rules of the world or the scars of the past, he moves with a lightness that looks like madness to the weary, but is actually the highest form of wisdom: the courage to begin.

Light Meaning

  • Freeing yourself from limitation
  • Expressing joy and youthful vigor
  • Being open-minded
  • Taking a leap of faith
  • Attuning yourself to your instincts
  • Being eager or curious
  • Exploring your potential
  • Embracing innovation and change

Shadow Meaning

  • Being gullible and naive
  • Taking unnecessary risks
  • Failing to be serious when required
  • Being silly or distracted
  • Lacking experience
  • Failing to honor well-established traditions and limits
  • Behaving inappropriately

Questions to Ask Yourself

  • •What would I do if I felt free to take a leap?
  • •How willing am I to be vulnerable and open?
  • •How might past experiences help in this new situation?

Personal Meaning

A time of new beginnings, a time of wonder, personal growth and adventure. Trust in your own sensibilities, your own instincts, and do not be afraid to follow your heart. Enjoy the journey.

A time of new beginnings, a time of wonder, personal growth and adventure.

This is a time of new beginnings, a time of wonder, personal growth and adventure. Trust in your own sensibilities, your own instincts, and do not be afraid to follow your heart. Enjoy the journey.

Personal Reversed Meaning

Do not allow foolishness to take over to the point of detriment. Use your head and employ common sense. Think things through before you act.Alternatively, life might appear dull and hopeless. You might be afraid to go out on a limb at a time when you really need to answer the call to your potential.

Foolishness took over to the point of detriment when you should have been employing common sense. Alternatively, life might have appeared dull and hopeless. You may have been afraid to go out on a limb at a time when you really needed to answer the call to your potential.

Foolishness has taken over to the point of detriment. It's time to use your head and employ common sense. Think things through before you act.Alternatively, The optimistic and adventurous nature of the fool is being blocked. Life might appear dull and hopeless. You might be afraid to go out on a limb at a time when you really need to answer the call to your potential.

Fortune Telling

  • •Watch for new projects and new beginnings
  • •Prepare to take something on faith
  • •Something new comes your way; go for it

Mythical / Spiritual Context

Adam before the fall. Christ as a wandering holy madman. Deity wrapped in human flesh. The Holy Spirit.

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