The Fool
Keywords
Light: Potential, Hope, Innocence, Adventure, Journeys, Beginnings, Spaciousness, Curiosity
Shadow: Naivety, Ignorance, Recklessness, Foolishness, Impulsivity, Childishness
Concepts/Archetypes: The Jester, Super/Cosmic Consciousness
Numerology - 0
Keywords: Potentiality, Possibility, Void, Nothing, Everything, Wholeness, Source, Origin, Infinity, Unity
Correspondences
Cosmic: Uranus
Chord: E Natural
Hebrew Letter-Word: Aleph (ox)
Element: Air
Archangel: Raphael (Ruachel)
Minor Cards With Similar Energy Signature: Ace of Wands, Any of The Pages
Meaning
The Fool is number 0 as it falls both outside and within the context of the rest of the deck. While 0 is a number in the traditional mathematical sense, it is also a concept. It describes absence. The Fool may be full of hope and potential, but that is because they are also absent of expectation and experience.
Zero’s shape itself can tell us a lot about what The Fool represents, which is limitless potential. Think of a blank canvas, a bare room, or an empty cup. This is a state that comes “before” that “which is”, and so it has no definition on its own. You can look at The Fool like the theory of Schrödinger’s Cat. It is an encapsulation of all that is (or could be), and it is only once we observe the object, it collapses into a nameable reality. Until then, it is The Fool - something that is nothing and everything all at once. It’s kind of the ultimate paradox!
“He is the spirit in search of experience” - A.E. Waite
In A Reading, The Fool Could Be Saying…
A new path is opening.
Trust the unknown.
Stay open to the possibilities.
A new direction holds serious potential.
Adventure awaits.
Look before you leap.
“If the fool would persist in his folly he would become wise.” - William Blake
The Symbols
Sun: Suns in tarot represent power, energy, life and vitality.
Pouch: The Fool’s pouch features the head of an eagle. Eagle represents a higher octave of Scorpio energy, redirection of reproductive power, knowledge, having a greater vantage, perception, transformation, guidance.
Red Feather: Red is a symbol of desire, and the feather a symbol of air. Positioned on the head, it may indicate a transmutation of desire toward more spiritual/higher pursuits. The red feather could also indicate Phoenix energy (transformation) or point to the Egyptian myth of the weighing of hearts i.e. what does it mean to be "light as a feather?"
White Rose: White is representative of peace, purity, unity, innocence. The white rose in particular is interesting, because it seems to be a blend of the classic depiction of polarities, normally represented by a red rose and a white lily. Here, it’s like the 2 have been combined. We have the masculine element of the rose, with the feminine aspect of the color white.
Dog: The dog is a companion, but it also represents our animal drives, specially instinct. Its white colour matches what we see with the white rose, symbolizing purity and innocence.
Belt: The Fool’s belt contains 7 beads. When the number 7 shows up in tarot, its often a reference to the 7 classical planets. We also know the number 7 is important, because of how much it appears throughout other spiritual and religious systems. 7 is wisdom, introspection, truth and spiritual evolution.
Wheel: The Fool wears a gown adorned with 10 circular objects. These objects are reminiscent of The Wheel of Fortune, as they each contain 8 spokes (like The Wheel). This very specific design element suggests that while The Fool is absent of experience, they have the power of fate to guide them.
Mountain Peaks: Mountains are often seen as a symbol of attainment. In this case, we have peaks that are snow capped. Snow is a form of water, but its crystalized instead of flowing. This may indicate stabilization where emotion is concerned. It could also indicate that what one will have to overcome will be related to the the realm of emotions.
Learn More
In Plain Sight: The Eagle on The Fool's Pouch
Revisiting The Pictorial Key: The Fool