Unpacking Tarot: The Fool
What better way to start the Major Arcana than with the card that symbolizes new beginnings, boundless curiosity, and taking a leap of faith? As number 0, The Fool symbolizes the start of a new journey, completely unaware of what the future holds. The Fool can even symbolize our journey into the world of tarot as the first card of the Major Arcana.
Except The Fool isn’t the first card of the Major Arcana.
Don’t let the 0 fool you. While The Fool is often seen as the start of the tarot deck, they actually have no true place in the order of the deck itself. The Major Arcana is often referred to as “The Fool’s Journey,” depicting The Fool on their path from ignorance to enlightenment. This can be viewed as the passage of time, the strategies for obtaining knowledge, and even meeting people along the journey. By that logic, wherever The Fool is when the deck is shuffled is exactly where The Fool needs to be.
The Fool dances along the precipice of the unknown, seemingly without a care in the world. But who’s to say that inexperienced means apathetic or untroubled? They’re still carrying their rucksack of previous experiences, however few they may be. Diving headfirst into new experiences doesn’t mean they have to leave behind everything they know. They’re still bringing their little white dog - the very symbol of innocence and loyalty. The sun, which represents pure joy, shines on them in the background. This isn’t running away from their problems, this is leading with love and exploring what makes them truly happy and truly human. The mountains stand tall and imposing in the background and who could possibly know what sort of landing they’ll have, but those are problems for later. In this moment, all that matters is finding the courage to step off of that cliff.
The Fool - The Wild Unknown Tarot
When reversed, The Fool can represent a number of things. This could represent hesitancy to try something new or an unwillingness to take a risk. It could also be saying that maybe it’s not the right time to take the leap - there could be unfinished business in your current position. The Fool reversed can also depict a feeling of being stuck where you are. The Fool is meant to be versatile and adaptable, able to leap from card to card without worry. A reversal can indicate that the card your Fool is currently experiencing is a card you can expect to stay in for a minute.
The Fool encourages you to embrace your discomfort and to take risks. It may go horribly wrong. You may land flat on your face or get stuck on the way down. You may face rejection, loss, grief, and pain you would’ve never even known about had you stayed on your safe little cliff. But, The Fool encourages you to consider another equally terrifying possibility - what it it all goes right? What if, despite all possible odds, you jump off of that cliff and you learn to fly?
