Here we are at the beginning of the journey of life- the journey through the Major Arcana of the Tarot. The Fool is numbered ‘zero’, which in a sense makes him numberless. So what does this mean? The zero tells us that our journey starts in a void, in the very centre of our selves. The Fool is the inner spark of breath, soul and action that must ignite before any true adventure can begin.
A popular portrayal of the Fool in many decks is that of a young figure walking carelessly towards the edge of a cliff, his belongings carried in a tiny pack on the end of his staff. There is usually a small dog or other animal biting at his ankle, and a white rose in his hand. In some decks you may also spot a butterfly.
In my quest to find the simplest image to sum up the Fool, I eventually settled on one of the smallest details from traditional Tarot, the white rose, in combination with a universally recognizable symbol, the butterfly. The white rose is readily accessible as a symbol of purity, but why the butterfly as the main feature? The butterfly and its incredible journey from caterpillar to chrysalis to winged beauty is a powerful symbol of transformation, and it is that potential for transformation that the Fool represents. Its flying form is also suggestive of the great ‘leap of faith’ that must be taken in order for this transformation to begin, for one thing is certain if you make such a leap- for better or worse, things will never be the same again. The subtle spirals on the butterfly’s wings are an echo of the World card, the last card of the Major Arcana and the true potential contained within each of us.
Divinatory meaning
When the Fool appears in a reading, he almost always represents the querent or an aspect of themselves. The Fool is the great innocent, the one who is not afraid to ask the ‘silly’ question. But remember, without asking questions, how do we ever learn? It is of all the cards, the Fool who has the most potential to become truly wise, as he approaches life with an open heart and mind, and sees the world with the eyes of a child. Within a combination, the Fool brings a sense of freedom and faith to a situation. If the other cards speak of a choice to be made, the Fool, so long as he is upright, will advise us to take the leap and trust that we have the wings to carry us safely. There is a certain quality of ‘blessedness’ about the Fool, which hints towards greater forces protecting us in what may seem to be risky actions.
However if the Fool appears reversed in your reading it is advisable to tread more carefully, and take a good look at where you are going before you make a move. Take your time with any decision, because the Fool reversed can often be a fool indeed.
Here is an example of a three card combination featuring the Fool:
In this image, the Fool is combined with the Eight of Cups and the Ten of Wands. We can see the oppressed figure of the Ten of Wands at the bottom of the image, struggling with her burden. Directly above her we see her dream of leaving this weight behind and breaking free to a better future, as the figure of the Eight of Cups stretches his hand towards a ‘Holy Grail’. There are still perhaps obstacles in the way. After all, the burden is still carried, and there are still stairs to ascend before the goal is reached. But the presence of the Fool here shows us the true underlying nature of the querent that has been suppressed, and is longing to surface again. He speaks of the need to fly free, and offers protection and blessing for the needed change in life pattern. Fling aside those burdensome wands, and reach for your dreams.
The Fool is in a sense the hero of the Tarot story, and so is intended to combine equally favorably with any of the major arcana. Here you can see the Fool, the beginning of the journey, combined with The World, the completion of the journey:
