Tarot Deep Dive: The Major Arcana
Card #0
“THE FOOL”
Meanings
The Fool is the first card in the Tarot deck, even though it is number ‘0’ not ‘1’. In its basic meaning, it represents new beginnings, new journeys and taking a leap of faith. It can signify when a person is about to start something new in their life, like a new job or moving to a new home or location. It also asks the querent to look ahead at this new adventure with joy and enthusiasm, and to take risks and embrace the unknown. To me it represents all of this, but I always call it the ‘pure potential’ card, much like the ‘Blank Rune’ in some Eldar Futhark sets. Not everyone uses the blank rune, but I love it, especially in relation to The Fool card. It means that yes, the future is as yet, uncertain, but instead of imagining all that could go wrong, one should imagine all the great possibilities and all that could go right. One should focus on the potential this opportunity holds.
I feel this card also speaks of what we need to leave behind as well. As you can see in the traditional Rider Waiter Tarot deck, the man or ‘jester’ is only walking away with a tiny little satchel on his back. He has left behind all that no longer serves him and is only taking forward what he absolutely needs to survive. This is not speaking necessarily of material goods, although it can to an extent. But this requires one to release fear, guilt, shame, anger, negativity and more from your past. And only take the lessons learned with you forward. You must release the negative and/or stagnant energy to allow room for the new, better, fresher energy to come in. And yes, some say it can represent someone literally acting ‘foolish’ or immature. But of all the meanings, I see this as the least of them. But as with all tarot cards, you have to always take into consideration the surrounding cards and what the rest of the reading is telling you, to determine what The Fool card is saying to you specifically.
So how does the Fool card relate to the Sephiroth and the life paths on the Tree of Life?
The Fool card is the very 1st path “Aleph” and connects the sphere of Kether (Spirit) to the sphere of Chokmah (Wisdom). This path is the very beginning stages of the process of creation. In the Thoth Tarot deck, we can see all kinds of occult and esoteric symbolism providing deeper meanings into this card. It is portraying the ‘new souls’ journey into becoming a physical human being on this planet. It is the ‘conscious state’ of the Holy Spirit. It is the ‘childlike wonder’ of a newborn who has not been conditioned by religion, family or other societal structures, and sees the world as nothing but joyous opportunity and new experiences. The Fool is the constant immortal flow of Source Energy into conscious beings. It is our ‘soul’ that remains immortal after our physical death. The Path of ‘Aleph’ which the Fool journeys on is about the flow of life force and creative energy into actual manifested reality. ‘Aleph’ means life force, or as in many Eastern Cultures this is known as ‘Prana.’ The Fool then is the life breath that then activates the next card on the path, The Magus or Magician.
There is so much more symbolism if you want to get really in depth. This card is associated with the element Air of course being ‘Ether’. And also with the gods Dionysus, Pan or the Green Man, and Bacchus. But the Dove of Venus is also depicted along with a tribute to Maat, the Egyptian goddess and Mother of Dark Matter. If you would like to delve in even deeper I highly recommend checking out Alestier Crowley’s Thoth Tarot book:
Or you can check out this great website I found below. These guys are a wealth of information:
In conclusion, The Fool is the First sphere in the top 3 Sephiroth on the upper regions of the Tree of Life called the ‘Supernal Triangle.’ This is what would be called ‘As Above’ before we get to the ‘So Below.’ It is the beginning of the beginning. The preparation for the journey before we have yet to actually take a step or even form a complete idea. It is just pure potential for creating any number of possibilities. Magic, in its purest form, before the Magician has come along to try and wield that potential power to create his desires. And remember that below is just a mirror of the above. It reminds me of the famous quote, “I think therefore I am.” -French Philosopher Rene Descartes- This is why these words are so powerful. Speaking ‘I am’ is taking that infinite Source potential energy and turning it into kinetic energy, energy in motion. Saying ‘I am’ creates your reality. Therefore, erase those negative thoughts and stop that negative self-talk! If you want to manifest wealth, simply say, “I am wealthy” or “I am wealth.’ If you want health simply say, “I am healthy.’ And so it is and so it shall be!
Thank you as always for reading my friends! Join me for my next blog in our Tarot Deep Dive series as we take a look at ‘The Magician,’ Number One, in the Major Arcana. I hope you enjoyed and please feel free to share your thoughts, knowledge or experiences, in a positive and constructive manner, anytime! Be good to yourselves and each other! Until next time, Blessed Be!
A.F. – The Grove Witch –
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