The Fool is probably the most special card in the tarot deck. I say this as it encompasses all other tarot cards within it. It is a card that is whole, yet incomplete at the same time; perfect, yet falable; a card of experience and yet completely unknowing. The overwhelming feelings for me when I look at The Fool are those of potential, opportunity and optimism. The card is quite delicately drawn here, and there is a light and airy feel about it with lots of space around the central figure. He (and it is a he in the Rider Waite version - note the Adam’s apple) seems carefree and unafraid of anything, with a childlike innocence all of his own. In other tarot decks, these features are not so obvious, portraying The Fool as a grotesque figure or as an idiot, someone to be shunned and ridiculed. Interestingly, in some cultures a 'fool' is considered to have a divine link, a 'hotline to God' so to speak, and their ramblings are taken with great seriousness. They are seen as someone who is without fear, without loyalty; totally independent of everyone and everything. They are revered for their 'wisdom' and say things just as they see them without the need for social niceties.Colour plays a very important part in tarot (the subject of another topic for the future) and here we have wonderful yellows in the sky and on his boots and tunic. His hair is also a pale yellow as well. Yellow is the colour of hope and optimism, it is a strong and vibrant colour, giving energy and power and uplifts the soul. The green on his tunic indicates new life, new growth, and new opportunities. The orange mixed in on his tunic, again another very vibrant colour, indicates a passion and energy, yet he may not know just how much of that he has at this time.
The black staff indicates his potential again, and note the pack, how small and seemingly 'insignificant' it is. Within it are all his worldly goods; all he needs at this time for his life journey. Note the eagle's head drawn onto the pack, indicating wisdom. Perhaps this is wisdom not acknowledged or encountered, but it is there - we all know far more than we realise.
The rose, so delicately held between thumb and forefinger is a symbol of purity and sometimes the Devine, held aloft for all to see. The Fool has his trust in Spirit (God, the Devine, whatever) and looks skywards towards his diety with eyes that say "I don't know how, but you WILL look after me, I believe in you as much as I believe in myself, and though I know not where I am headed, it is your Will I am following".
And so with the sun on his back, an air of expectation and a trust in his God and himself, the Fool steps forth over the edge of the cliff and into a whole new adventure.
