Ahh, and here we have the hero/ine of our journey my friends! While the Fool is labeled as “0” in most Tarot decks, for me this calls to mind visions of The Cosmic Egg from which all that is comes into being. The Fool is a figure released of ego and free to roam the entire journey that is the Major Arcana. Some decks occasionally label The Fool as 22, and put it after The World card. They aren’t wrong (even though I dislike deviations from the traditional number systems), for the number 22 IS the master builder number. If you check your fears, ego, and any sense of materialism on your journey you are in for a whole new beginning!! The Fool takes only what he needs in his bindle bag across his back; he knows the way forward to a new beginning requires that much be left in the past. The Fool also reminds us that we should take our learning experiences on our journey too relying on wit and intuition; the symbol of the small dog is both warning of past bad decisions, but in my views represents the ability to be LOYAL to one’s truth even in the face of self doubt. Is it going to be a bumpy ride? Possibly, like Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade, sometimes a leap of faith is required of us to truly reach our goals ( that invisible bridge before he gets to the grail?). As they say, you have to “be in it to win it”, and The Fool approaches life with a childlike optimism ready to let go of any cynicism or bitterness from past experiences that may hinder one on the Journey through life. When you pull The Fool, know that you, and the culmination of your experiences is enough. The universe is sending you on a new journey; use your knowledge of past mistakes and be loyal to your own truth; for those will guide your way. Believe in yourself!!
“I don’t believe in people, but I believe in me.”- John Lennon
Photo credits to the author, the jumbo Rider Waite Smith Deck
For more Information see: Vodou Visions by Sallie Ann Glassman, The New Tarot Handbook by Rachel Pollack, and Numerology and The Divine Triangle by Faith Javane and Dusty Bunker
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