Table of contents
The Fool – Keywords
Upright
Innocence, Change, Travel, Spontaneity
Reversed
Escapism, Irresponsibility, Gossip, Unprepared
The Fool Description
One of the most powerful cards, the Fool tarot card shows us someone at the start of his adventure. What a bright, happy moment, The Fool appears with a bag of tricks, a single white rose, and a happy puppy for company; what could be better? They are off on a new adventure!
At the core of all Tarot decks is a story. The story of a journey, the cards we pull and the spreads we calculate are just windows into the ongoing story of the Fool as the young man travels on through the Tarot deck, enjoying his risk-taking adventures with complete faith that everything will work out just fine.
It is no coincidence that Major Arcana starts with the Fool and ends with the World. All the cards in between help to tell the stages of life the Fool moves through as the world turns under his feet.
Many decks change the context of the allegory but keep the underlying theme of life development and challenges faced and overcome.
In the Rider-Waite deck, the imagery is very medieval. We see the pope represented as a powerful influence even over kings, and in some decks, we see the ravages of the Black Death as it passes over the land.
How to interpret the Fool card
So we have to consider the Fool card in that time period and context.
This deck was so revolutionary in its day because in the Middle Ages people were tied to the land. Significantly few people traveled except for knights and soldiers, but really the Crusades were long past at this point.
Serfs were considered the landowner’s property and were not allowed to leave the land they were born on.
But the Fool wears the outfit of a Troubadour. His hair is unbound and he is the one caste of people who were free to move about on the landscape in total freedom and was welcome at the table of most estates (for a few nights at least). Because he brought excitement and news from other places in his travels.
Back before, people had the internet or even very many books; the Troubadours were the lifelines of communications and brought news and messages of the unknown from far-off estates.
Like the Medieval Troubadour, the fool tarot card brings messages from afar. From the realm of intuition and spirit.
He is the hero with a thousand faces. He is setting off on a spontaneous adventure to find himself and all the different selves he can be.
Along the way, the Fool will resolve big karmic questions and settle daily disputes that get blown out of proportion.
The Fool’s Journey
He will find love and lose it, travel the world and come back home again and age gracefully surrounded by family, or not. He has many choices to make, as do you, as you peek into his adventures through the cards.
Always remember that cards can provide a snapshot of a moment in time, and they can help clear the emotional clutter in our minds by speaking to us through allegory, but the future is mainly decided by our actions.
Divination is all well and good; it gives us a feeling of control. I believe the cards know things. However, I also believe I am the driver in my own personal experience. Random, unpredictable things come up, but I still choose how to react to them.
The best use of the cards is as a reflector of your inner landscape. And your own emotional response to the cards is a good indicator of your true north.
Just try to be open and develop a relaxed attitude while reading. Don’t be fearful. Stay in the process and see what the cards have to say to you.
The Fool’s journey will always call you to adventure. “Come on! Let’s go explore!” It is the message of the Fool.
The Fool calls you to reconnect to your inner child and bring yourself back to innocence. So you can embrace life and expect the best from it.
The Fool Tarot Card- Upright Meanings
The Fool Upright General Meaning
The fool tarot card; which is the first card of the major arcana, encourages us to dance on the edge of the cliff and go ahead and throw ourselves into love, buy a lottery ticket, Make a bold move in our career or pack the family up for a road trip.
He can often show up in a spread related to travel, but he also brings the message to your soul about willingness to move from one point to another. Embrace a new adventure and explore the unknown.
The most significant travel rewards we acquire are the ability to see things from another perspective. The Fool may be calling on you not to be so entrenched
The Lord of the land no longer shackles you in place. Don’t wait, and let the promise of a new adventure pass you by. Have faith that the universe has a plan for you.
Dance along with the Fool and see the lights off in the distance as you gaze over the cliff.
Anything is possible when the Fool spontaneously dances into your cards.
If the Fool shows up for you, make sure you are following your dreams. Don’t forget the ideas that got you here.
The Fool Tarot Card is a sign to tell you to follow your passion. Don’t worry about how it looks to the rest of the world. The path will rise to meet you, and you will find good company along the way.
The Fool Tarot Card Meanings – Upright Love
If the fool card is upright, it can be the significator of the Querent, or the card reflecting the feeling of the person asking a question.
Usually, the meaning is a reminder to be heart-led; to leap face-first into love!
It may or may not lead to the destination you had in mind but the new journey will be a grand adventure.
The Fool Tarot Card Meanings– Upright Money
Do you feel lucky? Because The meaning of the fool card is a sign that you are really lucky right now. Buy a lottery ticket, follow a hunch, play the ponies – be spontaneous! But only as much as you can afford.
But do Sit down and consider your short-term goals and ideas because the universe is on your side and wants to see you live well and be happy.
Remember, though; dumb luck only carries you so far. Eventually, the energy of perseverance will be called for but enjoy the lift of enthusiasm while you have it. The magic will carry you down the path to self-knowledge and mastery.
The Fool Tarot Card Meanings – Upright Family
Time to get out and about. Family Vacation, anyone? It’s time to treasure the adventures you have together and remember to take each day as if it were fresh new dawn. Traditions are lovely but adventures are better together. Get out and see the world together and hope that the path will rise up to meet you.
The Fool Tarot Card – Meanings Reversed
The Fool Reversed General Meaning
Major Arcana cards always refer to the big picture overall trends. So a reversed major arcana is also a big picture concept but the opposite meaning of what you would usually see portrayed.
It could be that you are feeling overburdened and looking for an escape.
New beginnings are always so delicious, but you may be feeling like it is time to cut and run?
Look carefully at the context of the cards pulled to see what advice the cards are actually giving you. Tarot cards speak to our hearts through art. Don’t be naive enough to think they will just tell you what you want to hear.
Make sure that you are mentally prepared and fully briefed on any significant project you are about to tackle. Do your research.
Don’t dance-off to build a skyscraper; make sure you have plans and have pulled all your permits. There will be consequences to whatever you decide to do. Make it your business to make sure the techniques and know to make sure the project develops into a job well done.
Consult experts or people who had taken the same journey you are considering and ask them what they wish they had known before they started. It’s great to have the energy of enthusiasm but take advantage of the experience around you.
Build your network before starting a large project. Every job is easier with help.
Once you leave the comfort of your castle, it can be lonely in the wilderness. Make sure to bring your dog for company or open yourself up for new friendships, relationships, and mentors. You never know the person you run across and are kind to who may help your future career or life.
The great thing about heading off into the wilderness by yourself is that it leaves lots of room in your life for new friends.
The Fool – Reversed Love Meaning
The Fool is a powerful warning that you may not have considered all the facts before setting out on your journey.
Perhaps it’s time for a reverse phone number lookup to make sure you know everything you should about the object of your desire. A background check and a little investigation on social media may be in order.
When someone starts whispering sweet nothing in your ears, it can be tempting to keep that song on repeat but check in with friends and mentors to ensure you are headed off in the right direction.
The Fool Tarot Card – Reversed Money Meaning
the Fool reversed meaning is that it is time to work smarter, not harder. I know they say a fool and his money are soon parted. However, this is more of an encouragement to get your systems in order and make sure you are making the most of what you do have.
It may be a good time to seek out a coach or a mentor. Trot cards can only go so far. If the Fool upright is a soul in search of an experience this card may be telling you there are things you can only know by doing them and until you step out you won’t know for sure. But if there are people who have achieved what you are thinking of trying to get wisdom from your elders if they will oblige.
The Fool Tarot Card – Reversed Family Meaning
Perhaps you have set out on your own and are missing the close bonds of family. Remember the great strength of the Fool is that he is a troubadour, and his gifts make him welcome at any table. Relationships are his superpower. Reach deep inside to find your true talents and your tribe will form around that.
Circles of support are all around you if you just reach out.
