0. The Fool

Keywords:

Upright:

• Eccentric,
• Hope,
• Optimism,
• Innocence,
• New journey or beginnings,
• Child-like,
  
• thinking in new directions,
• Excessive energy,
• Potential,Faith.

Reversed:

• Nervous or mental stress,
• Sexually ambiguous,
• Look before you leap,
• Loss in gambling,
• Extreme risks with love or money,
• Conservatism.

Description:

• As Card 0, the Fool lies at the beginning of the major arcana, but also somewhat apart from the other cards. In medieval courts, the court jester was someone who was not expected to follow the same rules as others. He could observe and then poke fun. This makes the Fool unpredictable and full of surprises.

• Fresh ideas and new direction.

• The energy of the Fool is intense but unfocused and its instability can be connected to nervous tension.

• "Follow your bliss”: If you are facing a decision or moment of doubt, the Fool tells you to believe in yourself and follow your heart no matter how crazy or foolish your impulses may seem.

• Blind faith is the Fool's only guide.

• Think correctly.

• You are a dreamer, mystic.

• Desire to accomplish great goal.

• Don't over-analyze; sometimes you just have to take risks.

• Don't look back or attempt to anticipate actions or events.

• Time for innocence and faith. Not a time for sophistication or searching for hidden meanings in the words or actions or others. Be as a child or you will not see the heaven on earth.

• Wherever you go, when you start your journey with the Fool you know a new and vibrant period of your life has begun.

• Good time for investments .

Reverse Card:

• Have you made the right choice? You could be wrong. If discontent or lacking motivation, why not review things to date. Choice likely faulty.

• You still have plenty of enthusiasm but luck has momentarily left you. This is not the time to bet on horses and expect to win. In love, the person who has your heart may turn out to be selfish and unable to commit. Like with financial risks, take time before investing.

• When the Fool is reversed, you may realize that you are more conventional than you thought.
  

• Other people's eccentricities that you may have found charming now just rub you the wrong way.

• Postpone business decisions temporary.Take time to enjoy life’s pleasures.Use discretion and patience.

Symbols:
The Dog: Dogs typically represent loyalty and faithfulness. In this case, the dog symbolizes our reward when we express true faith on our path. As we continue to step out in faith, and blindly follow our bliss we shall gain the loyalty and recognition from people, places and events in our lives. When the Fool continues on his mission of passion, protection is available.

Knap Sack: How long do you think the contents of the little knap are going to sustain our hearty fool? Exactly, here again, the Fool is taking little time to consider the practical matters of his journey. However, what if the knap sack contains something far greater than consumables. Look closely at the image. Some say it resembles testicles, and these represent the seed of the Fool's philosophical offspring. In short, as the Fool sows, so too shall he reap. This depiction is a reminder of personal responsibility. We all carry the seed of consequence upon our own journey.

The Rose: Blind, beautiful faith is equal to the beauty of the rose and a caution to heed the voice of reason/ practicality are evidenced in its thorns. The rose is the driving force - the desired goal for which the Fool strives. The color indicates it is a worthy goal for which to strive - white, the color of purity assures us the adventure is worth every step.

Sun: Primarily, the sun is a symbol of expansion, growth, energy, and creativity. Here the sun is a symbol of new beginnings, Mid-day indicates going full force in creative endeavors.

Wreath: Wreaths of this type have long been a symbol of victory. sweet smelling laurel wreath is also a symbol of protection, peace and purification and is associated with the god Apollo. It is a message that the favor of the Gods is upon us, and that we shall be the victor in this stage of our lives.

Ice: Ice symbol meanings deal with isolation, patience, waiting, distance, and objection. Ice is used in the Tarot to convey a feeling of separation. It is also used to portray a time of deep contemplation or a process of growth that is not perceived until much later (cycle of season) for example, spring is only evident after the thaw.

Mountains:Mountain symbol meanings deal with triumph, challenge, attainment, and realization. Mountains also represent timelessness and an endurance that is infinite. When those mountains peak out of the cards into our attention, we may consider the vastness of our universe, and contemplate our place within it. We may also want to consider the heights to which we are climbing, and what the realization of our goals may mean for us and those around us.

Numerical Significance of 0:

• Beginning & Ending,
• Alpha & Omega,
• Limitless,
• Infinite,
• Unity,
• Pure Potential.

Primarily, the spiritual meaning of zero deals with pure potentiality. It is the point from which all other numbers spring forth. Even visually - the number zero is symbolic of the seed, womb or egg from which pure potential emerges.

Because the zero also visually resembles a circle, this is symbolic of eternity, evolution, infinity. Additionally, as with most symbols comprised or containing the circle we’re dealing with meanings of cycles, evolution, and time. Think wheels here - “what comes around goes around.”

However, due to its numerical value, the zero may also be interpreted as a void - a representation of non-existence, and sometimes death. But, again, our minds wander back to the symbolism of eternity and infinity as well as cycles and rebirth. Consequently we may say there is no real death only another phase of life.

Mayan glyphs used the “cosmic spiral” to represent the numeral zero - they inherently knew the massiveness of mystery the concept of zero held.

Pythagoras, (practically the father of numerology) viewed the sign of the zero as the container for all things and the birthing place of all other values (that which preceeds must be the birth giver of all that follows). This is also the interpretation of the zero in Tarot as well as other mystery school teachings.

Focus upon the zero is encouraged when we wish to be present in the moment, when we are trying to regroup our level of awareness. This is because the zero is representative of the essence of reality. It is everything and nothing at the same time.

When we begin to contemplate zero we soon find ourselves on an endless adventure.

Key Questions:
When contemplating the Fool Tarot card meaning, ask yourself the following questions:

• Am I following my dreams?
• Am I honoring my prime passion?
• What would the Fool do in my situation?
• What do I value most...my beliefs or my image?
• Do I fear adventure or do I fear practicality?
• If my life is my message...what kind of message am I sending?