The Foolish Self
At # 0, the Tarot Fool is the origin of infinite possibilities. With all the worldly possessions in one small pack, the Fool has everything he/she needs to live his/her life. The Fool finds his/herself back at zero, “0”, whether that be in romantic affairs, career, job, intellectual pursuits, or material wealth.
Instead of being sad or frustrated, Fools feel remarkably “free”, “joy-fool”, spontaneous, and refreshed, as if being given a second chance. They feel young and energized. In addition, they likely have no idea where they’re going or what they’re going to do. But that doesn’t matter.
Most important is to act as a sovereign being. Sovereign as in independent, self-governing, self-directed, self-motivated, autonomous, free, etc.
There’s more than just change and a new beginning, there’s freedom, movement, passion, uninhibited self-expression. Go out and see what there is to see/hear and delight in all of it.
Perhaps, the Fool is representing our irrepressible Vital Spirit experiencing Life and carving new (neural) pathways at will? It could be the innocent, the whimsical, the “inner child” mixed with the “inner sage” that lives down deep inside of us, knowing about his/her own ignorance and knowing that every experience has a deep meaning.
The Fool is known to be the most worthless and worthy card. It is the first and last, the alpha and omega. It represents both the fledgling beginner and the adept master and reminds us of the sacred things that we have repressed or forgotten. The Fool is seen as the wisest of all archetypes.
The Fool represents the balance of the opposites, black and white, male and female. The Fool is intricately linked with the other major cards which are part of the Fool’s journey of Self-discovery. The last major card is the World Card, bringing successful completion, accomplishment and fulfillment to the journey.
Since the Fool is trusting and open to all experiences, it provides the perfect role model for our own path through life with faith and a stout heart. Not the path of the “herd” but the path of bliss, our inner voice, intuition and inner knowing, giving us an undying understanding that all will work out exactly as scripted, often in hilarious ways.
The Fool also represents the unlimited potential of the human spirit and purity of action. It represents the self-actualized individuals, free from societal constraints, able to let go of outmoded beliefs and ideals, ready to pursue their own path.
The Fool is like a child, without the baggage of experience, false misconceptions, irrational fears, and unfettered by unfounded worries and apprehensions, he/she sets forth with a genuine desire and ability to achieve dreams and goals.
