The Meanings of the 22 Major Arcana Tarot Cards – The Fool:
Introduction to The Fool
The Fool is Key 0 in the Major Arcana of a Tarot deck. It is one of the four elemental cards in the Tarot. The Fool represents air. Zero is a circular number that represents all contained universal possibilities.
Spring green is often a dominant color of the Fool in Tarot card spreads. Some modern astrologers assign the Fool to the planet Uranus as well as the element of air. Many Tarot decks depict a small dog warning a traveler that appears to be about to step off a cliff. The Fool is a universal birth card and it is sometimes used as a significator in certain Tarot spreads. The Fool is one of the major birth cards for all born under the air signs of Gemini, Libra and Aquarius. The Fool is often assigned to the planet Uranus.
The Fool Upright
When the Fool is upright in a Tarot spread, it signifies the beginning of a journey of some sort. It often appears when one is about to start a new phase in life. A new outlook on life is possible with the appearance of the Fool. Upright, the card suggests taking an open-minded approach to decisions. It can also mean an encounter with a GLBT individual.
The Fool in this position is the card of adventurers, adolescents, beginners, independent and unconventional people. It can often mean a traveler, especially when the Chariot, the Wheel of Fortune, or the World appear in the spread as well.
The location of the Fool in a spread is important to note with regards to the higher keys in particular. For example, the Fool next to the Sun in many Tarot readings means something unexpected will bring comfort and order, but if the Sun precedes the Fool, it will mean a simple but pleasant life will start over on a new direction. If the Hermit comes before the Fool in a reading, it could mean a secret will soon be revealed. A Hermit appearing after the Fool would indicated that the secret is safe and sealed away for now.
If the Fool and the Lovers appear in a Tarot spread, love and sex will be intensified in any relationship. It is always important whenever the Fool and the World both appear during readings because it signifies that an event will travel full circle.
In any Tarot reading, the Fool upright has the implied meaning to proceed with blind faith and trust with not much concern about the final outcome. A new relationship with a person of a different sexual orientation is possible, or a rebirth on a spiritual level is in the works.
Free and trusting are attributes associated with the Fool in the upright position. When this Tarot card is reversed, it takes on the meaning of unreliability and confusion. The Fool reversed can be read as a caution against folly and an indicator of poor judgment and unfounded optimism.
The Fool Reversed (RX)
When the Fool appears reversed in a Tarot spread with the Hierophant card in any orientation, it may denote excessive conformity. The reversed Fool (rx) card appearing with a Justice card can mean a hung jury but if the Justice card is reversed as well, it can mean a travesty of justice such as a false verdict of some sort.
Sometimes a lack of motivation is indicated by the appearance of the reversed Fool (rx) in Tarot spreads. The surrounding cards elaborate on this. The reversed Fool (rx) next to Strength (rx) reversed means unhealthy habits will take a toll on one’s health. However, if Strength (rx) reversed precedes the Fool (rx) reversed, it can mean an ill-advised decision to treat an illness with quack medicine. With another travel card such as the Chariot, the Fool in the reversed position and before the reversed Chariot (rx) can often mean an automobile or other mode of transportation will break down during the journey because of a lack of proper maintenance. If the reversed Chariot (rx) appears before the reversed Fool (rx), it takes on the meaning of a trip will end in disaster because of a lack of preparation beforehand.
The reversed Fool is the card of the uncommitted, the reckless, the gullible and the gambler. It is especially unwise to take risks in gambling or in love whenever the reversed Fool (rx) appears in a Tarot spread.
The Fool in Regards to Love, Sex and Relationships
The Fool is the card of all possible meanings in love and relationships. The appearance of the Fool signifies a free and trusting approach to a relationship that is just beginning to form. The Fool can also represent a friend or a relative that may offer insight and advice in love and relationship matters. It is an indicator of a new take on an existing relationship or the start of a different approach to matters of the heart.
The Fool always means a free spirit or a carefree approach to sex and love. Most modern Tarot decks put the Fool as Key 0 at the beginning of the Major Arcana but the Fool is also the last card of them all. The Fool always arrives back to the starting point transformed after the journey.
