Inner Revealings Tarot

Tarot Thursday: The Fool

Keywords: 

Adventure, innocence, trusting, independent, free spirit, awakener, originality, faith, optimism, new

Archetype:

Depending on what you read, you will find that The Fool is attributed to the Wanderer, Child, or Trickster archetype.  For me over all with the deck that I use, and the symbology of the journey The Fool takes, I really resonate with the Wanderer.  Which leads me to remind you that although I will give you as much information about each card as I can, we are still dealing with an imagery based sub conscious system, that we are trying to put into linear languaged description.  So this becomes just a template from which to work from.  After spending some time with The Fool, what archetype speaks to you most?

Themes Of The Fool

The Fool is an innocent, happy-go-lucky fellow full of wonder and flies by the seat of his pants.  He represents a new level in our evolution from a more primal being to a modern human being.  This is symbolized in various ways in depictions on decks (dog, alligator, tiger, birds...).  He embodies faith that life is good and worthy of trust, and is open to whatever may come his way. He is willing to take risks because he has no fear, and his curiosity of the new, of the endless possibilities ahead are what drive him forward.

There are many layers to this card.  The Fool is blank slate or vessel (0) but also complete in his integration of the masculine and feminine, shadow and light.  There paradox here is that he is at the beginning but also at the end, he knows nothing but knows everything.  Its the point at which we all start as children, then spend the rest of our lives relearning to arrive at the same place of wisdom, innocence and wonder at the end of our journey.  For this reason The Fool can be found at the beginning of some decks with the number 0 or at the end of some decks as the number 22.  Both Karmic numbers and both that connect the end and the beginning endlessly in a circular cycle.

The Fool functions from within, not influenced by forces outside of himself.  He is lead by his impulses, sometimes impetuous and careless, but instinctual and without hesitation.  He is free, and he revels in that freedom as this is purpose.  To go out and experience possibilities, lessons, opportunity. He is unpredictable and he is a mirror for our own innocence, impulsiveness, daring and foolishness.  We must make room for the renegade aspect of ourselves and admit The Fool to our inner counsel, which means psychologically that we must admit to him.  Doing so, can open up a wellspring of fresh ideas and new energy to our lives. 

"His impulsive curiosity urges us on to impossible dreams while at the same time his playful nature tries to lure us back to the laissez-faire childhood days.  Without him we would never undertake the task of self knowledge, but with him we are always tempted ot dawdle by the wayside."  ~ Jung and the Tarot

(I want to point out here that there are always positive, neutral and negative aspects to all cards.  Determining which is coming up in a reading depends on whether it is up right or reversed, or where it comes up in the actual spread you are using.  I won't be writing too much on reversals, as I don't use that tool at all.  For me the cards tell you exactly what they are trying to say based on where they are in the spread, what question was asked, and what cards it is surrounded by.)

For me, The Fool is the reminder to risk heading into the unknown, to stay open and fully engage the moment as it comes without trying to figure it out or control it.  I always remember one of my favorite moments in the movie The Matrix, when the Merovingian comes to a huge confrontation that was so out of his intended plan, and with cool detachment said, "Very well... lets see where this takes us."  And it really stuck with me after all these years.  It was such a moment of surrender, embracing, curiosity, openness...  He was just on for the ride.  And this cards speaks to that for me.  An opportunity to see where life will lead.  And the Fool is so complete and so void of lifes fears and cautions that he merrily moves forward, because the moment is all he/we really have.

Numerology:

The 0 is the empty and full vessel.  Beginning and end is the same here as the cycle is perpetual. There is a blank slate with no karmic debt in this number  There is so much to really be absorbed in that truth.  It is also important to notice that being at the number 0, The Fool doesn't fit into the 3 rows of the Major Arcana progression.  The Fool stands apart with a clear view of all the other cards or stages ahead of him.  He can come and go as he pleases. 

"The power of zero is inherent in its circular form.  To experience the essential qualities of this form, it is helpful to contrast the feel of a circle with that of a square.  Suppose that you wanted to draw a perfect circle.  First you would set one foot of your compass down at the spot which is to become the center of your circle.  Now you are ready to draw the circle's circumference.  But until you have pinpointed its center, you cannot begin to draw a circle.  There is no chicken or egg about it; the center comes first, is in fact central to the whole concept of circle, a fact not true of any other geometric figure"  ~Jung and the Tarot

Astrology:

The Fool card represents the planet Uranus.   This is one of the outer planets... the fate planets.  Uranus is change, liberation,  and freedom.  Its an itchy restlessness and rebellion against those imposed norms by society and culture.  It brings up the need to break out of those ruts and strike out onto an original path.  Surprising events that lead you on a roller coaster ride of unconventionality... That is Uranus.  And you can see how this is reflected in The Fool. 

Symbols On Cards:

Every deck of cards is different, so each card will vary in how the traditional imagery is conveyed.  I am going to list some of the most common imagery for The Fool here, but I encourage you to really study your card and then do some research of you own into what different colors and objects may mean on your specific card.

~Animals:  usually a dog or an alligator which speaks to The Fools inner primal innocent knowing

~Bird/Eagle or Feather:  an elevated view, seeing the full picture from high above and also closer to the spiritual heavenly realms.  Elevated divinity.

~White Rose:  Purity

~Wand or Staff:  Free will

~Flute:  Like the Pied Piper, a merry fool leading others astray

Again each deck will have different elements and may contain some of these symbols or not.  Its important to make not of what is on your card and familiarize yourself with the language that you deck speaks to you through.  This is another way of sensing whether or not its a deck that is well suited for you.

Alchemy:

~Type:  Element

~Name: Air

Hebrew Alphabet:

ALEPH, which is the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet signifies the head of a bull.  Not the whole body, as the rest is still unmanifest and in another dimension.  This letter is the beginning of unity.

Rune:

WUNYO signifies bliss, joy and pleasure.  It is the embodiment of merriment.

*Runes and Kabbalah symbols are later additions to the Tarot.  There is quite a bit of information online about both.  Neither are systems that I work very closely with so I have very little information to share about it.  I recommend doing some research, especially if these symbols are included in the deck that you are using. 

Homework:

Spend some time looking at this card.

1.  Make note of what comes up for you as you look at it.

2.  What sense do you get from his "personality"?  How similar or not similar to that are you?

3.  When faced with an abrupt change in course how do you instinctually respond?  How does that serve you?  If its different then what The Fool would do, how would it be for you to approach something new the way the Fool does?

4.  What thoughts or feelings come up for you when you think of doing that?

5.  What are some ways in which you can embrace characteristics of The Fool in a way that enhances your life experience?

6.  Now lay out the cards of the Major Arcana the way we have been.  Knowing the Fool the way you do now, imagine how he would approach each step along the path as depicted by each card.  Note any changes in how you view the journey given what you know now.

Until next week... Blessings to all of you.

Tarot Thursday: Major Arcana part 2 ~ Archetypes

This week's journey of looking through the Major Arcana has been a deep one.  Pulling through the sensations and the knowing that I feel within while looking through each card and then coming here to put that into words is incredibly challenging.  I had no idea it would be this way!  My biggest challenge has thus far been deciding what to write about and what to leave out.  There is just so much information in any given area of the Tarot!  I find it exciting though, because I am revitalizing parts of my subconscious and deepening my communication with this amazing tool.

Last week, we laid out all the cards in the Major Arcana and went with the Fool on a walk through the cards.  Each card representing an Archetype of some sort. This week I want to touch on more of what this means and how to begin relating to this language of symbols and energetics.  This topic is vast.  Vast.  I am pulling a bit here so as to give you a taste.  I highly encourage doing your own reading and research on this amazing topic.

Archetypes are, according to Dr. Carl G. Jung, innate universal psychic dispositions that form the substrate from which the basic themes of human life emerge. Being universal and innate, their influence can be detected in the form of myths, symbols, rituals and instincts of human beings. Archetypes are components of the collective unconscious and serve to organize, direct and inform human thought and behaviour.

According to Jung, archetypes heavily influence the human life cycle, propelling a neurologically hard-wired sequence which he called the stages of life. Each stage is mediated through a new set of archetypal imperatives which seek fulfillment in action. These may include being parented, initiation, courtship, marriage and preparation for death.

~Wikipedia

Archetypes are almost a spiritual repository of information that is beyond the verbal or written. They are visual symbols and energetic imprints that exist in our psyches and as a result in the Seen world around us.  Some are obvious and some seem subliminal which can trigger a deep unconscious/subconscious feeling or sensation that is almost impossible to put into exact defining words.  We encounter images and symbols of archetypes in art, literature, sacred texts, even in advertising.  And these symbols can be individual and universal. 

This is a language of the soul or deep mind (subconscious).  Its a world of dreamlike significances and story lines that are enacted, not literally told.  In his work, Carl Jung came up with a list of what common archetypal energies and rolls are in the span of a human life. These are archetypes that he found across all cultures, which then led him to believe that they are fundamental forces that exist beyond us and which we play out.  Here are some, and I am not going to include any lengthy descriptions of these because it will serve you to just let the name activate the deeper knowing within you.  We will also be covering all these and more in detail as we go through each card.

~The Shadow

~The Anima

~The Animus

~The Syzygy

~The Self

~The Father

~The Mother

~The Child

~The Magician

~The Goddess

~The Trickster

~The Hero

~The Maiden

~The Wise Old Man

~The Witch

There are so many more.   And many have been added or discovered after Jung's work in this area because we as a human race have continue to dive deeper and deeper into the dreamlike realms of our psyche in pursuit of wisdom and understanding.  The works of our psychological forefathers has been a tremendous stepping stone for all of us.

So the Major Arcana are visual symbols of potent archetypes in the human journey.  Each step or card represents an energy, a lesson, a roll, a task, a key wisdom to being human.  And its important to note that although we speak of archetypes being of the collective unconscious, they are energetic influences from and to our unconscious mind.  We are propelled in our lives by these archetypes or themes that are part of the collective and individual human psyche. 

Phew!  Are you with me still?  :)

So these influences are effecting and driving us whether we know it or not.  They are in our dreams, our motivations, our stories, the way we make choices and the things we feel we should be or should not be in this life.  Self inquiry and self facing particularly through the use of tools like psychotherapy and tarot is to uncover the ways in which these themes are wanting to play out in our lives and bringing them forward into our conscious mind.

But as I'm sure all of you have experienced by reading all I have written so far, there is a tremendous elusive quality to archetypes.  We are walking through the realm of the subconscious.  There are no words or numbers that rationally add up in this world.  This is a world of symbols, sensations, colors and images that represent concepts and instinctual wisdom.  Part of learning Tarot is learning to think in a way that is very separate from the words we use to structure our thinking.

Learning Tarot is learning to access this part of your deep wisdom and intelligence.  Its a part of us that is seldom encouraged or developed in our society.  This is an intelligence that speaks through intuition, through the ability to Listen with a capitol L.  Listening that hears the unspoken, the thoughts that reverberate at frequencies not heard by physical ears.  This is an intelligence that communicates through dreams, art, painting, movement.  Its a very colorful world, rich with information we have yet to fully grasp.

This is getting very long, and I applaud you for sticking with it this far.  There is so much more to talk about regarding this.  I am going to be working with my notes through out the week to try to widdle some of this down and getting more concise.  

Home Work

Last week I had you place your cards in order with the Fool at the top. This week I want you to lay them out the same way again.  A journal may be helpful for this as well.

1.  Taking a deep look at each card one by one and in order, pull out cards that feel as if they may be strong themes in your life.  You may find that there are themes in your life that have been there all along, and then there are those that have been prevalent in the last few years of your life.  Again, you may not "know" exactly what the cards mean, or what archetype they represent.  Just go with your gut.  Practice Listening to the wordless impulses within.  Pull these cards out, and write them down as a list.

2.  Next take these cards that you have pulled aside and write a bit about your thoughts and feelings regarding why this card feels like a theme in your life.

3.  If you have an altar, place these cards there, or in a place where you will see them each day.  Open an energetic space for these cards to speak to you about their role in your life at this time, and what wisdom comes through from them about you and your journey. Write this down as it comes to you.

Ok!  Wow.  I want to thank all the magical souls that have decided to embark on this journey.  Your posts have been amazing and I can't wait  to read this weeks musings on the cards.  If you would like to join us click on the badge below and read about Tarot Thursday.