A Year With Tarot: A Flourishing Fool
- Kelody Fey
- Apr 8
- 6 min read
Updated: Apr 9
As I continue to reflect on my personal journey, I have found parallels with the archetype of the Fool found in the Major Arcana of the Tarot. Over the year, join me in my journey as I travel through the tarot.
Entering New Cycles
This week I will be celebrating my 35th birthday. I have some mixed feelings though. I have accomplished a lot in life, but I was hoping to become a mom before this birthday. After two years of tying, two very early pregnancy losses, and three failed IUI cycles, I will be embarking on my first IVF cycle this month.
It's not exactly how I wanted to be spending my birthday month, but here we are. There are days I wish I could turn back time and make some different decisions. But I know it isn’t helpful to dwell on that. I used my time at a recent retreat to let go of my ideal timeline for creating my family.
However, I have been growing a sense of family in my community with my coven and new witchy friends. This blog was partially born out of a need to create and produce something, much like a child, to grow and present to the world.
Originally this was supposed to be a separate post but I found myself stuck between trying to be real and trying to put a pretty bow on the post. I planned to move onto writing my next post, 'Magic with the Fool', which was to begin a series on the Major Arcana of the Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot system.
Like the Fool I am moving full steam ahead. Reflecting on the archetype of the fool ultimately helped me begin processing some of my feelings as I am at the precipice of 35 and my IVF journey. It is the perfect time to bring in some Fool energy!
The Fool
In the Major Arcana, the Fool is card 0, which can be viewed as the beginning or the end of the cycle of these 22 cards. Many of the books I referenced stated that the Major Arcana is the Fool’s journey and the Fool can represent us as we move through life’s lessons. In “A Complete Guide to the Tarot,” Eden Gray states the Fool is “life power before it enters manifestation.”
I thought this was beautiful and represented the spirit of my future child. They aren’t quite here on Earth yet, but hopefully soon! As I took notes on all the qualities of the Fool, I realized they are what I am hoping to embody at this time. Below are some of the top keywords I found in the books I referenced:
Faith, Hope, Trust in New Beginnings and the Universe/Spiritual Path
Optimistic Outlook
Innocent and Pure
Adventurous and Open to Unknown
Daring and Fearless, Living on Edge
Spontaneous, Free, Carefree, Playful
Idealistic Aspirations
Hope
While the picture of the Fool card and some of the characteristics may seem “foolish” or naïve, remember the Fool has often been through many cycles and can be view as very knowledgeable and very in tune with intuition. The Fool looks like they might step right of a metaphorical cliff but they are watching their footing, and maybe they are about to gracefully dive into a new adventure. Some other key phrases can be “Think before acting” and “Taking a leap of faith.”
The Fool Reversed
However, each card can have a reversed meaning. This comes into play when the card physically presents itself as upside down in a reading. Not everyone reads reversed cards, and I personally feel it is important to consider the “other side” of things even when it is upright. In reverse, the Fool can represent:
Naivety, Inexperience
Reckless and Faulty Choices, Careless Steps
Indecisiveness, Distracted
Holding Back
Fear of failure or committing, Fear of the Unknown
Lack of Attention, Thought
Symbolism and Artistic Interpretations
So, when reading the traditional Fool card, one has to consider all of these possibilities. It is also useful to consider the main symbols on the cards: the sun, the dog, the flower in their hand, the sack being carried, the mountain.
To me, the sun represents life and joy. The white flower represents innocence. The dog appears to be a companion reminding us they we are not alone in the journey. The sack carries the basic necessities. As I look at the card as I write this, I get the feeling this fool might be ready to toss the flower of innocence over the edge of the cliff. They know it is time to learn, even the tough lessons, of this world. Yet they appear confident. Below are some other examples of how the fool is represented and how I interpret them as I look at them now. Each of these decks come with guide books that explain the creator's thoughts regarding their images.
The above cards show the cliff, a companion, and graceful readiness to walk right off the cliff.
The Wild Unknown Tarot features a young bird ready to fly for the first time. This is a great example of the fool in nature. On the left, the character has an umbrella that might act like the wings of a bird. A tool to manage the flight or journey.
I love how both of these don't have very specific facial features. That part of the story hasn't been defined yet. The world hasn't quiet made an imprint yet. Blank state energy for sure.
These characters are almost like they are from a fairy tale. They are unaware of the path ahead and the potential dangers, but they go bravely with their companions.
The Elemental Power Tarot is drawn as if you are seeing what the traditional fool sees. Notice the clouds that form a stairway to the sun. Are you ready to trust the clouds to take you upwards? Tarot Landscapes depict the wider landscape the characters of the tarot might in habit. I would certainly jump into a rainbow!
This one doesn't have most of the typical imagery, but the person appears young and it seems as they they are heralding in the new with the horn they are playing. There is a lot of foliage that covers the potential path, but they appear calm and confident. I like to think that the horn represents the bag, and emphasizes that we have what we need within us just like the breath used to sound the horn.
Over the next couple months, I will be working through two different books as I walk the path of the Tarot. “Finding the Fool: A Tarot Journey to Radical Transformation” by Meg Jones Wall and “Tarot Priestess” Using the Cards to Heal, Grow, and Serve” by Leeza Robertson. “Finding the Fool” has multiple journal prompts and delves into how the Tarot relates to Astrology and numerology. “Tarot Priestess” has various devotional practices. I loved the Fool spread it starts of with. I also appreciated a brief discussion about what might be in our own personal sacks or bags we will carry with us during our journey.
I will be packing my pen, notebook, The Intuitive Night Goddess Tarot (and most likely others), incense/candle, a warm cup of tea or coffee, and snacks! What would be found in your bag?! Please let me know if you would like to join this journey with me to discuss deeper!
References:
Tarot: Reveal Your Past, Inform Your Present, and Predict Your Future by Skye Alexander
Wild Card by Jen Cownie and Fiona Lensvelt
Tarot: A Modern Guide by Jon Izzard
The Big Book of Tarot Meanings: The Beginner's Guide to Reading the Cards by Sam Magdaleno
Tarot Priestess: Using the Cards to Heal, Grow, & Serve by Leeza Robertson
Finding the Fool: A Tarot Journey to Radical Transformation by Meg Jones Wall
The Witches Complete Guide to Tarot by Patti Wigington
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