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The Fool Tarot Card
As key 0 (also referred to as key 22) of the Major Arcana, The Fool tarot card represents new beginnings, infinite potential, originality, freedom, innovation, and idealism.
The Fool is all about infinite potential, originality, and leaping into a new phase in life. Although this wild card is typically regarded as the first of the Major Arcana, it is numbered zero. This is because zero is representative of the No-Thing (Spirit, God, Source, etc.), which came from nothing. When something is nothing, it is also everything. Everything has sprung forth from Spirit.
Just as Spirit is everything, everywhere, at all times, so is the energy of The Fool – it permeates all things and asks us to trust in our true nature and divine origins. The Fool is also sometimes considered to be the 22nd key of the Major Arcana because Spirit is the Alpha and Omega – all return to Source.
The Fool encourages us to embrace the now, take a chance, and live in faith that everything will be okay. It is a reminder that no matter what happens in life, we are always connected to Great Spirit.
When we remember and integrate this knowledge, our lives completely change. Fear abandons us and Love gently helps us mold our path. We become more open and free in spirit and return to joy.
Some questions the Fool invites you to ponder…
- What is holding me back?
- What does being fearless entail for me?
- How does taking a chance make me feel?
- In what areas could I cultivate more faith?
- What does true freedom of self look like to me?
In this post, we’ll be going over the Fool’s Upright and Reversed meanings, as well as The Fool as a person (or significator) and The Fool as feelings.
The Fool Keywords
| Upright: | new beginnings, infinite potential, originality, freedom, innovation, idealism |
|---|---|
| Reversed: | naiveté, gullibility, apathy, indiscretion, irresponsibility, chaos, stagnancy |
| Elemental: | Air |
| Zodiac: | Aquarius |
| Number: | 0/22 (infinity, freedom, wholeness) |
| Yes or No: | Yes |
Don’t have time to read? Check out this helpful video for key meanings of the Fool Tarot card!
The Fool Upright
The Fool upright is a leap of faith. Spontaneity. The start of a great adventure, bravely assuming a new responsibility or making a decision out of confidence and trust. Getting back to your truest self. Having everything you need to move forward. The knapsack symbolizes that you have all you need, but it also suggests that you might be leaving behind extra “stuff.” The dog is fear and skepticism nibbling at your heels, yet you decide to press on.
White symbolizes purity, and rose is desire. Sunlight is present. Although you are walking off a cliff, if you take the plunge, a parachute will materialize (perhaps in your pack?). Fantastic originality. Your decision(s) can seem foolish to others, but you embrace your instincts.
Life could be taking you in a completely different direction than you are used to. You may be feeling ready to embrace these changes, or perhaps things are feeling stagnant, and change is needed right now. The Fool asks you to take an open, playful stance in life. Don’t be afraid to start anew, let go of what isn’t serving you, and let your inner child out to express itself!
Just as the Fool is depicted as standing at the edge of a cliff, ready to take on the world, you are about to step into a whole new adventure. The unknown can be scary sometimes, but the universe says to take a leap of faith and do it anyway!
Let yourself see the world from a place of wonderment, excitement, and curiosity. Cast any anxiety, fear, or doubt to the wayside and step into the flow of life! Let loose and take on the Fool’s carefree, trusting spirit. The Fool card brings news of personal growth, infinite potential, and fresh starts.
Anything can happen right now – The Fool reminds you that you are free to explore life fearlessly and go after your ideas or goals. Even if you don’t feel entirely ready yet, the Fool says GO! Take that first step.
The Fool Reversed
The Fool reversed can show up as ignoring your gut feelings and your instincts. Doing the “correct” thing rather than the right thing. Engaging in obligatory behavior. Can be a sign of reckless behavior, extreme carelessness, and stupidity. You or another acting in a resentful, immature, or foolish way.
The Fool in reverse generally serves as a warning against poor judgment, lack of awareness, and irresponsibility. Beware of acting foolishly by ignoring or brushing off the consequences of your actions. There are times in life that call for a free-fall leap of faith, and times when sober, cautious planning is needed – and The Fool Reversed is often one of them!
The old saying, “plan for the worse, hope for the best” applies here. It’s okay to keep the free spirit of The Fool, however, it is important to be sure that your actions aren’t causing harm to yourself or others. You may be acting out of naivete and placing yourself in a possibly dangerous situation where you could be taken advantage of, disillusioned, or tricked.
Now is not the time to make rash or impulsive decisions. Be on the lookout for anything that seems too good to be true, keep your wits about you, and proceed with discretion.
If you’ve been ignoring your responsibilities or letting others make your decisions for you, now is the time to regain control of your life. This reversal suggests a time for mature, prudent action. Look for ways to create stable, reliable plans for the future.
With the Fool reversed, it’s also possible that you are engaging in obligatory behavior at this time or over-extending your energy; this could leave you feeling restricted or stressed. Remember to take time out for yourself to nurture your inner child. Take a dance break, jam out to your favorite song, or go for a walk in the park!
Do whatever you have to do to bring yourself back to your center. You can be responsible and mature without neglecting your needs.
The Fool as a Person
The Fool card indicates someone who may be highly spiritual, happy-go-lucky, friendly, and successful. These people are true bohemians, travelers, and eclectics. They may have a wide range of wild experiences through which they seem to effortlessly flow through. Fool people are often visionaries for a better, brighter future for all. They can be social butterflies, finding harmony with all walks of life. However, they may struggle with commitment. Read more about the Fool as a Person here.
The Fool (Reversed) as a Person
The Fool reversed can show someone overly ambitious and confident in their endeavors, or someone who is feeling completely inadequate and unprepared.
An overly serious, pessimistic, or depressed nature may be present as well. Sometimes this is due to having to mature and grow up rather quickly in life. These people may resist new opportunities and have a hard time accepting change. Tapping into their playful side can be tough or even a bit foreign to them, and they may struggle with insecurity.
Alternatively, the Fool reversed can also represent someone reckless, unreliable, or irresponsible. They can feel hopelessly stuck but at the same time resist any changes to their lives.
The Fool as Feelings
As feelings, the Fool suggests an emotional state of flow, excitement, and optimism. In a love reading, other cards may need to be drawn to show deeper feelings or long-term commitment. If you have a history with this person they may be desiring a fresh start with you.
If you received the Fool as how someone feels about you, it means that they are feeling joyful and excited about you! They enjoy your company and feel that you are fun to be around. You might be wildly different than others they know; this person likely feels curious about you and wants to get to know you more.
The Fool (Reversed) as Feelings
The Fool reversed can indicate emotional blockage, stagnancy, or apathy. It may show depression and disconnection. Getting lost in emotions and thoughts is also a possibility here. Grounding exercises such as deep breathing and meditation can be beneficial.
As for how someone feels about you, the Fool in reverse shows they feel similar excitement as the upright Fool, but they could be keeping it to themselves. This person may have trouble expressing their feelings for you, or perhaps they feel blocked somehow from telling you how they really feel about you.
On the other hand, the reversed Fool can mean that someone takes you very seriously and may even feel responsible for you and your well-being.
In summary, the Fool represents new beginnings, innocence, and spontaneity. It’s the spark within each of us to take a leap of faith into the unknown, embrace opportunities without fear or hesitation, and trust in the universe’s guidance. At the same time, this card also warns us against recklessness and naivety and serves as a reminder to stay mindful of our actions and the potential consequences.
All in all, the Fool teaches us to approach life with open-mindedness, curiosity, and a willingness to explore new paths.
That’s all for the Fool tarot card meanings! To learn more about the Tarot, check out our Tarot Guide for Beginners, or explore the meanings of the rest of the cards!
DISCLAIMER:
Sage & Moon is a participant in affiliate programs, including the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. We may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you if you choose to purchase through these links. Any product we choose is based on personal recommendations that we love and trust you will too. By using these links you are directly supporting us to keep writing + creating. Thank you!
