The Fool stands at the edge of a cliff, carefree, with a small bundle and a white dog at his heels. He is the zero, the pure beginning: a new chapter opens and nothing is decided yet, so trust, curiosity and courage matter more than plans.
A leap into the unknown, taken on pure faith.
Waite’s keywords (1911): Folly, mania, extravagance, intoxication, delirium, frenzy.
Reversed
Reversed, the leap turns into a stumble: haste without thought, naivety that others exploit, or the opposite, a fear so great that you never step at all.
A reckless step, or a fear that keeps you from stepping at all.
Waite’s keywords (1911): Negligence, absence, carelessness, apathy, nullity, vanity.
In love
Upright A fresh, light-hearted love, or a new way of loving: meet people without old fears and let things begin without a guarantee.
Reversed Love played as a game, careless promises, or a partner who will not commit; look before you leap into someone’s arms.
In work
Upright A new job, a new field or a venture you have never tried: begin as an apprentice, with an open mind.
Reversed Reckless moves at work: quitting on impulse, signing without reading, starting what you cannot carry.
In money
Upright Money comes and goes lightly; a small risk may pay, if you can afford to lose it.
Reversed Spending without counting, gambling, or trusting a scheme that sounds too good to be true.
At home and in the family
Upright A move, a journey, a new kind of home life; the household needs air and spontaneity.
Reversed Instability at home, someone who keeps leaving, or a family that does not know where it is going.
On your path
Upright The soul sets out on its journey: the beginning of a spiritual path, guided by faith rather than knowledge.
Reversed You avoid the journey your soul is calling you to, or wander without direction from one belief to another.
Its counsel
Upright Say yes to the new thing. You do not need to know the whole road to take the first step.
Reversed Stop, breathe and look down before you jump; enthusiasm is not the same as readiness.
Correspondences
- Arcana
- Major Arcana, card 0
- Element
- Air
- Number
- 0
Dreams that carry this card
Dawn · The Stranger · The Door · The Road · Flying · Laughter
The Major Arcana
The Magician · The High Priestess · The Empress · The Emperor · The Hierophant · The Lovers · The Chariot · Strength · The Hermit · Wheel of Fortune · Justice · The Hanged Man · Death · Temperance · The Devil · The Tower · The Star · The Moon · The Sun · Judgement · The World