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Tarot Card Meanings:
The Fool

The Fool: Overview and Symbols

The Fool is the first card in the Major Arcana. It’s a card of new beginnings, innocence, and potential. This card is often depicted as a young man in colorful robes walking toward a cliff, carrying a staff with a bag and arose, with a dog by his side.

Some Specific Symbols and Their Meanings in the Rider Waite Smith Tarot:

  • The young man represents The Fool‘s innocent, carefree spirit. He isn’t afraid to take risks as he steps into the unknown. His colorful robes also represent this.
  • The white dog represents loyalty and companionship. The young man knows he’s not alone on his journey, and that his loyal dog will help him along the way. The dog can also be seen as a symbol of intuition and instinct.
  • The staff represents the Fool‘s journey. It’s a symbol of his strength and determination, as well as his connection to the earth and the natural world.
  • The bag tied to one end of the staff represents the young man’s earthly, material possessions as well as hopes and dreams. Everything he needs for his travels is in this one bag.
  • The white rose represents love, innocence, and new beginnings. It is a symbol of the Fool‘s pure heart and his willingness to embrace new experiences.
  • The cliff represents the unknown. It is a symbol of the challenges and obstacles that the Fool will face on his journey. The cliff can also be seen as a symbol of the Fool’s potential for growth and transformation.
The Fool card from the Rider Waite Smith Tarot
The Fool as depicted in the Rider-Waite Smith Tarot by A.E. White, illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith

The Fool: Card Meanings

Keywords/Phrases: New beginnings, innocence, potential, trust, adventure, risk-taking, faith, uninhibited, optimism.

The Fool represents the beginning of a journey, both literal and metaphorical. It can signify a time to step out into the unknown, to embrace new experiences, and to trust in the universe. It’s a reminder that there are limitless opportunities in the waiting for you if you only muster the courage to face the risks involved.

The Fool: Reversed Card Meanings

Keywords/Phrases: Fear of taking risks, lack of faith, pessimism, procrastination, indecision, chaos, confusion, recklessness, irresponsibility

The reversed Fool may be a sign that you’re holding yourself back from pursuing new opportunities out of fear of the unknown and unfamiliar. It may be that your risk avoidance is preventing you from going on a new adventure. Conversely, the reversed Fool may also be a warning to avoid being too reckless or irresponsible. In this case, the Fool is a reminder to be mindful of your choices and consider the risks involved carefully.

Gallery: The Fool in Various Decks

Coming soon!