Let's explore the Fool's journey . It's a powerful way to understand the lessons of the Major Arcana cards. In this journey, we begin with the Fool—the unnumbered card. The Fool is the "child," a blank slate, ready to embrace the world and everything it has to offer. He has no fear because he hasn't experienced enough to know what ought to scare him. The first person the Fool meets along the way is the Magician, who shows him that as long as he can stay grounded and connect with the Source, he will be able to manifest whatever he wants. The Fool moves on to the High Priestess, who builds on what the Magician has taught him and shows the Fool that the world isn't always what it seems and, in fact, there is a more profound mystery to the world. She shows the Fool the underworld and that which cannot be seen. Next, the Fool encounters the Empress, the mother figure, who shows him love and nurturing. The Emperor follows with his rules and structure. The Hierophant teaches the Fool how to think and behave and what to believe. And by the time he reaches the Lovers, the Fool realizes that he is now on his own and can make choices for himself. The Chariot shows him that when he sets his mind to something, he can move forward. And Strength reminds him that he doesn't always have to be striving like the Chariot, but he can find his power and strength from within, without force. He then meets the Hermit, a wise, old soul who has found his path by traveling alone. The Fool realizes that his answers lie within and spending time in isolation will help him connect with those answers. Next, the Fool encounters the Wheel of Fortune and discovers that life is full of ups and downs, and sometimes he must ride the wave. And just as he hands his life over to destiny and fate, Justice steps in to remind him that he has choices and his actions will carry consequences, both positive and negative. By the time the Fool reaches the Hanged Man, he realizes that sometimes he needs to surrender and look at the world from a different perspective. Death shows the Fool that nothing lasts forever and we are in a constant state of change. Metaphorical "death" is imminent and allows for a transition into another stage of life. The Fool then meets Temperance and discovers that balance, harmony, and moderation is the way to a good life... That is until the Devil steps in and demonstrates to the Fool that without balance, addiction and obsession can occur. The Devil has a hold on the Fool, luring him in with temptation until the Tower upends his world and everything the Fool thought was "true" and finite comes crashing down. It's time for a re-evaluation. With destruction comes the opportunity for creation. And now the Fool meets the Star, filled with transformation, hope, and faith. The Fool has traversed the dark night of the soul and is seeing the light once again. When he meets with the Moon, he is reminded that not everything is what it seems and he is drawn to his subconscious mind where shadows lurk, and fears remain. Next, he meets with the Sun and is filled with renewed energy, knowing that life is abundant and that he is blessed. As the Fool encounters Judgment, he is reborn. He is a new person, with a new perspective on life, having traveled this soul path. And finally, he reaches the World, and his journey is complete—or is it? He steps through the wreath with the dancing woman and finds himself back at the beginning again. Tarot shows us this progression through life and introduces us to the path of spiritual self-awareness and the various stages we encounter as we search for greater significance and understanding.
Excerpt From Intuitive Tarot: 31 Days to Learn to Read Tarot Cards and Develop Your Intuition Brigit Esselmont
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