It’s April Fool’s day today and I am thinking about what The Fool represents on the spiritual healing journey. The first card of the Tarot Card deck is The Fool, its number is zero, the first of the major arcana. In the Rider-Waite pack, The Fool is depicted as a young man with a small bundle of his belongings slung over one shoulder, a flower in one hand, a dog at his heels and he is about to step off a cliff, surrounded by snow capped peaks and the sun at his back.
In common interpretation, The Fool is the seeker stepping into the unknown, leaving the sure-footed safety of his milieu. He takes with him only the bare essentials for his physical survival. He has an appreciation for beauty in nature. He is ever pursued by the realities of life, his humanness like a dog constantly nipping at his heels and distracting him. In the eyes of society he is a fool, leaving behind the outer mores of success, and instead is turning inward towards the mystical with a child-like abandon. He travels alone, but he is accompanied by the sun shining behind him, his divine inspiration, his wisdom and inner illumination. He has an exuberant look on his face and he walks tall and confident as he seems to step off a cliff, risking everything.
The number zero represents The Fool and signifies the quality of surrendering of the ego and becoming whatever he is seeking. He has renounced the world, he becomes nothing, no identification with worldly names and forms. The Fool of the Tarot Card deck is the symbol of the spiritual seeker, though in modern times the seeker looks less like the wandering monks of the East who wander the countryside in search of spiritual masters. In India, the sight of the wandering Sadhu with his begging bowl and yoga stick is closer to the image of The Fool of the Tarot Card deck.
There was a time when “the calling” was limited to the few, who, in wanting to follow their more spiritual inclinations, it meant that they had to leave their families and friends. It seems that in our generation we are evolving to integrate the worldly and the spiritual life. Many seekers who took large chunks of time off to study with their spiritual teachers in the last two or three decades are now living a balanced life in the world, doing their spiritual practices, living with awareness and applying the wisdom teachings.
It is paradoxical that all spiritual teachers tell us that what we are seeking is inside of us and yet many of us are addicted to hanging out with our teachers. I suppose it is a lifestyle more like the traditional seekers, who lived the wandering life of The Fool.
The experience of living the life of a seeker, spending time with spiritual teachers, has a magical quality of wander-lust, a care-free abandoning of worldly things even though the desires have not relinquished their hold on us. Like many others of my generation who have lived the privileged life of living with spiritual teachers, I am very appreciative of the joy of living in the world with the awareness and wisdom acquired in following the path of The Fool. And like The Fool, I continue to evolve, enjoying the journey for what it is and focusing on what is lasting and true, buoyed by inspiration and freedom.
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
When the Fool comes up in a tarot spread I am doing, I always think…You’ll never know until you try.
And with solid faith with me, it becomes much easier to step off into the unknown. He’s one of my favourites of the Major Arcana.
Super post, Miruh…and Happy Spring!
I’m thankful for this post, as you offered me some insight on what it is like to have a spiritual teacher. All my life, I’ve wanted a spiritual teacher, but it has never happened for me. I have no reason to offer as to why I’ve never found a dedicated teacher.
I think that my teachings have come to me in many forms. It seems there is always going to be someone in my life who can offer me a brief insight into the mysteries of life. But it is only when I am open, aware and ready to receive that this can happen.
Thanks for a thought-provoking post, Miruh
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Nicole
Hi Miruh,
The photo brings back memories of my mother reading Tarot cards. It was always fun watching her “entertain” her friends. I like The Fool card because he looks carefree, fun-loving and unafraid of adventure.
Whether we are known as “The Fool,” or any other labels is not important. The important thing is the journey to our consciousness and learning how to dilate life, not dissect it.
I think we all enjoy being the fool . society has taught us and to be wary of spritual guides. i love them cannot live without them have been following them from a child. but i really believe that if we search deep down we are our own spiritual guides.
i thank God i came across your blog it’s really enlightening.
thank you
Hello Marion,
For me, the image of The Fool is so positive and inspiring that when it comes up in a reading, you know that you are on the path that will bring an outcome that is right for you, even though to others it may look otherwise.
A Happy Spring to you too, though I know it’s a ways off still in your neck of the woods.
Hello Nicole,
Like you say, when you are ready the teacher will appear. I know it was true in my case. There are many different teachers out there and the one that is right for you, for your level of growth is going to show up.
Teachers are very important to help us to unlock the inner wisdom and there are some in whose presence, because they have mastered the mysteries, can spark that awakening.
Thanks for your kind words. I wish for you that you receive the nurturing and support of the protectors of Light and Love!
Hello Alexys,
I can just picture the scene; mystery and awe of the mystical Tarot Card reading and your young inquisitiveness!
I like how you put it: The important thing is the journey to our consciousness and learning how to dilate life, not dissect it.
The Fool is that image of the spiritual healing journey, the exploration of the unknown and surrending to fate, connecting with spirit and letting go of the mind games.
Thanks for your wise words!
May The Fool in you take you to the heights and depths of mystery!
Hello Catherine,
Welcome to this humble blog! Thanks for your kind comment, I am glad you like what I offer.
It is a blessing to meet a spiritual teacher who inspires us to question the nature of reality and to go deeper within and unlock inner wisdom. As you say, it is helpful to keep the company of such teachers but to also recognize our autonomy on the spiritual journey.
Peace and a happy weekend to you.
Dear Miruh!
Wonderful blog and inspiring insights.
“like The Fool, I continue to evolve, enjoying the journey for what it is and focusing on what is lasting and true, buoyed by inspiration and freedom.” –loved it!
Hello Mergingpoint,
Welcome! I like your name, it makes me think of the theme of unity in diversity.
Thanks for your kind comment, it is with the spirit of inspiring myself and others that I write. Glad you connect to it.
Peace to you!
This is a thought-provoking reflection about a card with many faces. As you say, some human beings do tend to cling to perceived representations of security. This could be a relationship, an individual like a teacher, a job, a physical place, a mindset or anything believed to be helpful. As one evolves to realize impermanence is one of the few predictable aspects of physical existence, then one begins to realize its possible to move beyond the fear keeps you where you are. Discerning illusions is the first step to dissolving them and learning what it feels like to liberate the mind and spirit.
Hello Liara,
I agree, the recognition of the impermanence of physical reality is the way beyond fear and towards freedom.
Thanks for sharing your wisdom here!
Have a Happy Weekend.
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