THE FOOL (alternative title: The Joker, The Madman)

This is the first card of the Major Arcana - and the last card, as the cycle renews after completion and begins again.

It is both the beginning and the end.

THE FOOL's number is ZERO - similar in many ways to Oroborus, the snake that eats its own tail: cyclical, eternal.

[Just as The World, number XXI, the completion of the cycle of the Major Arcana, appears as a sphere, cyclical and eternal (alternative title: The Universe).]

This eternal, cyclic nature of the Major Arcana should be noted. It is a theme that runs throughout both sections of the Tarot, but is especially pronounced in the Major Arcana - which deals exclusively in archetypes.

A youth who proceeds towards the edge of a cliff, eyes to the heavens (fixed on his* dreams; looking at a butterfly) not paying attention to the earth under his feet or the imminent danger ahead, enjoying his journey. An animal that accompanies him gambols around his feet.
He seems oblivious in his bliss.
And oddly, he is quite safe. Protected in/by his innocence. ... He'll deal with any danger when he gets to it. - If he should come a cropper, he'll just pick himself up, dust himself off, and continue on his happy way.
...In the meantime, he'll continue to enjoy his adventure.

He is the start of the journey, he has placed his foot upon the first step of his Way, and is unconcerned about the hysterical jabbering or opinions of others.
The Fool follows his journey, heedless of others. It is his Way, and he knows it is right for him.

Open, free, honest, innocent, trusting, loving life, unprejudiced, and ready for any opportunity - confidence, follow your inspiration, follow your instincts: a new life journey.

If The Fool is reversed, it is an indication that you need to stop, and take a good long cold look at your behaviour: you're probably acting like an idiot, or maybe you're about to rush in where you might be better off staying put and keeping quiet.

The Fool as the first card in a reading, may indicate that you are asking the wrong question.


*The Fool can just as easily be "her". I was about to say that archetypes are sexless, but as we will see with Strength, a female energy is in play. So, The Fool holds a male energy, but the person he represents can be of either sex.