The Fool (tarot)
(Revision as of 22:51, 6 Apr 2005)
The Fool, Atu 0
© 2005 Ordo Templi Orientis. Published with permission.
Part of the Thoth Tarot series.
The Fool is the first card of the Major Arcana in the Thoth Tarot deck, created by Aleister Crowley and Lady Frieda Harris.
- Name: The Fool
- Atu: 0
- Hebrew Letter: Aleph א
- Element: Air
- Tree of Life: Path 11 (joining Kether and Chokmah)
Description
Key Words: Trust, willingness to risk it all, ability to accept yourself, independence, potential, a major leap forward.
The main focus in the center of this card is the god Dionysus. We can see the color green evident throughout signifying the power of the energies of Springtime. In the lower left portion of the card we see the crocodile (the Egyptian God of Creativity) which symbolizes the potential for creativity. We also see the four spirals, a link to unversal unity, surrounding the Fool. These spirals can also be thought of as a representation of an umbilical cord.
Starting from the center the meaning of the four spirals is:
First Spiral Spun around the heart of the Fool symbolizing the rebirth of emotions; coming to grips with and accepting one's own emotional needs.
Second Spiral Here we see three symbols: The Dove; vulnerability and sensitivity being used as a base for one's emotional dealings with others. The Butterfly; transformation. The Snake; the Caduceus (two snakes entwined ) symbolizing a new look and attitude toward health and wellbeing.
Third Spiral Two children that are not clothed giving new meaning to new relationships. They also can mean a need for re-evaluation of our deep emotional ties with friends, family, and co-workers.
Fourth Spiral Symbolizing the topics suggested by the Tiger and the Crocodile. The Crocodile pushes toward a realization of creativity and potential in one's career. The Rose can mean the unfolding of this creativity. The strength of the Crocodile's jaw represents the affectual potential to become a leader and an ability to act on one's own.
The Tiger is a symbol fo fear. Dionysus is bitten over and over by the Tiger of fear. Nonetheless he never looks back, choosing not to pay attention to the fear that plagues him and thus making that fear powerless over him. He looks forward to the assurance that comes from experiencein the Mystical, experiences between individuals.
The cup in the Fool's right hand and the fire in his left hand are alchemical symbols. It refers to the coming together of the element fire and the element water. A coming together of incompatable opposites brings forth transformation, a quantum leap forward.
The Grapes: Standing here for fertility. Meaning whatever the situation that is at hand is ripe for the harvesting. White spots against a yellow bacdrop stand for Autumn; the time of Harvest. The coins with the asrological symbols can stand for the wealth that comes ffrom giving our creative energies room to flow.
The horns on Dionysus' head stand for and elevated level of consciousness. The rainbow a symbol of unification, a bridge between what is above and what is below. Three blossoms; body, intellect, spirit.
The sun in Dionysus' lap is a representation of the most basic of sexual energies.
Source
*Zeigler, Gerd B. (2003) Tarot-Spiegel der Seele. (c)aux Urania Verlag
Interpretation
Tarot | Thoth Tarot | Tarot & the Tree of Life | |
Major Arcana: The Fool - The Magus - The Priestess - The Empress - The Emperor - The Hierophant - The Lovers - The Chariot - Adjustment - The Hermit - Fortune - Lust - The Hanged Man - Death - Art - The Devil - The Tower - The Star - The Moon - The Sun - The Aeon - The Universe Minor Arcana: Wands | Cups | Swords | Disks |