The start of something new
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Tarot Alley uses the Rider Waite type of deck for our meanings, symbols, interpretations, etc.
The Fool card, at number 0 or no number at all, is the beginning of the journey through the tarot deck.
The Fool tarot card meaning is new beginnings and adventure. The Fool doesn’t need (or want) a map or plan. Fools tend to trust their instincts and live in the present moment.
They believe that everything will work itself out. This can be a bit naive and lead to some complications but a fool will always find the joy in them.
The Fool is all about potential and moving forward. Fools don’t rest on their laurels, they get out and try new things. They’re risk-takers, even when they feel a little frightened by those risks.
The Fool is about unformed potential. Fools know that the world is a place to explore and make their own, so they do.
Everyone knows a fool. The friend who abruptly sold all their belongings, quit their job, and set out to travel the world. The person who started a crazy business and put all their energy (and life savings) into it.
Take a look at the Rider-Waite Fool displayed to the left (or above).
What is your first impression?
Who is this person? What are they doing? Where are they? Why is the Sun shining? Is that their dog?
There’s no right or wrong answer here, just your interpretation.
Astrology: Uranus
Element: Air
Numerology: 0 (off the scale, pure potential)
Common Symbols
- a figure on the brink to represent a leap of faith or risk
- a precipice (often a cliff edge) to represent leaving safety behind
- a sun to represent positivity
- an animal (often a dog) as a reminder that you’re not alone
- a lack of excess things
Keywords & Concepts
- Adventure
- Freedom
- New Beginnings
- Intuition
- Optimism
- Risk
- Hope
- Trust
- Certainty
- Faith
The Fool for Personal Growth
With clear vision, expand your world today. You don’t have to be naive and fall for scams and schemes, but you can cultivate an openness to life.
Ask Yourself:
- What are your limits?
- What boundaries define you?
- What might happen if you step outside those definitions?
- How capable are you of embracing everyone, regardless of their social status?
- In your situation, what works best: your feet on the ground or your head in the clouds?
- How might your experience, or lack thereof, be the key to your situation?
- What would you do if you felt free to take a big leap?
- How willing are you to be vulnerable and open?
- How might past experiences help in this new situation?
Interpreting the Fool
The Fool is often present to represent a new phase in life. This could be a job, life change, travels, relationship, or anything else.
It often signifies one of two situations:
- That you know where you’re headed but lack an understanding of how to get there.
- That you’re being optimistic (often blindly so) about where you’re headed.
The Reversed Fool
How you read reversals is a personal choice. You can ignore reversals and read them as if the card is upright (this is what I often choose to do) or you can interpret reversals as variations of what they would mean upright. There are 3 common ways to read reversals: as a negative interpretation, as an opposite interpretation, or as a block on the upright interpretation. Check out How to Read Reversals for more information.
Negative: a negative reversed Fool still represents a new phase in life but it’s not going to be a good one. Navigate carefully!
Opposite: an opposite reversed Fool represents a need to exercise caution when making new decisions. This is not the time to just go with it. Things will not go well if you do.
Blocked: a blocked reversed Fool means something is preventing you from acknowledging where you want to go and what you want. You can’t start a new phase of life until you break the block.
Examples of the Fool
Specific Interpretations
Specific situations are the general interpretation (from above) used for a specific situation (love, career, etc). There is no need to memorize these (or even look them up) if you understand the general interpretation. However, here are some basic interpretations for some specific situations:
Love & Relationships
When it comes to love and relationships, the Fool is exciting! The Fool typically represents a fun-filled romance filled with spontaneity and excitement.
If you’re in a relationship, the Fool represents an intense love that’s difficult to contain. However, the Fool struggles with commitment and long-term planning making the risk of relationship burnout high.
If you’re single, the Fool suggests an impulsive & exciting romance. However, the Fool struggles with long-term planning and might miss true love if they’re not careful.
Reversed
Negative: a reversed negative Fool spells trouble. All that fun, fun, fun is going to come with some serious consequences.
Opposite: an opposite reversed Fool signifies boredom in your love life.
Blocked: a blocked reversed Fool could indicate that you’re holding yourself back.
Professional Life
Keep your eyes peeled for a new opportunity. It could be a new job, new career, new business, new project, or anything else.
Reversed
Negative: a negative reversed Fool suggests you should be careful of new professional opportunities. They might not be all they seem on the surface and could end up having negative effects on your life.
Opposite: an opposite reversed Fool means that your professional life has stagnated. There are no new opportunities to be had, it might be time to make a major change.
Blocked: a blocked reversed Fool probably means that the biggest obstacle to a new opportunity is you.
Health & Wellness
The Fool represents new beginnings and what’s newer than a baby? If the Fool shows up, you (or your partner) could be pregnant (if not now, soon).
If you’ve been recently ill, the Fool can represent a return to health and energy.
This might be a good time to embark on a new spiritual journey.
Reversed
Negative: a negative reversed Fool means you’re probably going to face a lot more accidents than normal. Hopefully nothing too severe but keep your eyes in front of you.
Opposite: an opposite reversed Fool means that your health is not expected to change in the near future.
Blocked: a blocked reversed Fool means that something is stopping you from having a health or wellness change.
The Fool Tarot Card Meaning
The Fool is card 0, or not numbered, in the Major Arcana. It’s a card of new things so why not take a risk and try something new today.
Once you feel comfortable with the Fool tarot card meaning, check out the next card in the tarot deck: I – The Magician Tarot Card Meaning.
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