the Fool Reversed ?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 25 Dec 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Isabelle	25 Dec 2002
At the moment, I've got a problem with the Fool when it's reversed. For me it means thoughtlessnees, folly, immaturity, irrationality, insecurity and in some cases, naivety. But what when it's reversed ? I've experienced it could mean a sort of apathy and hesitation. What do you think about it ? And Merry Christmas to all of you !

Ophiel	25 Dec 2002
If you don't want this hassle try this...There is a poll in this Topic about whether or not to reverse cards in readings. Vote "NO" and just don't pay atttention to that Fool standing on his head! And I think Diana shuffles her cards carefully (Virgo!) and doesn't get any reversals! How's that? ;)

Mojo	25 Dec 2002
Gee, what a great solution. I think I'll apply it to other things in life. I hate stopping at traffic signals, so I think I'll go buy a pair of glasses that filters out the color red. That way I don't have to stop anymore. And since I don't like paying taxes, I'll just find myself a poll and vote for no taxes, then I can keep all my money for myself. I didn't realize it was that simple!

Diana	25 Dec 2002
Mojo: if you would care to read the thread that Ophiel has mentioned, then you will realise that people who do not REVERSE the cards PHYSICALLY, do not ignore so-called REVERSE MEANINGS. I just don't call them reversed meanings, I call them meanings. Punkt. So to get back to Isabelle's original question, here are some of the things (amongst others) that a Reverse Meaning (whichever direction you care to place the card on the table is) could mean to me: Psychiatric illness (at it's very worst - how's that for a so-called reversed meaning. I have seen this card in a position where it meant this, and it was scary. It wasn't in a spread about me, though ;) ). Badly thought out plans and decisions Unreliability Ignorance Accident Illusion Running away from responsibility Discouragement Despair A danger signal, a warning Refusal to evolve and accept changes Being lost (literally or figuratively) Difficulty to find one's place in society Nervousness due to inner anguish Someone (often children) who have no bearings in life, due to lack of landmarks Irrationality..... etc. etc. etc. Of course, this all depends on the cards that surround the Fool.

Diana	25 Dec 2002
Isabelle: I just re-read your post. Actually, the meanings you give to the Fool are what I would consider reversed meanings. I am very interested to hear what other people have to say here (when they have returned to the forums after their festive celebrations which I hope have been pleasant.)

raeanne	25 Dec 2002
Hi, The Fool card for me is often freedom and inhibition. So, reversed it would be blocked or the inability to be spontaneous and joyful. A reversed Fool could be what is sometimes called a “party pooper” or a stick in the mud old fart that won’t loosen up and act natural.

Umbrae	25 Dec 2002
Ahhh – the Fool reversed… Coyote says, “Out of order, comes chaos – and there is nothing to stop it. Boundaries will be moved, and in doing so, the boundaries will be defined.”

Trogon	26 Dec 2002
Hi Isabelle... I'd have to agree with Diana, many of the meanings you suggested for The Fool ("thoughtlessnees, folly, immaturity, irrationality, insecurity") sound to me like the reversed meanings for the card. To me, The Fool represents several things, someone who is starting on a spiritual journey - experiencing a spiritual awakening of sorts. But also someone who is carefree, jolly, happy with his/her lot in life, or perhaps a person who is offered a choice - he or she can step off the cliff or decide to turn around. Reversed, we see the person making the choice but making it based on faulty wisdom, listening to advice from the wrong source instead of one's own wisdom. Here also, the carefree, jolly vagabond becomes the lazy, unreliable person. The happiness turns to bitterness, resentment and so forth. As Diana mentioned, I can see this representing certain types of mental illness as well, depending on the position of the card and other cards with it. As far as whether or not you're going to use physical reversals in your readings... that, of course, is entirely up to you. I will say though, that the reversals help me to see more readily how to interpret the card. The positive and negative meanings would still be there if I didn't use reversals, but having the card turned around helps me to more easily see which way to read it. [edited to add:] Oh... Merry Christmas to you as well... ;)

tarotbear	26 Dec 2002
The reversed Fool also says HEY STUPID! YOU DIDN'T PAY ATTENTION WHERE YOU WERE GOING SO YOU LANDED ON YOUR HEAD! It can also indicate a time to get your head out of the clouds and ground yourself.

bec	26 Dec 2002
0 - the fool: The Fool is a funny character, as he walks on the cliffs there seem to be nothing that could make him worry or care. Though getting The Fool reversed could be a statement or even a warning that it is time to grow up now. Maybe life is no longer all play and fun, if you have committed your self to another person or project then at least acknowledge the responsibilities for that and grow up. The dog is usually the one trying to warn the fool, though when reversed this could indicate that the persons in your life usually playing the dog is getting tired of trying to save your sorry …. If you know what I mean. If you are not willing to grow up and take responsibility for your own life and actions, then do not expect others to do it for you. This is taken from my reversal guide http://www.anjastarot.dk/reversals/majors/TheFoolReversed.htm hope you can use it for something anja

lupo138	26 Dec 2002
although I feel great sympathy with Tarotbears interpretation I would generally say that the meaning of a card is always depending on the surrounding cards. As there have been numerous threads about reversals I just want to summarize, that reversals could mean a) diminishing the "basic" meaning b) the opposite of it c) putting the meaning "inwards" instead of "outwards" d) 100 other possibilities. Basically I would say that if the Fool shows up reversed quite often, the querent is either acting in a rather irrational way or he/she refuses to follow his/her inner voice that shows the path one "should" follow.

Diana	26 Dec 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Umbrae Ahhh – the Fool reversed… Coyote says, “Out of order, comes chaos – and there is nothing to stop it. Boundaries will be moved, and in doing so, the boundaries will be defined.” If the boundaries are defined, then where is the chaos? And which is the reversed meaning? The Order? Or the Chaos?

Umbrae	26 Dec 2002
Upright…From chaos comes order. Rx…From order comes chaos…welcome to the borderlands. I have been asked, “If the boundaries are defined, then where is the chaos?” In the RW deck, the Fool approaches the edge of a cliff. I ask, what will occur when he reaches the very edge? Will he fall? That is what we expect. Perhaps he will define the space between this edge and the far edge…not define the cliff, but the chasm that is created by the cliffs. Perhaps the Fool will continue walking – into space – in a few steps the dog will realize what has happened and fall; as the Fool keeps walking – to the far cliff edge, defining the chasm for those of us who are the onlookers, and the real fools, for we cannot understand what we have seen – and ultimately experienced. The Fool reversed…Chaos has come to visit…best learn to enjoy.

lupo138	26 Dec 2002
aren´t there decks that depict the dog biting into the Fool´s leg ? I faintly remember so, but am not too sure of that. Anyway, what I wanted to say: To walk over a cliff can be interpreted as a test of one´s belief - does any of you remember that scene in the Indiana Jones movie about the search for the holy grail ;) ? If you do not care for the abyss, it could turn out that there is a bridge or you are learning to fly. This is not a meaning that I ever really gave the Fool within a reading, but I had this associaton sometimes and wanted it to share with you. I hope you like it, even if it is just a thought, nothing more.

The the Fool Reversed ? thread was originally posted on 25 Dec 2002 in the Using Tarot Cards board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Using Tarot Cards, or read more archived threads.