The Fool - It's in the Bag!

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 28 Sep 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

gloria	28 Sep 2003
Kiama’s thread on the Fool and his stance on the cliff prompted me to write about what he may have in his bag. I like the idea that it holds his experiences, from past lives as well as experiences from his current life. The bag looks weightless. Maybe this shows that although he hasn’t abandoned the knowledge he has acquired, he hasn’t let it bog him down, in the way that memories and traumas so often manage to control our own lives. The Fool lives for today and what it may bring, whereas the dog at his heels represents the past, but one which calls you back and prevents you from experiencing the present. The clasp on the bag is in the form of an eagle’s head, symbolic of the soaring spirit, perhaps the flight into the unknown. Some may call him reckless, but I think we need The Fool and his courage to move us on in our lives, wherever that may be. PS I have read somewhere that the bag could contain the four elements. He relates pretty well to Fire and Water which represents the way of transformation. What do you think? I’d welcome your views.

Thirteen	28 Sep 2003
Quote: Originally posted by gloria Kiama’s thread on the Fool and his stance on the cliff prompted me to write about what he may have in his bag. Let us remember that the Fool can also be a fool :) The fact that the bag is there over his shoulder is important. It may contain all anyone needs to become or do or know anything (cup, sword, pentacle/coin--and the stick on which it hangs is the wand). However, all that magic is bundled up and resting there out of sight. He carries it with him, but he doesn't see it, use it, or likely even think about it. It's only when the Fool finally comes to his destination that he'll unpack and make use of all that's in his traveling bag. Right now, it's just potential.

gloria	28 Sep 2003
Yes Diana I agree, The Fool aint no Fool. There is a saying, The Fool is what the average man sees when he meets a wise man. You say you see him at the end rather than the beginning, but you could say he belongs anywhere in the deck. Between other cards or in combination with. Isn't this how he gains his experiences, coming to grips with difficult transitions especially in the Major area. I did forget to say, I have the RW Fool in mind. How's the book going Thirteen?

Inana	28 Sep 2003
The bag is empty thats why it looks weightless. The Fool is not carrying the bag because he has anything important inside. He is wearing the bag to fill it in his journey. Why if not is he a fool? He doesnt need to carry anything. All he needs is himself and to walk the way.

HudsonGray	28 Sep 2003
Maybe he bows to tradition? You leave home, ergo you take a bag--even if nothing is in it. It's foolishness to carry an empty bag on the start of a journey, but it can come in handy later. (Maybe his mom said 'you don't leave this house without packing!'?)

Thirteen	29 Sep 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Diana for me the Fool comes at the End, and not at the Beginning.... Isn't the end a new beginning? Not to get all Zen on you, but zero is the portal, end to beginning, yes?

wolfen045	29 Sep 2003
For me the Fool is at both ends of the Major Arcana sequence. In the begining, his bag is empty of everything but potential. As he journeys along his way each of the other cards/persons he meets gives him a gift. These are gifts which enrich his spirit as well as his mind. At the end his bag is filled with his experience(s). It still seems light, because in his own way he is as innocent as a child. His mind and heart are light and carefree. He dances along knowing that in spite of its dark places the world is filled with joy and beauty... Blessings, wolfen

gloria	30 Sep 2003
I'd go along with that Wolfen. Thanks to all. Gloria

KelarSkye	30 Sep 2003
Could it be that the bag can carry anything, but no matter what it is, it doesn't seem to burden him. The Fool is open to whatever corsses his path, no preconceptions, no fears, no burdens. He may have a wealth of stuff in that bag, but it doesn't weigh on him, just there and handy whenever he needs it (or remembers it as the case may be). Kelar

The The Fool - It's in the Bag! thread was originally posted on 28 Sep 2003 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.