The Fool and the dog

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 18 Jan 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Dr Strangelove	18 Jan 2004
I'm only at the beginning of going through my deck and coming up with some alternative interpretations to what's in my book. Whilst looking at the fool, it struck me what's with the dog?!? BTW i'm using the universal waite deck. The white dog at the fool's feet would you say that it's trying to warn him about the cliff's edge? It's on hind legs as if it were trying to signal. Or is it simply bounding alongside him in a similarly nonchalant manner? I can't make up my mind what kind of look it's got on it's face either, sometimes it looks (for lack of a better word), evil, but then sometimes it looks cheerful. If anyone has any ideas about this i would like to know what you think. Dr Strangelove

firemaiden	18 Jan 2004
Hey Dr. Strangelove... check out this thread: What's with the dog?

Dr Strangelove	18 Jan 2004
Cheers, i did a search, but nothing came up

firemaiden	18 Jan 2004
Don't worry, I know... Search is very difficult to use. It very often does not catch what you are looking for. There are many threads for example that search won't know are relevant. For example, a thread about the fool might be entitle "zero" or "a feather in his cap" or some such reference. This is why I have compiled a huge table of contents at the top of this forum. It is hard to see, because it blends in with a lot of other notices. But there it is, here is a link: Forum Table of Contents I make an attempt to keep this updated, or somewhat updated, any how. Of course, this does not mean you are not allowed to start new threads. I think there is much more that we can say about the doggie. I was just thinking, that there are a couple linguistic constructs that the doggie brings to mind right away. One of them is: something nipping at your heels, something biting you, something egging you on, the wolf at your heels, etc. I think of the doggie as the voice of the unconscious surfacing, the inner core of purity in man, like love "barking at the moon"as Tom Robbins would say (in the novel I am just reading :D)

Samweiz	28 Jan 2004
I am relatively new to the tarot and this is my first post to the Aeclectic Tarot Forum! I will just jump right in with the spontaneity of the fool and give you my impression. The white dog is a symbol of purity, innocence and loyalty to its master. There is no questioning about where its master is going or doing. I see the dog innocently following along with pure enthusiasm and blissful loyalty.

Star Spirit	28 Jan 2004
Quote: I can't make up my mind what kind of look it's got on it's face either, sometimes it looks (for lack of a better word), evil, but then sometimes it looks cheerful. Aha! You see, to me, there is a reason for that. Often I will look at the faces on my cards when I do readings, and their expressions often help me with my card interpretations. If the dog looks, well, evil, it could perhaps be indicating to you that this is a bad situation (the naive, dangerous, not as good as it seems kind of situation), whereas if the dog looks cheerful, it could be a lighthearted, rebirth or wonderful new journey kind of situation. Obviously the facial expressions on the cards aren't changing by themselves, so I think it all has to do with our intuitive abilities and the way we are reading the cards. I believe we see the faces in the way that reflects how we perceive the situation. Hope this helped.

firemaiden	28 Jan 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Samweiz I am relatively new to the tarot and this is my first post to the Aeclectic Tarot Forum! I will just jump right in with the spontaneity of the fool and give you my impression. The white dog is a symbol of purity, innocence and loyalty to its master. There is no questioning about where its master is going or doing. I see the dog innocently following along with pure enthusiasm and blissful loyalty. Hey Samweiz, welcome to the forum! :) I like your interpretation of the doggie, it makes of him a kind of second fool.

maya	28 Jan 2004
I tell you something different. Look at the word DOG and reverse it. It becomes GOD. Those of you familiar with things like the astral realm may have heard that in that dimension things are reversed to our ordinary dimension. The dog sometimes biting, sometimes jumping, is the fool's conscience letting him make the choice to explore what part he is in god. That is the reason he incarnates. [font=times] [font=times][/font] [font=times][/font][font=times][/font] [font=times]

ol_crazy_Legs	28 Jan 2004
The Dog is tryin warn the fool... from making the "Wrong Step"

Thirteen	28 Jan 2004
Quote: Originally posted by ol_crazy_Legs The Dog is tryin warn the fool... from making the "Wrong Step" Well, the thing is that some interpetations have the dog trying to harry the Fool--they place the dog as the reason the Fool is heading over the cliff in the first place, because he's either dancing away from this barking, biting dog--or being distracted by it. Most readers interpet the dog as belonging to the Fool, but remember that, historically speaking, a motley fellow on the road would be the one that farmers would sic their dogs on. I tend to believe the dog is trying to stop the Fool as well, and that's the primary interpetation for this card. HOWEVER, we should recognize that the dog can be ambiguous as to intent and purpose. Dogs are usually man's best friend, loyal, smart, loving, friendly. But it's never a good idea to anthropormophize any animal too much. Nature is nature, and it can't ever be entirely tamed.

Samweiz	29 Jan 2004
There are many meanings that the dog symbolizes and its meaning could change with each querant and tarot spread configuration. This where our intuitive connection with the querant comes into play ... so in one reading the dog could be a major player and in another reading the dog is a minor adjunct ... "I feel the dog represents someone very loyal to you who is trying to warn you concerning some impulsive action you are taking which could lead to a disaster ... and frankly, you are oblivious to the warning itself, or so naive that you take the warning too lightly", or "You are about to take a leap of faith into some venture that looks risky, and you have a loyal friend or partner who is supporting you in this."

TemperanceAngel	29 Jan 2004
KEYNOTE: Faithfulness and protection. Domesticcated canines, descendants from the coyote and wolf. Different dogs mean different things. Some dogs were raised for hunting and retrieving etc. In Greece it was a companion to and Guardian of the place of the dead. It has also been a symbol of motherhood because dogs are very nuturing caring parents. It takes a lot to break a dog's spirit. It's ability to love even when abused, is tremendous. It's spirit and willingness to love and to be a companion is great. The dog is a powerful totem, reflecting faithfulness and companionship. XTAX

The The Fool and the dog thread was originally posted on 18 Jan 2004 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.