Symbolizing: The Fool

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 25 Apr 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Thirteen	25 Apr 2004
I'm starting up a set of threads (3 per week) to examine the symbolism in the Majors. Nothing so formal or deep as to be called a "study group," but rather what you like and what you don't. What you feel ought to be there...or not. For this thread, the Fool. Just answer one or more of the following: 1) What elements from any Fool card from any deck do you feel BEST symbolize the Fool? (Example: "I really like crocodile used in the Egyptian Tarot....") 2) What elements common to most Fool cards in most decks do you really feel are all WRONG for the Fool? (Example: "I've NEVER liked that darn dog...!") 3) What symbol have you always felt was right for the Fool Card, but you've yet to see it? (Example: "I'd love to see a dodo bird displayed on the card...."). You don't have to answer all the above, but do offer some "why's?" as to what you answer. Why don't you/do you like that darn dog? What does it mean that feels/doesn't feel like the Fool to you?

ncefafn	26 Apr 2004
Out of my six go-to decks, I think the symbol I like best of all the Fools is Robin Wood's use of the butterflies surrounding her Fool. There are three, and they seem to be fluttering around him, although he's clearly not chasing them. The butterflies, for me, represent the freshness of spring, the airiness of freedom, the liberty to roam at will and the ability to take life lightly. Kim

closrapexa	26 Apr 2004
In the RWS, I think the cliff is as powerful a symbol as you could find. There is no such cliff in the Thoth but for the life of me I couldn't tell you where I'd put it, the card is one of the busiest. What I don't like is the fact that the Fool is carrying a bag, now, that may be very well for decks that portray him as a vagabond, but in other decks where his the very essence of purity, or as Crowley defines so well, "the moment of divine consiousness" it adds unnecessary baggage to a situation where I feel the fool already has all that he needs, himself.

Moongold	26 Apr 2004
I am fascinated by the bare bottom of the Fool in the Marseilles. Nobody ever speaks about it. Was the tear in the Fool's pants created by that little creature at his heels (is THAT what this little fellow is really doing? Or does it say something about the Fool's insouciance and style? I love this particular Fool.

Darla	26 Apr 2004
I love that darn dog! :D This has several reasons. First, I'm crazy about dogs so this explains a lot. ;) But moreover, I like that the Fool has a friend and partner who is with him. He warns him and helps him with his sixth sense. Maybe one could also draw the connection to animal (spirit) helpers. Also I think that playing with a dog suits the lighthearted character of the Fool. I don't have the Quest Tarot but this deck has the most astounding and beautiful yet still traditional and meaningful Fool IMO.

ncefafn	26 Apr 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Moongold I am fascinated by the bare bottom of the Fool in the Marseilles. Nobody ever speaks about it. For some reason when you mentioned this, a memory from an old French class flashed into my head. The peasants who eventually became revolutionaries were sneeringly referred to by the aristocracy as the "sans culottes" -- they didn't wear underwear. Perhaps for the designer of the Marseilles tarot, the Fool must be a peasant or a revolutionary, someone without a vested interest in the status quo. For a modern American reader, you could look at this Fool as Kramer going commando -- he's out there and lovin' it! :D Kim

The Symbolizing: The Fool thread was originally posted on 25 Apr 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.