"The Fool awoke with a start, his heart racing as he blinked in surprise at the strange sights before him...."Card 0, this seemingly empty canvas carries profound significance. The Fool is associated with new beginnings, taking risks, and the childlike wonder of venturing into the unknown. It is a card of optimism, innocence, and sometimes, naivety. The Fool suggests that anything is possible if we are willing to take a leap of faith and trust in ourselves and the universe.

Numerology

Pythagorean numerology:In Pythagorean numerology, the number 0 is typically considered as the "Zero" or "Cipher." It is a symbol of potentiality, the void, and the limitless possibilities from which all things may emerge. The Fool is free from preconceived notions and unburdened by past experiences. It symbolizes courage, spontaneity, and trusting life's unfolding, inviting us to embark on a new adventure and embrace the unknown with childlike curiosity.

Kabbalistic numerology disclaimer: Kabbalistic numerology does not entirely relate to the Rider Waite style Tarot we are talking about today. It is more in line with Aleister Crowley's Thoth deck. Arthur Wait also studied the Kabbala in his time with the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, but he seems to lean more toward Pythagorean numerology with the Rider Waite deck. That being said, I still think it’s lots of fun so we will look at it when I think it’s pertinent.

Kabbalistic numerology: Aleister Crowley didn't like to number his Fool card at all. He did this to emphasize the idea that the Fool exists beyond the limitations of numbered existence. There are 3 kinds of 'nothing' in Kabbalistic practice he and Waite studied prior to making thier cards. Ain, Ain Soph, and Ain Soph Aur. Lets break them down and try to wrap our minds around what 0 really meant to some of the founders of Tarot and Magic.

אין Ain: Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Not. The nothing that has always been and will always be. A complete absence of anything we can comprehend. It's like trying to imagine a color that doesn't exist – it's beyond our frame of reference. The hebrew word for it is אין. Oh you didn't know we were learning hebrew today? Are you taking notes yet?

אין סוף Ain Soph: Limitless nothing. This literally translates to "Infinite" or "No End." It represents the ultimate reality of God before any creation or manifestation. It's seen as beyond human comprehension, existing in a state of absolute unity and oneness. This still nothing, but now it's nothing with infinite potential. It's like a vast ocean of pure being, but unlike an ocean, it has no boundaries or characteristics. We can't imagine its form, only its endless nature.

אור Aur: This means "Light." In Kabbalah, it symbolizes the divine energy or consciousness that emanates from the Ain Soph.

אין סוף אור Ain Soph Our: Limitless Light. Limitless energy. Ain Soph Aur represents the paradox of the divine. How can something, come from nothing? How can the infinite give rise to the finite? Ain Soph Our represents the divine origin of all created existence. It's like a spark igniting within the vastness of Ain Soph. Now it has a potential for creation. This unknowable energy is the key to any successful manifestation and our very first lesson as we begin our fools journey. I'd advise you to take a moment and meditate on Ain, Ain Soph, and Ain Soph Aur. Then put it in your back pocket and move on to the symbolism. Don't let it drive you mad. You wont understand it anyway lol.

The symbolism behind the card

Backpack: The wallet slung over his right shoulder is intricately embroidered, but what does the fool have in his fancy bag? We know from the numerology that the Fool is nothing with limitless energy. This is before he has even taken his first step on the fools journey. He hasn't had a chance to obtain anything, and yet he has all he needs with the infinite energy of Ain Soph Aur.

Wand: Wands are associated with passion, willpower, action, and creativity. The staff the Fool carries can be seen as a representation of these qualities. It's a tool for him to navigate his journey and take action towards his desires. He uses it to cassually carry his precious bag and I think thats awesome too. Something about using your desire and passions to navigate through your life or something like that. There is a ton to unfold here between the bag and the wand. I'd love to hear what you think in the comments at the end.

White Rose: The Fools rose helps reinforce the idea of new beginnings. Just before making the cards and writing The Pictorial Key to the Tarot, Arthur Waite studied with a variety of secret societies in hopes of unlocking the secrets of the universe. These societies studied many different cutures and religions. This is what some of those thought about roses.

Floriography: In the Victorian Language of Flowers, "Floriography", The White Rose symbolized new beginnings and pure intentions, mainly because of its association with weddings. It also represents a new start, wisdom, and innocence in many Victorian flower dictionaries.

Birth of Aphrodite: According to some Greek myths, the first rose emerged from the seafoam alongside Aphrodite, the goddess of love. This association with birth aligns with the Victorian idea of new beginnings.

Roses in Tombs: The ancient Egyptians placed roses in tombs and we don't really know why, but many speculate that they were offerings for the Gods or to symbolize new beginnings in the next life.

Feather: The feather in his hat symbolizes the ability to navigate through life with a sense of freedom and grace. Lets take a look at what some of the topics Waite may have studied. By exploring these cultural and esoteric connections, we can gain a richer understanding of the feathers symbolism and its relevance to the Fool's journey.

Greek Mythology: Hermes is most often depicted having wings on his sandals (Talaria), and his wide-brimmed hat (Petasos). The wings symbolize his speed and ability to travel between realms. The Fool is infinite and transcends ideas of time and space, so traveling between realms fits the narrative to some extent. Though Arthur Waite made no mention of the feather in Pictorial Key, his studies with the Hermetic order of the Golden Dawn would have made him very aware of this connection.

Egyptian Iconography: The feather, most commonly an ostrich feather, is the prime symbol of Maat, the goddess of truth, justice, cosmic order, and balance. Maat played a crucial role in the afterlife. The hearts of the deceased were weighed against the feather of Maat. If the heart was lighter than the feather (meaning they lived a just life), the deceased passed into the afterlife. The feather served as a symbol of truth and a yardstick for moral character. The Fool represents new beginnings and untamed potential. Similarly, the feather in Egyptian iconography can be seen as a symbol of fresh starts. Just as the deceased stood before Maat's feather with a clean slate in the afterlife, the Fool stands at the beginning of their journey, unburdened by past experiences.

The Cliff: A symbol of the unknown and the leap of faith required when embarking on a new adventure. It represents the uncharted territories of life, encouraging us to take risks and trust in the journey. According to Arthur Waite, "The edge which opens on the depth has no terror; it is as if angels were waiting to uphold him if it came about that he leaped from the height." This perspective suggests that the challenges we face when stepping into the unknown are not to be feared but rather embraced, as if divine forces are ready to support us on our daring leap. Lets explore potential sources of inspiration for the cliffs portrayal in the Fool card, drawing from Waite's knowledge.

Celtic Mythology: In Celtic cultures, cliffs were often seen as places in between worlds. They were believed to be portals or gateways to the faerie realm, a hidden dimension alongside our own. This realm was often described as a place of perpetual beauty, abundance, and powerful magic. The Fool, standing on the cliff's edge perfectly embodies the concept of a liminal space. He is at the threshold of a journey, uncertain of what lies ahead, but open to the possibilities.

Hermeticism: emphasizes the oneness of all things. The Fool and the cliff are seemingly separate but the idea of Divine Oneness suggests that the challenges the Fool faces are not obstacles but rather opportunities for learning and growth within the grand scheme of the universe.

Dog Friend: The little dog at his heels represents our instincts and our need for companionship and protection. Lets explore the symbolism of dogs and their possible influence on Waite's design of the Fool card.

Ancient Egypt: Dogs were cherished companions in ancient Egyptian households. They even took dogs to parties and stuff. Anubis, the jackal-headed god, guided and protected souls as they journeyed to the underworld. Many of the Egyptian gods kept company with dogs also. Examples include Bata, a god of protection, and Bennu, a phoenix-like deity associated with rebirth. These associations emphasize the dog's role as a protector and a symbol of positive transformation.

Greek Mythology: Hecate, the goddess of crossroads, magic, and witchcraft, was often depicted with dogs as companions. With the Fool standing at a literal and metaphorical crossroads, the white dog could symbolize intuition needed to navigate such a space.

Celtic Cultures: In Celtic lore, dogs were seen as psychopomps (guides for the dead) and protectors. This is very similar to the Egyptian mythology. I find it awesome how often the symbolism of the cards line up across multiple cultures and religions. We look specifically at these topics because they are the cultures and philosophies that Arthur Waite studied with the hermetic order of the golden dawn prior to creating the Rider Waite tarot cards.

Sun: The Sun's daily journey across the sky and its annual cycle of seasons represent cycles and journeys. Waite's quote, "The sun, which shines behind him, knows whence he came, whither he is going, and how he will return by another path after many days." reflects this cyclical nature. Lets take a look at some of the things that Waite may have studied before writing this.

The Hermetic Sun: The Sun is seen as the masculine principle within the Hermetic framework. It represents active energy, willpower, and consciousness. The Fool stands on the precipice of their journey, full of potential. The Hermetic Sun behind them could represent the inner fire and willpower needed to take that first step.

Greek mythology: Helios was the personification of the sun and drove a chariot across the sky daily, bringing light and warmth. This chariot journey echoes the cyclical nature represented by the Sun in the Fool card.

White Mountaintops: The White Mountaintops appear on several cards, symbolizing spiritual heights and aspirations. Waite was likely familiar with mythological mountains like Mount Olympus (Greek) or Mount Meru (Hindu), which were seen as abodes of the gods or places of enlightenment. This connects to the unknown journey the Fool is about to embark on, potentially leading them to a higher state of being.

Alchemical Symbolism: Alchemical texts sometimes used mountains to represent obstacles or challenges that needed to be overcome in the alchemical process.

Sidhe (Fairy mounds): Celtic mythology features sidhe, otherworldly mounds often located on hills or mountains. Reaching a sidhe could represent a journey to a higher plane of existence. These mounds were seen as entrances to the Otherworld, where one might encounter knowledge, wisdom, or magical abilities.

The Ascension of the Pharaoh: In Egyptian mythology, the deceased pharaoh's soul was believed to ascend a primeval mound to reach the realm of the gods. This mound could be seen as a symbolic mountain representing the journey to a higher state of being in the afterlife.

Examples

Lets take a deep dive into what this card might mean in different spreads and positions

Love/Friendship:

Upright: In a love or friendship reading, the Fool card could suggest that the individual is at the start of a new romantic journey or friendship. It may indicate a carefree and open-hearted approach to relationships, with a willingness to take risks and embrace the unknown

Reversed: Reversed Fool could suggest caution, recklessness, or a potential lack of foresight in relationships. It may indicate that the individual should be mindful of impulsive decisions or be wary of taking unnecessary risks in their relationships. It could also signify a need to approach love with a bit more groundedness and awareness rather than diving headlong into situations without considering the consequences.

Obstacle:

Upright: When the Fool card appears in the Obstacle position, it suggests that the individual may be facing challenges related to indecision, recklessness, or a lack of careful planning. The quarrent might be struggling with making impulsive decisions or may need to exercise more caution in their endeavors.

Reversed: The reversed Fool may suggest that the individual is hesitant or fearful about embracing change and taking risks. There could be a resistance to stepping into the unknown. The reversed Fool may also signify a reluctance to be spontaneous or to explore uncharted territories. There could be a need to break free from a more rigid or structured mindset.

Health:

Upright:The Fool in the upright position of a health reading may indicate a fresh start or a new phase in your health journey. It suggests embracing change, taking a leap of faith, and being open to new approaches to improve your well-being.

Reversed: When reversed, the Fool may warn against recklessness or carelessness regarding your health. It could indicate the need for caution and thoughtful consideration of your well-being.

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Finance

Upright: The Fool card in an upright position may signify a need to take calculated risks in financial matters. It could suggest that embracing a new venture or investment with a sense of optimism and adventure might lead to positive outcomes.

Reversed: When reversed, it could signify ignoring warning signs or being overly optimistic without proper assessment of risks. This may lead to financial setbacks if not approached with a more realistic mindset.

Self:

Upright:The upright Fool card signifies a willingness to take risks, embrace change, and trust in the journey ahead. It suggests a carefree and open-minded attitude, indicating that you are ready to embark on a new chapter in your life. This could involve personal growth, adventure, or a leap of faith in pursuing your goals. It encourages you to trust your instincts and be open to unforeseen opportunities.

Reversed: In reverse, the Fool card cautions against recklessness and impulsive decisions. It could suggest a need for careful consideration and a more grounded approach before diving into new endeavors. You might be holding back from taking necessary risks or exploring uncharted territories due to concerns about the potential consequences.

Hobby/Career:

Upright: The upright Fool suggests that there may be new and exciting opportunities in your hobby or career. It encourages you to embrace change and be open to unconventional paths.

Reversed: In a reversed position, the Fool may suggest that you are missing out on potential opportunities due to hesitation or fear. It encourages you to overcome your reservations.

Advice:

Upright: The card suggests embracing new opportunities with an open mind and a sense of adventure. It may encourage you to take calculated risks, step into the unknown, have faith that things will unfold naturally, and trust the journey you're on.

Reversed: In a reversed position, the Fool may advise exercising caution and being more thoughtful before making decisions. The reversed Fool could also indicate a fear of change or an unwillingness to step out of one's comfort zone.

Some brief ramblings from the author:

For me, the Fool card carries a unique numerological significance — 0, representing both nothingness and the potential for everything. Rather than being a mere participant in the journey, the Fool is the one actively experiencing it. In my book, "A Fool's Journey," a narrative unfolds where the Fool traverses his path, encountering various cards that impart essential lessons for leading an enlightened life.

New beginnings? Sure. Innocence? Absolutely. But the fool shares these traits with many other cards such as the four aces. The Fool stands out by existing beyond the typical course of the Fool's Journey. Both he and the World stand apart as the beginning and the end. Much like the serpent devouring its tail. Notably, in my Cheatsheet, the numerology aligns in such a way that, when folded into a cylinder, the Fool and the World cards seamlessly interlock. This meticulous alignment is intentional, echoing the idea that the world adheres to patterns — "as above, so below."

Yall Stay Magical.