Tarot by HH
Originally by Witchywoman:- I hope you don't mind that I resurrect this card for learning purposes
RW Deck Here are my thoughts: First Impression: bright, cheery, care-free, a little oblivious Insights: I noticed that the fool has all 4 qualities present on this journey, however, he is not aware of them as of yet
His pack (wands), the circles or coins on his jacket (petacles), the feather at the top of his head/hat (swords)- [/quote] As always my comments are not to alter your understandings or insights, but rather are another way to look at the symbols
Traditionally:- the red feather represents knowledge and/or folly; his head is encircled with a laurel wreath which symbolizes victory
The wand/staff he carries over his shoulder is representational of creative prowess, the decoration of his jacket represent the Universe
Waite utilized the symbology of the OGD extensively in the creation of his deck and Pamela Colman Smith executed those symbols wonderfully
he is facing toward the left - yin - emotions - (cups)
[/quote] He is facing the left edge of the card, but I wonder how much Oriental philosophy Waite intended
Perhaps the intent was to demonstrate that the Fool was stepping off into incarnate reality by stepping off into Aires the first of the astrological signs of the Wheel of the Year: if we were to imagine the Astrological Wheel encircling the cards the Fool would be stepping directing into Aries, wouldn't he? In the occult representations of the Fool as an initiate on a Journey Aries is where incarnate initiation begins
The bundle, also called a wallet, tied to the end of his wand/staff also has an OGD initiatory purpose: the elaborately decorated wallet of the initiate contains the tools of initiation, the Chalice, the Sword, and the Pentacle
Thus all four tools are convenient to carry and are always in proximity to each other
The sun still seems high in the sky which seems to say his journey is only beginning
I feel that the bag on his shoulders may represent some old 'stuff' from his past that he has yet to confront or let go of
[/quote] Waite says, “The other descriptions say that the wallet contains the bearer's follies and vices, which seems bourgeois and arbitrary.” Looking up and away he seems to be unaware of his emotions, surroundings and potentially harmful situations
If he changes his position a little and learns to listen to his conscious, rational side (the dog) and opens his eyes to listen to his emotional side, the yin direction , he has hope (the sun) to bring balance into his life and grow intellectually, spirtually, materially and emotionally
[/quote] However, in the RWS at least, the Fool does not look up, The Fool does not change position, The Fool does not become aware…the learning, and the awareness takes place ON the journey, as it progresses, not in the unnumbered card
It's in the cards! HH
other posts in this tarot thread
The Fool by HH
The Chinese Tarot Deck's Fool by HH
by WolfChild
by HH
by WolfChild
by HH
*Traditional* Fools by HH
Lösche's Cosmic Tarot by HH
by HH
Some random thoughts, Fool that I Am
by HH
The Fool - couragous? by startide
by HH
The Fool by Witchywoman
by HH
by Witchywoman
by HH
by bluemoon
by bea