The Fool's Journey Part One

We begin with The Fool. A card of beginnings. This card stands for each of us at the beginning of our journey of life. He is a fool because he is only a simple soul. He has the innocent faith to undertake such a journey with all of its hazards and pain. He is open. He is spontaneous. He is ready to embrace whatever comes his way, but also oblivious to the cliff edge that he's about to cross. He is unaware of the hardships he will face as he ventures out of the world. He is poised between positive and negative. Set in the middle of his own universe. Strangely empty, but imbued with a desire to go forward and learn.

The Fool encounters The Magician and The High Priestess. The great balancing forces that make up the world.

The Magician is positive. He represents the active, masculine power of creative impulse. Our conscious awareness. He allows us to impact the world through a concentration of individual will and power.

The High Priestess is negative. She is the mysterious unconsciousness. She provides the fertile ground in which creative events occur. She represents our unrealized potential waiting for an active principle to bring it to expressions.

As he grows, he recognizes his mother - a warm, loving woman who nourishes and cares for him. He comes to know Mother Earth who nurtures him in a much larger sense. The Empress represents the world of nature and sensation. He delights in the abundant goodness of Mother Earth who surrounds us with her support.

Next, he encounters the father (The Emperor) who represents structure and authority. He begins to realize the patterns of the world. Discovering order and rules. Learning that his will is not always paramount and that there are certain behaviors necessary for his well-being. Restrictions can be frustrating, but through patient direction, The Fool begins to understand his purpose.

Eventually, He ventures out of his home into the wider world. He is exposed to the beliefs and traditions of his culture and begins formal education. The Hierophant represents organized belief systems that begin to surround and inform The Fool. A Hierophant is someone who interprets arcane knowledge and mysteries. It symbolizes initiation- identifying with a group and discovering a sense of belonging. The customs of society and showing how well he can conform to them.

The Fool faces two new challenges. He experiences the powerful urge of sexual union with another person. He feels the balancing tendency, pictured by The Lovers, to reach out and become half of a loving partnership. He is yearning for relationship, but also needs to decide on his own beliefs and must determine his own values if he is to be true to himself.

The Fool becomes an adult. He has a strong identity and a certain mastery over himself and has developed an inner control which allows him to triumph over his environment. The Chariot represents the victorious ego that is his crowning achievement so far. A proud and commanding figure riding victoriously through his world. In visible control of himself and all that he surveys. He is assured confidence.

Over time, life presents The Fool with new challenges, some that may cause suffering and disillusionment. He has many occasions to draw on the quality of Strength.

Pressed to develop courage and resolve and find the heart to keep going despite setbacks. He also discovers the quiet attributes of patience and tolerance. He realizes the willful command of The Chariot must be tempered by kindliness and the softer power of a loving approach.

This is the end of part one. Come back for part two :)