Tarot Major Arcana: Journey of the Fool

The Major Arcana of the Tarot tells the story of the fool (or seeker) as they search for enlightenment. In most decks, you will see the fool stepping off a precipice or into the unknown either blindly or without really looking where he is going. He is taking a leap of faith. Originally the fool was unnumbered and was not really counted as part of the Trump cards. He was seen like a joker in a deck of playing cards. He can be seen as both the obstacle and the protagonist. His ignorance is the obstacle and he is starting out naïve, with blind faith on a path of growth and enlightenment. He at ready to start exciting new beginnings.

The rest of the Major Arcana can be broken in to 3 sets or stages of enlightenment.

• Personal: (Cards 1-7) – The Magician through the Chariot

This is where the fool learns about himself and the other people in his life.

• The World (Cards 8-14) -Begins with Strength through Temperance

This is where the fool begins to see himself in the broader world around him and tackles broader issues, ones that extend beyond his personal sphere. He will tackle topics such as seclusion, sacrifice, change, and mortality itself. He is not prepared to take a better look at these topics after learning the more personal lessons in the pervious stage. He now can see that we all live in a “shades of gray world” and none of these are black and white issues. These complex subjects make the fool realize he must decide what his morals and ideals are.

• The Universe (Cards 15-21) – Beginning with the Devil and ending with the World

This is where he begins the cosmic questioning of where he fits in the universe. This is the most intense leg of his journey. It is much more abstract than the other phases and deals with finding your greater purpose. It includes topics such as ultimate judgement, misery, contentment, danger, and hope. The first two phases helped the fool discover and understand who he is and what he stands for. Now he must learn where he fits in the grand scheme of things in the universe.

The story ends with the World which symbolizes the end of a cycle, but a NEW end … which leads the Fool to another New Beginning.

Now we will take a closer look at each step in this Fool’s Journey.

0 – The Fool:

The beginning of an exciting new adventure, free, ready to take on the world, but with no experience as of yet. He is ready to a blind leap of faith that ight just take him off the edge of a cliff. His road is paved with good intentions.

Personal Realm

1 – The Magician:

He realizes that he has the opportunity and hopefully the ability to use all the tools at his disposal (cup, wand, pentacles, and sword or elements) to be the Magician of his own life to create is dream reality. He believes in magic and that by co-creating with the Universe, anything is possible.

2 – The High Priestess

As he explores the metaphysical, the High Priestess comes into his life as he starts to discover the physical and spiritual world on a deeper level. She helps the fool to unlock his intuition and introduces him to a world of Divine wisdom along with esoteric knowledge. She also teaches him that not all of reality can be seen with your eyes.

3 – The Empress

She is the Fool’s mother. She represents the connection with the Earth herself and embodies fertility, abundance, and nurturing.

4 – The Emperor

He represents the Fool’s father. The father that sets the rules to ensure the path is safe and stable. He reminds his so of the importance of structure and traditions that stand up to time. He helps to keep his son grounded while navigating this new spiritual awakening.

5 – The Hierophant

The Fool begins looking for teachers to help him learn more about this new found spirituality. He finds this in the Hierophant. Here is where the Fool begins to be shaped by his teachers and the external cultures, societies, and religions they introduce him to.

6 – The Lovers

After having traveled his path alone, the Fool begins to crave a companion to share his journey with. He discovers all the joys that can come from the union with a lover. He also begins to learn about cooperation and to find balance between the Yin and Yang energies (masculine and feminine).

7 – The Chariot

With all he has learned the Fool is now ready to ride The Chariot towards his goals. He has begun using his willpower and discipline and he knows there is nothing he cannot achieve if he as enough ambition and drive.

The World Realm

8 – Strength

The Fool through his journey so far has developed courage. Through this strength he learns to tame the unfettered ambition he had on The Chariot. He starts learning to choose his battles. He is growing more mature and learning to value self-control.

9 – The Hermit

The Fool decides he has learned so much, now he needs solitude to contemplate and integrate everything he has learned so far. He retreats and becomes the Hermit. In his isolation he begins to see how everything in the world is connected. He begins to glimpse the divine plan of the Universe.

10 – Wheel of Fortune

He sees the Wheel of Fortune in this divine plan. That everything will happen in its season. For good or ill, we are all subject to fate.

11 – Justice

He also recognizes the scales of Justice within the world working to keep balance in all things. This leads him to learn to act with integrity, because every action has a consequence. Whether that consequence is good or bad depends entirely on your actions. What you put out into the world is what is also drawn back to you.

12 – The Hanged Man

The Fool recognizes the support system he has around him. He now feels safe to surrender and sacrifice himself as the Hanged Man. To explore the world from different points of view. The universe will always catch him if he should falter.

13 – Death

The Fool comes to a very important stage and has a Death of ego. He lets go of who he thought he was. Who he was told he was supposed to be. He enters a whole new stage of existence with a clean slate and room to allow new more aligned opportunities to enter his life.

14 – Temperance

With this new stage of existence he finds peace and a quiet stillness. He learns to find balance and have patience to allow what is meant to be to come to him. Rather than to always be on the hunt.

The Universe

15 – The Devil

When the Fool starts out on his journey again he realizes that he is still fettered by his past (emotionally, mentally, physically, or even financially). This limits his growth and healing. The Devil challenges him to look at what no longer serves him and let it go once and for all.

16 – The Tower

This letting go makes the Fool feel like his foundation is crumbling, but it is only by clearing out that rubble of the past so that he can have a clear, strong foundation on which to build his future.

17 – The Star

The Star shines a light of hope and a sense of renewal. It becomes the light at the end of the tunnel for the Fool. It makes him feel confident to shine is true light into the world.

18 – The Moon

The Moon illuminates any old subconscious programming or fears that may hold the Fool back from enjoying his new enlightened state of bliss. The Moon casts the shadow of doubt on old anxieties and fears as the Fool tries to shine his new found light.

19 – The Sun

As the Fool has worked through his old fears, be begins to expand his light; becoming the Sun. This is a complete renewal for him and he is in touch with his soul’s purpose in this lifetime. He no longer feels the need to hide any part of himself from the world. He is in authentic alignment and is shining his light to help others find their path.

20 – Judgement

Having shed his old ego-self the Fool can now see his purpose clearly. There is no longer any room for illusions or false masks to be put on. It is time to answer his soul’s calling.

21 – The World

The Fool has completed his journey. This chapter is closing. It is time to celebrate all the lessons learned and all of the accomplishments. As this chapter closes a whole new cycle is beginning.

0 – This brings us back to the Fool!