The Fool Upright Meaning

Pamela Coleman-Smith's artful rendition of The Fool in the Rider-Waite Tarot

deck is often used to represent Tarot in general. Early classical versions of The
Fool card, however, portray quite a different character -- a person driven by base
needs and urges, who has fallen into a state of poverty and deprivation.

In some earlier instances, The Fool is made out to be a carnival entertainer or a

huckster. In others, he is portrayed as decrepit and vulnerable -- as the
cumulative result of his delusions and failures. Not until the 20th century do you
see the popular Rider-Waite image of The Fool arise -- that of an innocent soul
before its fall into matter, untainted by contact with society and all its ills.

Modern decks usually borrow from the Rider-Waite imagery. Most Fool cards
copy the bucolic mountainside scene, the butterfly, and the potential misplaced
step that will send The Fool tumbling into the unknown. Don't forget, though, that
the earlier versions of this card represented already-fallen humanity, over-
identified with the material plane of existence, and beginning a pilgrimage toward
self-knowledge and, eventually, wisdom. The Fool reminds us to recognize the
path of personal development within ourselves -- and the stage upon that path
where we find ourselves -- in order to energize our movement toward deeper
self-realization.

The Fool Reversed Meaning

When the Fool card is reversed, you are encountering an unfinished side of
yourself, a part still caught in the shadows of ignorance or immaturity. An
emotional reflex or psychological attitude could be holding you back from
responding authentically and naturally.

Release yourself from any dogmas or taboos so your natural truthfulness and
instinct for right action can be restored.