Articles and Thoughts on the Tarot

Today's card was the Fool. The zero card in the Major Arcana stared back at me from my hand. I wondered why he'd shown up this morning. The day after Death. Then I realized that it made sense. Yesterday was a change day and changes were made. Things were talked about. Emotions were laid out for examination. Karma yesterday and new beginning today.

But the Fool also carries the message of caution. Don't start without being aware that you are starting. That may be the single biggest waste of my personal time I do on a regular basis. I start without thinking. I think I know what I am starting, but do I?

I recently started my Tarot Journal. I began with the first card, the Fool. What follows are my own thoughts on the Fool as it applies in readings. In parentheses are my comments to my own comments. Now I am confused! What a foolish thing. :-)

0 The Fool

Carries a bag. All his worldly goods or his hopes and dreams? (And today I realize that bag has more than worldly goods. It is everything he has. His hopes, his dreams, his possessions, his memories, his love, his very spirit and soul are in that bag.)

In the Shakespeare Tarot deck, our Fool is at the edge of a grassy cliff. His little white dog has jumped on him. Is he falling towards or away from the edge?

Ginseng is the Fool in the Herbal deck. Energy - vitality- renewal of self.
(Ginseng Tea: Boil 2 cups of water in a non-metallic container. Remove from heat. Steep a slice of Ginseng root (or powder - 3 teaspoons, or a Ginseng tea bag) and cover for at least 5 minutes. Flavor to taste with sugar, honey, cinnamon, or mint. Makes two cups.) It is said to be an aphrodisiac as well. And aren't many of us foolish in love?

Tarot of the Old Path shows a mother rushing too late to save her naked infant from being burned. There is a young person who has just gone by the incident without even looking. Some of our Foolish selves are very self-absorbed, aren't they? In this card, the path splits into three winding paths up the mountain. Which will we choose? Will we remember we have choices when we get there?

Key thoughts from this card are:

  • Beginning a new cycle of life (such as college, a new job, a new location)
  • Foolhardy nature
  • Being rash
  • Risk taker (in both a good way and a harmful way)
  • Brave
  • Fearless
  • Boldly going where norman has gone before. (My apologies... I used to think it was norman instead of no man...)

You never know what fork in life to take because the moment you choose one, then everything else changes to fit that step you just took. Even by standing still you are affecting the eddies of life around you.

10/8/2004 Stephanie Lynch aka Arwen Nightstar