Linsey Lanier
Sally Kilpatrick
Sia Huff
Romily Bernard
Darcy Crowder
Marilyn Baron
Tami Brothers
Sandra Elzie
Carol Burnside
Debbie Kaufman
Maxine Davis
Tammy Schubert
Susan Carlisle
Pam Asberry
Lindy Chaffin StartA Fool’s Journey
By Michelle Newcome
This being April Fool’s I could post some absolutely tricky funny business, but I’m far too serious for that. Instead I’m going to discuss the most misunderstood archetype of the whole panoply of archetypes.
Yes, it’s The Fool. As an archetype The Fool is the one I know I want to disavow. I’m serious by nature and rather intense in everything I do. In my dreams I’m typically far more likely to put myself in the place of The Empress, maybe even The Star on a really good day, but as I get older and wiser I find that when I look back on my life it’s The Fool I regret rejecting.
What is The Fool? In the world of Tarot The Fool resides at Zero position. He’s depicted as a vagabond with suitcase in hand – ready for the adventure and ready for life. The Fool is the first card in the Tarot deck and since he’s Zero, The Fool’
s job is to go round the whole circle of Major Arcana to complete his journey to total wisdom. The Major Arcana are the 22 cards representing the basic human archetypes – within them are contained archetypes of triumph like The Star and archetypes of despair and destruction like The Tower. One of the lessons The Fool learns in his journey, however, is that no card or experience is all good or all bad – sometimes disaster lies in triumph and sometimes despair is the road to redemption.
The Fools is a like a baby – full of possibilities with limitless and unknown potential. The Fool must navigate choices and opportunities in order to decide the fate of his life. What The Fool is called upon most to be is open – he’s the exact opposite of a fixed and closed-mind. Even though he’s the unmolded clay of humanity, the classical depictions of The Fool have some set motifs and themes. He is drawn as facing North West – the direction of the unknown. He stands on a cliff – representing his launching himself into the unknown. He may or may not be prepared for what he faces, but he does carry an unopened bag that may have the materials of his success and survival. He holds a staff, representing his free will for the journey ahead. In his hand is a white rose to symbolize his purity and innocence. The dog nipping at his heels will help guide him, but also propel him forward on his journey.
We all have illusions of grandeur at times and we hate the idea of being made “the fool” or looking “foolish.” But here’s what I know: seeing the world with bright and new eyes, carrying a bag with belief that it has everything we need in it, and knowing that failure holds potential are the secrets to a fulfilled life. In ancient times, April 1st was the first day of the new year. On this day, think about doing something silly – not tricky, just silly. Today act like a new year has begun and you stand at Zero position – innocent and interested, ready for the journey.
Play The Fool today with a glad heart.
Tags: Michelle Newcome, Writing and the esoteric
About the author
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Michelle Newcome | Michelle divides her time in many little slices and on any given day might be holding a Girl Scout meeting, writing operational procedures, painting her house, or actually doing her writing-writing. She's ever hopeful that the pie chart of her life will some week hold a giant-sized slice of writing.
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April 1st, 2010 at 7:21 am
“Lord what fools these mortals be.” And so are we all. Great post, Michelle. As always, thought-provoking.
April 1st, 2010 at 8:03 am
Michelle–absolutely fascinating. Now, where did you say Tarot cards came from–the gnostics?
I can promise you that I will go out and do something silly. Serious, I am not. And I think you’re right; part of growing up is understanding that a) you don’t know everything and b) that nothing can be definitively classified as wholly good or bad. Our world is simply too complex for that.
April 1st, 2010 at 8:33 am
Ahh. As always Michelle…I bow to your wisdom. Your posts are so chock full of great facts, lovely prose and life lessons that I feel humbled in your presence. (You can’t see it, but I’m bowing to you right now…no really)
And this: “Seeing the world with bright and new eyes, carrying a bag with belief that it has everything we need in it, and knowing that failure holds potential are the secrets to a fulfilled life,” my dear…well, brilliant. I hope to play the journey bound Fool everyday of my life.
Love your post!
Have a wonderful, sunny day,
Tamara
April 1st, 2010 at 8:40 am
Michelle,
These days I need a little more fool in me. I’m going to take your advice and try to mellow some today, step back and apprieciate the things that are going well. Interesting post.
April 1st, 2010 at 9:10 am
Tamara – you make me blush. Thank you. Sally, there’s some controversy over the origins of the tarot. The first decks ever referenced come from 15th century Italy. Because the tarot uses so much Christian imagery – combined with Renaissance concepts like the coin and the cup – it’s possible they were gnostic originally. Tarot is not listed as a banned “vanity” in any of the inquisition records. Once Reformation occurred some of the cards that were particularly Catholic (like the Pope) were replaced with other symbols.
April 1st, 2010 at 9:56 am
Loved your post, Michelle.
The Fool doesn’t sound like such a bad guy to me.
Happy April Fool’s Day.
Marilyn
April 1st, 2010 at 1:35 pm
Michelle,
Great post – makes one really think!
I love the fool and have no problem being it at times. Of course there are times I want to be the star.
It’s not that I can’t commit to either, I just enjoy both.
I always enjoy your wisdom.
April 1st, 2010 at 2:20 pm
Michelle, what a great post, and it’s appropriate to the day. As i read it, I tried to think of books in which a character who’d played the fool in a supporting role stepped up to be the hero. I know there have been some, but I’m drawing a blank right now.
Anyway, taking a fresh look is always good. That’s one thing I find so engaging about children–seeing things for the first time, they notice details we might miss.
April 1st, 2010 at 3:03 pm
That’s so funny you should mention that, Nancy. When I was quite young I wrote the outline for a historical in which the court jester ended up being the hero. I think I had him be a spy only pretending to be the fool. Poor Fool – never the hero!
April 1st, 2010 at 7:10 pm
Your post reminds me of that great old Danny Kaye movie, The Court Jester. Such a fun film.
April 1st, 2010 at 7:57 pm
This day is totally not my day for personal reasons, but I really love that your post made me stop and think about what is, what could have been, and what might be.
I like that. Thank you!
Tami
April 1st, 2010 at 10:53 pm
Hey Michelle: Sorry to chime in so late. Long day! But none of it included any realization that it was April Fool’s Day until now! I did do something today that made me feel like I was now in a zero position and just starting out, though!
April 2nd, 2010 at 3:58 am
Hey, Michelle,
Finally finished my assignment from last week…and thought I’d chime in here. Don’t know much about Tarot but The Fool did interest me. I have to admit that I enjoy playing the fool at times. I love being at a new place in my life!
April 2nd, 2010 at 9:56 am
3:58 am? Ana – you are burning the candle at both ends!
April 2nd, 2010 at 4:30 pm
Scape my jaw off the floor, will you? What an amazing post.
I’m a structure whore, so I’m thinking what a cool idea it would be to have a book based on the Fool’s journey. Maybe connected short stories.
April 5th, 2010 at 10:01 am
Ooohh Anna! I like the idea of the Fool’s journey juxtaposed against the more typical Hero’s Journey. Fascinating!