The Fool Tarot Card Meaning

Within the Major Arcana, The Fool is numbered 0, signifying that this card is the beginning of everything. “0” is a great number to draw for those who are open to newness. Infinite possibilities are unfolding all around The Fool. There’s an eagerness that comes with this card. A willingness to jump into the next adventure and pursue wild dreams. This is seen in many Tarot decks, especially any Rider Waite Smith decks, as a sign of great possibilities to come. You’ll see this through the symbolism of a cloudless sky with a radiantly shining sun, the richness of The Fool’s clothes, the walking staff and packed bundle, as well as the direction of The Fool’s gaze.

Some may see the figure’s focus on the distance as a firm belief in knowing what’s happening; as awareness of his/her surroundings. If The Fool was to look down, he/she would potentially back away from his goals.

There’s also a cautionary meaning to drawing The Fool, too. In the picture, The Fool is shown as having one foot on the ground and the other up in the air, hovering dangerously close the edge of a cliff. A companion animal, usually a dog, is at his heels, as if trying to warn him of what lays ahead. In the Marseille Tarot, the companion animal, often a dog or a cat, has torn a hole in The Fool’s pants. This can be seen as a warning to pay attention or to add to the aesthetic of The Fool looking more foolish.

One thing is certain, The Fool is living in the moment. There’s no past and no clear future. For the person who draws The Fool in a Tarot Reading, it’s a sign that something wonderful is about to begin, but only you can decide whether to look before you leap or to go blindly forward.