The Fool: Modern RWS Tarot Card Meanings
âKEY O: The Foolâ, Rider Waite Smith tarot deck.
The Fool: Upright RWS Meanings
Beginnings, Adventure, Innocence, Spontaneity, Potential
Generally
The RWS Fool card is about beginnings, inexperience, and taking risks. It often points to actions done in a brave, naive, innocent, or spontaneous manner.
In a Love Context
The RWS Fool card can relate to casual or non-committal relationships, romance, and the act of falling in love. It can represent anything from a one-night stand (like The Devil) to a marriage proposal or a first date (like the Ace of Cups).
In a Money/Career Context
This card can indicate unclear financial ventures. In a career reading, it might point to mass applying to jobs, starting a risky dream business, or the experience of being in an entry-level role.
In a Spiritual Context
This card can represent a preacher, a missionary, a religious reformer, or the Soul itself.
In Common Spread Positions
As Advice
Fear not, go for it. Start the venture or relationship. It is essentially a card of âyes,â unless other cards (such as the King of Swords) indicate a need for diligence or fact-checking before committing.
As (Ultimate) Outcome
The Fool as an outcome can point to events such as liberation from constraints or a healthy detachment (like The Devil reversed). It may also indicate dreams coming true, or the start of a spiritual journey.
As Obstacles
The care-free nature or lack of planning associated with The Fool may be a hindrance rather than a help. Similar to the 7 of Pentacles reversed.
As Hidden Energy
The adventurous, care-free spirit of The Fool may be an unknown, untapped, or underestimated energy within the situation.
As Resources/Alliances
Suggests using humility, originality, bravery, or innovative technology for success.
The Fool: Reversed RWS Meanings
Generally
This card often points to foolishness, psychosis, or reckless risk-taking. It can also signify inaction produced by an excessive, almost phobic, fear (like the paranoia of The Moon).
In a Love Context
This can suggest ignoring red flags in a relationship, risky sexual behaviour, or a crippling fear of commitment.
In a Money/Career Context
This card can warn of risky or scam investments, missed financial opportunities due to fear, or a significant lack of experience holding you back (like the Ace of Pentacles reversed).
In a Spiritual Context
Can point to insane spiritual ideas, beliefs, or actions (like The Hierophant Reversed).
In Common Spread Positions
As Advice
A clear warning. Do not act (like The Tower). Alternatively, be humble or cautious, or accept the consequences of your previous actions.
As (Ultimate) Outcome
May lead to error, humiliation, or consequences born of arrogance (like the 6 of Wands reversed).
As Obstacles
Can indicate that fear, arrogance, rashness, or a complete lack of preparation is blocking the way forward.
As Hidden Energy
May point to treachery, fear of failure, insidious errors etc.
As Resources/Alliances
Suggests that "who dares wins," or that wisdom can be gained from experience (like the entire Suit of Wands).
Additional Notes on The RWS Fool Card
Waiteâs Divinatory Meanings of KEY O: The Fool
"Folly, mania, extravagance, intoxication, delirium, frenzy, bewrayment. Reversed: Negligence, absence, distribution, carelessness, apathy, nullity, vanity." (Pictoral Key To The Tarot, 1911)
The Foolâs Journey Myth Explained
The Foolâs Journey is a popular modern concept where the Fool travels through the subsequent Major Arcana cards, learning life lessons. This idea was invented by Eden Gray in the 1970s, long after A.E. Waite's death, and is not part of the original RWS system.
A.E. Waiteâs Fool Card Symbolism
A.E Waiteâs Fool card shows a young vagabond in a half-relenting stride, poised at a cliffâs precipice. This position suggests both the importance of choices and their potential consequences. He is seemingly unaware of the danger, indicating his naivety to material life. Next to him, a dog, representing the lower mind, barks in warning. In his right hand, he carries a knapsack with the bare essentials for travel, symbolising a commitment to spiritual seeking. In his left, a white flower stands for innocence and purity of heart. Behind him are mountains, representing obstacles and challenges, while the guiding light of the sun symbolises Spirit.
Meditations On The Fool Card
What adventure should I go on next?
Where should I apply more humility to my actions?
What if my gamble fails?
Question; What is the âsecond Fool cardâ in some modern Golden Dawn based decks?
A more interesting idea than the âFoolâs journeyâ is that of Key XXII (22): the second Fool card. If the first Fool is the soul yet to gain experience, the second Fool is he who possesses it and has thus achieved a state of "enlightened madness". This concept has tangential relevance to the RWS deck, as Waite was an initiate of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, and some modern Golden Dawn-based tarot decks do indeed include two Fool cards!
Question: Is The Fool a positive or negative card?
The Fool is generally seen as a positive card, representing exciting new potential. However, its darker side, especially when reversed, can point to naivety and recklessness. Context is always key.
Continue Learning RWS Meanings: Three Master Resources
Resource I: Master The 22 Major arcana [recommended for beginners]
Learn the meanings of the other Major Arcana cards in the Rider Waite Smith tarot system. New to tarot? I recommend practicing with just these 22 cards for now.
Resource II: Meanings Mastery
No shortcuts; you can master the 780+ meanings of 78 RWS tarot cards in 12-30 months. Just use the same method I did when I was in your position. Itâs based on principles of modern memory science and it begins by avoiding the most common mistake that I see a lot of beginners making in their practice. Learn what this mistake is and exactly how to avoid it, by clicking the button below.
Resource III: Master All 78 Cards In The RWS System
This article is just one within the Rider Waite Smith âCards In Contextâ Series: a comprehensive look at modern and original RWS meanings. Begin your mastery of the full RWS tarot system by clicking the button below.
Comprehensive guide to the 22 Major Arcana cards of the Rider Waite Smith tarot system. Learn what the Major Arcana cards are and how divinatory readers have evolved their RWS Major Arcana practice in the last 100 years.