The Fool: Modern RWS Tarot Card Meanings
RWS Cards In Context › Major Arcana › KEY O: The Fool
‘KEY O: The Fool’, Rider Waite Smith tarot (1909).
RWS Fool: Upright Meanings
Beginnings, Adventure, Innocence, Spontaneity, Potential
Generally
The RWS Fool card points to the threshold of new paths where everything feels fresh and unwritten. It speaks of stepping into life’s unfolding with openness and curiosity, unburdened by expectation. The card suggests the first spark of experience, a willingness to move forward even when direction is uncertain.
Its energy is free and unpredictable, often marking turning points that arrive without warning yet carry the promise of transformation. When drawn, it reveals pure creative force at its beginning stage, a reminder that all outcomes remain possible before form and intention begin to settle.
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).
It suggests the start of romantic involvement, where events move quickly and feelings arise before intention is shaped. The card may appear when two people meet by chance, or when a light, playful connection begins to deepen.
It often points to courtship, flirtation, or the first steps toward commitment, when everything feels fresh and untested. In readings, it marks affection unburdened by fear, trust given freely, and the willingness to see where love’s current may lead.
In a Money/Career Context
In relation to money, The Fool can point to new financial experiences that carry both excitement and unpredictability. It may describe someone opening an online shop, taking a short contract after redundancy, or deciding to move into shared housing to save for travel. The card shows learning by doing rather than relying on fixed plans.
In career matters, The Fool signals the start of something untested yet full of promise. It can appear when accepting part-time work in a new field, volunteering to build experience, or returning to study after years away. For some, it reflects the impulse to move abroad or to leave a secure but unfulfilling job.
In a Spiritual Context
In a spiritual context, this card can represent a preacher, a missionary, a religious reformer, or the Soul itself. It speaks of the moment when faith takes its first breath, unshaped yet eager to move toward understanding. The Fool embodies pure trust in the unseen, a readiness to follow divine movement without proof or direction. It marks the beginning of an awakening, where belief transforms from theory into lived experience and the journey of spirit truly begins.
In Common Spread Positions
As Advice
Fear not, go for it. Start the venture or relationship. It is essentially a card of “yes,” 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.
As fate or environment
Holidays and tourist attractions, van-life, squatting, protests and revolutions.
Reversed Fool: 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).
When reversed, The Fool indicates imprudent behaviour and the waste of new opportunity through carelessness or disregard for consequence. It may signify rushed decisions, unreliable ventures, or misplaced trust that leads to embarrassment or loss. In readings, this reversal often warns against acting without clear sense or preparation, as the way forward may be uncertain or unstable. At the other extreme, it can show hesitation so strong that all movement ceases, the querent held back by fear of misfortune or by doubt in the path that lies before them.
In a Love Context
This can suggest ignoring red flags in a relationship, risky sexual behaviour, or a crippling fear of commitment.
For those single, it can concern leaping too quickly into new encounters or trusting charm over sincerity. Excitement may cloud discernment, and promises may fade as swiftly as they arose. The message is to find a wise balance between being able to get hurt in love and moving too fast in the initial excitement.
In established relationships, the reversed Fool may show strain caused by irresponsibility or neglect. One partner might avoid commitment or behave unpredictably. Someone may also be bored due to a lack of spontenaiety in the relationship. Or one partner may be cheating on the other.
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). It may reveal misguided faith, false prophecy, or devotion to an unworthy cause. The reversed Fool warns of spiritual confusion, where enthusiasm outruns wisdom and sacred truths are twisted through vanity or impulse.
It can appear when one mistakes personal fancy for divine guidance, or when reckless practice leads the seeker away from genuine insight. In readings, it cautions against presuming enlightenment, urging discernment before embracing teachings that promise more than they can truly offer.
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).
As Fate Or Environment
Chaos, wandering, homelessness, poverty
RWS Fool Card: Paired Combinations
The Fool With major Arcana Cards
The Fool & The Magician
The Fool (↑) & The Magician (↑): A fresh idea brought swiftly to life. This pairing can point to an artist creating a piece that garners attention, an inventor moving from concept to prototype, or someone taking the leap to start a small enterprise. Inspiration meets ability and action follows with promising results.
The Fool (↓) & The Magician (↑): The same impulse appears, yet timing or focus slips. A person may launch a business before the structure is ready or begin a creative project during a restless period. The intention is sound, but execution unfolds unevenly, requiring patience and refinement before success appears.
The Fool (↑) & The Magician (↓): Enthusiasm remains pure, but equipment, cooperation, or confidence wavers. An artist might lose materials, funding may arrive late, or a plan succeeds only after several false starts. The vision holds strength, yet worldly factors delay its realisation.
The Fool (↓) & The Magician (↓): Energy spreads in many directions at once. A launch may arise from error or coincidence, leading to surprising outcomes. Nothing proceeds as first planned, but results can still emerge through adaptability and persistence against interruption.
The Fool With The Suit of Cups
The Fool & Eight of Cups
The Fool (↑) & The Eight of Cups (↑): A voluntary step away from what no longer satisfies. It can describe leaving steady employment to travel, moving house for a deeper calling, or ending a comfortable yet stagnant relationship. This is change chosen from the heart rather than forced by circumstance.
The Fool (↓) & The Eight of Cups (↑): Departure begins with confusion or imperfect timing. A person may leave work impulsively, move home without clear reason, or realise halfway through the journey that certain ties still matter. The path is right but taken under clouded skies, resolving once hindsight brings clarity.
The Fool (↑) & The Eight of Cups (↓): Leaving is envisioned yet delayed. Travel plans, resignations, or endings may linger longer than expected. External duties hold the seeker briefly in place, though progress resumes once obligations complete. The call to move remains steady beneath the pause.
The Fool (↓) & The Eight of Cups (↓): Movement feels uncertain and halting. A person circles back to old situations repeatedly, sensing change but unable to commit. Relocation, emotional separation, or closure eventually occurs through circumstance rather than decision.
The Fool Paired With Court Cards
The Fool & Knight of Pentacles
The Fool (↑) & The Knight of Pentacles (↑): New ventures pursued with steady patience. This pair may describe a person starting a training course, buying farmland, or building their own small trade. The spirit of adventure gains substance through daily effort. Success grows slowly but endures.
The Fool (↓) & The Knight of Pentacles (↑): Work begins well but stumbles through fatigue or inconsistent energy. A project runs late, a contract takes longer to finalise, or promises are fulfilled quietly over time. Discipline steadies the rhythm once the early rush passes.
The Fool (↑) & The Knight of Pentacles (↓): Progress stalls temporarily through circumstance. Deliveries may delay, partners grow distracted, or funding passes through bureaucratic channels. Action continues beneath the surface, ready to resume at the next opportunity.
The Fool (↓) & The Knight of Pentacles (↓): Energy dulls and momentum fades without collapse. The querent may wait for clearer signs before acting or pause to conserve resources. Though visible movement ceases, opportunity still develops unseen, awaiting reawakening when conditions improve.
Waite’s Divinatory Fool Card Meanings
“Folly, mania, extravagance, intoxication, delirium, frenzy, bewrayment. Reversed: Negligence, absence, distribution, carelessness, apathy, nullity, vanity.”
Additional Notes on The RWS Fool Card
The Fool’s Journey Explained
The Fool’s Journey is a popular concept where the Fool travels through the subsequent Major Arcana cards, learning about the mysteries of life. In Spiritual Key To The Tarot (2025), Marcus Katz & Tali Goodwin decoded this journey under the light of new scholarship.
A.E. Waite’s Fool Card Symbolism
A.E Waite’s Fool card shows a young vagabond in a half-relenting stride, poised at a cliff’s 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.
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.
Next to him, a dog, representing the lower mind, barks in warning. Behind him are mountains, representing obstacles and challenges, while the guiding light of the sun symbolises Spirit.
Meditations On The RWS Fool Card
Where should I apply more humility to my actions?
What if my gamble fails?
Am I fully committed to this course of action?
Question; What is the ‘second Fool card’ in some modern Golden Dawn based decks?
An idea following from the ‘Fool’s journey’ 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.
Fool Card Correspondences: Golden Dawn vs Modern
Golden Dawn Correspondences:
Hebrew Letter: Aleph
Element: Air
Modern Correspondences:
Planet (modern correspondence): Mercury/Uranus
Zodiac Sign: Aquarius
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