The Fool: Modern RWS Tarot Card Meanings

‘KEY O: The Fool’, Rider Waite Smith tarot deck.

Upright Fool Meanings

Keywords

Beginnings, Innocence, Spontaneity, Leap of Faith, Potential

Generally

The Fool 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

This 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 to a marriage proposal or a first date.

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 “yes,” unless other cards indicate a need for diligence or fact-checking before committing.

As (Ultimate) Outcome

Can point to events such as liberation from constraints, a healthy detachment, 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.

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

Generally

This card often points to foolishness, psychosis, or reckless risk-taking. It can also signify inaction produced by an excessive, almost phobic, fear.

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.

In a Spiritual Context

Can point to bad spiritual ideas, beliefs, or actions.

In Common Spread Positions

As Advice

A clear warning. Do not act.

As (Ultimate) Outcome

May lead to error, humiliation, or consequences born of arrogance.

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 enemies playing dumb, unconscious self-sabotage, or insidious errors.

As Resources/Alliances

Suggests that "who dares wins," or that wisdom can be gained from experience.

Additional Notes on The RWS ‘Fool’

Waite’s Divinatory Meanings of The Fool

"Folly, mania, extravagance, intoxication, delirium, frenzy, bewrayment. Reversed: Negligence, absence, distribution, carelessness, apathy, nullity, vanity." (Pictoral Key To The Tarot, 1911)

The Fool’s Journey Myth Explained

The Fool’s 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. I do not like the idea of the ‘Fool’s journey’ because it reeks of Jungian psychobabble. Any time someone starts talking about it (or anything else Jungian), I start meditating on the atom (I zone out).

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, embodying a profound naivety regarding the physical dangers of the path ahead. 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

Where in my life am I being called to take a leap of faith, even if I do not feel fully prepared?

What past experience of "beginner's mind" can I draw upon to tackle a current challenge with fresh eyes?

If I were to completely trust the journey, what would my next step be?

Question; What is the ‘second Fool card’ in some modern Golden Dawn based decks?

A more interesting idea than 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 shadow side, especially when reversed, can point to naivety and recklessness, so context is always key.