‘The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be
a fool.’
The Fool card is the cypher in the deck. Therefore he can fit in anywhere. Here we meet the number Zero in the Major Arcana.
The Fool as a person
The fool is the court jester, The fool in King Lear is Lear's constant companion and accompanies him on his journey into madness and eventually death when he, just before Lear's death, is hanged by those who have imprisoned Lear.
Astrological Associations with the Fool
The Fool is associated with Air energy as an element. He also sometimes gets assigned oddball planet Uranus. Uranus is the planet of sudden change and surprises and this fits nicely with the symbolism of The Fool card.
Timing with the Fool
This card usually means any minute now, or energy that can come in quickly. This card is also associated with the Spring Equinox, where we have 0 degrees of Aries, the number assigned to the Fool.
Upright Meaning of the Fool
As a zero the Fool represents nascent energy. This card reminds us that we can create something from nothing, we just need the intention and desire. It is a card associated with leaving the womb, thereby leaving our comfort zone and boldly venturing out into the unknown. Although the Fool card has a special energy in that he can fit in anywhere, being a zero he also represents the egg like nature of the potential of the card. The fool must embark on his journey through the Major Arcana. If we think about the Fool through the ages, he tends to have a more positive connotation in days of yore, playing an important part to play in history. Clowns and fools were known for their wit and humour. In Shakespeare's world, his clowns spoke some of the wisest lines out of all pseudo-sensible characters.
The Fool Card in a relationship or Love question
The Fool means there is potential here. If asking about getting back it can also be a positive card of starting over, reigniting. However, the Fool card does bear a bit of caution. Do not lose your head.
The Fool card as advice
Depending on the surrounding cards, this can be a card that urges you to take a risk. Especially if the querent asking the question is usually someone who is more risk averse. However, if the Fool is coming up with more difficult cards, this can be a call out to step up the caution and heed to a more practical route.
The Shadow side/Reversed of the Fool
Being foolhardy is emphasised here. Taking too few precautions and paying the price. Blind optimism with no structure. Foolish thinking. Not being aware of consequences.