The Fool is a Major Arcana card in the Tarot deck, often depicted as a carefree wanderer carrying a satchel and a staff. In many interpretations, the Fool represents spontaneity, unpredictability, and the pursuit of new experiences.

The Fool is often associated with the number 0, symbolizing potential and the absence of limitations. In some Tarot decks, the Fool is depicted as standing on the edge of a cliff, representing the risk-taking and potentially reckless nature of this card.

In readings, the Fool often indicates a new beginning or a fresh start. It can also suggest a need for caution and mindfulness, as the pursuit of new experiences can sometimes lead to unforeseen consequences.

The Fool can also represent the spiritual journey and the search for enlightenment. It is often seen as a reminder to stay open to new ideas and to embrace change, even when it may seem uncertain or frightening.

Overall, the Fool is a complex and multifaceted card that can have a wide range of meanings depending on the context of the reading. It is a powerful symbol of the potential for growth and transformation, as well as a cautionary tale about the importance of being mindful and present in our actions.

The information presented on this page is meant to help understand the card historical context and itsn esoteric symbolism. To provide you with the most accurate information possible we collected it and cross-checked it from well-known books and documents. If we made a mistake, please let us know via our contact form.

Tarot Decks

The following decks belonging to the Etteilla Foundation where used in this page:
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Historical books

The historical books from which the information was compiled include:
  • Le Tarot des Bohemiens Le plus Ancien Livre du Monde a l'usage exclusif des inities by Papus (1889)
  • Histoire De La Magie: Du Monde Surnaturel Et De La Fatalité À Travers Les Temps Et Les Peuples by Pierre Christan
  • The Magical Ritual of the Sanctum Regnum by Éliphas Lévi and Wynn Westcott
  • The Pictorial Key to the Tarot by Arthur Waite (1909)
  • Tarot: A Key to the Wisdom of the Ages by Paul Foster Case
  • The Qabalah of Aleister Crowley (Liber 777) by Aleister Crowley

Additional Decks references

Decks referenced that are not part of the Etteilla Foundation collection:

Cross-references books

Modern books used to cross-check information include:
  • A Wicked Pack of Cards: Origins of the Occult Tarot by Michael Dummett, Ronald Decker, Thierry Depaulis
  • The Encyclopedia Of Tarot by Stuart Kaplan
  • Dictionary of occult, hermetic and alchemical sigils by Fred Gettings
  • Tarot correspondences by T. Susan Chang
  • Sefer Yetzirah: The Book of Creation in Theory and Practice by Aryeh Kaplan

Websites

Website used to cross-check information include:

Alternative names

The Fool alternativer names

  • English: The Foolish Man, The Unumbered Card, The Crocodile
  • Romance: Le Mat, le Fou, Il Matto, Mattello, Il Pazzo, Le Fol
  • Hermetic qabalah: The spirit of Ether

Keywords

The Fool keywords

  • Upright Keywords: Folly, mania, extravagance, intoxication, delirium, frenzy, bewrayment.
  • Reversed keywords: Negligence, absence, distribution, carelessness, apathy, nullity, vanity
  • Element keywords: Communication, socialization, conceptualization

Astrology Correspondences

Planet
♅ Uranus
Element
🜁 Air

Alchemical Correspondences

Type
Metal
Name
Uranium

French Occultism Correspondences

Hebrew letter
א : 1 (Aleph)
Divine World
א
Intellectual World
א
Physical World
א

Golden Dawn Correspondences

Hebrew letter
א : 1 (Aleph)
Musical Note
E Natural
Musical Color
Yellow
Yetziratic Intelligence
Fiery intelligence
Cube Space Position
Above-Below

Sephirot 1

Name
כתר (Kether)
Value
1
Meaning
Crown
Color
White

Sephirot 2

Name
חכמה (Chokmah)
Value
2
Meaning
Wisdom
Color
Grey