The Fool, in some decks labelled "The Jester", is the first card of the Major Arcana and is usually numbered zero, or left unnumbered. Zero stands for unmanifested potential, a condition in which there is no hope or fear to blur the vision: The Fool sees infinite possibilities as present reality. Zero is empty; it lacks hard substance, so there is still work to be done. The other cards of the Major Arcana are traditionally numbered with Roman numerals, while The Fool is numbered with an Arabic numeral. One could see a connection between the Arabic numeral 0 and the form of the egg, a symbol of beginning. The essence of this card is formless: nothing really dies or is born, it only changes form, and this is what the card is trying to convey. The Fool stands at the beginning of our journey, before taking form. He is the spirit in search of experience, and as such he is the initiator of the events that unfold in the next 21 cards of the Major Arcana. If you believe in reincarnation, you could see The Fool as a soul prior to its rebirth. Considered somewhat innocent, he has zest and energy for a new beginning. Some would say that innocence sustains him and brings him joy. Fresh and carefree, he enters the world without preconceptions. He has mystical insight bereft of worldly reason, the mystic's ability to tune into the inner workings of the world. Nothing is certain or regular with this card. The Fool trusts in life and counts on his boldness and faith to make his path a happy and rewarding one. A solid faith in success completes his absence of fear. In medieval courts, the court jester was someone who was not expected to follow the same rules as others. He could observe and then poke fun. In Shakespeare's "King Lear", the only one who tells the king what is really going on is the jester. This makes The Fool unpredictable and full of surprises, but also too carefree. This is the child within. This is how we were before the many experiences of life forced us to build up so many walls around ourselves.
On the card
A young man in a remarkable gown carries a bag over his right shoulder and a white rose in his left hand. He is standing on the very edge of a cliff that is beginning to crumble, but his body language shows that he is unaware of the danger. The Sun is strong above his head, and in the background there is a huge blue mountain. A small dog at his heels tries to warn him of the danger; it symbolizes the lower incarnation. The dog is sometimes seen as his animal desires, sometimes as the call of the "real world", nipping at his heels and distracting him. But he is looking upwards, not really interested in the distractions of the material world. The dog can also symbolize the intellect, a good companion that ultimately needs a master. The symbolism of this card encompasses all of Creation. All four elements are embodied in this scenery. The Sun high above is Fire, the cliff beneath is Earth, and Water is contained in the icy peaks behind. Air is the height of the cliff he stands on. The young man bears the mark of zero. Zero puts him outside the domain of the other cards. He has no identity that the common human mind can apprehend. The Hebrew letter that goes with this card is Aleph. Aleph has no sound of its own. It is the silence before sound. The significance of Aleph grows as we come to understand that The Fool stands in a position that resembles the letter Aleph. Aleph thus symbolizes stillness before action, potential before manifestation. According to the Bible, in the beginning was the Word, the first sound. A moment before the manifestation of the universe, a moment before the very embodiment of a soul: that is the symbolism of The Fool. No wonder this seed of existence contains all four elements, all that is needed for the myriad manifestations of Spirit. The next clue about this card is The Fool's robe. If you pay attention to the details, you can see twelve circles resembling stars on his clothes. Twelve stars, as in the twelve signs of the Zodiac and the twelve tribes of Israel. In a way, we can say that The Fool is dressed in the physical universe. His bag hangs from no ordinary stick: it is a black wand, representing the power of Spirit holding the bag, the bag that is full of The Fool's possessions and the gift of Spirit, unlimited potential. You can see the image of an eagle, representing The Fool's wakefulness. In his hand he holds a white flower, indicating his purity and innocence. The Sun shining brightly above him represents the divine nature of The Fool's wisdom and the exuberant life energy filling the scene.
Upright
This card can signal a new beginning or a change of direction, one that will guide you onto a path of adventure, wonder and personal growth, or maybe not. The choice is in front of you. Learn to choose wisely, because The Fool has a shade of restlessness and recklessness inside. Keep your faith and trust your natural responses. Believe in yourself and follow your heart, no matter how crazy or foolish your impulses may seem. You have everything you need to discern what is best for you. Faith, heart and personal integrity can lead you a long way where the eyes cannot see.
Reversed
Watch for immature and reckless behaviour that can result in bad decisions. Do you need to re-evaluate something? Maybe you are too conservative or traditional in some parts of your life. Are your plans based on pure fantasy? These are the questions you will need to answer.