Here we have the card of The Fool - the first and last card in the Major Arcana. He is also known as the Spirit of Aether and is ruled by the Element of Air. The Fool is the beginning of the cycle of life, initiated into the journey from innocence to experience. When he sets out on his journey, with his knapsack and his little dog to guide him, we do not know what he will face and if he will thrive or perish. If you look at the countenance of The Fool, you can see that he is not afraid, he is not concerned. His gaze is upward and he is free - he does not notice the precipice over which his foot hovers and which threatens to topple him into the abyss and dash his body on the rocks below. This scene is an excellent metaphor for life and its adventures. When we set out on a new enterprise with no knowledge or skills to help us succeed, but with a desire and a need for change and discovery of new possibilities, it is as if the Universe and all it gods are looking out for us. Worry and fear have no place here, indeed they will attract failure to you. The Fool is a true innocent, and having no concept of failure as he has not learnt it from anyone, his attitude of hope and willingness to discover new worlds seems to be enough protection for him as he sets out into the world. When The Fool turns up in a reading, it is time to put your fears and troublesome thoughts of failure aside. Stop playing it safe. Find the road that is pointed towards your desires and put your foot upon that road with determination, trust and faith. It is time for you to discover what adventures await you as this road will lead you to a new life, of learning, of growth and of maturity. “It's never too late to have a happy childhood.” - Tom Robbins Image from "Quel Tarot" © Kelley Kolberg 2008-2011
