Card Type: Major Arcana
Card Number: 0
Star Sign: Aquarius
Planet: Uranus
Element: Air
Key Meaning: Fresh Start
The Fool Tarot card predicts a complete fresh start and the beginning of something new.
A to Z: List of Tarot Cards
The Fool Keywords
🥰 Upright: beginning, freedom, originality, travel
😒 Reversed: stupidity, incompetence, denying reality, stuck
The Fool Tarot Card Description
This description is based on the Rider Waite Tarot Deck. The Fool is the first card in a Tarot deck and is numbered zero. This card shows a young care free man about to step off a cliff as he looks up at the sun. He pays no attention to the warnings of the yapping dog at his feet. He carries all his worldly possessions in a small bag, tied to a stick which he carries over his shoulder. The small bag suggests that he does not have much ‘baggage’ yet and is open to life’s experiences. Perhaps this bag contains the tools of Tarot, a Cup, Wand, Sword and Pentacle, if so, he may be unaware of their magical potential yet.
In a reading, this card means you are about to embark on a new journey or way of living. There is an element of surprise associated with the Fool, meaning you could find yourself on this new path unexpectedly. You could end up starting a new job or business, move location or begin a relationship.
Notice how the character in the card gazes upwards towards the Heavens, rather than looking at the cliff ahead. He appears to trust Higher Powers rather than his own wits for survival. The main debate around this card, is whether or not it is foolish or wise to adopt this belief. One could say, that by allowing the God force to flow through him, he can manifest much more than limiting himself by reality.
It does not matter if you don’t know where your journey will lead at this time. Simply take the next step and start the Fool’s Journey. True discovery is almost always unexpected and often needs us to be detached from any hoped-for outcomes.
When this card turns up, it means it is good to stay optimistic about life and step off a cliff every so often. Call on your inner child, and view the world with childlike wonder again.
‘Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.’
(Matthew 18:3)
What Zodiac Sign is The Fool Tarot Card?
Uranus is the planet assigned to the Fool tarot card. It is the explosive planet of sudden and unexpected change. Uranus can have a radical effect on people’s lives if they are not living in tune with the Cosmos. It sweeps away the old in order to make way for the new. This is similar to the Fool who acts without care for the past or the present, but is prepared to optimistically leap into an unknown future. He trusts that there is a cosmic plan, and so gets on with the journey.
Uranus rules Aquarius, the sign of the future. Aquarians are clear thinkers who can download original ideas from the Cosmos and turn them into reality in this world. They crave freedom and have a passion for breaking rules and traditional ways of thinking. They delight in doing this, because they are a rebel at heart. There is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ in an Aquarius handbook.
The Fool card is associated with the element Air, which rules thoughts and ideas.
The Fool Offers You These Spiritual Messages
✔️More often than not, the world is a safer place than our fears would have us believe.
✔️Allow spirit to move through you, breath in and be inspired by new ideas. The Fool card is associated with prana, the life force energy which is described as breath of life or spirit energy.
✔️If you studying spiritual development, trust the ideas you receive. Higher powers are encouraging you to think out-of-the-box.
Romance: What does The Fool Tarot Card Mean when You Ask About Love?
When the Fool turns up in a love reading, the meaning will depend on your question. For example, if you asked:
💖 Will I find love? The answer is yes. Most likely your meeting will be totally accidental and unexpected, and yet feel like fate.
💖 Does he or she like me? The answer is yes. This card is associated with falling blindly in love. Be careful not to wear rose-tinted glasses however, remember that everyone has faults.
💖 What is the future of our relationship? This card predicts a fresh start and a new beginning. You can overcome issues which have put pressure on your relationship.
💖 If you are in the process of separating or divorcing, the Fool card says – don’t worry, you’ll enjoy the next phase of your life. As you leave your emotional baggage behind, you’ll find yourself free to dream again and create a life you love.
CAREER: What does This Card Signify when You Ask About Work?
If your question relates to work, business, career or study and you receive the Fool, then here is your guidance:
⭕ This is the time to leap, don’t hold back! Even if you don’t feel fully prepared, the time is now.
⭕ You start a new job, business, project or begin a course of study. You’re looking forward to your new adventure and trust that you’re on the right path.
⭕ You go on a, possibly unexpected, business trip. This journey opens doors in the future.
⭕ You have a crush on a mentor at work or college (thought I’d slip this one in for the few of you it applies to).
Careers associated with this card include: Anything to do with IT and technology, project management, personal assistant, marketing, social media, graphic design, academia, astrologer, psychic, life-coach and business owner.
If you are considering hiring a candidate and this card appears, it means:
The candidate is a fast worker and usually has suggestions for improvement that will benefit everyone. They are helpful and well-liked by co-workers. They welcome responsibility, and ideally prefer to take decisions than receive orders.
MONEY: What is the Meaning of The Fool Tarot Card in a Money Reading?
If you asked the Tarot about money and finances, and you receive the Fool:
💲 It can act as a caution. Don’t be naive when it comes to handling financial matters. Find out all the facts.
💲 At the same time, give space to your intuition when making a financial decision or major purchase (like a house or car).
💲 An unexpected opportunity to make money appears.
Tarot Card Combination Meanings
“The Fool combined with Lovers” – Unexpected new relationship
“Combined with 6 of Wands” – Unexpected promotion at work
“The Fool combined with Empress” – Unexpected pregnancy
HEALTH: What does The Fool Tarot Card Mean when You Ask About Health?
In a health reading, the Fool generally signifies good health, particularly good mental health.
However, it can represent an accident, so be extra careful for a few weeks if this card turns up when you ask about health.
Health conditions associated with this card include: Vision problems, such as blurred vision, lazy eye, glaucoma, cataracts, or failing vision. Associated areas of the body: legs, ankles and circulatory system.
YES/NO: Does The Fool Mean Yes or No in a Reading?
❓ When you ask a Yes or No question and this Tarot card turns up, then the answer is YES.
TIMING: Does The Fool Predict any Particular Timeframe?
🕔 This card is only a timing indication when you specifically asked a timeframe question. For example, if you want to know if something will happen, and when, then you need to draw two separate cards. These are in fact, two separate questions. This is a fundamental principle to understand if you want an accurate tarot reading – and it is core to my teaching in my book Tarot in 5 Minutes.
🕔 The Fool card represents next January 20 – February 18. If the card is reversed, timing will be longer – possibly up to a year later again, same date.
Karina’s Timing Method:
I am using a traditional major arcana timing method here, based on the zodiac sign assigned to each card.
What is the Meaning of The Fool Tarot Card Reversed?
When the Fool is upside down then the young man lands on his head.
✔️This still indicates a fresh start but it can signify reluctance to embrace the change or a tendency towards feeling negative about it.
✔️ In financial matters, be extra, extra cautious. Listen to the yapping dog at your feet, and read the fine print.
✔️You are trying to deny the truth of a situation.
✔️Believing in conspiracy theories.
✔️Other keywords associated a reversal include: gullible, incompetence, infatuation, stupidity, talking nonsense, ignorance, disregard and carelessness.
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Karina, author of Tarot in 5 Minutes.
