The Fool Overview - Tarot de Marseille

Enrollment is now open for our Tarot de Marseille Trumps Course. We have already received amazing feedback on the materials!

When you enroll in our course, you get immediate access to our online guidebook. This includes lessons on the trump cards, storytelling fundamentals, and answering questions. 

Today, we are sharing the lesson from our guidebook on The Fool. We hope this helps you learn more about this iconic card and how to interpret it in a reading.

The Fool

The Fool’s archaic title identifies him as a madman. His satchel and walking stick suggest that he is a wanderer of limited means. The attacking animal further identifies him as either unwelcomed or as a stranger.

In the game of Tarot, The Fool is a threat to the other trump cards, and in life, The Fool challenges social norms. Historically, he was an advisor to the nobility and was allowed to say whatever came to his mind without fear of retribution.

The cat reaching for the fool’s genitals has symbolism grounded in the origin of the words “fool” and “phallus.” Phallus is from the same etymological root as follis, the Latin for bellows. This same proto-Indo-European root, bhel, for “inflated” or “bag of wind”, is also the origin of the words “fool” and “foolish”.

When this card appears, it symbolizes an idea that became popular during the Renaissance, which is that the fool may be the wisest person in the room. The absence of a number represents a primordial state—a new beginning with infinite possibilities.

When you begin a new journey, there will always be naysayers nipping your most vulnerable and exposed weaknesses. These people are merely annoying distractions to be disregarded and ignored. Follow the path that is right for you.

Keywords

Foolishness - Carefree - Naïve - Optimistic - Oblivious - Adventure - Blunt - Restart

Comparisons

The Fool carries a bag over his shoulder and uses a stick to walk. An animal on two legs follows behind him.

In Noblet, the animal reaches for the Fool’s exposed genitals. Also, the walking stick has a face.

What other similarities or differences do you see? How might this affect the meaning of each card?

Questions to Consider

Why are The Fool’s clothes ragged?

Where did he come from, and where is he going?

What might the bells on his clothes suggest?

What happened to his pants?

What does he carry in his bag?

Why does he need the walking stick?

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We hope this lesson gives you new insight on The Fool and that our questions inspire you to create new interpretations for your readings.

Early bird enrollment for our Trumps Course is $179. This includes the online guidebook, live classes that begin in September, and access to replays and special events.

We look forward to seeing you there!

William Rader
Krisztin Kondor