The Fool Tarot Card In Context: It’s Original & Modern Rider Waite Smith Meanings Applied To Life Areas, Spread Positions And Paired Combinations
Key O: The Fool from the Rider Waite Smith tarot deck
Series Introduction
In this series of articles, I explain the Rider Waite Smith (RWS) tarot card meanings according to the deck’s creator (A.E Waite), as well as according to modernized interpretations which are commonly used today by virtue of it’s popularity.
I then look at the tarot’s RWS-based card meanings (upright and reversed) not just in terms of the main life areas of; general, financial, intellectual, relationship, and spiritual matters but also in some common spread positions and selected paired combinations.
Hopefully, the many contextualized examples of the RWS tarot cards which I provide in this series will allow you to apply their meanings to an even more wide variety of situations.
Summary
Unpacks the original and modern divinatory meanings of the Rider Waite Smith (RWS)-based Fool tarot card.
Delves into RWS-based Fool’s tarot card application across key life contexts: general, love, money/career, intellectual, and spiritual matters.
Analyzes the RWS-based Fool's nuanced interpretations in common tarot spread positions (such as situation, advice and outcome).
Presents contextualized examples of The RWS-based Fool in paired card combinations (upright and reversed) such as the Ace of Wands and 9 of Pentacles.
Explores controversies and interesting facts aboutThe Fool RWS tarot card, including The "Fool's Journey" idea and the mystical "second Fool" card.
A.E Waite’s Fool Card (Rider Waite Smith Deck)
A.E Waite’s Fool card shows a young vegabond in half-relenting stride (choices and their consequences) despite being at a cliff’s precipice (danger, naivety). Next to him, a dog (the lower mind) barks in warning. In his right hand is a knapsack - a small bag with the bare essentials needed for travel (spiritual seeking & inclination). In his left hand, a white flower (the manifestation of innocence and purity). Behind him are mountains (obstacles, challenges) and about him is the guiding light of the sun (Spirit).
Waite’s Divinatory Meanings of The Fool
In Sasha Graham’s Complete Book of the Rider Waite Smith Tarot, Waite’s Fool card meanings are said to be things like:
Upright: mania, extravagence and intoxication.
Reversed: absence, apathy and vanity.
There are more keywords given but please do buy the book if you are interested in reading them.
Waite’s Arcane Commentary On The Fool
From Waite’s Pictoral Key To The Tarot, 1911: “In conclusion as to this part (Part II, Section 3), I will give these further indications regarding the Fool, which is the most speaking of all the symbols. He signifies the journey outward, the state of the first emanation, the graces and passivity of the spirit. His wallet is inscribed with dim signs, to shew that many sub-conscious memories are stored up in the soul.”
Modern (Upright) Fool Archetype (In Practice)
Beyond Waite’s meanings (and their Hermetic Golden Dawn context) are the ways that many modern RWS readers see the cards today. I don’t just mean on social media platforms like YouTube, TikTok and Instagram (although those are certainly significant) but the way that people read tarot now in modern times, influenced heavily by the Rider Waite Smith deck imagery and symbolism but interpreted based on our 21st century, computerized and globalized society.
The Fool Card Generally
In a general reading/context, the Fool is about beginnings, inexperience and risk-taking, especially when done in a brave, naive, innocent, liberal or spontaneous manner. It’s about as simple as that.
The Fool In A Love Context
In a love context, The Fool relates in some way to; casual/non-committal relationships, romance, the act/experience of falling in love. A one night stand, a marriage proposal, a first date.
The Fool In A Money/Career Context
In a broad financial context, the RWS Fool can indicate unclear financial decisions or ventures. In a job/career reading, the Fool can indicate; mass applying to jobs, writing cover letters from the heart, starting a business you always dreamed of making (especially if risky), starting your career in an entry level role being rejected for an entry level role due to not already having 3 years of experience, your first day on the job and so on.
The Fool In An Intellectual Context
The Fool in intellectual matters can indicate novel ideas, dissenting opinions, uninformed positions on matters, public perception, urban legends and myths, citizen journalists, independent news networks, intellectual humility, being a beginner learner or learning without a structured plan or teacher; casual auto-didactic study. It can also indicate learning through innovative technology, especially AI language models such as ChatGPT or (the aptly named) Gemini.
The Fool In A Spiritual Context
A preacher, a missionary, a religious reformer, the Soul.
The Fool In An “Advice” Spread Position
Fear not, go for it, start the venture or relationship. It is essentially a card of “yes” unless other factors indicate cautions before committing such as verification, fact-checking or overall diligence.
The Fool In “(Ultimate) Outcome” Spread Position
Events such as; liberation, detachment, dreams coming true, spiritual journey, exposé.
The Fool In “Obstacles” Position
The care-free nature, lack of planning etc. related to the Fool card will be a hindrance rather than a help. May be an external person who is disorganized, disinterested or unserious.
The Fool In “Hidden Energy” Position
The adventurous, care-free, non-committal spirit etc. of the Fool is unknown, untapped, underestimated, repressed etc.
The Fool In “Resources/Alliances” Position
Help in the form of a vegabond, minimalist or lay-person. Alternatively, utilize humility, originality, bravery or innovative technology for success.
The Fool in “Hopes/Fears” Position
Relates to the emotional need for adventure, free-spiritedness, commitment and acceptance.
The Fool In “Past/Declining Influences” Position
Refers to themes of progression, wisdom and experience.
The Fool In “Emerging Influences” Position
Concerns instability, endings, loss.
Modern Reversed Fool Archetype (In Practice)
The Fool Reversed General Reading
Foolishness, psychosis, stupid risk-taking, inaction produced by excessive fear; phobia.
The Fool Reversed Love Meaning
Ignoring red flags, risky sex, fear of commitment.
The Fool Reversed Money/Career Meaning
Risky/scam investments, missed financial opportunities, lack of experience.
The Fool Reversed Intellectual Meaning
Unconventionality for it’s own sake, controversial/provocative ideas, extremism, fundamentalism, conspiracy theories, urban myths and superstition (especially when paired with the Hierophant reversed).
The Fool Reversed Spiritual Meaning
Bad spiritual ideas, beliefs or actions.
Further Context: The Fool Tarot Card In Various Spread Positions
To describe how the Fool may be interpreted in different spread positions, I have used pretty much the positions of A.E Waite’s original celtic cross tarot spread. This choice (like this card meanings series as a whole) is intended to honour A.E Waite’s phenomenal influence on the modern, English-speaking tarot world whilst hopefully also adding tangible value to readers.
The Fool Reversed In “Advice” Position
Warning. Do not act.
The Fool Reversed In “(Ultimate) Outcome” Position
Error, humiliation, arrogance.
The Fool Reversed in “Obstacles” Position
Fear, arrogance, rashness, unpreparedness.
The Fool Reversed In “Hidden Energy” Position
Enemies playing dumb, unconscious self-sabotage, insidious errors.
The Fool Reversed In “Resources/Alliances” Position
Who dares wins. Wisdom from experience.
The Fool Reversed in “Hopes/Fears” Position
Fear/hope of caution, inaction, consumerism.
The Fool Reversed In “Past/Declining Influences” Position
Wasted opportunities, especially for wisdom and experience.
The Fool Reversed In “Emerging Influences” Position
Oncoming time-sensitive opportunities, especially when risky; emergencies.
The Fool Card Combinations (Upright & Reversed)
The Fool & The Tower
Both upright: Ego death. Retribution. Karmic effects.
Fool only reversed: ignored warning, disproven idea.
Tower only reversed: disaster averted (not necessarily avoided).
Both reversed: saved by the grace of God, especially in spite of recklessness; “luck”.
The Fool & The World
Both upright: Victorious change and transitions. Newborns. Special occasions such as marriage.
Fool only reversed: resting on laurels, undeserved or uncontested victory; overqualification.
World reversed: progress blocked or delayed, especially due to not meeting criteria or expectations.
Both Reversed: underachievement, responsible failure.
The Fool & The Hierophant
Both upright: Inner master; conscience.
Fool only reversed: poor student.
Hierophant only reversed: embracing fundamentalism.
Both reversed: prejudice & irrationality.
The Fool & The Devil
Both upright: Temptation to sin.
Fool only reversed: Sinful act.
Devil only reversed: Sin overcome or resisted.
Both reversed: Scrupulosity.
The Fool & The 6 of Wands
Both upright: Sudden fame. Rumours.
Fool only reversed: Scandals exposed. public resignation.
6 of Wands only reversed: reputation destroyed, loss of popularity.
Both reversed: infamy.
The Fool & The Five of Pentacles
Both upright: Systemic financial barriers, powerlessness.
Fool only reversed: Consequences of bad decisions. Objectionable opportunity.
Five of Pentacles only reversed: (likely meager) financial opportunity e.g. social support/welfare, apprenticeship, internship, etc.
Both reversed: the (perceivedly) undeserving poor, bad opportunity sussed out.
The Fool & The Six of Pentacles
Both upright: gracious generosity, especially from the heart.
Fool only reversed: covetousness, materialism, refusing to share wealth.
6 of Pentacles only reversed: ineffective help or charity
Both reversed: Overgiving. Imbalance, or the fear thereof.
The Fool & The Four of Cups
Both upright: rejection.
The Fool only reversed: rejection sensitivity.
Four of Cups only reversed: successful cold approach.
Both reversed: Stubbornness, harrassment, unrequited love.
The Fool & The 9 of Pentacles
Both upright: New money. Young adulthood.
Fool only reversed: unwillingness or inability to handle wealth or independence
9 of Pentacles only reversed: minimalism.
Both reversed: entrapment, imprisonment.
The Fool & The Ace of Wands
Both upright: Virgin. Tyro/rookie.
Fool only reversed: unwillingness. timidity, laziness.
Ace of Wands only reversed: inspired to madness.
Both reversed: unimpressive performance, hopelessness.
Controversies & Notes
The “Fool’s journey”
The Fool’s journey is an idea invented by the once famous tarot authority Eden Gray. In an appendix to his Complete Guide To The Tarot (1972), Gray interpreted the Fool as the newly incarnated soul and the subsequent cards of the Major Arcana as archetypal life lessons which the fool learns as he progresses. The idea was thus created long after A.E Waite’s death, nevermind the RWS deck.
I do not like the idea of the Fool’s journey. It gives off a stench of Jungian psychobabble. Yes, I’m a psychology graduate. But I’m interested in psychology for it’s practical benefit to society; any time someone starts talking about archetypes I start meditating on the atom (I zone out).
The “second Fool” card
A more interesting, somewhat connected idea is that of Key XXII (22): the second fool card. If the first fool is yet to gain experience, enlightenment or whatever else, then the second fool is the archetype of he who possesses it. Thus, you might called him the “enlightened fool” in the sense of spiritual madness. If you’re wondering whether this is relevant to the Rider Waite Smith deck, it actually is - in a tangential way. Waite was an initiate of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, a 19th century magical society which still exists in various post-original forms today. Perhaps the most well-known Golden Dawn based order comes from the Regardie lineage and is run as I write by the Ciceros. The Ciceros are prolific authors on Golden Dawn magic and this includes both a book and a deck on the tarot - a Golden Dawn based tarot. This tarot deck has, you guessed it, two fools.
Conclusion
Broadly, the Fool tarot card in the Rider Waite Smith deck relates (in modernity) to beginnings, risk, exploration, experience and bravery. But placed in context, The Fool tarot card transforms into anything from; a first date, to a prejudiced recruiter, to a travelling salesman to a Divinely enlightened being.
