WOW sorry for the delay it will be worth the wait I promise. This post will be one of my longest but there is a lot to cover. I hope you enjoy this story as much as I did. I really learned a lot about the tarot while doing this.
The MAJOR ARCANA
“THE FOOL’S JOURNEY”
OK as promised I am now ready to continue our discussion about the TAROT the next thing I would like to talk about is the fool's journey. This is the story of ones personal journey to enlightenment. Another way I look at this is the story of a person going through a lesson learning it and moving on. So think about that as you read it and I hope it gives you some insight and perspective on how you may truly accomplish that which you want in this world one lesson at a time. However before I begin I must tell you I found this information @http://wwwaeclectic.net
I must say I do not 100% with everything said here but it does give me new insight on the tarot as a whole
Lets us start at the beginning shall we.
(0) THE FOOL
With all his worldly possessions in one small pack. The fool travels he knows not where. So filled with visions and daydreams is he, that he doesn't see the cliff he is likely to fall over. At his side a small dog tries to warn him of a possible misstep
(1) THE MAGICIAN
Traveling on his way the first person the fool encounters is a Magician. Skillful, self confident a powerful magus with infinite as a halo floating above his head. The magician mesmerizes the fool. When asked the fool gives over his bundle pack and stick to and stick to the magician. raising his wand to heaven, pointing his finger to earth, the magician calls on all his power;magically, the cloth of the pack unfolds upon the table, revealing the contents.
And to the fools eyes it is as if the magician has created the future with a word . All the possibilities are laid out, all the directions he can take, the cool airy sword of intellect and communication, the everflowing chalice of love and emotions, the fiery wand of spirituality and ambition. and the solid pentacle of work, possessions and body.
with these tools The Fool can create ANYTHING make ANYTHING of his life. But, here is the question? Did the magician create the tools or were they already in the pack. Only the magician knows for sure. and on this mystery our eloquent mage refuses to say
(2) THE HIGH PRIESTESS
Continuing on his journey the fool comes upon a beautiful and mysterious veiled lady enthralled between two pillars. and illuminated by the moon. She is in opposite of the magician, quiet where he was loquacious. still where he was in motion. sitting while he stood shrouded in night while he was out in the bright of day.She i the High Priestess and astonishes the fool knowing everything about him
“Since you know me so well , perhaps you can help me” says the fool laying out his sword chalice staff and penticale. “ The magician showed me these tools,but I’m in a quandary. There are so many thing I could do with them . I can’t decide
In answer the High Priestess hands over him a pair of ancient scrolls. “These will teach you how to decide” Seating himself at her feet the fool reads by the light of her crescent moon.. The Fool finally knows enough that he can now decide what her wants, where he will go, and what he will do.
Though he suspects that the High Priestess has even more secrets she could teach him lie what's behind the pomegranate curtain . He is focused and ready to be on his way. Thanking the High Priestess he heads off. but as he leaves he hears her whisper Quiet as the waters which bubble up from behind her throne, “We will meet again when you’re ready to travel the most secret path of all”.
(3) THE EMPRESS
having decided what shape his future will take the fool strides forward. But he is impatient to make his future a full grown reality. This is when he comes upon the Empress her hair gold as wheat, wearing a crown of stars and a white gown dotted with pomegranates. She rests back on her throne surrounded by an abundance of grain and a lush garden It is possible that she is pregnant
Knelling the fool relates his story. And she, in turn smiles a motherly smile and gently gives him advice. “Like newly planted grain or a child in the womb, a new life a new love, a new creation is fragile It requires fertile soil, patience and nurturing, It needs Love and Attention. Only this will bring it to fruition” Understand at last that his future will take time to build and create, The fool thanks the empress and continues on his way
(4)THE EMPEROR
The fool was given options by the Magician, and he decided on one with the help of the High Priestess. He Learned who to develope it thanks to the Empress. Now he must Manage it How do I do this He approaches the great Emperor seated on the throne. the Fool amazed by the way the Emperor is Instantly eagerly obeyed in every particular, at how well his Empire is run. Respectfully he asks the Emperor how it is he does this. and the Emperor answers “Strong will and Strong Foundation.” it is all very well “ he explains to the fool “ to be dreamy, creative, instinctive, patient; but to control one must be alert and aggressive
(5) THE HIEROPHANT
Now ready to Lead rather than be led the Fool heads out with new purpose and direction. Having created a solid foundation on which to build his future, the Fool is struck with a sudden fear What if everything he has worked for is taken away? is stolen? or lost or destroyed or vanishes? Or what is it is just not good enough in a panic heads into a holy place where he finds the Hierophant. a wise teacher and holy man. Acolytes kneel before the man, ready to hear and pass on his teachings. the Fool tells the Hierophant hi fears, and asks how her can be free of them.
“There are only two ways” says the Hierophant sagely “Either give up that which you fear to lose so it no longer holds any power over you, or consider what you will still have if your fear comes to pass after all the hierophant continues “ if you do lose all you have build, you would still keep the experiences and knowledge that you have gained up to this point wouldn’t you
This surprising pragmatic advice releases the fool from his fear, and he is able to exit out of the sanctuary and face the worlds challenges once again.
(6) THE LOVERS
The fool comes to a cross-road filled with energy confidence and purpose, knowing exactly where he wants, to go and what he wants to do. But he comes to a dead stop. A flowering tree marks the path he wants to take, the one he’s been planning on taking but standing before a fruit tree marking the other path is a woman.
He’s met and had relationships with women before, some far more beautiful and alluring. But she is different. Seeing her he feels as though he’s just been shot in the heart with cupids arrow, so shocking, so painful is his “recognition” of her. As he speaks with her, the feeling intensifies; like finding a missing part of himself, a part he’s been searching for a long time. Its clear she feels the same for him. They finish eachothers sentences. Think the same thoughts it is as if a Angel from above has introduced the souls to each other. though it was to follow the path of the flowering tree, and though it will cause some trouble for him to bring this woman with him, to go somewhere else entirely the fool knows he dare not leave her behind, Like the fruit tree she will fulfill him, no matter how divergent from his original intent, she is his future. He chooses her and together they go down a whole new road.
The Fool is close to completing what he set out to to create long ago, back when the Magician revealed those tools to him But there are enemies now standing in his way, devous human enemies, bad circumstances even confusion in his own mind, There is no more forward momentum, he feels he is fighting just to stay where he is. Walking along the shore, watching the waves come come in, he puzzles over how to defeat these enemies and get things moving forward once again.
(7) THE CHARIOT
It is here comes across a Charioteer standing in his gold
and silver chariot his black and white steeds at rest. “You seem a victorious warrior” The fool remarks “Tell me what is the best way to defeat an enemy “ The Charioteer nods out at the ocean. “ Have you ever been swimming in the water and been trapped by that tide that pulls you out to see? If you to swim forward head on you go nowhere. you swim forward, the tide pulls you back out and if you tire yourself out you drown. the only way to win without sapping your energy is to swim parallel with the shore and come in diagonally. So too when you are fighting in a chariot. You win by coming up alongside that which you wish to defeat” The warrior nods to his beasts “Your steeds keep the wheels turning but it is your control and direction that brings victory. Dark and Light they must be made draw in harmony under your guidance
The fool impressed and inspired. He thinks he now knows
how to win his own war. He thanks the warrior, but before he leave the warrior says to the fool “One more thing” he says “ No victory can be won unless you have unwavering confidence in your cause and remember this above all VICTORY IS NOT THE END IT IS THE BEGINNING
(8) STRENGTH
The fool victorious over his enemies is feeling arrogant, powerful passion even vengeful. There is a hot passion in him that he can barely control. It is a state that he comes across a maiden struggling with a lion, running to help he arrives in time to see her gently but firmly shut the lions mouth!! In fact the beast which seems so wild and fierce a moment ago is now completely at her command.
Amazed the fool asks her “How did you do that” One hand on the lions mane, she answers “Will Power any beast no matter how big will back down before a superior will.” In that moment the maiden meets the fools eyes; though saintly and young her look is knowing and filled with great power. “Likewise” she says to him. “There are many unworthy impulses inside us. It is not wrong to have them. But it is wrong to let them control us. We are human, not beasts and we can command such energies for a higher purposes.” His rage quieted, the fool nods, enlightened and walks away knowing that it wasn't only the lion that was tames this day by a maidens pure and innocent strength.
(9)THE HERMIT
After a long and busy lifetime, building creating loving hating fighting compromising falling succeeding. The fool feels a profound need to retreat. In a small rustic home deep in the woods, he hides, reading cleaning organizing, resting, or just thinking. But every night at dusk he heads out traveling across the bare autumnal landscape he carries only a staff and a lantern.
It is during these restless walks walks from dusk till dawn peering at and examining whatever takes his fancy, that he sees and realizes things he’s missed about himself and the world. It is as if the secret corners of his head were being slowly illuminated; corners he never knew existed. in a way he has become the fool again; as in the beginning, he goes wherever inspiration leads him . But as the fool his staff rested on his shoulder carrying unseen hi pack. The fool was like the pack whatever it was he could be was wrapped up unknown. The Hermits staff leans out before him not behind. and it carries a lantern not a pack. The Hermit is like the lantern Illuminated from within by all he is
(10) THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE
From out of hiding comes the fool, into the sunlight as if being pulled up from some low dark point on a wheel. It is time for a change. Staff in hand he heads back out into the world expecting nothing. But strangely things seem to happen him as the hours go by, good things. Wandering by a water wheel a woman offers him a drink from a golden chalice, and ten urges him to keep the cup, just because she likes him; as he wanders by a windmill he stops to watch a young man swinging a swords when he expresses his admiration for the weapon, the young man presses it into his hand insisting that he take it. And finally when he comes up upon a merchant sitting in a wagon right over one of the wheels, the man hands him a bag of money. “ I like giving away money” explains the merchant “and I decided just randomly that the tenth person who walks past me today would get this money. You’re the tenth”. The fool hardly thought he could be surprised, but he is. It is as if everything that he ever did in his life is being paid back to him three fold. All luck is his this day
(11) Justice
The fool is looking for a new path a new aspiration and inspiration for his life. Sitting uncertain at a crossroads he notices a blind wise woman listening to two brothers argue over an inheritance. They have come to her for judgement. One brother has the whole inheritance and the other has nothing. “I ask that all of it be given to me” The poor brother demands, “Not only because I have the better right to it, but because I will not be wasteful with it a he is” But the rich brother protests “It is rightfully mine and that’s all that should matter, not what I do with it” The woman listens than awards half of the rich brother’ inheritance to the poor brother. The fool thinks that is fair, but neither brother is happy. the rich one hates losing half his wealth and the poor on feels he ought to have it all.”You were fair” the fool remarks after they had left. “Yes I was” she answers plainly “with only half the wealth the rich one will stop being so wasteful . And the poor one will have as much as he needs Even though they cannot see it this decision was good for both.
The fool thinks on this and new insight on his own comes to mind. He realizes that he has spent his life achieving worldly physical goods while leaving his spiritual self to starve primarily because he did not want to make the sacrifices necessary to feed his spiritual self. Now he sees that this path is necessary, the only path he has not walked, one he must walk to regain his equilibrium
Thanking the woman he heads out with new purpose. Its time to balance his own inner scales
(12) THE HANGED MAN
The fool settles beneath a tree intend on finding his spiritual self. there he stays for nine days without eating barely moving people pass by him animals clouds, the wind , the rain, the stars , the moon On the ninth day with no conscious thought of why he climbs a branch and dangles upside down like a child giving up for a moment, all that he wants, knows, or cares about. Coins fall from his pockets and he gazes down at them. seeing them not as money but only as round bits of metal. Everything suddenly changes perspective. It is as if he is hanging between the mundane world and the spiritual world able to see both. it is a dazzling moment, dreamlike yet crystal clear. connections he never understood before are made, mysteries are revealed .
But timeless as this moment of clarity is he realizes that it will not last very soon he must right himself and when he does things will be different. He will have to act on what he’s learned. For now however he just hangs, weightless as if underwater observing absorbing seeing
(13) DEATH
having left the tree from where he hung, The fool moves carefully through a fallow field,head sill clearing from visions. The Air is cold and windy. Before him he sees rising with the sun a skeleton in black armor on a white horse he recognizes it as death. As it stops before him he humbly asks “Have I died”? He feels in fact rather empty and desolate. and the skeleton answers “Yes in a way you sacrificed your old world your old self. Both are gone DEAD” The fool reflected on that “How sad” the fool says. Death acknowledges with a nod “yes but A new sun is rising it is for you a time of transformation” As death rides away, The fool can hear the truth in those words, he too feels like a skeleton, all that he was striped away.This he understands is how all great transformations start. by striping things to the bone and building fresh upon a bare foundation.
(14) TEMPERANCE
Continuing on his spiritual path, the fool begins to wonder how to reconcile the opposites that he has been facing material and spiritual (which he hung between as the hanged man) , death and birth (one leading into the other on the death card) it is at this point that he comes upon a winged figure standing with one foot in a brook, the other on a rock The radiant creature pours something from one flask into another.
Drawing closer the fool sees that what is being poured out of one flask is fire while water flows from the other. the two are being blended together. ‘How can you mix fire and water the fool finally whispers.’ Never pausing the Angel Answers” you must have the right vessels and the right proportions” The fool watches with wonder “ Can this be done with all opposites” he asks The Angel Replies “ fire and water man and woman thesis and antithesis can be made to harmonize. It is only a lack of will and a disbelieve in the possibility of unity that keeps the opposites opposite” And when the fool begins to understand that he is the one who is keeping the universe twain, holding life/death, material world and spiritual world separate. In him the two could merge as in the vessels that the angel uses to pour the elements one to the other all it takes is the fool realizes the right proportions the right vessel.
(15) THE DEVIL
The fool comes upon the foot of an enormous black mountain where reigns a creature half goat half god. At his hooves naked people linked to the gods throne engage in every indulgence imaginable; sex drugs food gold drink. The closer the the fool gets the more he feels his own earthly desires rising in him. lust passion obsession greed. “I refuse to give into you” he rors to the goat god resisting with all his might. The Creature returns a curious look. “ All i'm doing is bringing out what is already in you” The beast responses “ such feelings are nothing to to fear , nothing to be ashamed of, or even avoid” The fool gestures angrily at the chained men and women” You say that even though they are enslaved?” The Goat-god mimics the fools gesture”Take another look”
The fool does so and realizes the chained collars the men and women are wearing are big enough for them to easily take off if they wish. “They can be free if they wish to be” the Goat-god says “ though you are right I am the god of your strongest desires. But you see here only those who have allowed their base beastial desires to control them” At this the Goat-god gestures to upward to the peak of the mountain. “ You do not see those who have allowed their impulses and aspirations to take them up to the top of the peak of the mountain. Inhibition can enslave as easily as excesses. They can keep you from following your passions to it’s highest heights” The fool realizes the truth in this, and that he has mistaken the Goat-god. Here he understands that it is not a creature of evil, but of great power, the lowest and the highest, both beast and god. his power is frightening and dangerous… but it is also the key to freedom and transcendence if understood and well used
(16) THE TOWER
As the fool leaves the throne of the Goat he comes upon a Tower fantastic and familiar. In fact, The fool himself helped build this tower back when the most important thing to him was making his mark on this world and proving himself better than other men. Inside the tower at the top arrogant ment still live convinced of their rightness Seeing the Tower again, the fool feels as if lightning has just flashed across his mind; he thought he had left that old self behind when he started t on this spiritual journey. But he realizes now that he hasn’t. He’s been seeing himself like the tower like the mere inside as alone and singular and superior, when in fact he is no such thing. So captured by the shock of this insight that he opens his mouth and releases a shout of this insight that he opens his mouth and releases a SHOUT. And to his astonishment and terror, as if the shout has taken form, a bolt actual lightning slashes down from the heaven, striking the TOWER and sending its resident leaping into the waters below.
In a moment it is over. The Tower is rubble , only rocks remaining. Stunned and shaken to the core, The fool experiences grief, profound fear and disbelief. But also a strange clarity of vision, as if his inner eye has finally opened. He tore down his resistance to change and sacrifice(Hanged man), Then broke free from his fear and preconceptions of death(Death); he dissolved his belief that opposites cannot be merged(Temperance), and shattered the chains of ambition and desire(The Devil). But here, he has done what is the hardest; destroy the lies he held about himself, what is left is the bare , absolute truth. On this he can rebuild his soul
(17) THE STAR
On the bleak landscape where the tower stood, the fool sits empty, despairing. He hoped to find himself on this spiritual journey, but know he feel as if he has lost everything, even himself. Sitting on the cold stone he gazes up at the night sky wondering what’s left And that is when he notices nearby a beautiful girl with two urns. As he watches she knees by the pool of water illuminated with reflected starlight. She empties the urns one into the pool. She empties the urns, One in the pool. one onto thirsty ground.
What are you doing? he asks her. She looks up at him her eyes twinkling like stars. “I am refilling the pool, so those who are thirsty may drink, and i am watering the earth so that come spring, the seeds will grow. And then she adds “COME DRINK”. The fool comes to kneel with her by the pool and drink. The water tastes wonderful like liquid starlight. “I can see your sad” the girl continues and ” I know why. But you must remember that you have not lost all. Knowledge, possibilities and hope you still have all of these. Like stars they can lead you to a new future” Even as she says this she began to fade away, vanishing. All that remains is agleam that was the center of her forehead. This risis up and up until it settles in the night sky as a shining star. “FOLLOW YOUR STAR” the woman’s voice seems to sing from that light “ AND HAVE HOPE” The fool takes a breath and rises. Its a dark night, a desolate land. but for the first time, he has a guiding light to show him the way as distant as it is, it heals his heart, and restore his faith
(18) THE MOON
Following the star the fool travels through the night. The full moon rises, illuminating for him a watery path. And he begins to feel disoriented, as if walking in his sleep. He passes under the moon. between two pillars ancient and strange. Suddenly he looks around and finds himself in another land entirely. When he was in the presence of the High Priestess. he saw hints of this dark land thru the sheer veil draped behind her throne. And later when he hung from from the tree he felt himself between the physical world and this one. Now he has passed behind the veil. Here are the mysteries he sought at least her are the dark mysteries, ones that have to do with the most primal and ancient power; powers of nature not of civilization. Its a land poets, artist, musicians and madmen know well, a terrifying alluring place, with very different rule. Wolves Howling in homage to the moon run wild across this land, hunting alongside maidens with bow and arrow; and creatures from childhood nightmares and fantasies peer from the shadows eyes glowing
On the nearby shore a small boat, but it has no rudder no oar. The fool realizes he has only two choices. He can lose himself in this desolate primal land of madness and illusion, howl with the wolves, be hunted down, or he can get into the boat and trust himself to the river. The moon will be in control either way, but in the boat, his surrender to the unconscious and the natural world will at least take him somewhere. As the artist and poets and magicians know inspiration visions, genius, moon magic are the rewards of such surrender. The fool gets into the boat, and shoves off. As the water sweep him away. moon beams light his “path” and he feels the Mistress of this dark land gazing down at him with the High Priestess approving eyes.
(19)THE SUN
The fool wakes at dawn from his long, restless night to find that the wild river has at last come to an end quietly floating him into a serene pool. There is a walled garden around this pond dominated by roses, lilies, nodding sunflowers. Stepping ashore he watches the sun rise overhead bright and golden. The day is clear. A child’s laughter attracts his attention and he sees a little boy ride a small pony into the garden.
“Come” says the little boy leaping off of the horse and running up to him. “Come See” And the child proceeds to take the fools hand and enthusiastically point out all manner of things, the busy insects in the grass the seeds and petals on the sunflowers, the way the light sparkles on the pond. He questions the fool simple and profound, like why is the sky blue. He sings songs and plays games with the fool
At one point the fools stops, blinking at the sun so large and golden overhead, and he finds himself smiling wider and brighter than he has in long time. Since he started on this spiritual journey he has been tested and tried, confused and scared dismayed and amazed. But this is the first time that he has been simply and purely happy. His mind feels illuminated, his soul light and bright as a sunbeam. Like the great sun itself, this child has simple question games and songs, has helped the fool see the world and himself anew, to wonder and appreciate both. “Who are you?” the fool asks the child at last. The child smiles and seems to shine. And then grows Brighter and brighter until he turns into pure SUNLIGHT. “I’m You the voice says throughout the garden, “The New You”. And as the words fill the fool with warmth and energy he comes to realize that this garden, the sun above,the child ALL EXIST WITHIN HIM. He has just met his inner light
(20) JUDGEMENT
As the fool leaves the garden of the sun, he feels that he is near the end of his journey, ready to take a final step. but something is keeping him from doing this, holding him back. He gazes up, hoping to find guidance from the sun instead he sees a Fiery angel, Beautiful and terrible
“You are right” The Angelic figure confirms “ you only have one last step on your journey, one final step to completion. But you cannot take that step until you lay your past to rest” The Fool is Perturbed. “Lay it to rest ? I thought I’d left it behind, all of it. “There is no way to do that” the angel observes. each step wears down the shoe just a little bit, and it shapes the next step you take, and the next and the next. Your past is always under your feet. you cannot hide from it, ru from it, or rid yourself of it. But you can call it up, and come to terms with it. Are You Willing To Do That?”
The Angel hands the Fool Small trumpet. the Fool is hesitant, but he knows this is the final decision Either go forward or stay where he is. He blows, and the trumpet’s song echoes across the sky, its vibrations seem to crack open the earth. From under the fools feet, memories rise Images of his Innocent Youth, challenges, loves losses success disillusionment and wisdom.
For the first time he does not try to leave them,ignore them or forget them, but accepts them. They are, He Sees, Nothing to fear. They happen , They are gone now. He alone carries them into the present. With that understanding the memories vanish. Though they remain in his mind, they no longer have any power over him. HE IS REBORN, AND WHOLLY IN THE PRESENT MOMENT
(21) THE WORLD
The fool turns to take the final along his path, and he finds to his bemusement that he is right back where he started, at the edge of that very same cliff he almost stepped over when he was young and too foolish to look where he was going. But know he sees his position very differently. He thought he could separate body and mind, learn all about one, then leave it to learn about the other. But in the end It is all about Self, mind and body, past and future, the individual and the world. ALL ONE. As above so below, and all opposites are each other, including the fool and the mystic who are both doorways to the secrets of the Universe. With a knowing smile the fool takes that final step right off the cliff…...and soars. Higher and higher until the whole of the world is his to see. And there he dances surrounded by a yoni of stars, at one with the universe. Ending in a sense where he began, beginning again at the end. The world turns and the fools journey is complete
well that took a lot longer than I thought it would. as Always I hope this information is helpful to you.
NASASTE
Blessings to yiou