Living with Mindfulness Using Tarot Cards

The Fool

The mystical picture on the Tarot card with the numerical value of zero reminds me of what I want to be: the Fool.

The Fool travels the world lightly. A small knapsack tied to the end of a pole swings over one shoulder. He’s plucked a white rose which he sniffs from time to time, and a little dog cavorts at his heels.

His colourful tunic and bright yellow boots strike the eyes of passers-by and make them smile. The day is filled with glorious sunshine and the views from where he stands are spectacular.

But it’s not these things that draw me to the Fool. What captivates me is his air of innocence, curiosity, energy and hope.

And the danger he’s in!

One more step could plummet him over the edge and into oblivion. He’s living his last moment as the Fool.

Or is he?

Will his innocence, curiosity, energy and hope save him?

Yes, I think so. That is the message of this card.

Tarot cards are used to interpret where we are in life’s journey. Each card represents things that all human beings experience:

· helpful and not-so-helpful people;

· nerve-wracking situations like drastic change, deceit, disillusionment and death;

· moments of contemplation, fulfillment and revelation.

And through all this the Fool walks lightly and quickly, unburdened and — despite appearances — alert.

Some say the Fool is asking for trouble. His head is in the clouds. He’s too vague and dreamy, foolishly expecting only good things to happen.

But a more modern take could be that the Fool is living with mindfulness.

Living with Mindfulness

Sometimes the Fool is called the Dreamer, Traveler or Seeker. These three terms imply he or she is passing through. He doesn’t permanently belong here. He’s visiting.

Arthur Waite, the creator of the Rider-Waite Tarot deck, said of the Fool:

He is the spirit in search of experience.

The French Jesuit philosopher, paleontologist and geologist Pierre Teilhard de Chardin wrote:

We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.

Seen in this light, the Fool knows he has a long way to go and lots to learn. He has no preconceived ideas and no expectations. He’s not distracted by fear or desire. He’s in the moment, ready for whatever arises.

Although he doesn’t know what’s going to happen next, he’s ready for whatever will. His knapsack contains his needs, and if he falls over the edge, so be it. He’ll sort something out on the way down to save himself.

He’s alert because he knows he’s the Fool.

The deaf-blind author and political activist Helen Keller said:

Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.

We can choose to live a life of safety. We can stay on the sheltered front porch of our lives, dozing in a rocking chair with the dog asleep at our feet. Or we can allow innocence, curiosity, energy and hope to arise within us. We can step into life with alert acceptance while Universal wisdom swirls around and through us, as illuminating as the warm, yellow sun we bask in.

Insight

Life is a call to adventure for those who are prepared to acknowledge they are the Fool.

The Fool who is caught in the past or looking far into the future is a lost Fool.

Be a mindful Fool experiencing life in the moment.

The views will be spectacular!

The next article in this series will feature the Magician.

Foretaste: There’s power in all of us, if we learn how to use it.

With love, Marlane

For more articles on mindfulness, visit me at www.marlaneainsworth.com