Does The Fool Joyously Step Off of the Cliff?

[RickInBakersfield]

My notes on The Fool is that The Fool joyously walks into the unknown, stepping into a new adventure.

 

I was listening to a YouTube video where the person on the video talked about The Fool not paying attention to his surroundings, and the dog was warning him that he might fall off the cliff.

 

So, my question is does The Fool knowingly step off the cliff or does the dog warn him about not stepping off the cliff?

 

Rick

[Misterei]

The Fool is one of those cards the meaning of which has changed over time.

The symbolism in RWS, the dog is NOT warning him of anything.

 

In RWS Fool is an unincarnated soul stepping from the subtle realms of consciousness into materiality [the fall]. The dog is a that collection of human instinctive traits which accompany a soul. The animal / instinctive nature without which we couldn't survive on the earth. The characterization as a dog shows these instinctive traits are a companion and servant of the soul.

 

LOL one might argue the problems of the world are caused by the Dog running the show.

 

This is what I learned vis a vis RWS. TdM has a whole different take on the fool. I find the modern interpretation that the dog is warning the Fool to be nonsense. Or perhaps it's less judgy to say that it doesn't resonate for me 🤣 YMMV.

Edited August 16, 2024 by Misterei

[DanielJUK]

I think also the idea of this card is about taking chances, a risk and opportunities, it's a card of no fear ahead! It's being spontaneous in the moment. He could fall but also by going out of his comfort zone, he could thrive!

We don't have to agree with every view put out there 🙂 .

 

This is from Waite's PKT.....

"With light step, as if earth and its trammels had little power to restrain him, a young man in gorgeous vestments pauses at the brink of a precipice among the great heights of the world; he surveys the blue distance before him-its expanse of sky rather than the prospect below. His act of eager walking is still indicated, though he is stationary at the given moment; his dog is still bounding. The edge which opens on the depth has no terror; it is as if angels were waiting to uphold him, if it came about that he leaped from the height. His countenance is full of intelligence and expectant dream. He has a rose in one hand and in the other a costly wand, from which depends over his right shoulder a wallet curiously embroidered. He is a prince of the other world on his travels through this one-all amidst the morning glory, in the keen air. The sun, which shines behind him, knows whence he came, whither he is going, and how he will return by another path after many days. He is the spirit in search of experience. Many symbols of the Instituted Mysteries are summarized in this card, which reverses, under high warrants, all the confusions that have preceded it....." Source

 

Don't sound like his is going to fall to his death there
 

[Chariot]

I dont know.  I was never happy with the RWS Fool, even though I use that deck a lot.  But to me, the precipice does say 'fool,' in the sense of somebody (foolishly) not paying attention to what they are doing.  I think that's a different vibe from 'setting out with high heart on an adventure, not knowing what the adventure will bring'—which is how I always interpret the upright Fool.

So when I saw the Ciro Marchetti Fool in the Tarot Grand Luxe deck, I just had to buy the deck.  It's the small picture that does it for me.  The Fool is dancing off on an adventure early in the morning, and his wee dog is just as joyously excited to be going as he is. There is no sign of a precipice at all.  Just the still-sleeping city which he is leaving behind.  I love this image.

 

[Misterei]

3 hours ago, Chariot said:

So when I saw the Ciro Marchetti Fool in the Tarot Grand Luxe deck, ...
 

One thing I like in most or all of Marchetti decks is how Fool appears in various cards throughout the Trumps. This [to me] is a nod to the older symbolism of Fool in the tarocchi and TdM decks. We are all the Fool and we are all on our Fool's Journey.

[November]

Hello, well I think The Fool knows he may fall from the cliff, but this doesn't dissuade him from taking anyway a walk there.

This is of course a metaphor to say that there's always a risk, but this must not discourage you from doing what you like. 

 

I don't think the dog is a warning, it's just the companion of The Fool, because probably only a dog would go after a fool 🙄