Fools of the Tarot

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Meet the Fools of the Tarot

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Collage of Tarot Fools. © Phylameana lila Desy

Next to each card featured in my Fools of the Tarot Slideshow is a second card showing the backside of its corresponding deck.

What the Fool Card Represents in a Tarot Card Reading

The Fool is not a fool! This is the first thing to consider when The Fool shows up in your Tarot card reading. Although we feel "foolish" whenever we make mistakes or embarrass ourselves, The Fool in Tarot never feels foolish, shame, or nervousness. The Fool is the first card in the Major Arcana, but it does not represent the number 1, rather 0 (zero). On a scale of 1 to 10 The Fool is a big fat zero. But, in the world of Tarot it is okay to be a Fool or be awarded the score of zero. It merely means that the person or action being represented by this card is untarnished, fresh, No worries if The Fool appears in your Tarot reading, it is likely a very good omen.

To be the Fool is exhilarating, so freeing.

Although The Fool is often depicted carrying a tote over his shoulder, The Fool has barely enough room for a toothbrush and maybe a sandwich for his next meal inside his tote. He has made no plans for his journey, he is joyously anticipating whatever comes next. Preparedness is not in his vocabulary or mindset. Think about it, if you were going off on an adventure you would probably plan for it weeks ahead of time, scheduling every move in advance. In general we don't like to be confronted with the unexpected. Whereas The Fool, begins his circular journey at the zero point, full of anticipation and without worries or expectation. Zero is a very good starting point. The Fool offers opportunity to shed your emotional baggage, heal past hurts, and begin anew.

Healing Lesson of the Day: March 31 | April 01 | April 02

02
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Rider Tarot Fool

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The Rider Tarot Fool. © Phylameana lila Desy

Probably the most recognized Tarot deck is the Rider-Waite Tarot.

Occultist Arthur Edward Waite commissioned artist Pamela Colman Smith (AKA "Pixie") to illustrate the 78 cards in the popular esoteric card deck best known today as the Rider-Waite Tarot. Her artwork is thought to possibly be inspired by the 15th century Sola Busca Tarot. Pixie attended the Pratt Institute of Art in Brooklyn in 1893 while in her teens. Pixie was also a published author and storyteller.

03
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Soprafino Tarocco Fool

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Tarocco Fool. © Phylameana lila Desy

This might be one of my most unique decks. It is an Italian Tarot deck housed inside a handmade box and is among a limited edition of 2000 sets. The cards are narrow and crudely cut by design.
Original Creator: Fernando Gumppenberg (innovator of playing cards in the 19th century)
Reproduced by Osvaldo Memegazzi
Designer: Carlo Dellarocca, commissioned in 1830. The designs were engraved on metal plates.

The name of this deck, Soprafino Tarocco, translates to refined Tarot.

Made in Italy. 

04
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Dreaming Way Tarot Fool

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Dreaming Way Tarot Fool. © Phylameana lila Desy

Dreaming Way Tarot Creator: Rome Choi, Zen Practitioner
The characters depicted in this deck were retrieved from his dream state.

Artist: Kwon Shina
Kwon's illustrations have been published in Paper (Korean Magazine), comic books, posters and various advertisements. She was also the illustrator for Korean novel, My Sweet City

 © 2012 - U.S. Games Systems, INC

05
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The Wonderland Tarot Fool

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Mad Hatter as Tarot Fool. © Phylameana lila Desy

The Wonderland Tarot is a specialized deck adored by Tarot collectors as well as Alice collectors. Depicted on the cards are the various characters from Lewis Carroll's children's books, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, and Through the Looking Glass.

Most fitting, the Mad Hatter is portrayed as The Fool.

U.S. Games Systems, INC

06
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The Voyager Tarot Fool

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The Voyager Tarot Fool Child. © Phylameana lila Desy

The creation of Voyager Tarot was a collaboration between artist Ken Knutson and symbolist James Wanless. This deck was nominated by readers for Best in Tarot and Oracle Cards in the 2013 Reader's Choice Awards for Holistic Healing. 

07
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The Medieval Scapini Tarot Fool

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The Medieval Scapini Tarot Fool. © Phylameana lila Desy

The Medieval Scapini Tarot Deck is a Renaissance-inspired Tarot deck. Beautiful golden design. 

08
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Ukiyoe Tarot Fool

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Ukiyoe Tarot Fool. © Phylameana lila Desy

The cards in this Japanese Tarot deck are numbered and titled in both English and Japanese languages. Koji Furuta's artwork is inspired by "floating world" style that was popular in the 17th and 18th centuries in Japan. 

Made in Japan by Angel Co,, LTD.
© 1982 - U.S. Games Systems, INC

09
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Court Jester Tarot Fool

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Tarot Fortune Telling Game Fool. © Phylameana lila Desy

This colorful depiction of The Fool is from the 1JJ Swiss Tarot deck. This is the deck of Muller & Cie, Switzerland by S.R. Kaplan.

The companion book, Tarot Cards for Fun and Fortune Telling, that came with my deck is an illustrated guide to Tarot spreads and interpretations.

10
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Aquarian Tarot Fool

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Aquarian Tarot Fool. © Phylameana lila Desy

This medieval-inspired deck is possibly my all-time favorite tarot cards to use when doing my personal readings. The characters in the cards seem to jump out of the deck and speak to me.

Aquarian Tarot illustrated by David Palladini

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Motherpeace Round Tarot Fool

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Motherpeace Round Tarot Fooll. © Phylameana lila Desy

The roundness of the cards in Motherpeace Round Tarot Deck by Karen and Vicki Noble bring the symbolism of circle-of-life to mind.

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Ghost and Spirits Tarot Fool

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Ghosts & Spirits Tarot. © Phylameana lila Desy

Beautiful and haunting tarot deck by artist Lisa Hunt.

Read my full review of Ghost and Spirits Tarot

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Morgan-Greer Tarot Fool

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Morgan-Greer Fool Tarot. © Phylameana lila Desy

These Morgan-Greer Tarot cards have a similar, yet more contemporary vibe. They were obviously inspired by the Rider-Waite Deck.

Creator/Editor: Lloyd Morgan
Illustrator: William Greer

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Egipcios Kier Fool

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Egipcios Kier Tarot Fool. © Phylameana lila Desy

One of my all time favorite decks! If you are a lover of Egyptian symbolism and mythology then check out the Egipcios Kier Tarot Deck.

Ancient Egyptian text, the Book of Thoth, might have been the basis from which the Tarot sprung. It is a theory... judge for yourself.

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Native American Tarot Deck

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Native American Tarot Fool. © Phylameana lila Desy

This deck was a collaboration of husband and wife team, J.A. Gonzalez and Magda Weck Gonzalez. Magda is of Shawnee descent. Cards feature Native American history, symbolism, and folklore. Blackfoot medicine man, Harry Sparrowhawk, was also attributed as a resource in the creation of the cards.

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The Psychic Tarot Fool

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The Psychic Tarot. Phylameana lila Desy

John Holland's cards, The Psychic Tarot, is the first tarot deck that I've even seen The Fool portrayed as a woman. Not sure what to make of that.... perhaps I'm just being foolish.

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Desy, Phylameana lila. "Fools of the Tarot." Learn Religions, Sep. 9, 2021, learnreligions.com/the-fool-tarot-card-1732206. Desy, Phylameana lila. (2021, September 9). Fools of the Tarot. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/the-fool-tarot-card-1732206 Desy, Phylameana lila. "Fools of the Tarot." Learn Religions. https://www.learnreligions.com/the-fool-tarot-card-1732206 (accessed March 28, 2024).