The Fool Tarot Meaning: Upright and Reversed

The Fool Keywords 

• Upright: new beginnings, spontaneity, adventure, innocence, openness, curiosity, hope
• Reversed: inexperience, hesitation, fear of failure, ignorance, childish, self-doubt

The Fool Card: Description and Symbolism

As the first card in the Major Arcana, the Fool is given the freedom to start fresh. The tarot card is assigned the number ‘0’, symbolizing the opportunity to end old cycles and start new ones. The Fool stands by the edge of a cliff with his chin raised to the sky, representing his unwavering pride. He is free of the weight of rationale, symbolized by the feather on his head and the eagle on his knapsack. The white rose in the Fool’s left hand signifies pure passion. He is driven to see his next idea through, even if the path ahead is uncertain.

A rough journey seems to await the Fool as he approaches the edge of a cliff. The white dog barking next to him serves as a reminder to trust his instincts. He carries his past experiences with him, represented by a knapsack tied to a wand in his right hand. The black wand he holds symbolizes power over his situation. The Fool’s orientation towards the left side of the card further supports the symbolism of trusting instincts, with the left side representing feminine, intuitive energy. The Sun behind him represents the need to stay free-spirited and optimistic.

No matter what mountains lie ahead and behind him, the Fool steps forward in his cheerful yellow boots. Onto his next adventure, the Fool refuses to look back.

Note: This description is based on the depiction of the Fool in the Rider Waite-Smith tarot deck.

The Fool Upright Meaning

There is a new opportunity on the horizon whenever the Fool card appears. As the first tarot card in the Major Arcana, the Fool urges you to throw caution to the wind and take the first step.  You can trust your instincts to guide your actions when you allow yourself to be present. With the open-hearted Fool on your side, anything is possible.

Love Meaning – The Fool Upright

The Fool is a hopeful symbol of new beginnings in love. If you’re single, it’d be a good time to reach out to the person who’s been on your mind. There’s no need to stall romantic gestures and signs of affection now. Listen to the feelings that guide you and trust where they lead.

If you’re in a relationship, the Fool card nudges you to get out of your comfort zone. Switch things up with your partner by planning a date or romantic gesture they wouldn’t usually expect from you. The Fool appears as a symbol of new chapters, so take any opportunity you can to connect on a new level.

The Fool guides you to trust your feelings to inform your actions in love. With the Fool’s free spirit, you’re encouraged to set planning aside and be present in your relationships.

As someone else’s feelings, the Fool symbolizes a potential partner who feels hopeful and excited for a new beginning with you. Their intentions are clear, so it’s worth trusting whatever comes next.

Career and Finance Meaning – The Fool Upright

The Fool card appears when it’s time to make a new move in your career. Perhaps you’ve wanted to start your own business or explore a different field. The Fool pushes you to approach new opportunities with wide eyes and open arms. You may need to break the rules to achieve the career growth you seek. If you are already taking a leap of faith in your career, the Fool urges you to keep going.

Financially, the Fool encourages you to trust your values and decisions. It could be a good time to make a risky investment if your gut says it will benefit you down the line. Whatever the case, the Fool urges you to forge a new path in your work and finances. 

Health Meaning – The Fool Upright

When the Fool card appears in the context of health, it’s a good time to experiment with new habits. Perhaps you’ve wanted to try a new hobby or diet to see where it goes. If the Fool appears, you are encouraged to trust your intuition about the health decisions that feel right for you.

The Fool offers light-hearted answers to your mental and physical health concerns. You can trust your gut when it comes to your health now.

Spirituality Meaning – The Fool Upright

The Fool card showing up in a tarot reading suggests new opportunities for spiritual growth. Any lessons or experiences you welcome into your life are likely to give you a fresh outlook, so keep an open mind. The more you accept new challenges, the more you will come to know your intentions and growth potential on a deeper level.

The Fool As Feelings Meaning – Upright

Since the Fool is an optimistic free spirit, this card suggests that you will benefit from leaning into your hopes and dreams. It’s not the time to get tangled up in doubts and worries. The Fool encourages you to lean into experiences that keep you feeling light and open-hearted.

If your tarot reading is about someone else’s feelings, the Fool represents someone who is hopeful about the connection. The person is excited and open to new experiences, whether it be with you or in general.

The Fool As Actions Meaning – Upright

When the Fool appears in a reading, you are urged to throw caution to the wind. As long as the risk feels worthy to you, you can trust your gut to get you through the situation. There is no need to make yourself small when the free-spirited Fool appears, so now is your chance to take action.

The Fool Reversed Meaning

The usual optimism and hope the Fool carries with him feel blocked and difficult to channel when the tarot card appears reversed. With more questions and self-doubt whirring through his mind, you are likely to feel nervous and skeptical towards new lessons and experiences. The Fool reversed urges you to reconnect with your intentions to discover why it’s harder to trust a given situation. 

Love Meaning – The Fool Reversed

When the Fool appears reversed in a love reading, you are reminded not to get ahead of yourself. You could feel disconnected from your intentions or be quick to act on new feelings. If any conflicts arise in your relationship, the Fool reversed reminds you not to avoid difficult conversations. A resolution can be reached as soon as you pause and reconnect with your intuition.

Alternatively, the Fool reversed could suggest the need to get out of your head. You could be stalling a new beginning in your love life by getting caught up in nerves and overthinking. Accept yourself for these feelings and try to keep moving. 

As someone’s feelings towards you, the Fool reversed warns you of a potential partner who is disconnected from their intentions. You could need to give the other person time to figure out their priorities before making any moves.

Career and Finance Meaning – The Fool Reversed 

When the Fool card appears reversed in the context of career, you could be stalling your next move. If you’ve been overlooking dissatisfaction within your work, the Fool reversed urges you to take action. Keeping ideas in your head will only further stall your career growth. Now is your chance to take a leap of faith that will bring more excitement to your work.

Alternatively, the Fool reversed could be a sign that your work and financial goals have been slipping through your fingers. It may be time to rein in your expectations and clarify your end goal.

Getting wrapped up in the details and making quick decisions can both make your desired outcome feel farther out of reach. The Fool reversed reminds you to find a happy medium between instant gratification and your long-term goals.

Health Meaning – The Fool Reversed 

When the Fool card appears reversed, it could be time to be more cautious with your health decisions. Perhaps there is an unhealthy habit you’ve been overlooking or a hobby you’ve wanted to start. Your sense of well-being will improve the more you listen to yourself, so the Fool reversed reminds you to give yourself time to do so. 

Spirituality Meaning – The Fool Reversed 

If the Fool card appears reversed in a spiritual context, you may be overlooking or suppressing essential realizations. It could take extra effort to connect with the intentions behind your actions and choices now. Consider journaling or starting a project that’d help you reconnect with your inner child.

An alternative interpretation of the Fool reversed is that you could be approaching your spiritual growth logically rather than intuitively. You will benefit from thinking less about your intentions and being more present in your experiences.

The Fool As Feelings Meaning – Reversed 

When the Fool card appears reversed, you have likely been disconnected from your gut feeling. Try not to overthink or jump to conclusions now, especially if you haven’t felt present or connected with the world around you.

If reading for someone else’s feelings, the Fool reversed suggests that they are out of touch with their intentions. The other person needs time to reflect on what their heart truly wants.

The Fool As Actions Meaning – Reversed 

The Fool card appearing reversed in a tarot reading suggests that you or someone else has taken fast action with little thought behind it. You could need to search for clarity to feel more settled in your decisions.

Another interpretation of the Fool reversed is that you have given your actions too much thought. If this resonates, you are being challenged to live in the present before worrying about the past and future. 

Whether you’ve been hasty or overly cautious, the Fool reversed reminds you to trust your gut through any actions you take.

Past, Present, and Future Positions

Past 

When the Fool appears in the “past” position, it suggests that you have taken a leap of faith that is affecting your current situation. You either took a risk with an optimistic outlook or you learned the importance of doing so.

Present 

In the “present” position, the Fool tarot card encourages you to look at your current situation with a hopeful outlook. You are capable of starting fresh and exploring new possibilities. No matter what is on your plate, the Fool asks you to open your arms wide and stay positive.

The Fool in the “present” position could also suggest that you are actively going through a new beginning. Keep your chin up as you learn new lessons now.

Future 

With the Fool card in the “future” position, you are encouraged to open your eyes and heart to what is coming next. You are coming up on an opportunity to take a worthwhile risk, so now’s your chance to muster up the courage.

Yes or No Meaning of The Fool 

• The Fool Upright: Yes
• The Fool Reversed: No

The upright Fool card in a tarot reading gives you a ‘yes’. With the optimistic spirit of the Fool, striving towards new beginnings no matter the danger, you can trust the decision or situation you are asking about. 

The reversed Fool card gives you a ‘no’. The decision or situation calls for more careful consideration before moving forward. 

Advice and Message of The Fool

The Fool appears in a tarot reading to inspire optimism and hope. There are many risks worth taking if you’re willing to believe in yourself. The Fool lives by this motto, encouraging you to trust your instincts through every step you take.

Summary of The Fool Tarot Meaning

The Fool card upright ultimately encourages you to take a leap of faith into new experiences. There is so much life to live, so why hold yourself back with self-doubt? When reversed, the Fool warns you of the challenges that come with meaningless action. As long as you’re trusting your instincts and keeping your hopes high, you will be following the Fool card’s advice.