I love the Fool archetype.
It’s certainly not something we joyfully embrace in our society which carries such shaming judgment as part of its baggage. We make a tiny bit of sanctioned room by allowing the singular observation of April Fools’ Day, but truthfully participation is erratic and often pretty lame.
But the Fool has a bigger role to play.
Let’s consider the qualities of Fool.
There’s freshness, innocence, pure limitless possibility. Knowing everything and knowing absolute nothing. Raw truth and the willingness to speak it. Ability to rise above restrictions because they’re simply not recognized. Fool transcends tradition, convention and social norms with exuberance. And in doing so is able to bend perspective. Fool offers the reminder that we’re free to choose. With every step, in every moment. Fool totally represents current moment awareness – not being pulled into restrictions and fear from the past, nor pulled ahead into speculation of the future and what hasn’t yet occurred. And Fool most definitely invites magical encounters with the unknown. There is always the invitation to remember life is an adventure to enjoyed, and change is part of the path. Fool is at the beginning of the journey, an initiate ready to rush ahead in unconcerned delight, seeing the path ahead as a playground of opportunity. Each moment is original and is to be met open-heartedly and with sparkly-eyed mischievousness.
One of my favorite admonishments on the topic is from Robin Williams who says:
You’re only given a little spark of madness. You mustn’t lose it.
Isn’t that a delightful invitation to fan the flame of the Fool spark within?
And don’t you feel ready to start something anew? This new April energy feels filled with potential and possibility and the perfect time to welcome Fool energy.
I always like to invite Fool in at the beginning of journeys, to remind me it’s a fresh start filled with potential that is only realized by simply taking those first enthusiastic steps forward.
I often begin journals with a dedication and invitation to Fool. A new journal always feels like the beginning of a new journey to me.
I’m going away on retreat next week, and I’m inviting the energy of Fool. I want to leap into the next unfolding with unbridled open-hearted enthusiasm and playfulness.
How are you inviting Fool to be present in your life? How are you being a Wise Fool? Do tell, I’d love to hear. Or perhaps you have an April Fools’ story to share. Laughter is always welcome here.
I think my thing is I’m not inviting Fool to be present. I need to let that little spark of madness appear. So thank you for the reminder to be free, to choose to be free and acknowledge the current moment.
Here’s to inviting Fool to share that brilliant little spark of madness. Fan it into a brilliant joyful flame Julie!
Oh gads, you can’t begin to imagine how much I needed that Robin Williams quote and your discussion about the Fool. My whole life feels as though it’s been torn down to nothing and I feel as though everything I thought I knew, I no longer know.
I keep telling myself it’s because it’s being razed to make way for a new beginning. (Astrologically there’s no question.) But yikes.
Somtimes it’s hard being a Fool.
Thanks for this.
Oh yes Em – there can be such hardness involved with Fool. I think that’s why it’s such a perfect position in the tarot at 0 – at the beginning AND the end. It’s very powerful and yet it’s laughably innocent. Such trust needed for the leap and such ignorance not to fret about the precipice. A divine dance done best with a smile on your face.
Enjoy your retreat. I love your post and explanation of Fool archetype and inviting him in at the beginning of a new journey. I enjoyed learning how you like to begin a new journal. I may just take your idea there and do that at the end of this month, I’m heading out with my sister for a week. Our very first time spending that long of a time together in almost 4 decades. That could certainly be considered a beginning with lots to journal about. 🙂
As for an April Fools story, my daughter asked me today if I had talked to her dad yet. I said no but that I might call him at lunch. When I asked her why, she was laughing and said she had put a container with his lunch and wrote a little note saying she had made him some brownies… in the container was foil and inside the foil were several letter “E” that had been coloured brown – “brown E’s”. It was silly but fun. We had a good laugh when he got home from work. He was disappointed that he didn’t get a brownie treat in his lunch so she made him chocolate cake this evening.
Oh what a rich opportunity spending that time with your sister. And most certainly great journal fodder!
I LOVE your daughter’s prank. I’m a total pushover for wordplay, so she definitely gets a thumbs up from me. And the fact that she made him follow-up chocolate cake – what a sweetheart!
I love reading about something I’ve never thought about. I know the historical place of The Fool for a king. The Fool does have a place in everyone’s life and especially our society. Thanks for this insightful post. I will be thinking about it a lot today and who knows how much longer.
It’s fun acknowledging and celebrating Fool. May the energy show up in delightful ways for you Sheila.
I love the “pure limitless possibilities and something new is in order! I’m going to sit with this one a bit. Thank you.
Sounds perfect Michele. Now that March is over and your finished with that old funky flu, opening April’s door to some new limitless possibilities seems exactly right!