Once again it's time for the Absolute Write blog chain. This month's theme is April Fools.
Now I have to be honest here. I had fully intended to write a light, fluffy little romance story about a man who was a fool for a woman named April. Catchy, right? Yeah. Well, that story didn't really pan out the way I wanted and the more I thought about it the longer it got. So I decided to go with something completely different.
I started to do some research (I like doing research) on April Fools' day, and then fools in general. However the origins of April Fools' day were somewhat murky, and the fools themselves were usually thought of as idiots. But then I remember the good old days when I read Tarot cards and I finally settled on doing my piece on The Fool card from the Major Arcana of the Tarot deck.
The Fool is one of the most controversial cards in the Tarot deck. Traditionally, the Major Arcana in the Tarot are numbered with Roman numerals. The Fool, however, is numbered with a zero, the only card with Arabic numerals. Without the zero our system of mathematics cannot work. Once the Arabic system included the zero (sometime between 400 and 600 AD), the sciences of algebra and geometry were invented and put into practical application - measuring, trading, and building all experienced a rapid advancement.
The origin of The Fool is somewhat of a mystery. Some translations of the card believe it should be more properly labeled "The Idiot", while other research shows its origin to be that of "The Troubadour," an entertainer traveling to play at the court of a king in a far off land.
The Fool is normally depicted walking or dancing along the edge of an abyss, seemingly unaware of his danger, with the sun high in the sky behind him. On his shoulder rests a stick, from which hangs a bag that holds the tools of life. In his hand he carries a white rose, denoting his pure intentions. Often he is accompanied by an animal companion who is jumping beside him, but is this companion warning him away from the edge, or attempting to push him over?
The Fool represents new beginnings, new experiences and new choices. But as with anything new there's always an element of risk, which is why the Fool is shown not paying attention to where he is walking. He is the spirit in search of experience.
He is neither a positive nor a negative card, but holds the potential for both. He doesn't care what others may think or say about him because he has total faith in himself, he does what's right for him. Because of this, his approach to life is unconventional and he has the innocence of a child. With this innocence comes trust, fearlessness, and the ability to see the world with new eyes.
In a Tarot spread, The Fool is at its most powerful when it appears in the present position. You can literally move mountains with your will alone at this moment in time. The Fool is both the beginning and the end. The message being given you is the old catch phrase, carpe diem (seize the day).
Please check all the other links in this month's blog chain and leave a comment for these wonderful writers!
Participants and posts:
orion_mk3 - http://nonexistentbooks.wordpress.com ~ From “¡Noitacsufbo!”
Ralph Pines - http://ralfast.wordpress.com ~ Weekend Roundup and April's Blog Chain
Angyl78 - http://jelyzabeth.wordpress.com/ ~ April Fools
Araenvo - http://www.simonpclark.com/ ~ April Fools
MsLaylaCakes - http://www.taraquan.com/ ~ April Fools
Lady Cat - http://randomwriterlythoughts.blogspot.ca (You Are Here)
LanaK - http://lanaketrick.blogspot.com/ (link to post)
Lyra Jean - http://beyondtourism.wordpress.com/ (link to post)
Sudo_One - http://sudoone.wordpress.com/ (link to post)
articshark - http://www.drslaten.com/blog (link to post)
Ghostwriter-Mom - http://www.fictionblueprints.com/ (link to post)
AngelaGreenfield - http://www.becomingawriterblog.com/ (link to post)
Bumped:
Bloo - http://www.emergencyroomproductions.net/ (link to post)
in_one - http://quirkythomas.blogspot.com/ (link to post)
egoodlett - http://ellengoodlett.com/blog/ (link to post)
7 comments:
That would be me, the Fool in its present position. :)
Very intriguing knowing all this. Thanks for sharing.
How interesting. Sounds like he'd make a great character for a paranormal romance ;)
I like tarot cards. Have a set myself. This was very informative and intersting.
Love little bits of history and trivia. Very interesting about the history. Really liked it. Are you going to do all the other cards as well?
Hmm, that's a great idea Lyra! I usually do a non-fiction post on Tuesdays (although this month I'm doing poetry). Starting in May I could do a series on the Major Arcana in the Tarot. Thanks for the idea! :-)
I don't really know much about Tarot cards (I've never even seen one) so it was interesting reading this. Thanks.
I'm ambivalent about tarot cards. They're an interesting symbol and motif, but when people claim they a) actually predict the future or b) are tools of everlasting damnation of your mortal soul...makes me want to play Texas Hold 'Em with a deck and let fate sort *that* one out :)
Good post!
Post a Comment