RedMaple
This Fool has a blue jester's cap with a mask, a redd vest, and blue and white checked trousers that end just below the knee. His shirt and stockings are the white of purity. He is balancing on a wand, juggling a hoop on his foot, and is at a very odd angle, trying to keep his balance. There is a waning moon behind him, which seems odd -- shouldn't it be a waxing moon or a new moon if this is to be a lunar card at all. Or is it not the moon at all, but the Earth behind him?
The wand and ring seem to me to be part of the journey of Tarot, the integration of the male and female aspects of self. He is not aware of their meaning at this point, but is combining them in this feat.
He seems a very magical, if lonely, Fool, and it seems that there are aspects of the Marseille Batteleur in this Fool. But what he is juggling are the symbols of the zodiac.
This image is very different from the RWS. There is no cliff, no little dog or other animal to accompany or warn him. He is dancing in the universe, and doing a nearly impossible feat with ease, it seems. He could be the baby waiting to be born -- what sign will he choose to be born under? When will he slip and fall into the material world? When will conception happen (the wand and ring united.)
His expression seems a little worried, or maybe he's just concentrating. I don't see the delight and confidence that usually accompanies the Fool in this image. But there is a sense of easy competence, of everything being like dancing, that I really like.
The wand and ring seem to me to be part of the journey of Tarot, the integration of the male and female aspects of self. He is not aware of their meaning at this point, but is combining them in this feat.
He seems a very magical, if lonely, Fool, and it seems that there are aspects of the Marseille Batteleur in this Fool. But what he is juggling are the symbols of the zodiac.
This image is very different from the RWS. There is no cliff, no little dog or other animal to accompany or warn him. He is dancing in the universe, and doing a nearly impossible feat with ease, it seems. He could be the baby waiting to be born -- what sign will he choose to be born under? When will he slip and fall into the material world? When will conception happen (the wand and ring united.)
His expression seems a little worried, or maybe he's just concentrating. I don't see the delight and confidence that usually accompanies the Fool in this image. But there is a sense of easy competence, of everything being like dancing, that I really like.