Bean Feasa
The Fool in the ToP is a very oriental-looking character - the book tells us he comes from Ali Sufi's Astronomical Atlas, which sounds suitably eastern too. Quite an exotic figure then, in his rich-looking belted coat, a strong orange colour lined with royal blue and closefitting blue and gold cap - not at all the homely, ragged or motley Fool of other decks.
The astronomical connection means that what I took at first glance to be acupuncture points studding his wrists, knees, shoulders and waist are in fact stars marking out the shape of Aquarius. This seems to me to indicate that the Fool knows his own inner resources - he is of the stars and so can step blithely out into the abyss. I like to think that we all have this kind of surprising light within us - and that, like him, when we make a leap we bring our inner 'stardom' to the surface.
The little dog is of the same tribe as the little dog in the Moon card (i.e. he comes from a previous deck of the ToP's designers), and as in that card, he's a wonderful warm homely touch, balancing the dizzy coolness of both these cards.
The Fool seems in danger, but in fact has the world, the elegant rooftops of Prague at his feet. He's about to step off a sculptured stone platform, which, interestingly, is also decorated with stars.
I like his expression - it's rather Buddha-like, dreamy and serene, completely nonchalant. A flower seems to sprout from his right hand, a yellow flower with one green and one red leaf, suggesting vibrancy and creativity perhaps. The sky behind the Fool is spacious, a warm heady blue, seeming full of possibility.
All in all a lovely card, a slightly different rendering of the familiar image, but staying loyal to all the layers of meaning of the archetype.
The astronomical connection means that what I took at first glance to be acupuncture points studding his wrists, knees, shoulders and waist are in fact stars marking out the shape of Aquarius. This seems to me to indicate that the Fool knows his own inner resources - he is of the stars and so can step blithely out into the abyss. I like to think that we all have this kind of surprising light within us - and that, like him, when we make a leap we bring our inner 'stardom' to the surface.
The little dog is of the same tribe as the little dog in the Moon card (i.e. he comes from a previous deck of the ToP's designers), and as in that card, he's a wonderful warm homely touch, balancing the dizzy coolness of both these cards.
The Fool seems in danger, but in fact has the world, the elegant rooftops of Prague at his feet. He's about to step off a sculptured stone platform, which, interestingly, is also decorated with stars.
I like his expression - it's rather Buddha-like, dreamy and serene, completely nonchalant. A flower seems to sprout from his right hand, a yellow flower with one green and one red leaf, suggesting vibrancy and creativity perhaps. The sky behind the Fool is spacious, a warm heady blue, seeming full of possibility.
All in all a lovely card, a slightly different rendering of the familiar image, but staying loyal to all the layers of meaning of the archetype.