This post was originally published as part of my newsletter on 12/31/2020 and wanted to share it with a wider audience because I think it can apply to everyone.
As we enter 2021, I want to dive a bit into the world of The Fool, that is the Fool card of the Tarot. For those of you who don’t know, the Tarot is essentially made up of five suits: Cups, Wands, Swords, Pentacles and the Major Arcana (Trump Cards). The Fool is most often listed at the beginning of the 22 major cards, but notice the number 0 at the top of the card. The Fool really fits anywhere into the other 21 cards. He, or she, helps tell the story of the Major Arcana, moving through each of the other 21 cards, experiencing the world as a human and all that comes with it (both good and bad). In the book “Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom” by Rachel Pollack she writes, “To society, the way of the Fool, instinct rather than rules, is as dangerous as insanity.” My interpretation of the Fool is that he’s not actually foolish at all, but rather wise, he just appears foolish to outsiders. You see, the Fool represents instinct, intuition and listening to you gut. He knows when to take that leap of faith (notice the cliff he’s standing on) and when to wait to jump. He acts based on what his inner knowing tells him, not what others think he should do. He listens to others, learning from them, but does not follow blindly. He asks questions, forms his own opinions and is ever-learning.
As we enter into the new year, there will be so much advice thrown around. Everyone has an opinion on how to start the year off on the best foot, myself included. I only want to offer one piece of my own advice. That is to act foolishly. By this I mean that you should embody the Fool of the Tarot. Follow your inner guide, listen to your gut, take your intuition seriously and act accordingly. The Fool, maybe like yourself, doesn’t yet know which direction he’s headed in, but he’s willing to go where his heart takes him.
I cannot promise that 2021 will be any better than this past year, but I can promise that you have the ability to be better. Not the, “I’m gonna go to the gym, eat healthy, and get in shape,” type of better, though that’s important. I mean the type of better that’s better from the inside out. What are your priorities this year? My priorities include being more fluid, improving my communication skills, being more honest (to myself and others), softening my heart even more, listening to my intuition, and helping as many others as I can. I’m focusing on the things money can’t buy and the things that people can’t see just by looking at me. I encourage you to try the same. So I ask you; how will you be better this year?
I wish you a safe and happy New Years, and a Foolish start to 2021.
-Rachel