The Fool.

Here at Alice’s Pony Palace–Barn & Cafe we like to pull tarot, asking questions of the cards which inevitably, begets more questions. Curiosity and synchronicity. This opens me up to new ideas and new possibilities, in esoteric ways of thinking and (re)telling stories beyond the diminishing, war-torn and oppressive narratives of the ruling overculture. It helps get me out of my internal, oft negative thoughts, feelings and dialogues. In the tarot circles I engage with, I find meaning, process, calm and creativeness in the discussions. The recommendations alone–of poetry, philosophy, prose, myth and music—are always delicious.

In my Pony Palace practice, a card pull scintillates and engages as I go about my life at the barn–the daily mucking of stalls, brushing the horses’ coats, combing their manes, picking their hooves. The horses’ feeding/watering/care/cooing/belly scratching is by far a most magnificent love fest–simply by being in their presence and learning their language. It’s physical, purposeful and profound acts, typically mischaracterized as mundane drudgery. It’s privilege for sure and tarot adds a mystic, wilder Wonder.

Often, my question of the tarot is simple and direct: What do I need more of today?

Today’s answer: The Fool. Strength in nimbleness balancing on the precipice from practiced failures embodied into badassery success.

When The Fool is ready to show you what they’re up to, by inviting you to their adventurous performance, they make it look easy because of all the work they’ve done in private. Untold hours of commitment to a disciplined practice of fearlessness. This is how The Fool creates the unexpected, the seemingly impossible and dangerous–by living daily a creative life, manifesting one’s soaring purposeful spirit unbound from honing their skills, technique, light + attention, using their impeccable intuition. When the The Fool comes out to play, they rock it to the core and bring you along for the ride. It’s exciting, thrilling, kind of scary. Pure joy.

Yet to be called a fool by the prudes, prigs and puritans out there–spit rigid as a denigrating insult–that says all you need to know about the moralizers, inculcators + pedants–and all you need to know about you: You’re on to something. Follow your light.

The Fool’s journey is never at the expense of others or oneself. Indeed, it is the antithesis to despair and cruelty. It’s the passionate tenacity and peace of mind that comes from knowing one’s self, one’s true purpose and bravely living it out, to the edges. It is both the hermit’s life of prayer, study and solitude, and the highwire artist’s performance between the Twin Towers or two cathedral spires or kneeling midpoint in the air–thousands of feet above a river while dancing on the wire from one canyon wall to the next.

Of the 22 major arcana in the Rider–Waite Tarot, The Fool is Zero. It is nothing and everything. It is the beginning, the middles, the end, and every space in between. It spins, acts, delights, weaves, jumps, twirls, cajoles and persuades—in, out, around and through the 78 card deck.

Artist and tarotist, shea in the catskills, writes, “The Fool is an invitation into the power of play + into the power of things being *in* play. They know that the story is never finished + are eager to participate in its unfolding. They are the medium of change itself that the rest of the arcana have the opportunity to shape with intention, with their particular powers + gifts + desires.”

“The Fool asks: What is your relationship to play + trust? How are you exploring + developing these in your life?'“ ~ Tarot as Questions by shea in the catskills

Thanks for reading! I’m so glad we’re here together and hope everyone is taking good care in these heady days of high summer.

~ Alice

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