The Fool
The Fool is now the final card of the Greater Arcana of the Tarot, and is representative of the transformed New Creature; this is the mature human being.
The individual can be of any age for this process to begin. Some people make this decision to take control of their lives at a very young age, some choose to drift through life, allowing it to happen. As the first step towards maturity, the choice to direct our lives instead of allowing people to manipulate us, can be taken at any time in life.
The next step, the seeking after Wisdom, can also come at any stage of life. In fact, the whole process of maturing, like all learning, reaches a plateau after a painful search. The maturing levels out as the knowledge is consolidated. Then a period of further struggle is initiated. This can go on until the day we die.
Some people mature at an early age, others never progress much at all. It really is up to everyone to decide whether they want to do the work necessary to gain wisdom and reach full psychological maturity. No one else can do it for us.
As we contemplate the vast outreaches of this incredible universe, the beauties of our own earth, and the wonder of our own being, we are filled with awe. That we are existing in this moment, in the spiral of time, is amazing. What a long path has led to each of us being here!
To accompany us in the process of maturing, we have the choice to listen to the Voice within ourselves. We can learn to balance the material part of our lives with the spiritual. Many people have given the Great Spirit different colourations as suited their environment and understanding. The Voice responds in a form we can recognize. As a child, the Voice can be seen as a Mentor, even a Parent; the voice of Experience leading us. As a mature adult, the Voice is that of a Friend. This Friend, this Force of Evolution, of Life, is ours to approach and invite into our lives.
How we interact with the Force, shows what kind of people we are. We are still children if we think sacrifices can buy favour and win gifts. What kind of gods would demand bloody sacrifices? What kind of gods would expect us to negotiate favours from them? What kind of gods would demand we fear them? The gods we worship reveal our own inner nature.
The Force has gifted us this lovely world: full of sunshine and shade; trees, flowers and fruits; mountains and rain, rivers and seas. It is full of challenges to develop our strength. We are called to live life to the fullest. We have been given the strength we need to experience life in all its many aspects, to overcome challenges and grow stronger with each victory. Such a gift can only have been given with love, and by Love. As we accept life as it is, in all its complexity, we respond with love in return.
The Great Mystery of where we came from, and where we are going to, can only be guessed at in this world. The Hindus rishis of old, felt the Great Spirit, the Brahman, awaken and stir into life. The Ancient Egyptians saw it as the Sky god mating with the Earth goddess, and producing life. The Ancient Greeks imagined Chaos, and out of that Gaia, the great goddess Earth, coming into being. The sky god, Uranus had to be prized off Gaia so that life could develop. Colourful imaginings!
Did perhaps some catastrophic events take place before the universe came into being? Was there a divisive Great War? Are we being asked to demonstrate in this world which side we are on? Do our actions show us, and everyone else, who we really are? Will this affect our future in Eternity? Will we know the answer to these questions beyond the final curtain of death in this world?
In this world as one door closes another opens. Spring follows winter. The sunrise always follows the deepest, darkest night. Even after the direst tragedy which had cast us into the deepest depths of despair, we can choose to work through our sorrows and move on. The leaves fall from the trees so that they can feed new life. Old life dies so that new life can live. Will this happen as we close the door on this world? We die as we have lived. Will our final curtain call be with acceptance and anticipation? That is our choice.
With the Butterfly People, we have been looking at the Ideal. An ideal is necessary to guide us on our way. Against it we can measure ourselves and our progress towards that ideal. We can see those areas within ourselves that need more work. There are many teachers, gurus and sages of this world to help us develop into the fullness of our being. Spiritual inspirers can lead us into our interior world, lovers and friends inspire us how to love, and educators can teach us about the material world.
But best of all, there is the Voice within, should we choose to listen. This companionship brings deepest Joy, Contentment, and a positive Perspective on Life. We can laugh in adversity, recognizing that it adds to our growth. Loving ourselves, we can laugh at our mistakes as we grow and work to practice wisdom. Loving Life, we can laugh with the Life Force out of a deep enjoyment of living. Following the Voice works in real life!
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My beloved Fool, my dear Friend and Companion
The Butterfly People
Now your People
Laugh with you
As they dance and joyfully sing
They crown you with the laurel of victory
They clothe you in purple
They sing of your bravery, wisdom and spirituality
You are the beautiful creature you were meant to be
The Butterfly People love you, as do I
The Fool
The Sun shines on you benevolently
Filling you with energy and confidence
In your spirit, heart, and mind, ever young
You have climbed the high peaks of experience
You have plumbed the dark, deep depths below
Protected by the little, white dog
Symbol of Devotion and Constancy
Undershirt of white, denoting Serenity and Purity of Purpose
In your hand you hold the White Rose of Peace
Dressed in the dark blue tunic of Integrity and Power
Sprinkled with the green leaves of Renewal
The eight-pointed star of Inner Knowledge
Orange sleeves, the Colour of Freedom
Yellow boots of Inner Strength
Over your shoulder, rests the wand of Authority over Self
Symbol of constant inner growth and Transformation
Of the desire to love and befriend the Divine
Echoes of the Tree at the centre of the World
Connecting you with the Ultimate
Orange feather in the laurel wreath of Victory over Self
Symbol of Creativity and Optimism, and Success
In your orange bag, the secrets of Transformation
Lead into Gold, desire of the alchemists of old
You stand on the edge of the Cliffs of Decision
Where the Earth meets the Sky, stepping into the Numinous
Do you have courage, dearest Love
To climb those holy, sacred Mountains
Home of the Ultimate
Life has been a pilgrimage
The journey of the Hero
From small Child to mature Being
From Ignorance to Wisdom
This inner Odyssey has given life meaning
Has made life exciting as we faced its challenges
Will let us face Death with equanimity
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