Playing the fool

Happy April fools day!
I hope that your day so far has been full of fun and laughter.In today's blog I thought i'd look back, to where it all began and found that April fools day actually began in sixteenth-century France, where the start of the new year was observed on April first. Which is interesting when you consider the energy of the fool ( read on)

In 1562, Pope Gregory introduced a new calendar for the Christian world, and the new year fell on January first. There were some people, however, who hadn't heard or didn't believe the change in the date, so they continued to celebrate New Year's Day on April first. Others
played tricks on them and called them "April fools." They sent them on a "fool's errand" or tried to make them believe that something false was true.
 
Now of course we play small tricks on friends and strangers alike on the first of April. Whatever the trick, if the innocent victim falls for the joke the prankster yells, "April Fool! " Of course if a trick is played after midday the trick is on the fool.

But what is the deeper symbolism of this character we call "The fool"?

Many will have seen many depictions of the fool in divination systems such as the Tarot.
I love the symbolism of the fool, the key words associated with this being:
 New beginnings, innocence, spontaneity, and being a free spirit .

If we look a little deeper the Fool is numbered 0, the number of unlimited potential. Everything and absoluteness, All. 0 is the number of Pluto;ruler of Scorpio.The 0 stands for all that was before Creation, for the God/ creator/ universal power in all of us.

0 symbolizes Eternity – the God/creator/universal source before Manifestation, which is pure Spirit.In Numerology the 0 is important as it stands for potential and/or choice.It represents everything, being Infinity.

It is the totally Mystical Symbol, indicating the degree of Spiritual mysticism that is available, but rarely developed in the individual.  It represents wholeness, oneness and continuing cycles.  It is the Alpha and Omega References:http://numerologythenumbersandtheirmeanings.blogspot.co.uk

If we look at the image of the Fool he is shown at the beginning of his journey with unlimited potential. The sun rising up behind him represents the beginning of his journey. He is facing north-west, the direction of the unknown. He is looking upwards, toward the sky, or Spirit. He is about to step off a cliff into the material world but is he prepared?

He has all the tools and resources he needs in the bag on his staff but he has not opened the bag yet. In many images he is shown with a white rose in his left hand representing purity and innocence. He has a guardian in the little white dog who will protect him throughout his journey but who will also push him to learn the lessons the Fool came here to learn. The mountains behind the Fool represent the realms of Spirit that he has just left and will spend his life trying to regain.

The Fool is a depiction of potential, new beginnings and innocence,showing the highest potential for your life, reaching a state of renewal and new beginnings, where each day is an adventure and each moment is lived to the fullest. This is a sentiment I would share in all of my work, as you know I always sign off with "Make every moment count", my own way of inviting you to live life to its fullest.
 
The Fool represents the beginning of all creativity and a desire to accomplish new goals (or to, at least, start the process of working towards those goals). The Fool indicates that anything can happen and the opportunities are just waiting to be taken advantage of. Or as I often say, miracles are within every moment, and every moment holds the possibility of a miracle.

So the fool showing up today  on April fool's day, represents the need to set forth on a new journey, one that is completely unknown and will take you to uncharted territories. The Fool is all about new experiences, personal growth, development and adventure.
 
The Fool asks you to take a ‘leap of faith’ today and to trust in the Universe in that if you begin a new journey, you will find success. This Fool lives a carefree life, free from worry and anxiety. He does not seem to mind if he does not really know what lies ahead. A reminder to not sweat the small stuff, to get into the flow and trust.

The Fool  may represent a choice to be made—one of vital importance. However, there are always many different options available and the choice must be made wisely. If you are facing a decision or moment of doubt, the Fool encourages you to believe in yourself and follow your heart no matter how crazy or foolish your impulses may seem. This is a time when you need to truly
‘believe’ and have faith in where the Universe is taking you. 

The Fool is an excellent symbol to meditate on if you are experiencing a lot of fear in your life. The Fool enhances courage, risk-taking and the creative expression needed to open up new areas in your life.  

The Fool is always whole, healthy and without fear. He is the spirit of who we are, the spirit expressed and experienced as wonder, awe, curiosity and anticipation. We never know what is in the future but like the Fool we must blindly go forward. You need to trust that you are a spirit born into flesh to enjoy life and grow in experience.
References from http://www.biddytarot.com/tarot-card-meanings/major-arcana/fool/

So today I'd urge you to consider the role of the fool in your life.
Where is there new life and new beginnings available to you?
Where do you need to take that leap of faith in your life and lighten up, have fun and laughter and get into the innocent, childlike wonder of creativity?

Its a Bank holiday here today in the UK, for most a time to allow the time for the energy of the fool to enter life. To be playful, imaginative, and free spirited.

Today is the opportunity for a juicy, fresh new start.......How will you use yours?
Until next time,
Make every moment count!

Lisa x