Or in this case THE SEEKER. I like Seeker better than Fool. No one likes to be a fool but everyone has been a seeker at one point or another in one form or another. The Seeker is the zero card in the Major Arcana, a starting point (we can count up or down, into negative numbers), a new beginning.
- Symbolism: Innocence and wonder.
- Element: Air (see Tarot Elements)
What I See:
This is a peaceful card with its predominately blue and green palette and I get a sense of excitement not anxiety. The Seeker has a small bundle of belongings — the bare necessities — and I picture someone about to backpack across Europe. They’ll work when they need money, sleep in hostels when they can, and get their feet dirty experiencing the different cultures, learning new languages, and trying new foods. It’s all about the journey not the destination.
Light (upright) Reading:
Be open to all the twists and curves in the road ahead.
- Keywords: Innocence, Spontaneity, Fresh Start, and Originality.
Shadow (upside down or reverse) Reading:
Be careful of a tendency to be naive or gullible.
- Keywords: Foolishness, Gullibility, Frivolity, and Irresponsibility.
Plots:
The start of a new story, a turning point (plot point: first, mid, or second), a new obstacle or challenge, and/or the promise of accomplishment. And remember the Hero’s Journey from The Writers Journey
In most decks, the Fool is shown with an animal. Here, that is the Fox: A trickster in Native American tradition, perhaps you’ve gone off on a tangent. A shapeshifter in Chinese myth, perhaps your story should be a paranormal.
- Themes: Spiritual Quest, Spontaneity, Innocence or Childlike Wonder, Simplicity, Pilgrimage, Adventure, New Beginnings, or Taking a Risk.
Characters:
The Seeker stands on the threshold between Childhood and Adulthood, their life lies before them like a blank page.
A hero begins as a Fool and at various stages of the adventure rises through the ranks of Magician, Warrior, Messenger, Conqueror, Lover, Thief, Ruler, Hermit, and so on. ~The Writers Journey
- Archetype: Eternal Child, Beggar, Vagabond, or Free Spirit
- Mythical Figures: Parsifal, Dionysus, Jester, and Green Man.
The nine-point personality enneagram can also be useful for character building.
The Fool is E4: Tragic Romantic, Individualist, and/or Connoisseur
- Self Image — I am different
- Passion — Envy
- Virtue — Equanimity
- Narcissistic Trap — Authenticity
- Avoids — Ordinariness
- Speaking Style — Lyrical or Lamenting
E4 people are relationship oriented. They are concerned with what others think of them, image and prestige. They see themselves as being for others and often believe they know what’s best. They dislike being alone and may feel sad or inadequate.
Additionally, look up one of the Air signs (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius) for personality traits.
As a writer, you’re the consummate Fool: you’re always ready and willing to take a leap of faith and dive into a blank page. ~Tarot for Writers
by Corrine Kenner
Image: Gaian Tarot
Oct 13, 2011 @ 11:44:08
It interesting how I can relate to every card you put up in some way. I guess we are all complex creatures.
Oct 13, 2011 @ 12:49:11
I think that’s one of the beauties of the Tarot Ciara. We all bring our own experiences to the table yet are able to find similarities.
Thanks for stopping by!
Oct 13, 2011 @ 12:13:27
Tarot is so amazing for letting you look at a situation from a new perspective. I love ZenHabits too! Good luck with your ROW80 goals.
Oct 13, 2011 @ 12:49:50
Thanks
Oct 13, 2011 @ 12:31:45
I had no idea the Fool (Seeker) was so multi-dimensional. I always thought it meant you were doing something foolish or dangerous.
Reading cards sounds a lot more difficult than I imagined.
Oct 13, 2011 @ 13:04:19
That’s one of the reasons I like “seeker” better than “fool” Maria. Fool, at least to me, is a little misleading and I suspect most people come away from the card with the sense of fool as you. It may be one of those situations where the meaning of the word has changed as language has evolved.
If you’re trying to apply the cards to your life, you may be right. However, if you’re using them for inspiration in your writing and/or journaling I think the fact you can go so many directions is key.
Thanks for stopping by!
Oct 13, 2011 @ 13:08:23
The things you are sharing about the tarot cards are so mind blowing.
Oct 13, 2011 @ 13:13:26
Glad they’re mind blowing rather than boring Angela
Thanks for stopping by!
Oct 13, 2011 @ 13:48:49
I find it very interesting that the Seeker (Fool) is depicted with the fox. You might say the fox is the opposite of the Fool, cunning vs. innocent/gullible.
Oct 13, 2011 @ 14:02:40
Great observation Angela! I love that you picked that up
That’s just one of the many layers to reading the cards.
Thanks for stopping by!
Oct 13, 2011 @ 16:41:31
I love that the Tarot never really is all “face value”. The fool can be a good card for a writer.
Oct 13, 2011 @ 18:37:06
Very true Julie! Thanks for stopping by
Oct 13, 2011 @ 20:21:18
Love how the meaning changes depending on its orientation. This is all fascinating stuff!
Oct 13, 2011 @ 20:26:45
Such fascinating stuff. This is the Fool card in the Lunatic deck. I’m not sure if that’s a fox or a wolf with her, but I love how reading your post and then comparing it with my own deck is so enlightening
Oct 14, 2011 @ 07:21:16
I LOVE that you’re comparing the two! That would be my ideal for anyone reading these posts. And your Fool card is stunning, Miho, I can see why you selected this deck.
Ref: your card
The coloring seems more fox but the face seems more wolf. I think I’d lean toward wolf. Do you have a LWB for your deck? Perhaps it mentions the symbolism on the card.
Thanks for stopping by!
Oct 16, 2011 @ 06:06:16
What I like about this card is the concept of that fox being the companion instead of a dog, which you see on the traditional Rider-Waite deck. A dog makes me think of a companion who will be faithful and steadfast and never lead The Seeker astray. Which is perfectly fine. I mean, sometimes our hero needs a Sam Gamgee type on his/her side, especially when headed to a place like Mordor!
However, a fox? Hmmm, who knows? Once The Seeker starts down that path with that fox at her side, she’s in for the unexpected. And isn’t that the whole point of the journey! *grin* Looking at the fox as a Shapeshifter/Trickster archetype, it’s quite possible it will lead the Seeker down paths she will not be prepared for or even want to go down, but will have to if she is to grow.
I also like that you’re using the Enneagram for character creation/development with the cards. I use the Enneagram a lot when I create characters.
So, yeah, if I were going to use this particular card for, let’s say, coming up with a character, I’d probably also look into creating a secondary character who will act as the shapeshifter/trickster. He or she will be a friend and companion on the story’s journey, but he or she will also get the character into increasingly dicey situations. I’d might even go so far as to give that character red hair or a foxy look to his or her face. Or I might even make him or her “foxy” looking in the sense of being attractive. Sometimes I like to get very literal with what I see on a card.
Great start, Raelyn, and great idea! I’m very much looking forward to the rest of the journey!
Oct 16, 2011 @ 09:19:17
Thank you for the extra insight into this card Jenna!
I don’t have the traditional Rider-Waite deck so aside from Corrine Kenner’s book and one of her writing prompts being “a talking dog” I hadn’t given much thought to the dog. I completely agree that a dog on the card would have led me to the same conclusion of a steadfast, loyal friend.
I love that you like to get literal with what you see on a card
Thanks for stopping by and adding your vast knowledge to the pot!