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'The Fool's Journey' is a metaphor for our journey through life from the moment before we are born to the moment after we are gone. This story is told by the Major Arcana in three chapters, or rather, three septenaries (3X7). They are called: 'Companions For The Journey', 'Problems On The Way' and 'Up and Out!'

Lay the Major Arcana out in three rows of seven leaving the Fool on his at the top of the three rows.

The First Septenary is about the things we come in to contact with as we are born and begin to grow from a baby to a child to a teenager. The powers of the world, the day, the night, nature, our mother, our father, the community, religion, girlfriends/boyfriends, choices etc.

The Second Septenary represents problems we face and the life skills we acquire as we go it alone (think flying the parental nest). Such as patience, courage, assertiveness, truthfulness, decisions, twists of fate, things ending (like relationships, losing loved ones), finding balance etc.

The Third Septenary can signify when we have been at the very bottom of life, perhaps we have lost everything, our job, our home, our loved ones, perhaps we have experienced a mid life crisis, or been addicted to something. Our world is turned upside down but we find a way to pick ourselves up and continue onwards through finding hope (star) and imagining where we want to be until we emerge from our darkness (moon) and find the light again making a new bright reality (sun) for ourselves. It is here that we have probably learnt the most difficult of lessons and realize the more important things in life. We begin to contemplate and appreciate things in a different manner. Now older and wiser we have learnt the trials and tribulations of life.

The end cards can signify our death and resurrection before we are restored back to The Fool ready to begin another journey on earth again. (Reincarnation of the soul)

I experience my first day with the The Magician who presents the universal forces and the infinite knowledge that lies before me and he demonstrates the power of will to control them. I spend my first dark night with the High Priestess and her inner forces and, through her, I realise the power of intuition to reveal things that are hidden from me.

On the third day I join with The Empress, who shows me her realm of creation and her abundance that sustains and provides for me and, on the forth day, I meet with The Emperor, who shows me his mighty kingdom, a result of reason and strong rulership.

As I venture through the Emperor's Kingdom I meet the Emperor's friend, The Hierophant, who teaches me how to combine and structure my learning and to have faith in the system I have created .

I leave the kingdom with my new experiences tucked safely away and continue my journey. But soon the beauty of my journey overwhelms me with urges that I cannot control and I feel lonely not having someone to share them with and it is then that I find myself in the company of The Lovers, who show me the power of love and desire and how to make choices that will balance them. I learn much from them all and carry them with me as I charge triumphantly onwards with The Chariot, who demonstrates his control over his wild steeds.



After my exhilarating journey I decide to sit down and rest a while with Strength, who shows me there is power in a quiet and fixed determination and The Hermit, who shows me the peace in solitude and the wisdom in contemplation. His lamp enlightens a new path so thanking them both, I rise to my feet to follow it.

Suddenly the Wheel of Fortune changes my course in a way that I have no control over and I cannot see the way ahead. I chance upon Justice, who shows me how to weigh out my options in order to see the true and righteous path and The Hanged Man, who shows me that surrender brings new scenery and thought. And as the sun begins to sets in the sky I meet with Death, who shows me that sometimes a journey must end but a new journey will begin in the morning.

The sun is now low in the sky and still filled with uncertainty I sit beside calm waters with Temperance, who shows me how to take the time and gather my surroundings into a middle path and suddenly, in the distance, I see it.


It is dark now and as I begin to ascend a great mountain I see the The Devil in the shadows and I see why I must not become addicted to the treasures of the earth. I start to feel quite proud of myself and of all I have learned and decide that I deserve comfort within The Tower, but it tells me to seek comfort within myself so I will be safe and untouched if the Tower is destroyed. Humbled by the towers advice I move onwards whilst watching The Star in the night, who fills me with hope and aspires me to keep on going.

I begin to dream and imagine things that could be as The Moon illuminates my subconscious and the dark night, and who whispers that I must not doubt myself or be haunted by hidden worries. And as I move ever onwards The Sun rises and fills my imagination and mind with new light and I know I am able to bring my dreams to reality.

I near the top of the mountain, my body feeling worn and tired but my soul full of wonder and life and, as I listen to the angel of Judgement, the sound of her horn begins to fill me with new life and I find myself awakened, renewed and reborn once more. I realise that I am stood on the edge of The World and that I am ready to begin my journey again.