Are You Fool’d by Society?
The metaphor or archetype of the Fool is really about freedom. The Fool has been depicted in history (his story) as the one who speaks truth to power. This is the character who brings jokes and jocularity into the Court of the King. As I was observing the foolish naves (naives) I could see why the Fool was needed. It showed the seriousness of the Court and the need to uplift with humour and silliness. It is also the image of the child who is innocent and playful. Perhaps a lost innocence in the Court seeking to rediscover itself in a way that is harmless.
It was interesting to learn that the Fool is needed by society. The deep insecurity that arises when sacred cows are challenged is what makes speaking truthfully or honestly dangerous for some. I have to say from a Fool’s perspective there is absolutely no understanding of that insecurity other than a sense of understanding some will feel challenged. The negative reaction is not understood as the Fool sits in stillness in the sense of not judging the other but innocently speaking without thinking, transparency in the face of life. Nothing to hide. It is because the Fool doesn’t have that insecurity that it can’t see itself rock the boat. It speaks in prose and riddles as a means of accessing deeper truth as service to humanity but not expecting any praise for it. Just being itself.
Out of great love for the society or King-dom the Fool intercedes as a release or safety valve for the build up of tensions or foolhardy demon-isation. Laughter transcends the ego which is self serving and takes the group into another space that is en-light-ening as they feel uplifted. For when we get beyond the seriousness and we see life from a higher perspective we realise that nothing in truth is real, only love and laughter. We live for a short time and then we pass over into the next adventure. That is how Fool’s see the world unfolding one step after the other. They desire freedom and movement as they love the feeling of moving to their own rhythm and the mystery of life itself on the road to discovery. The speaking of truth is like drinking water, it is very natural and purifies the Fool. However, the Fool knows there are many truths but chooses to speak from the heart of truth. The Fool can get surprised by reactions to this honesty as the Fool doesn’t care what others say to him or her, all views are absorbed from diversity to enlighten. S/he doesn’t take the self seriously as s/he knows s/he is a Fool. Innocent laughter is the highest joy. S/he is nothing. That is why on the Tarot it is numbered zero (O). The wisdom of the Fool is remembering the humour in life and serving the people which eventuates in completion of the journey.
That is my feeling of the Fool. The Fool is an archetype within all people when they let go of control and move to happiness as the real wealth. The Fool’s Gold is the nuggets or alchemy of negative to positive flowing in virtues (values). This is the value of humanity. The Fool seeks to mirror this humanity in mirth and fun to dance and sing the people home. The Fool resides within the human spirit as infinite possibility.
This video summarises the Fool. It was inspiring to watch.
The Fool is an archetype not a man or woman, it is both as the Fool is a quality of creativity imbued with humour unbounded by time or space.