Today, as the month of April is approaching, here in Australia, we are at the beginning of fall and in the North, all celebrate the spring equinox.
One of a
rather funny rituals is “April fool’s day” celebrated on April 1st.
Here is a quote from Wikipedia:
“April
Fools' Day or All Fools' Day is an annual custom on 1 April consisting of
practical jokes and hoaxes. Jokesters often expose their actions by shouting
"April Fools!" at the recipient. Mass media can be involved with
these pranks, which may be revealed as such the following day. The custom of
setting aside a day for playing harmless pranks upon one's neighbour has been
relatively common in the world historically”.
Over the
years, I often wandered and reflected on this apparently strange ritual and
never could find the real origin of this event that has, for me, a somewhat
sadistic flavour. So, recently I found my TAROT cards and looked up the FOOL
card (also called LE MAT in French) that fascinated me as the card of
divination with the 0 (zero) value. Here is a definition:
“The Fool
is numbered 0 – the number of unlimited potentials – and so does not have a
specific place in the sequence of the Tarot cards. The Fool can be placed
either at the beginning of the Major Arcana or at the end. The Major Arcana is often
considered The Fool’s journey through life and as such, he is ever present and
therefore needs no number.” (Tarot at Crossroads: Daniels &
Daniels).
The above
comment, brought me to reflect of the way our western society (on global scale)
is showing the “foolish” actions in so many areas as the 'foolish' wars, business competitions,
economic chaos and bankruptcies by some major banks. Thus, we clearly may see
and even experience the journey of the Fool from one end of the social spectrum
to the other.
I also
looked at another tarot card and it is the HANGED MAN This card foreshadows the
naïve consequences that result from the foolishness today. The Fool is somewhat
innocent, spontaneous, and independent individual totally free from worries.
But as we look carefully, he is walking towards a precipice while looking up at
the little butterfly flying above his head. As the consequence of this action,
we meet the Hanged man (XII card). So, the Fool had a very happy journey but
now he is facing a big danger. As all Tarot cards, they represent the upper
side and the reverse side where meanings reverse and tell you to pay attention
to both, as is saying: “Do not be a fool”.
Therefore,
the Hanged Man has both sides too and this is one description:
“The Hanged Man shows a man suspended from a T-shaped cross made of living wood. He is hanging upside-down, viewing the world from a completely different perspective, and his facial expression is calm and serene, suggesting that he is in this hanging position by his own choice. He has a halo around his head, symbolizing new insights: awareness and enlightenment. His right foot is bound to the tree, but his left foot remains free, bent at the knee, and tucked in behind his right leg. His arms are bent, with hands held behind his back, forming an inverted triangle. The man is wearing red pants representing human passion and the physical body, and a blue vest for knowledge. The Hanged Man is the card of ultimate surrender, of being suspended in time and of martyrdom and sacrifice to the greater good.” (Rider Waite deck).
So, my view
of our society in these times of potential crisis like the climate crisis and a
load of cultural and political crises, creates an image of all being “hung up”
and nowhere to go. All is not lost however, and the image of the Hang Man gives
us the possible solutions: we need to pause in our race to wealth and progress
and make the necessary sacrifices (globally) and stay cantered and calm. When
we are suspended in our daily activities and feel stuck, we can easily feel
depressed and anxious and feel lost. However, according to C. G. Jung, the
image represents ‘the wounded healer’ who is showing us the path to surrender
and healing.
This is the
time when all foolishness must stop and a sober awareness of what we must
sacrifice for the benefit of all. How can we develop new skills new creative
approaches and surrender to the new paradigms that are coming. Here the passion
of youth must be supported and developed to make new solutions possible.
Finally, I turned to the amazing GYPSY TAROT. These divination cards are more practical and applicable to everyday life. For example, the FOOL card is a SHAMAN who is duelling with a wild bear (maybe his spirit guide) and the HANGED MAN is the bringer of light out of shadows. This is a celebration of Easter and Spring card. A REBIRTH OF BODY, MIND AND SOPUL.
