The Fool’s Journey: The Hidden Secrets of Tarot’s Most Powerful Story

Connecting the world of spirituality and the material world, Tarot has become more and more popular over the years. It’s not some witchy thing anymore that people are afraid of. More and more people turn to tarot readers, not to predict their future, but to get guidance and clarity.

So it may not be a surprise that the tarot global market is projected to reach USD 1.589 billion by 2030. This growth reflects a broader cultural shift towards spirituality and introspection, as individuals seek tools for self-discovery and personal growth. So, you are not the only one who reads this article.

Central to tarot's enduring appeal is the Major Arcana - two words that represent 22 cards that tell the story of the archetypal journey of the Fool. This journey serves as a metaphor for the human experience, offering insights into our challenges, transformations, and triumphs.

🧘So, who is the mysterious guy - the Fool in the Fool’s Journey?

The Fool, numbered zero in the tarot deck, represents the beginning of all things—a blank slate packed with potential. The Fool is depicted as a carefree traveler who has many companions (usually depicted as animals, toys, etc.). Mostly, he is depicted as stepping off a cliff, not even watching where he is going. The faith and trust are with him.

The Fool represents innocence, new beginnings, adventure, spontaneous acts, and the courage to take a step into something unknown. This card invites us to embark on our own journeys with open hearts and minds, ready to learn and grow from each experience.

When you read the last part, it’s not a surprise to you that the Fool invites us to take an adventurous journey into the unknown. This is an unknown thing that can be whatever new journey, but in the Fool’s journey, it mostly means the journey to the unknown mysteries of yourself.

✨What is The Fool’s Journey?

Mysteries of the Major Arcana

The Major Arcana features 22 cards, each of which symbolizes a powerful stage in the Fool's journey. Furthermore, this means that every card represents the aspects of our own lives. From the Magician's manifestation of will to the World’s culmination of fulfillment, these cards cover the spectrum of human experiences and spiritual lessons.

How to Experience the Fool’s Journey

Engaging with the Fool's Journey involves more than drawing cards; it's about introspection and personal growth. Every card tells a story, asks questions, and symbolizes something generally and something in our own lives. By reflecting on those things, we can gain deeper awareness about ourselves and even clarity. Regular meditation on these archetypes can guide us through life's challenges and transitions.

But most importantly, every card in the Major Arcana asks you a question. So, if you start with The Fool and move forward from there, it is suggested that you should not move forward to the next card until you have truly and honestly answered the question the last card presented to you.

“I experienced the Fool’s Journey many years ago, this was my way of starting to get to know and read the cards. I read somewhere that before you actually start to do tarot readings, it is essential to go through the Fool’s journey yourself. It’s not only about learning and getting to know the cards, but more about your own spirituality and inner world. If you get to know your inner world, everything just feels different, and this opens up so many other journeys. And you want those other journeys as well.” - Caitlin

Self-Awareness Course based on The Fool’s Journey

You can find a few self-awareness courses that are based on the Fool’s journey. This is a great way to experience the journey with some guidance. And, I will do you one better - we have a self-awareness course that is based on the Fool’s Journey, and you get a personal spiritual counselor for 22 weeks to go through this journey. Moreover, it’s an email-based course, so you can do it from the comfort of your home.

What’s even better is that as of now, this is a free course - you just have to sign up for our Pilot Project and wait til October when it starts. Later, it will be available for purchase, and not just the one with the counselor, but an independent course as well.

“This is our Pilot Project, to get the real feedback about the course so that we can make it even better. But, this is not the only reason - we started Soul Sisters Tarot to help people, and this free course could help so many people. So don’t hesitate, if you want to learn more about your inner self and experience the Fool’s journey, just sign up. And remember, the Fool’s journey is not only for the tarot readers, but for everyone who wants to deeply get to know themselves and learn more about spirituality.” - Caitlin

Benefits of Experiencing the Fool’s Journey

• Self-Discovery: Understanding the stages of the Fool's Journey can illuminate our personal paths and purpose. You want to feel the inspiration that comes from life and your passions again. We all had it when we were kids, and most of us lost this inspiration along the way. This is normal, but even more normal is to get it back.
  

• Emotional Healing: Recognizing and processing emotions associated with each card and question can lead to healing. Maybe you don’t heal fully, I mean, maybe none of us can. But we can heal so much that we want to forgive, let go, and move forward to a lighter emotional burden, and therefore a simpler life.
  

• Spiritual Growth: The journey encourages a deeper connection to our inner selves and the universe. And this connection will open up so many other journeys in life that you want to take.

🔮On the Fool’s Journey, Each Card Tells a Story and Asks Us a Question

While the history of Tarot is quite rich and interesting, it’s safe to say that the meaning of Tarot is involved. It is so much more than fortune telling, and goes so much further, deep inside human experiences.

Each card in the Major Arcana poses a question that makes you look deeply inside. You already know the answers inside you; you just have to get the information from deep inside. For instance, the High Priestess asks, "What hidden knowledge or intuition am I being asked to trust?" while the Tower challenges, "What sudden change is breaking down the illusions in my life?" Engaging with these questions can lead to newly found personal insights.

“I remember, when I first experienced this journey, I was stuck on one question for weeks. I wanted to answer honestly, but I didn't know the answer. It took me some time and some experiences to find the answer. So, it’s not linear, but you know, healing never is linear. While we are busy healing, life usually throws something else at us, so we experience more ups and downs, and this is normal. We heal some pieces and parts, and then we are stronger to heal other parts.” - Caitlin

🪞Three Stages of the Fool’s Journey

The World Outside of Us (Cards I–VII)

This stage focuses on external experiences and societal influences. For example, cards like the Magician and the Chariot represent how we interact with the world, and our power, ambition, and manifestation of will.

Our Inside World (Cards VIII–XIV)

At this point, the journey turns inward, some might even say to our subconscious - things we know, but may not be aware of. This stage explores your strength, introspection, and transformation. The Hanged Man can signify the necessity to see things from a different perspective, while the Death invites you to let go of things that do not serve you anymore.

The One and Only - Spiritual World (Cards XV–XXI)

The final stage leads us into spiritual enlightenment and even self-realization. Cards such as the Star, Judgement, and the World symbolize many things we need in life. For example, hope, inspiration, reflecting on our choices, and fulfillment. One cycle in our lives will end, and another one begins.

Also, there are some mediums who named those stages as The Conscious, The Subconscious, and The Super-Conscious. It does not matter how we name them; the content behind the name is the same.

📖The Fool’s Journey Can Be a Great Tool for Self-Discovery

How to Reflect on Your Journey?

• Daily Card Draws: Pull a card each day and contemplate its relevance to your current life situation.

• Journaling: Write about your thoughts and feelings related to each card to uncover patterns and insights.

• Meditation: Focus on a card's imagery and symbolism to connect with its deeper meanings.

🕯️The Fool’s Journey - Best Tarot Spreads

• Three-Card Spread: Past, Present, Future—ideal for quick insights.

• Celtic Cross: A very popular and old card spread, but also a comprehensive spread that can give clarity to a situation through various aspects.

• Path Spread: You can find different path spreads from books and the internet, but this one is made by Soul Sisters Tarot, and it is specifically designed to see what path you are on. What paths are in your life besides the obvious one? What is truly holding you back in your chosen and hidden path?

Experiencing the Fool's Journey through the Major Arcana offers multiple insights into the human experiences, and of course, your human experience personally. This may help you clarify situations, heal wounds, and let go of things that do not serve you anymore. As tarot continues to gain popularity, it serves as a valuable tool for those seeking self-understanding and spiritual growth.

🪷Embrace Your Own Journey

The Fool’s Journey is more than a bunch of tarot cards — it’s a mirror to our lives, full of symbolism, challenge, and transformation. Whether you’re just beginning your tarot practice, just want to learn about your inner self, or have walked this path for years, the Major Arcana offers timeless wisdom that can illuminate your personal growth.

By engaging with each stage of the Fool’s story, you open yourself to deeper self-understanding, healing, and spiritual evolution. So shuffle the cards, ask the big questions, and remember: every step, even the uncertain ones, is part of your journey home to yourself. If you don’t want to do this by yourself, our Self-Awareness Course and spiritual counselors can guide you through the beautiful journey that is called The Fool’s Journey.

With Love,
Caitlin & Gerly,
Soul Sisters Tarot