The Origins of April Fool's Day itself are basically unknown but It is worth noting that many different cultures have days of foolishness around the start of April, give or take a few days. For example the Hindu and Sikh festival of Holi. The Romans had a festival called Hilaria. Given its proximity to the Spring Equinox and the celebrations of fertility and resurrection, perhaps there is something in the air at this time of year, as we turn from winter to spring it just lends itself to light-heartedness.
The Fool in Tarot
The Fool in the Tarot is the first card of the major archane and represents new beginnings. A young person setting out to explore the world, full of hope, full of confidence.
Some people see this person as inexperienced and naive and that would be true. But think back to your youth. To the child and the teenager. To the plans and ideas you had or didn't have but to the feelings of “Knowing” the world was your oyster and all you had to do was explore it. To the utter certainty that all would be well. As we have progressed through our lives we may well have had to temper our views in the light of our experience. We may have discovered differently along the way, we may have been let down. We may have lost that certainty, that direction, that sense of excitement. We may have become fearful, cynical, afraid to 'get it wrong', afraid to fail. So afraid we don't even begin. We end up watching life go by wondering 'when' something will change, wanting change but fearing it.
The energy of 'The Fool" is still there within ready to be re-awakened. I know over the years it is very easy to become cynical, to expect the worst so as not to be disappointed. At sometime or other we have all felt weighed down by the responsibility of 'getting it right'. But is it naive to be hopeful? Is it naive to be confident, or to wish to explore the world and live. To be on the 'roller coaster' of life rather than watching it.
When I see The Fool in a tarot spread I rejoice because for me it means reconnecting to those energies of excitement, joy and hope. To seeing the world through the eyes of a child and of expecting the best. Of seeing the best in people, expecting the best in everything. Being filled with hope and excitement. It maybe naive but I personally intend to be naive to the end of my days.