We're trying something unique this time, Two snapshots of the same Fool. One by me (Dr.T) via this blog and the other as part of Silverdebster's series of insights on our Youtube channel. I'm certain it's going to be an interesting experiment!
What's in a snapshot?
Silverdebster, given her photography background, drew an analogy from that perspective. As a philosopher I see it more in terms of language:
Snapshot noun (understanding)
a piece of information or short description that gives an understanding of a situation at a particular time - Cambridge Dictionary
So similar, yet oh so different.
The piece of 'information' we are using as a source is The Fool from the Tarot of the Sweet Twilight (By Cristina Benintende). Drawing information from art is anything but an exact science (and I suspect our interpretations will differ dramatically). Our snapshots require the drawing of associations; one thought leading to another in what Silverdebster refers to as a trip down rabbit holes. I'm rather taken by Kant's description (did I mention the philosophy?).
[Art is] something that gives the imagination an incentive to spread its flight over a whole host of kindred representations that provoke more thought than admits of expression in a concept determined by words. - Critique of Judgement by Immanuel Kant
Certainly I could never express all the thoughts provoked by this Fool but I hope you'll follow with me as my imagination takes flight.
The Fool of the Sweet Twilight
Such a wonderful whimsical marionette, or so I first thought. But then I spent some time with this Fool (or did the Fool spend time with me?) and I started to see a much more serious (perhaps darker) edge to this Fool.
But let us start (I'm hesitant to say at the start) with my interpretation of this wonderful piece of art. The Fool has turned and is heading back from the precipice. Not unusual in itself and many decks take this approach (The Grail deck springs to mind) but this Fool's eyes are absent! I'll touch on the strings later - I don't think the Fool's descent is at the whim of some 'other'.
I imagine this fool has been to the edge of the precipice and has gazed down on humanity below - perhaps for a very long time. But this has taken a toll.
Battle not with monsters, lest ye become a monster, and if you gaze into the abyss, the abyss gazes also into you. - Beyond Good and Evil by Friedrich Nietzche
This marionette may have climbed the hill an innocent but after viewing all of humanity retreats an innocent no more. Yet this Fool is no monster; The Fool is beyond Good and Evil; complete and fully informed. But this has taken a mighty toll. The Fool wears a smiling mask that hides any trace of real emotion. Despite this there is indication of sadness. The sun once magnificent now droops, the shining intuition of the moon has fallen, and the once bright rainbow colours of the fool are muted. The sadness of the marionette is perhaps demonstrated by the clown in the foreground, but this last trace of the Fool's sadness is about to be buried (trampled underfoot).
This Fool would be well placed (as per Waite-Smith*) between Judgement (XX) and The World (XXI). Having been to the edge, having seen the abyss, The Fool has withdrawn inwardly rather than pass Judgement and now returns to The World. In many ways this Fool reminds me of the child from The Tin Drum:
In The Tin Drum (Die Blechtrommel) the central character, a young boy, "is reluctant to enter a world he sees as filled with hypocrisy and injustice, and vows on his third birthday to never grow up. Miraculously, he gets his wish. As the Nazis rise to power in Danzig, Oskar wills himself to remain a child, beating his tin drum incessantly and screaming in protest at the chaos surrounding him." - https://g.co/kgs/u4tMwP
Does this fool now similarly beat a drum in protest, the only voice given to an otherwise silent protest?
But what about those strings?
It would, I think, be remiss to tell a story of this Fool without reference to the strings. Perhaps they were tighter on the way up and the formerly innocent fool had no choice but to climb to the edge and stare into the abyss? On this we can only speculate; but the string are somewhat loose now indicating (to me) the Fool has freely chosen the path to follow ... well, somewhat freely the strings are still there and The Fool had no option not to choose.
Such is the nature of soft determinism. We choose our path but we must choose. Context limits our options and pushes us forward no matter how we howl. Perhaps this Fool faced a dilemma; the freedom to choose 'to judge the world' or to 'withdraw in protest' - an inescapable dichotomy where the choice of not choosing has been removed. It doesn't matter if we are aware of our strings (we all have them); context always plays a part in pulling our strings and determining our options.
But the Fool is not lost.
The cat plays an interesting role. Often cats are seen attacking the fool (certainly in early decks). Dogs and other companions are often seen warning The Fool of danger. Here the cat acts independently against the strings trying to free The Fool from controlling limitations.
I like to think the cat represents some inner part of The Fool that still has hope. Hope that the drum will be heard, hope that the world can be a better place, Hope!
A Darker Fool
This was a darker Fool than I imagined I would see. Perhaps I should have heeded Nietzche; Stare not into The Fool... I imagine Silverdebster will have added some balance. The Vlog can be found here.
Notes:
* Waite numbered the Fool 0 but situated it between Judgement and The World
References:
Benintende, C. (2009) Tarot of the Sweet Twilight. Lo Scarabeo
Kant, I. (1987) Critique of Judgement. [Available online]
Nietzche, F. (1906) Beyond Good and Evil
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