We return to the beginning with our next card in our deck, the Fool. There's something funny to us about our January cards being the Devil and the Fool...

In typical iterations of this card, the Fool is listed unnumbered, or as the number zero. A young man stands on the edge of a cliff, unburdened and unbothered as he sets out on a new adventure. He gazes upwards toward the sky and seems unaware he is about to potentially careen off of a cliff. He carries a small bag containing everything he needs (apparently, not a lot). A small dog is at his feet, a white rose in his hand, and mountains behind him - innocence, purity, and challenges yet to come. 

The Fool is not necessarily about ignorance, least not in a derogatory sense. This card is all about new beginnings, spontaneity, innocence, and the naive free spirit of youth - it's an apt card for the new year, as we get settled further into January. This is a card about adventures and idealism, something we could all use right now! 

Consider the Fool a blank slate - he is at the beginning of his journey, not yet shaped by what he is potentially to encounter. To pull him upright could signal a new beginning, a new job, a new romance. He is meant to inspire courage, to open up new areas of your life, and with that comes a mixture of anticipation, of awe, wonder and curiosity. What is ahead is not yet determined, so approach it with an open mind. There are opportunities to be developed and a world to explore! The Fool is encouraging you to take a leap of faith, throw caution to the wind, and trust where the universe is taking you. This is an excellent card to meditate on if you are struggling with dread, worry or self-doubt in your life.

Well, unless he's reversed in your reading, which may be a more... reflective reading for this January. Reversed, the Fool is recklessness, risk-taking, foolishness (naturally), gullibility, carelessness. It can be about holding yourself back, that you are unsure of what the unknown holds, that you're thinking too much about the "what if??" 

Alternatively, maybe you're taking too many risks and acting recklessly, as if tomorrow won't be there. You may trying to lean into spontaneity and living in the moment, but you're doing so in total disregard of the consequences of your actions and engaging in activities that put both yourself and others at risk. What's the bigger picture? How do you engage in the playful spirit of the Fool without harming yourself or others?

Ultimately, the Fool, seems to be all about risk - the excitement of it, the anticipation of trying something new, the apprehension of the outcome not yet being determined. Which side of it will you come down on? Are you too exuberant in your risk taking, without care for others? Or does your apprehension stop you from being able to expand? 

Our yarn of the Fool is reminiscent of the optimism of spring - bright green, pastel yellow and pink, with a splash of robin's egg blue and pink speckles.  

Please note that yarn colors may vary per base as each type of fiber dyes differently. You can learn more on our Yarn Base FAQ page.

BASES:

Hattie Floof: 50g, 437 yards, 70% Superkid mohair/30% silk (lace weight)
Chester Sock: 100g, 437 yards, blend of 75% superwash merino/25% nylon
Gladys Shawl: 100g, 438 yards, single ply blend of 70% superwash merino/30% silk
Tortie Sport: 100g, 287 yards, 80% alpaca/20% silk
Minnie DK: 100g, 246 yards, 100% superwash merino wool 
Genny Worsted: 100g, 191 yards, 80% superwash merino/20% alpaca
Chubby Trevor: 115g, 136 yards, 100% superwash merino
Chunky Trevor: 150g, 82 yards, 100% superwash merino, single ply
Summer Fingering: 65% silk/35% linen, 115g skein, approximately 438 yards
Summer DK: 65% silk/35% linen, 115g skein, approximately 246 yards
Summer Worsted: 65% silk/35% linen, 115g skein, approximately 181 yards
Piper Fiber: 85% Polwarth Wool/15% Tussah Silk, approximately 4oz braid of fiber for spinning, felting, etc