#0: The Fool

The Fool and the Trans Experience

The Fool is the very first step in any journey, and nothing embodies the trans experience more than this card. It is standing on the edge of everything you have ever known, looking into the vast unknown, and choosing to leap anyway. It is the moment you realize that life cannot continue as it has, that the discomfort of staying the same has grown heavier than the fear of change.

Every trans person carries the energy of The Fool at some point—when they first question their gender, when they try on a name that feels right, when they take those first terrifying steps toward transition. The Fool reminds us that not knowing everything is not a reason to stay still. Discovery happens in motion.

This is a card of pure possibility, of stepping forward without a safety net, trusting that something will catch you. Society might try to paint The Fool as naive, as someone who does not know what they are doing. But in truth, The Fool holds something sacred: trust in themselves. That is what matters most in any transition—trusting that even without all the answers, you are moving in the right direction.

This card asks: Are you ready to embrace the unknown? Can you trust yourself enough to step forward, even if you do not see the full path ahead?

Symbolism and Imagery

Every detail in The Fool’s card speaks to the themes of new beginnings, freedom, and self-trust.

• The Fool stands at the edge of a cliff – A powerful metaphor for stepping into transition. The edge of the cliff represents the life you have known, and the vast unknown ahead is the gender euphoria waiting to unfold. The question is: Do you trust yourself enough to take that step?

• Their face is open, looking up at the sky – A symbol of hope and faith. The Fool does not look down in fear but up, toward possibility. To come out as trans is to embrace the belief that something better exists, even if you cannot see it yet.

• A small satchel hangs from their shoulder – They do not carry much. This represents the fact that you do not need to have all the answers before you begin. Transition is not about knowing everything ahead of time; it is about trusting that you will figure it out along the way.

• A white dog at their feet – The dog symbolizes both warning and companionship. Some will try to hold you back, telling you to be careful, to wait, to reconsider. But others—found family, community—will walk beside you, offering love and protection as you take your first steps.

• The bright sun shining above – A symbol of clarity and truth. Transition is stepping into the light of your own identity, shedding the shadows of doubt and external expectations.

• A single white rose in their hand – Purity, innocence, and authenticity. It is a reminder that coming into yourself is a sacred journey, one that requires shedding fear and embracing your own truth.

Upright Meaning: Embracing the Journey

When The Fool appears upright in a reading, it is a call to begin. It tells you that the time for overthinking is over—what matters now is action.

For trans people, this might mean:

• Exploring your gender more openly – Trying a new name, changing pronouns, wearing what makes you feel right.

• Starting your transition – Whether socially, medically, or emotionally, The Fool says: it is time.

• Letting go of fear – Trusting that your journey is valid, even if you do not have everything figured out yet.

• Living in the present – The Fool does not dwell in the past or worry about the future. They remind you that joy happens when you allow yourself to experience the moment fully.

This card is also a reminder that not everyone will understand your journey—and that is okay. The Fool does not seek approval before stepping forward. They know that some will try to hold them back, to question their choices, to tell them they are being reckless. But The Fool moves anyway. This is your permission to take the first step, even if it scares you.

Reversed Meaning: Fear, Hesitation, and Recklessness

When The Fool appears reversed, fear and doubt may be holding you back. You may be standing at the edge, looking down, afraid to take the leap.

For trans people, this can manifest as:

• Doubting yourself – Feeling like you are not “trans enough” or second-guessing your experience.

• Waiting for external validation – Hoping others will confirm your identity before you step into it.

• Hesitating out of fear – Staying in discomfort because the unknown feels too big, too uncertain.

• Ignoring inner wisdom – The High Priestess teaches us to trust our intuition, but when The Fool is reversed, you might be ignoring that inner knowing, staying in a situation that no longer serves you.

Alternatively, The Fool reversed can also signal recklessness. It can be a warning against jumping into something without preparing, making choices that could cause harm rather than liberation. This could mean rushing into aspects of transition without proper research or making impulsive decisions out of desperation rather than empowerment.

The key here is balance—do not let fear keep you stagnant, but also do not leap without considering the landing.

Shadow Work and Self-Reflection

The Fool asks you to reflect on what is holding you back from embracing your truth. Some questions to sit with:

• What fears are keeping me from taking my first steps?

• Am I trusting myself, or am I waiting for someone else to tell me it is okay to be me?

• What do I need to release in order to move forward?

• What excites me about the future? How can I embrace that energy more fully?

Final Thoughts

The Fool is the ultimate card of trans liberation. It is a love letter to every queer and trans person who has ever taken a leap of faith, even when they did not know what was waiting for them on the other side.

This card says: You do not need permission. You do not need certainty. All you need is the courage to take that first step.

Because when you do? You begin the most beautiful, life-changing journey of all: the journey of becoming yourself.