The Fool’s Intrigue

Each man, in his life is many men. We learn and we grow, and no man dies as he was born, for he has his life experiences imprinted on his soul as a sygil into soft wax. This is shown to us over and over... In our mythology, in our dreams and the stories we tell.

The types of men we are, or aspire to be, are called archetypes in the terms of Carl Jung. These archetypes can best be seen in the meanings and workings of the Tarot. For while many think it is a means of divining the future, and still more think it is a means to cheat people out of money, the cards themselves are an excellent display of the path a man leads, and of the people who surround and influence him...

The Fool

The Fool is on a journey from the palace. He has slung over his shoulder a bag of food and other items, reminiscent of the Hobos of the twenties and thirties. And in his hand is a flower, perhaps a reminder of the beauty of the world even during times like these. He is constantly looking over his shoulder, for he knows that there are people on his trail, but he forgets that danger also lies ahead...

The Magician

The Magician has brought all his knowledge to bear, he unites the forces of nature to serve his purpose. Such is his power, such is his understanding of the world, such is his will. The Magician may represent forces of good or evil. It is unknown what hand he plays in the intrigue, but his presence is felt throughout.

The High Priestess

The High Priestess holds the answers that most men should never learn. She is a benevolent force, seeking to protect man from his own hands. It is possible that should the Fool find his way to her, that she might aid him on his way.

The Empress

The Empress lies in a field awaiting her lover, the Fool. It is for her that the flower was picked. It is for her that he brings the food. She is the seductress, the court lady who has seen too much intrigue to settle for anything less than life and death for her entertainment. She knows that her husband will learn of her faithlessness, but she knows too who it is that will feel the Emperor’s wrath.

She casually regards the field of wheat in which she lies, and suddenly, in a flash of violence one would not suspect, she slashes one blade in half, and picks it up to contemplate the future...

The Emperor

The Emperor has given his life to his people. And while he sits on the throne, knowing that the kingdom is more important than his private life. The troubles of two people don’t amount to a hill of beans... But as he sits here, his spies roam the countryside, searching for news of his temptress wife, and her seemingly dull whited lover. He knows not what he will do, but he does know that a kingdom rests on his shoulders, and that despite his love for his wife it is God’s will that he rule. Should she break God’s law, she must pay the price, whatever that may be...

The Pope

The Pope is in private meditation with two junior monks. He goes through the ritual, as he has so many times before. But in the house of God, his thoughts turn to sin. He knows of the Emperor’s troubles far better than the Emperor himself. For he is the confessor to the Empress. He knows what she has planned, and while he did not encourage it, he made no effort to stop her. For he knows that she will be caught, and he knows who the Emperor will turn to for council in this matter. And then will be his chance, to finally have the Empress in his grasp.

He will have her sent to the church, where she will learn to love God again. She must be exercised of the demons that posses her, and what better way to exercise demons, than to give them what they want. To give them so much of what they want that they grow sick of it and leave.

He will exercise her demons, granting them the carnal pleasures which they seek, while telling her of the glory of God. And the demons shall flee, eventually. But then the work of God is not for the weak of heart.

The Lovers

Having stumbled across the High Priestess, the Fool has found his way to the Empress’ side. For a time, they can enjoy the moment. The Fool finding happiness in this woman whom he has adored for so long. The Empress finds her pleasure in the union, but more so because she knows what is to come.

The Chariot

Being discovered by the Emperor’s spies, the lovers must take flight. The Empress, though, turns herself over to her husband’s men. The Fool--no longer the Fool after his encounter with the High Priestess--takes flight in a chariot stolen away from one of the higher ranking guards. But he does not have much experience leading horses or chariots, and the beasts refuse to answer his poor commands, driving at first one way, then another. At last the Fool relaxes his grip, and the reigns slip from his hands to drag on the ground. Freed from his grip the horses once again became as one unit, and took him along paths of their own choosing. Until, as they raced along a mountain path, the reigns caught on a rock, and snapped loose. But the horses, frightened by this, turned unthinking towards the edge. The fool, no longer the fool, now saw the danger of the chasm.

Strength

As the horses raced ever closer toward the chasm, the fool saw his death approaching. But as they passed a stand of rocks, the horses stopped short and froze in terror. For beyond them rested a powerful lion, which raised its head to calmly watch them. The Fool stepped down off the chariot, as one of the horses, already strained by flight, dropped dead of a heart attack. He attempted to free the other horse, hoping he could ride it out of this place, but knowing that it was beyond his skill. And as he cut the last rope, the horse regained its senses and bolted away, leaving the fool, the lion, and the chasm.

The lion raised itself, and slowly approached the Fool, who stood his ground, unflinching. The lion drew closer, until he stood only a few feet away, regarding the Fool with intelligent and seemingly alien eyes. And after a moment turned away... The lion strode up a small footpath a few paces, and turned back to watch the Fool, in a manner which seemed an invitation. If the lion could speak, the Fool was certain it would ask, “aren’t you coming?”

And so the Fool, who was no longer the Fool, considered the fact that he was lost in the wilderness. And based on this fact, he decided that despite the fact that the lion was carnivorous and was likely leading him back to her home so she wouldn’t have to drag his bloody carcass all the way, he didn’t have much more of a chance if he walked away right now, so he followed. Even one who is no longer the Fool can do foolish things.

The Hermit

The lion did lead him back to her home. It was a cave, which he soon found himself inside. The lion led him toward the back, and he discovered within what must once have been a man’s home.

There was a straw bed, a table with writing tools, and many, many books. He dragged his finger across some of them, while reading off the titles. Books on politics, science, philosophy, even magic. The Fool recalled from his youth a band of wanderers who had come to the palace. They had claimed the ability to turn lead into gold, and he had paid one copper to see it done. But before he could witness the demonstration, the Pope had ordered his soldiers to take the wanderers to be executed. The Fool had watched that instead, but he still wished he’d gotten his copper back.

Upon further exploration, the Fool discovered a store of food. Salted beef and bread locked up in such a way as to prevent destruction by rot. The man who had lived here before was definitely wise.

The Fool lived in the cave for months off the stored food. The lion was his near constant companion, but he had no contact with another human during all that time. Unless you count the Emperor’s patrols he’d seen passing through the valley, but he did not approach them as he was no longer the Fool.

He passed the time reading and learning. He grew to understand the ways of the world, and saw the folly of the “wise men” that he had spent so much time playing the Fool for. He saw the truths of the world, and he knew that he could no longer remain in this cave alone. He must go forth, and show the world the truth. But would they listen?

The Wheel of Fortune

The Hermit, who once was the Fool, descended into the city where he once made his home. He strode among people he once knew so well, but they did not know him. For his studies had changed his stature as much as his ascetic life had changed his appearance. He strode through the outer town, wearing a brown robe (Taken from the stores of the cave when his own motley had grown tattered), and carrying a lantern. For he had not allowed the forces of nature to slow his journey. He had traveled day and night, through forests and across rivers, until he finally reached the castle gates.

The guards moved to stop his approach, at first. But as he drew near, they saw the fire of enlightenment burning within him and they felt the force of his will turn them aside. He strode on.

He passed through lobbies, and hallways, through the kitchen, down servant passages too tight, too dark, too dirty for a noble to ever pass through-- until he reached, at last, the Emperor’s court.

His entrance went unnoticed at first, just another servant bringing food or drink. But he made his way directly for the Emperor’s table, not passing around the outer edge, as a good servant would, but by walking directly across the open floor that separated the nobles from each other, and from the citizens who had come to watch.

The court grew quiet, and anger shone on the Emperor’s face at the Hermit’s disrespect. The Pope, at his side, motioned for guards to take the Hermit into custody, but none moved, and the Hermit strode on.

“My lord, you have been betrayed. You are a good and noble man, who has been done much wrong.”

The Emperor’s rage overcame him then. “How dare you speak to me thus?! Guards, take this man to the dungeon!” But none moved.

“My lord, I speak the truth. You have been betrayed. And your betrayers now sit in confidence at your side.”

The Pope did not understand what was occurring, but he knew he had been found out, and he must act now, or all was lost. With the guards under this man’s spell, there was only one thing left to do...

The Pope took up his knife, and made to leap the table, but the Emperor turned to him, and caught the blade in his belly.

Justice

The spell was broken, and the guards went into action. They took both the Pope and the Hermit away to the dungeon, while a doctor was sent for. But no doctor could help the Emperor, they could only ease his pain as he lay in his death bed.

Two betrayers of the Emperor awaited trial and punishment. But one of the betrayers still went unnoticed, and it is for this reason that the Emperor summoned the Hermit to his chambers, under guard.

“You spoke of betrayers on my sides. The one is imprisoned as we speak, but I take you to have meant that another still roams free...”

“My Lord, you know of whom I spoke. The Empress. She sought to betray you with your own jester.”

“I do not know how you are so knowledgeable of secret things, but it is true that I am aware of my queens indiscretions. And she must be punished.” And the Emperor ordered his bride taken into custody for treason, and the Hermit freed despite his confession that he too had betrayed the Emperor.

The Empress was ordered to die by hanging, and a gallows was erected. She was brought forth and a noose placed around her neck. The Hermit stood by atop the gallows, seeking a way to save the queen, but time ran out, and the floor dropped from beneath her...

The Hanged Man

As the lever was thrown, releasing the trapdoor beneath the queen, the Hermit went into action. He caught hold of the gallows pole, and swung his legs over the top. He lowered himself just in time to catch the Empress by the shoulder of her gown.

But the fabric ripped, and the Empress fell to her death. And the Hermit hung from the gallows pole all day, and all night, weeping at the cruelty of mankind. As the sun set in the west, it hung for a moment on the horizon. Many who still stood near claimed that the Hermit was for a moment illuminated by it’s light, his head surrounded in a halo of fire.

In time, the story changed, growing and changing as legend and metaphor was added. They said that it was not the sun that illuminated him, but that the light shone from within. People had noticed a fire in his eyes before and since, but they said that at the moment of the hanging, he reached a point in his growth where he became as God, enlightened as no other man.

Death

Morning had brought death to the land. The death of the Empress was just the beginning. Many had said it was a just death. That she had betrayed God, her husband, and the people she was sworn to protect.

As night came to the land, a figure appeared at the palace walls. None saw him pass, but acknowledged his presence with a shiver and a quickened pace on their way home. He passed the gallows and approached the Empress, who still swayed in the wind as a reminder to the people that none are above judgment. The man nodded in approval, and for a moment regarded the strange sight presented by the Hermit. But, the man had a purpose, and the Hermit was a part of that.

He ascended the gallows steps, and took the man into his arms. The Hermit looked into his face and understood. He understood that this man was Death, and he understood that there was no reason to fear.

Death carried the Hermit to his horse, and lay him in the saddle, as a sack of grain. He lead his mount to the castle, past guards who noticed nothing save an uncomfortable draft that sent chills up their spine, and through hallways to the Emperor’s chamber.

The door opened though none noticed within. The Hermit was carried to the Emperor’s side, and to those who waited on the Emperor it seemed as though he had always been there.

Death whispered in the Emperor’s ear, and the Emperor’s face took on a look of fear, followed by a calm acceptance and even pleasure. It was his time to go, and his pain would now end, but first he must do something.

“Scribe, come here.” One of the onlookers, whose duty it was to record the event, drew close to the Emperor. “Scribe, I shall no issue my final command...

“This man at my side, is truly a wise and noble man. He has acted in the best interests of the land, despite the possible consequences he might have to face... I will no longer be able to protect my people as I once did, but I shall not leave the throne empty. In my place, this man shall reign. Such is my wish, such is my command.”

And as the scribe wrote, the Emperor drew his last breath. And as the land lost it’s leader, so it gained another.

Temperance

While the Hermit, who had once been the Fool, recovered from his brush with death, he worked with the scribes and the counselors to rebuild the land. For the Pope’s position of power had allowed him to influence the land’s laws and practices.

The Hermit spoke of new days. New days where death would not be a part of daily life. No longer would the goal of government be justice. It would strive to prevent imbalance, the people would learn to accept each other, and the government would strive to solve problems rather than fix them. Arbitration, rather than punishment.

The Devil

To show his commitment to this philosophy, he freed the Pope from the dungeon. The Pope was allowed to return to his church, but the Hermit had shared his knowledge with the people.

It is true that the Pope was once a man of God, but power corrupts those not prepared for its influence, and he was shown to be an impostor. The people saw that he had become the devil, not a man of God, and he was driven from the Palace.

The Tower

The Leviathan created by the Emperor, upon the misdirection of the Pope was destroyed, but there still remained a physical reminder of his presence.

The church that had so long been the home to the Devil, who once was the Pope, was burned and it’s remains taken from the city. The House of God, which had been created with such high hopes, had been corrupted by a man. A man who had been taught secret knowledge, but was not yet ready.

And though the stones had been taken away, the land upon which the tower had been built was not used, but remained empty. And the presence of this lot served to remind the people that man was mortal, that man was finite, and that man was not ready to become as God.

The Star

As the Hermit recovered, he took to walking the palace at night. He especially loved to stand atop the battlements and regard the city. His home.

One night, as the Hermit, who had become Emperor, walked atop the castle roof the clouds parted in the sky, and he became illuminated by the light of the Evening Star. He basked in it’s glory, and knew once again who he was.

He was a man, like any other. He was mortal, and as such he knew that he had only a short time to follow his life path.

The Moon

As the clouds once again blocked out the star, his gaze turned to the moon in the west. It hung just over the horizon, between two mountains, and directly beneath it lay the royal road, and along it’s path lay new horizons...

Seeing this, he knew what he must do. He wrapped some food and a few coins in a napkin, tied it to a stick and set off on his way. He slipped through the city unnoticed, as the people slept.

The Sun

The Hermit traveled the path for many years, until at last he came to a wall. The wall stretched as far as the eye could see. No man had ever built such a thing as this wall, not even with the riches of an entire kingdom could this have been accomplished.

The Hermit saw the sun arching downward as the day moved on. He knew what this place was. He knew what he must do. He understood.

The Hermit cast aside his pack, stripped off his garments, and climbed over the wall into the Garden of Eden. He was free at last. Free from the binds of the “real world” free from his fears and his inhibitions. He had returned at last to the state of his youth, the state of innocence prior to original sin.

Walking through the Garden, he came upon a tree. He recognized the tree for what it was, and ate of its fruit. And as he ate of the Tree of Life, he forgot all he knew of Good or Evil, and he was at peace.

Judgment

And while the Hermit lived on, other people came to live in the Garden. Following their path to peace and liberation. But there were still those who had not heard the calling of the path, and they had strayed so far that they knew not which way it lay.

And those who were worthy were given a sign, a star on the horizon, or a guide to point the way. And those who were not worthy, were bound so that they might not hinder the passing of the worthy.

The World

And as life went on, the Hermit knew at last. That all men are tied to each other, just as he is tied to the land, and to all things in heaven and earth. And he understood the ways of the world.

And he knew at last that the High Priestess who had shown him his folly, the Magician who had aided him with unseen hands, and the lion who had led him to the Magician’s dwelling place, were all a part of the cycle of life. And that as he had once been the Fool and become the Hermit, so he had become that very Magician, and he had become the High Priestess, and even the lion.

“All the world’s a stage. And all the men and women merely players. They have their entrances, and their exits. And each man in his time plays many parts...”