The Fool Unmasked

Thank you Amanda for your comments on yesterday’s blogspot. Yes, I readily acknowledge that the Fool is the Clown’s favourite companion! All you Clowns out there, if your partner, offspring or sibling is a Fool, then you’ve probably found a ‘speshmate’.

During a time of upheaval and chaos in my life, it was the Fool archetype that sustained me. It was a close and cheery companion during the whole experience, both metaphorically and literally. The Fool heightens the pleasure my Clown finds in absurdity and irreverence.  It engages with my child’s sense of joy.

 In Tales for Jung Folk, Richard Roberts writes “children know that foolishness is wisdom turned inside out so that grownups cannot recognise it, and he plays with each child like the Imaginary Playmate come true, whispering confidences that only the inner most heart could share”.

Carol Pearson writes "the Fool is an aspect of the inner child that knows how to play.  The Fool is the root of our basic sense of vitality and aliveness – a childlike, spontaneous, playful creativity."

 The Fool is ‘naughty’, always breaking the rules and causing trouble. It is anarchistic, irreverent and is adept at exploding boundaries and exposing hypocrisy. The Fool is a truth-teller, and for that reason – unless you have a sense of humour – it is sometimes difficult to be around them, because they call you on your B.S!! 

The Fool family group generally communicate very serious messages and devastating truths with seemingly light hearted wit or jesting, and often with a deadpan face. Our inner Fool will tell us truths that we do not wish to hear.

Yes Amanda, it is true that the Fool had a significant and important role and place at the Royal Court. The Fool is part of a ubiquitous family and is really much more than what we see and understand. As the Court Jester (Richard Pryor) he brought important messages to the Sovereign via his often caustic jokes which contained truth. He was the King’s close confidante, keeping him informed about who was plotting against the Crown. No-one takes the Joker (Jack Nicholson in Batman) and Robin Williams in various roles, seriously. And so we speak openly in front of him anyway, he's just a Clown (Charlie Chaplin) and no threat, so we  think.

The Fool is among the highest forms of development.

In one of the Grail myths, Parsifal, an unlikely hero, is the Holy Fool. Born after his father’s death, Parsifal is cosseted and kept as a mummy’s boy. His mother dresses him in homespun cloth in order to disguise the fact that he is a descendant of a lineage of knights of the realm. 

 Parsifal's father, elder brothers and uncles all lost their lives seeking the Holy Grail. One day, however, Parsifal chances upon a party of knights and departs with them – your fate will always find you. And so begins his search for the sacred treasure. Just because others have not succeeded does not mean that you will fail.

The Grail Castle
For years Parsifal wanders aimlessly seeking the Grail Castle, a place of miraculous healing. The Grail Castle is the home of the wounded and suffering Fisher King who is the centre of power. The Grail is his capacity to heal everyone except himself; that can only be done by Parsifal, the young hero.

 When Parsifal eventually stumbles upon the Grail castle, he is dumbfounded by the vision which he beholds. Unable to speak, Parsifal is incapable of asking the obvious question which will give him access to the secret of the Grail and at the same time heal the wounded King; he has to leave.

Decades go by, life shifts and in time Parsifal is able to fulfil his destiny. Confronted by the Grail once more, Parsifal now knows what question to ask.


Myth as Metaphor: myth, legend, folktale and fairy tale are the blueprints and route maps that show humanity the way home. They codify the processes and experiences of the soul’s passage through human chaos to gain experience, acquire knowledge and wisdom, and, having reached a state of completeness can return to Oneness. 

 It would take much too long to go into the fullness of Parsifal’s story, you can read it for yourself. See Robert A. Johnson's The Fisher King & the Handless Maiden.

 For the high minded, Wagner's opera "Parsifal" is said to be powerful. 

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