The Fool's Journey is a progressive attempt to reach the infinite, as is the journey humankind must take with reference to the Kabbalah (the sacred text of the infinite). In the explanation of the Kabbalah there are 22 paths the astral body must take to reach Kether (Crown). This closely follows the journey the Fool must take.
Note: At the conclusion of the Fool's Journey, I have given a brief description of the Kabbalah.
The Fool represents the soul of everyman which, after it is clothed in a body, appears on earth and goes through the life experiences of the 21 cards of the Major Arcana--sometimes thought of as archetypes of the subconscious. As the map of the soul's quest--these symbols are deep within each one of us. The Fool's Journey takes the path through 21 cards (symbols) to reach the final step at the "crown". The following is a brief description of the Fool's Journey:
In the Magician (I) and High Priestess (II), the Fool learns the uses of the conscious and subconscious aspects of the mind in order to create the abundance of nature as pictured in the Empress (III). The Emperor (IV) indicates the role of ruler, and the Hierophant (V) shows the place of the head of a religious body. The Lovers (VI) learn that in order to have a harmonious life, the superconscious must be consulted through the subconscious.
Using mentality and will, the Fool can ride the Chariot (VII) of success as long as he can be master of his passions. In Justice (VIII) he learns to have a balanced personality and to eliminate the outworn and useless. The Hermit (IX), with his lantern of truth, offers to guide him on a spiritual path. When the Fool reaches the Wheel of Fortune (X), his apprenticeship is over. From now on, he is on his own to rise or fall while the sphinx of his soul looks on.
When he reaches Strength (XI), he is shown how, through the use of spiritual strength, he can control not only the animal world around him but also the lower forces in himself.
He is the Hanged Man (XII) who has surrendered himself to spirit and sacrificed his small desires for the greater one. Death (XIII) is a form of renewal and is not to be feared. Temperance (XIV), as depicted by the archangel Michael, shows him how to create by pouring waters of life from the unseen into the seen. He has been shown all the secrets of life and how to use them, yet is tempted by the Devil (XV) to use his newfound power to create a life of selfish gain and material pleasure.
The Fool is knocked from his material Tower (XVI) and awakened by a flash of spiritual insight to the knowledge that he is on earth to learn and put to use the eternal knowledge he has been given. Chastened by the Star (XVII), he now learns to meditate, and discovers that no destruction is final. In the Moon (XVIII), the Fool is tempted; this time to use his psychic powers for personal glory, and he finds the upward path not only crooked, but full of pitfalls. In the Sun (XIX) he has learned his lessons well and they have become automatic. he rides forth in control of the horse of the physical--naked, for he no longer has anything to hide. He now has authority over the animal kingdom, and all nature turns to the developed soul for future growth.
Next, he joins the angel Gabriel for the Judgement (XX) in calling all people to awaken to the glories of the spiritual life. The Fool's Journey is over.
The Fool is spirit again with the World (XXI), as in the beginning, but now he has passed through his initiations on the material plane where he has played many parts, and learned to control both involution and evolution as he dances the dance of life in the very center of the universe.
Attempting to explain the Kabbalah is slightly more difficult but mention is made in reference to the Fool's Journey so, a brief description of the Kabbalah is as follows:
When Moses came down from the mountain with the ten commandments, he also possessed another tablet from the hand of God. The message on the tablet was passed on to only a few select elders who, in turn, passed on the mystery of the text to each of their successors.
The text became known as the Kabbalah. The text explains the 10 lights (Sephiroth) that emanated from God are the basis of the universe. To further explain:
In Eden, there were three trees. The tree of Life, the tree of Good and Evil, and the tree of Knowledge. When the spirit of man picked from the tree of Knowledge, it fell from grace with God to the physical plane, and was to find its way back to paradise and the godhead by certain deeds committed in life.
After death, the spirit becomes an astral body to begin the climb to again be at one with God. The 10 lights are guarded by angels to prevent this ascent. This progress of climbing depends on what the spirit learned on the physical plane.
There are 22 paths the astral body must take to reach the top, or Kether (crown). The progressive steps to be taken to reach Kether begin at Malkuth, or (earthly kingdom). With each step, the astral body must prove itself to eventually reach Kether and be at one with God.