Esoterica by Sylvie Spencer (Upstairs), with performances presented by Experimental Half-Hour (downstairs): Diva, Geneva Jacuzzi, GX Jupitter-Larsen and After Hours.

The Fool is both the beginning and the end, neither and otherwise, betwixt and between, liminal. The number 0 is a perfect significator for the Fool, as it can become anything when he reaches his destination as in the sense of ‘joker’s wild’. Zero plus anything equals the same thing. Zero times anything equals zero. Zero is nothing, a lack of hard substance, and as such it may reflect a non-issue or lack of cohesiveness for the subject at hand.

As Card 0, the Fool lies at the beginning of the major arcana, but also somewhat apart from the other cards. In medieval courts, the court jester was someone who was not expected to follow the same rules as others. He could observe and then poke fun. This makes the Fool unpredictable and full of surprises. He reminds us of the unlimited potential and spontaneity inherent in every moment. There is a sense with this card that anything goes – nothing is certain or regular. What may posit itself as art may simply be craft, what may posit itself as handmade may be structured by machine, the old collaged to form new, but most curiously, that which posits itself as something may simply be nothing at all.

The Fool also represents the complete faith that life is good and worthy of trust. Some might call the Fool too innocent, but his innocence sustains him and brings him joy.