Journey From Fool to Magician: Neo and Alice in Wonderland
Using Tarot as a Tool of Self Discovery Through the Lens of Cinema
Tarot isn't just a deck of cards; it's a tool for self-discovery. The Hero's Journey, sometimes called the Fool's Journey in Tarot's Major Arcana, follows a timeless story structure seen in various mythologies and literature. Each card symbolizes a stage in this journey, offering insight into your own path. From The Matrix to ancient mythologies like Hercules or King Arthur, the Hero's Journey is a timeless narrative found across cultures.
By deconstructing your favorite movies through the Major Arcana, you may uncover parallels to your own life. Some of the most common Hero’s Journey breakdowns are Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, or Harry Potter… but I haven’t seen any of those movies, so we will be using a more JK ULTRA vibe and breaking down The Matrix and Alice in Wonderland.
The Hero's Journey is a story structure that outlines a protagonist's transformative adventure, reflecting the human experience of growth, struggle, and redemption. Like many stories, it can be divided into 3 Acts: departure, initiation, and return. It mirrors our own quest for purpose and fulfillment. By embracing challenges and aligning with our destiny, we live the hero's journey.
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JOURNEY FROM FOOL TO MAGICIAN
The journey from Fool to Magician mirrors the Hero's Journey, beginning with the Fool in the Ordinary World, unaware of their potential. The Call to Action presents itself, stirring an inner urge to follow the path of self-discovery and growth.
The Refusal of the Call comes from fear and uncertainty, tempting the Fool to resist the unknown. But, to truly become the Magician, one must overcome this fear and embrace the journey's challenges and follow their destiny. Only by overcoming this initial reluctance can one unlock their true power and embark on the transformative journey toward mastery.
In the Ordinary World, Neo (Thomas Anderson) lives an ordinary life as a computer programmer, unaware of the reality beyond the Matrix, embodying the themes of The Fool card - representing the beginning of the journey, innocence, and a venture into the unknown. However, the Call to Adventure arrives as Neo receives messages to follow the white rabbit, leading him to question the nature of reality. Neo initially experiences a Refusal of the Call, hesitant and skeptical about the truth presented by Morpheus. But as Neo's journey progresses, he undergoes a transformation into The Magician, realizing his potential and gaining the ability to manipulate the Matrix. This stage symbolizes mastery, skill, and tapping into one's true power, marking a significant turning point in Neo's journey of discovering he is “The One.”
In "Alice in Wonderland," Alice's journey from the Fool to the Magician unfolds as she ventures into the world of Wonderland. Beginning in her Ordinary World, depicted as a serene moment with her cat rolling in the flowers, Alice embodies The Fool, symbolizing innocence and the start of her adventure. However, when the White Rabbit appears, the Call to Adventure, Alice decides to follow him down the rabbit hole, despite initial Refusal of the Call - marking her first step into the unknown. As she enters Wonderland, encountering various challenges and characters, Alice taps into her resilience and adaptabilities, embodying The Magician as she discovers her inner resources. Through her journey, Alice evolves from a naive wanderer to a capable and empowered protagonist, embodying the Magician archetype.
Meet the Mentors Lighting the Hero's Path
Morpheus from "The Matrix" as The Hierophant:
Attributes: Subconscious mind, education, tradition, mastery of the earthly plane.
Trinity from "The Matrix" as The High Priestess:
Attributes: Hidden knowledge, individuality, inner world.
Trinity and Neo from "The Matrix" as The Lovers:
Trinity and Neo's relationship in "The Matrix" embodies the themes of choice, partnership, and alignment with values, similar to the symbolism of The Lovers card in Tarot. Their connection serves as a driving force in their journey towards self-discovery, enlightenment, and ultimately, liberation from the confines of the Matrix.
Doorknob from "Alice in Wonderland" as The Emperor:
Attributes: Authority, stability, structure.
Crossing the Threshold:
Neo and Alice both cross the threshold by simply escaping the Matrix or entering Wonderland, but by this point in the story they are getting the hang of it and approaching this new world with more confidence. In Tarot, this aligns with the themes of The Chariot and Strength cards. The Chariot represents determination and willpower, reflecting the decisive action taken by both Neo and Alice to step into the unknown and confront their realities. Similarly, the Strength card symbolizes courage and inner strength, reflecting the bravery displayed by Neo and Alice.
Tests, Allies, Enemies:
Both Neo and Alice face numerous tests, meet allies, and encounter enemies throughout their journeys. Neo is constantly challenged by the agents of the Matrix, who seek to prevent him from realizing his true potential as "The One." He also receives guidance and support from allies like the crew of the Nebuchadnezzar, who help him navigate the Matrix and unlock his abilities. Despite the challenges and obstacles they face, both Neo and Alice rely on their allies and inner strength to confront their enemies and continue on their quests of self-discovery and liberation.
In "Alice in Wonderland," the characters and events can be interpreted through the lens of Tarot cards, with the Caterpillar representing The Hermit card. The Caterpillar embodies the wisdom, introspection, and guidance associated with The Hermit, offering cryptic advice to Alice as she navigates Wonderland.
The Wheel of Fortune represents the turn of events that lead to the Justice card, symbolizing the unpredictable and cyclical nature of fate. This turn of events includes Alice's encounters with various characters and challenges, ultimately leading her to run in with the Queen of Hearts.
The Queen of Hearts embodies the qualities of the Justice card, representing accountability and the consequences of one's actions. Her role as the ruler of Wonderland who controls the trials and judgments reflects the themes of justice and balance depicted in the Justice card.
Neo's journey in The Matrix embodies the symbolism of both The Hermit and The Wheel of Fortune Tarot cards. As the Hermit, Neo undergoes a deep inner journey, seeking wisdom and guidance in his quest for truth. His encounters with the Oracle and Neo's awakening to the truth of the Matrix and his role as "The One" represents the turn of events and Karma symbolized by The Wheel of Fortune. This pivotal moment sets in motion a series of events that lead to Neo's realization of his true potential and his pivotal role in reshaping the fate of humanity.
Neo's confrontation with Agent Smith embodies the qualities of the Justice card, symbolizing fairness, accountability, and the consequences of one's actions. As Neo battles against the oppressive forces of the Matrix and seeks to bring balance and justice to the world, he exemplifies the themes depicted in the Justice card.
Transformation: Approaching the Cave and Confronting the Ordeal
Approaching the cave mirrors the symbolism of the Hanged Man card in Tarot, signifying a moment of suspension and introspection for the hero. Like the figure in the card, the hero pauses to reassess their perspective and willingly surrenders to the unknown before confronting the challenges ahead.
In The Matrix, Neo being told he's not The One by the Oracle can be compared to the Hanged Man card in Tarot. It's a moment of suspension and reflection, challenging his beliefs and prompting him to reassess himself. Like the Hanged Man, Neo is suspended between his assumptions and a greater truth. This doubt becomes a catalyst for his transformation, pushing him to confront his fears.
The Ordeal unfolds as Neo makes the bold decision to re-enter the Matrix to rescue Morpheus, accompanied by Trinity. Neo engages in a fierce battle, ultimately securing Morpheus with the aid of a helicopter. However, the true climax comes when Neo confronts the agents directly. In a moment of revelation, Neo discovers his newfound abilities within the Matrix, evading bullets with incredible speed and agility. This mirrors to the transformative symbolism of the Death card in Tarot.
In Alice in Wonderland, the Cheshire Cat serves as a literal embodiment of the Hanged Man archetype. When Alice encounters him, she finds herself in a moment of uncertainty, unsure of how to find her way back home. The Cheshire Cat's cryptic guidance leads Alice on a journey to the Queen's castle, where she inadvertently finds herself in trouble. The Queen's harsh sentence of "Off with her head!" reflects the Death Card.
Beyond the Abyss: The Hero's Saga through Reward, Road Back, and Resurrection
In both The Matrix and "Alice in Wonderland," the antagonist figures, such as Agent Smith and the Queen of Hearts, can be symbolically represented by the Devil card in Tarot. Agent Smith, with his relentless pursuit of Neo and his manipulative control over the Matrix, embodies the oppressive and malevolent qualities associated with the Devil card. Similarly, the Queen of Hearts, with her tyrannical rule and penchant for ordering executions, represents the darker aspects of power and authority depicted in the Devil card. Both characters symbolize forces of oppression, manipulation, and tyranny, posing significant threats to the protagonists, Neo and Alice, as they navigate their respective journeys.
Both Alice and Neo return from their journeys, bearing the elixir of wisdom and transformation. For Alice, it represents newfound self-understanding and the courage to embrace her imagination. Similarly, Neo brings back enlightenment and liberation from the Matrix. Their return symbolizes completion and integration, similar to The World card in Tarot, reflecting a deeper connection to themselves and the world.
How to Learn Tarot at Home
If you're interested in digging deeper into Tarot and exploring the Hero's Journey, I recommend checking out "Diary of Domestique Tarot," a workbook designed to enhance your understanding of Tarot symbolism and its connection to personal growth. Or, you can explore my 5-part series on YouTube, which offers insightful perspectives on Tarot and the Hero's Journey.