Posted in Matilda's, Memoir Writing, Narrative Therapy, Women's Health, Women's Stories

Minnie Berrington – The Fool’s Leap

New beginnings, innocence, naiveté, childlike trust, carefree enthusiasm, longing to find one’s heart desire, spontaneity, endless potential, inexperience, excitement, leap of faith, risk, reckless, the unknown

She came to Australia with her younger brother Victor on an early assisted passage scheme. Victor landed an adventurous job travelling the far reaches of SA with a hawker and “getting to see the true Australia”. He inspired Minnie to give up her job and come with him.

This is just the beginning! The Fool is Card Zero of the Major Arcana, representing the point where everything begins and ends and begins again. The Fool tarot card is a sign of unlimited and endless potential. It’s a cosmic invitation from the universe to start your next adventure. The world is your oyster, babe! Release your expectations or any preconceived notions because anything can happen right now, you just need to take a leap of faith and dive into the unknown

In 1925, London typist Minnie Berrington left her commonplace life for one of adventure and travelled to Australia with her brother Victor on an early assisted passage scheme. She went on to becoming the first female opal miner and postmistress in the harsh and unforgiving deserts of South Australia. From 1926, for over 20 years, Minnie was an opal mining pioneer in both Coober Pedy and Andamooka.

People always asked Minnie if she was ever afraid, living out in the desert alone with all those rough and scruffy men. But Minnie Berrington was not the faint-hearted type, and never had been. Being tough came naturally to her, growing up with three brothers and a family that went from riches to ruins. Only a slip of a girl, Minnie could match any man in stamina, perseverance and strength.

“A golden light suffused everything,” she wrote. “The air was so clear it seemed to sparkle and the hills were as sharp-cut as the ones that looked so impossible on the stage… The enchantment of that golden serenity was so complete that I knew I would never willingly live in a city again.”

She arrived in Coober Pedy when camels still brought in essential supplies, and water was so scarce that no-one washed. Together with the other miners, she braved the heat, the flies and the dust. Every day she waited for that special sound the pick made when it cracked opal. 

Minnie was not the first woman to be arrive at the Stuart Range Opal Field. Mary Halliday, the wife of an opal miner, preceded her as the first woman

Taking the Plunge

The Fool is a symbol of potential. He is often shown carrying a small bag which emphasizes his status as a wanderer. He embarks on his journey with nothing but pure faith in a higher power (and usually, a dog).

Spread by @notsomysticaltarot.

The Fool encourages you to take a leap of faith. If you have the right mindset, a fresh start awaits you. Take risks. Trust everything will work out in your favor at the end of the day.

There is beauty in innocence and spontaneity. You don’t always have to know what will happen next. It is okay to move on fearlessly even if you still don’t have the perfect plan.

Keep an open mind and open heart.

They Dared Take the Leap

Germaine Greer – Second Wave Feminist Author