Tag: The Fool

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

Minnie Berrington – The Fool’s Leap

Posted on by Heather Blakey

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

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

Jeannie Little Played the Fool

Posted on by Heather Blakey

The Fool is the first card in the tarot deck and represents new beginnings, innocence, and being open to whatever life has in store. The Fool depicts a youth walking joyfully into the world. He is taking his first steps, and he is exuberant, joyful, excited

The Fool balances on the edge of the cloud preparing to take the leap into the unknown. Divine Feminine Tarot.

The Fool is often associated with the Royal Court Jester and there is no doubt that Jeannie Little was a talented jester. Jeanne Mitchell, born 11 May 1938 – died 7 November 2020 professionally became known as Jeannie Little, was an Australian entertainer comedienne and television personality who won the Gold Logie in 1977. She was the larger-than-life personality who made all her own flamboyant clothes and captivated audiences with her unique, down-to-earth humour. Knife throwing, paragliding, singing, dancing and riding an elephant were just some of Little’s hilarious highlights when working on The Mike Walsh Show from 1974 to 1982.

Jeannie’s talents seemed to be inexhaustible. She was not only a TV personality but had a long history of being a madcap dressmaker and cabaret performer. In an upstairs alcove in the Sydney suburb of Paddington, she had established her own dressmaking shop where she designed dresses for wealthy women and retired showgirls.

As a result of her work on television during the 70’s and her charismatic personality she not only won the hearts of an adoring public, but was often characterised as a relatively rare example of a female larrikin – a rough, uncultivated Australian.

The Fool carries enormous potential in her back pack and is always excited about beginning new adventures.

Play Like Jeannie

  • Raid a Charity Store. Begin wearing eccentric, hilarious and madcap clothes.
  • Jeannie was paid peanuts and had to be resourceful. She made jackets out of tin foil and dresses covered with balloons, or pale pink prawn crackers and milk bottle caps. As well as the disposable dresses, Jeanne designed edible hats made of food including pizza, french fries, crumpets, bangers and mash, ice cream cones and frankfurters. Come up with your own crazy design.
  • Jeannie had an inexhaustible array of ideas and adventures. Dream up an adventure and set out.