[at-l] Abbey, Art of Pilgrimage and other musings..

[pmags@xxxxxxxxx (Paul Magnanti)]

Interesting threads going on.

In one week we mentioned "The Art of Pilgrimage" and
Cactus Ed.

What is the connection?

In the previously mentioned book, the author makes
note that "The Fool" tarot card is the traditional
sign of wanderers.

Abbey's last book was "The Fool's Progress". On the
cover of this book is a picture of the "The Fool"
tarot card. In Abbey's book, the protagonist (a
thinnly disguised Abbey) goes back to his roots in
rural W. Virginia. With him on this journey is his
dog.

"The Fool" tarot card has the fool accompianied by his
dog...

I suspect Abbey chose the title of the book for more
than one reason.

It seems apt that Abbey called himself a fool. For
often a fool is the one who is allowed to say things
that a normal person can not say. The person we do not
take as seriously says truths that would not be said
by others.  Abbey often took on this persona in his
works. The grumpy, cynical, wise cracking guy who
beneath the biting remarks had much to say that is
insightful.

So how does all this relate to a thru-hike?

As menioned, "The Fool" tarot card is the sign of the
wanderer. Most tarot cards show this person (with a
ruck sack no less!) about to wander off a cliff.
Walking into the unknown. Something most consider to
be insane. Kinda like a thru-hike (hopefully minus the
whole wandering off the cliff thing...)

Just as a fool can actually be wise because they say
or do things that most people would not do. Wandering
into the unknown and away from safety is considered
unwise by most. But like our wanderer on the fool
tarot card, wisdom and insight can be gained from the
journey. And like a the fool on the card, the
wanderers are doing something that "normal" people
would not do.

Abbey's character gained insight and knowledge on his
journey. Many of the "fools" who wander from Springer
or other destinations every year gain insight and
knowledge on their journey.

So when someone says leaving a job/school/etc. behind
is a foolish thing to do say "Yes it is. Thanks!"

Mags...who is in a rambling mood tonight.

p.s. check out
http://www.themarketbuzz.com/runes/fool.jpg

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The true harvest of my life is intangible.... a little stardust caught, a portion of the rainbow I have clutched
--Thoreau

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