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Category: Major Arcana
The Star Tarot card – positioned as the seventeenth card in the Major Arcana – emerges as a radiant beacon of hope and inspiration. As a symbol of renewal, The Star encourages individuals to find light in the darkest moments, promising a journey filled with healing, balance, and a renewed sense of purpose.
The Star tarot card meaning: Description
The Star Tarot card – numbered XVII – stands as a powerful symbol of hope, inspiration, and spiritual guidance within the realm of Tarot. In this exploration, we will delve into the intricate details of the card, particularly as depicted in the Rider-Waite Tarot deck, which you can acquire here if you don’t have it yet.
At the core of The Star card’s symbolism is a tranquil scene featuring a contemplative woman kneeling beside a peaceful body of water. Her posture suggests inner reflection, indicating a profound connection to the depths of the subconscious. The woman holds two vessels in her hands. One vessel pours water onto the land, while the other pours into the water. This symbolism embodies a harmonious balance between conscious and unconscious aspects of the self.
A nuanced detail lies at the woman’s feet. One foot immersed in the water signifies her spiritual abilities, inner strength, and intuition. While the other is firmly grounded on the earth, it represents practical abilities, good common sense, and strength in the material realm.
Above the woman, the night sky unfolds, with a radiant star commanding attention. This celestial body acts as a metaphorical guide, a beacon of light piercing through the darkness of uncertainty. The star contrast between the dark sky and the luminous star underscores the card’s central theme – the profound ability to discover hope and inspiration even in life’s darkest moments.
The symbolism of water within The Star card carries multifaceted meanings. As a universal symbol of emotions and intuition, water emphasizes the importance of understanding and embracing one’s feelings. The act of pouring water onto the land symbolizes nourishment and rejuvenation, signaling a potential for spiritual renewal and personal growth. The lush green land surrounding her further reinforces the idea that this process is actively at work.
Simultaneously, the water flowing into the pool signifies a deeper connection to the subconscious. The card encourages individuals to explore their inner depths for profound insights, highlighting the transformative power of introspection and self-discovery.
The overall scene exudes serenity and balance, beautifully portraying a connection between earthly and celestial realms. When encountered in a tarot reading, The Star card becomes a beacon of optimism, promising renewal and a renewed sense of purpose. Its imagery transcends mere symbolism, delivering a powerful message of healing and the assurance of a brighter future for those who seek guidance through its cosmic wisdom.
The Star: Keywords
UPRIGHT: Hope – Inspiration – Healing – Spiritual guidance – Renewal – Optimism – Serenity – Balance – Inner reflection – Brighter future – Intuition – Connection to the divine – Inner strength – Faith – Insight – Positivity
REVERSED: Disillusionment – Lost hope – Resistance to healing – Lack of inspiration – Spiritual confusion – Despair – Unfulfilled dreams – Pessimism – Imbalance – Discord – Lack of guidance – Inner turmoil
The Star: Meaning
The Star Tarot card embodies a profound and uplifting message, serving as a beacon of hope and inspiration in the realm of Tarot. Let’s delve into the nuanced meanings associated with the Star card, both in its upright and reversed positions.
Upright Meaning
In the upright position, the Star Tarot card radiates positivity and encouragement. It symbolizes a time of renewed hope, inspiration, and spiritual guidance.
When this card graces a tarot reading, it serves as a profound indicator that the querent is traversing a path of healing and growth. The Star Tarot card follows the destructive forces of The Tower tarot card, offering a welcome reprieve after a period of upheaval and turmoil.
The appearance of the Star signifies that the querent has successfully navigated a life challenge, never succumbing to despair. It is a testament to the resilience and unwavering hope within the individual – a steadfast belief that, despite life’s adversities, they remain connected to the Divine and the pure, loving energy that sustains them. This card marks not only survival but the preservation of hope. It instills a newfound sense of self and a deepened appreciation for the core of their being.
The individual, having weathered the storm, may now experience a profound connection with their inner self, achieving a delicate equilibrium between the conscious and the unconscious. The Star card extends an invitation to embrace optimism, tap into cosmic energy, and embark on a journey of fulfillment.
This card symbolizes a phase of serenity where inner reflection and intuitive insights converge. It leads to a profound sense of purpose and renewal.
This period is not merely a respite but an opportunity to delve into the deeper layers of meaning and embark on a spiritual journey that renews inner energy. It prompts the querent to strip away any limiting beliefs, facades, or deceptions, fostering an authentic existence that aligns with their true nature. The Star encourages the individual to transcend past challenges, empowering them to live authentically and meaningfully in the present.
Reversed Meaning
The Star card, when appearing in the reversed position, indicates a hindrance or distortion of its positive energies. This orientation suggests a temporary setback or a moment of disillusionment for the querent, where feelings of lost hope, a lack of inspiration, and spiritual confusion may prevail.
During this phase, the individual might find themselves grappling with unfulfilled dreams or struggling to locate a sense of balance in various aspects of life. It is crucial to emphasize that the reversed Star does not signal a permanent state but rather a transitional period that calls for introspection and resolution.
Even in moments when life feels overwhelming and doubts arise, the individual is urged to make a conscious effort to recognize that the universe is not working against them; rather, it seeks to offer assistance. By looking harder, one can unveil the support of the universe’s power and Divine guidance, always ready to provide aid.
The Star card encourages addressing discord, reconnecting with spiritual guidance, and facing challenges with resilience.
In tarot readings, the reversed Star card may touch upon one or more aspects of life, ranging from work and relationships to hobbies. Specifically concerning career and hobbies, this card can have profound implications. In career readings, it may indicate a feeling of being far away or disconnected from one’s work, leading the individual to consider whether it’s the right moment for a transition or a change.
The Star: Love meaning
Within the realm of love, The Star Tarot card reveals a celestial tapestry woven with hope, inspiration, and the promise of renewal. It signifies a period of emotional healing and growth.
For those already committed, it becomes a symbol of renewed connection and mutual understanding, encouraging partners to embrace optimism in their shared journey. For couples weathering storms, The Star promises a period of calm and rejuvenation, reassuring partners to look beyond momentary challenges and find solace in the enduring light of shared dreams.
For singles, The Star illuminates the path of self-discovery and emotional revitalization. Casting aside the shadows of past relationships, individuals are urged to find inner balance, creating a foundation for new connections. Beyond merely navigating the currents of love, The Star hints at a transformative journey, shedding old beliefs to embrace a more authentic approach to matters of the heart.
However, at crossroads, The Star gently prompts introspection. Love, akin to the universe, is vast and ever-evolving. It encourages an evaluation of the relationship’s trajectory, an exploration of the authenticity of emotions, and consideration of whether a shift or renewal is needed.
The Star: Key symbols
Before delving into the singular key symbols of the Star Tarot card, let’s explore what the mythical Jodorowsky mentioned in his bestseller.
If the name Jodorowsky isn’t ringing a bell, it’s time to dive into the mesmerizing world of a true visionary. You can check out our previous article, Alejandro Jodorowsky: a Pioneer in the Contemporary Use of Tarot, where we discussed his history and creations.
To delve even deeper into his studies and perspective, it’s a cool idea to get his bestseller, “The Way of Tarot”. Here is the link. The book delves into the meanings of the cards and how they connect to human energy. Each Major Arcana description includes keywords, meanings, and even allows the card to speak.
Note: In this article, we mainly discuss the Rider-Waite Tarot card, while Jodo defines himself as a purist and prefers the Marseille Tarot deck. So, it’s important to know that the book “The Way of Tarot” is about those cards.
In his book, Jodorowsky highlights the fact that The Arcanum XVII (The Star) represents the first naked human in the tarot, preceding Arcanums XVIII, XX, and XXI. With it begins the adventure of the being who has reached purity, detachment. Beyond appearances, The Star has nothing to hide; it only needs to find its place on Earth.
Jodorowsky emphasizes the connection between The Chariot tarot card and The Star. Both figures have their roots in the earth. On the canopy of the chariot, stars shine, indicating the connection of the chariot with the universe. However, while the chariot enters the world as a conqueror, a traveler, or a princely inseminator, the Star acts on the world by irrigating it, nurturing it. The bare breasts allude to lactation, and one could see in them a reference to the Milky Way.
Now that we’ve gained a glimpse into Jodo’s perspective, let’s delve deeper and analyze the principal symbols of the card.
The Woman
The central figure is a woman kneeling by a tranquil body of water. Her posture suggests inner contemplation and a profound connection to the subconscious. The water surrounding her symbolizes the fluidity of emotions and intuition, creating a serene and reflective atmosphere.
We’ve recently discussed the nudity of the woman – as we said it is also a detail emphasized by Jodo in his book – and here we add another layer of symbolism. In the context of the Star card, the woman’s nakedness represents vulnerability, purity, and authenticity. This choice reinforces the card’s association with optimism and hope, portraying the woman as young and healthy. Her nakedness becomes a symbol of fearlessness, signifying that she has nothing to be afraid of and nothing to conceal.
In contrast to the Temperance Tarot card, where a figure also has a foot in both land and water while pouring water, the depiction in the Star card is natural and tranquil. The Temperance card, the 14th Major Arcana, portrays a figure standing rigidly. This distinction highlights the difference in energy between the two cards – the Star exudes a sense of ease and natural balance, while Temperance carries a more structured and controlled energy.
The big yellow star surrounded by smaller white stars
The central bright, yellow star – reminiscent of the Christmas Star from the nativity story – stands out, illuminating the night sky. It serves as a symbol of hope, inspiration, and guidance. Consider the blue and dark sky as representative of cosmic subconsciousness.
The eight-pointed star at the heart of the composition holds additional significance, representing purity with its ancient diamond symbolism. Functioning as a beacon, it guides the woman in the scene, leading her to a tranquil pond where the cycle of life can unfold.
The yellow hue of the star carries a profound meaning, symbolizing solar energy – the life force that animates all living things. Surrounding the primary star are seven smaller white stars, each with eight rays. While the exact symbolism of these stars is debated, some suggest a connection to the seven chakras in Hindu philosophy.
The Star: Does it mean Yes or No in a tarot reading?
While some interpretations may suggest that the Star Tarot card signifies a clear and big YES in tarot readings, the reality is more complex. Tarot doesn’t provide straightforward Yes or No answers. The future cannot be predicted with certainty, but our actions and choices can influence it.
The Star, like all tarot cards, is a tool for introspection and guidance rather than a fortune-telling device. Its true power lies in the awareness of our ability to make choices and intervene in our lives.
To delve deeper into the nuances of yes or no tarot readings and uncover the truth behind their accuracy, continue reading in our article Is Yes and No Tarot Reading Accurate? Unveiling the Truth.
Also, let’s take a moment to recall our weekly rendezvous at Born Under Saturn. Every Friday, we unravel the meanings and unlock the key symbols of a new tarot card. Join us in this ongoing exploration, and return in the weeks ahead to discover new cards. If you’ve missed any revelations, click here to explore the tarot card meanings we’ve previously unveiled.
