The Star
Symbolic Attributes
- Element:Aquarius
- Arcana:Major Arcana
- Suit:Trump
- Archetype:The Heavenly Guide
- Numerology:17 = 1 + 7 = 8 (action, movement, swiftness)
- Hebrew Alphabet:Tzaddi/Fishhook/90 or, in some decks, He[as]/Window/5
Keywords
Description
If The Fool is the beginning of the journey, The Star is the moment the traveler looks up and realizes they were never lost. She is the quiet light that remains after the storm has cleared the air. The Star doesn't offer a map or a shortcut; she offers a destination. She is the silent promise that the universe is friendly, and that even in the deepest dark, there is a silver thread of light pulling you toward home. To see her is to breathe again. The Star appears when you need to be reminded that vulnerability is a strength. She is naked, showing she has nothing to hide and no armor left to wear. She tells you that you are finally safe enough to be yourself.
Light Meaning
- Hoping for the best
- Believing good things happen to good people
- Seeing events in the best possible light
- Adopting a generous spirit
- Seeking guidance from above
- Embracing possibility over probability
Shadow Meaning
- Denying unpleasant truths
- Denying personal accountability and saying, Things just happen!
- Ignoring signs and omens
- Preferring illusion to reality
- Spreading pessimism and stinginess of spirit
Questions to Ask Yourself
- •What would my higher power direct me to do?
- •How can I be less self-conscious and guarded?
- •How can I better attune myself to the abundance of life's blessings?
Personal Meaning
Hope and light in the midst of grief and despair. You are never alone. The universe grieves with you. Open your heart, release your fears and allow the healing serenity of the star to restore your faith and hope.
Hope in the midst of grief and despair. The universe has grived with you. Healing serenity.
Hope and light in the midst of grief and despair. You are never alone. The universe grieves with you. Open your heart, release your fears and allow the healing serenity of the star to restore your faith and hope.
Personal Reversed Meaning
Do not become stuck in hopes and dreams, for wishes are only the first stage of creating something new. Follow up your dreams with some practical action if you ever want to realize their fulfillment. Do not resist generously sharing your resources with others.
You have been stuck in your hopes and dreams, but wishes are only the first stage of creating something new. You may have resisted sharing your resources with others.
You have become stuck in hopes and dreams, but wishes are only the first stage of creating something new. It is time to follow up your dreams with some practical action if you ever want to realize their fulfillment. Do not resist generously sharing your resources with others.
Fortune Telling
- •Get an astrology chart drawn up
- •Someone is a little too starstruck
- •What's happening now has long been fore-ordained
Mythical / Spiritual Context
The star that guided the Magi. Aphrodite. Venus. The Pleiades. Moses bringing forth water from the rock.
How to Interpret This Card in a Reading
A guide to deepening your understanding of Tarot symbolism.
Context is Key
No Tarot card exists in a vacuum. While the meanings above provide a foundation, the true significance of this card depends on where it lands in your spread. Is it in the past position, indicating a phase you are moving away from? Or is it in the outcome position, suggesting a potential future? Always consider the neighboring cards — they often tell a story that modifies or amplifies the message.
Trust Your Intuition
Traditional meanings are the starting point, but your intuition is the compass. When you look at the card imagery, what draws your eye first? A specific color, a symbol, or a facial expression might trigger a personal memory or feeling. That immediate reaction is often the most relevant message for your current situation, even if it differs from the standard definition.
Understanding Reversals
If this card appears reversed (upside down), don't fear it. Reversals often suggest an internalizing of the card's energy, a delay, or a need to revisit the lesson before moving forward. It can also indicate that the "shadow" aspects described above are currently more active, inviting you to bring them into the light for healing.
Connecting with the Element
Remember the suit this card belongs to. Wands speak to passion and action (Fire). Cups dive into emotions and relationships (Water). Swords navigate the mind and conflicts (Air). Pentacles ground us in the material world and resources (Earth). The Major Arcana represents larger life themes and soul lessons. Filtering the card's meaning through its elemental lens will give you a grounded, practical way to apply its wisdom to your life.