The Star (XVII)
The Star is the seventeenth card of the Major Arcana, appearing after The Tower’s destruction to offer healing, hope, and spiritual guidance. It represents the calm after the storm, symbolizing renewal, inspiration, and the soul’s connection to divine wisdom.
Position in the Deck
Major Arcana - Card XVII in the 22-card journey of spiritual development and major life lessons, bridging the gap between The Tower’s upheaval and The Moon’s mysteries.
Upright Meaning
The Star upright represents hope, inspiration, serenity, and spiritual guidance. This card appears when you’re emerging from a period of darkness into clarity and purpose. It signifies healing, renewal, and the promise that your faith and optimism will be rewarded. The Star encourages you to trust in the universe’s plan and follow your inner guidance toward your highest aspirations.
Practical Implications:
- Perfect timing for pursuing creative projects or spiritual development
- Trust that the universe is supporting your healing journey
- Share your gifts and talents with the world
- Maintain faith during challenging transitions
- Connect with your sense of purpose and inner wisdom
- Practice gratitude and positive visualization
Reversed Meaning
When reversed, The Star suggests despair, lack of faith, creative blocks, or disconnection from inspiration. You may be feeling hopeless, uninspired, or unable to see the light at the end of the tunnel. This position can indicate a crisis of confidence or difficulty accessing your inner guidance.
Challenges and Warnings:
- Beware of losing faith in yourself or the universe
- Address feelings of despair or creative stagnation
- You may need to reconnect with your spiritual practice
- Avoid becoming overly pessimistic or cynical
- Reversed can indicate feeling like your dreams are unattainable
- Work on rebuilding your sense of hope and inspiration
Symbolic Elements
The Central Figure: A nude woman kneels by a pool, representing vulnerability, purity, and openness to spiritual guidance. Her nudity symbolizes truth and authenticity.
The Eight-Pointed Star: The large central star represents hope and spiritual guidance. The eight points correspond to the eight Sabbats in the Wheel of the Year and the eightfold path in various spiritual traditions.
Seven Smaller Stars: These represent the seven chakras or the seven classical planets, suggesting cosmic harmony and alignment with universal energies.
The Water Pitchers: The woman pours water from two pitchers - one into the water (representing the subconscious) and one onto the land (representing the material world). This symbolizes the flow of inspiration, healing, and abundance between spiritual and material realms.
The Bird on the Tree: An ibis or similar bird perched on a tree represents the soul’s connection to higher wisdom and the ability to see things from a higher perspective.
Color Symbolism:
- Blue (water and sky): Healing, tranquility, spiritual connection
- Yellow (stars): Divine guidance, optimism, clarity
- Green (landscape): Growth, renewal, abundance
- White (figure): Purity, innocence, spiritual awakening
Historical Context
The Star draws from multiple esoteric and mythological traditions:
- Egyptian Influence: The kneeling figure and water pitchers echo the Egyptian goddess Isis pouring the waters of life
- Stellar Wisdom: Represents the ancient practice of astrology and celestial navigation
- Christian Mysticism: The eight-pointed star appears in various mystical traditions, including the Star of Bethlehem
- Hermetic Tradition: Symbolizes the alchemical principle of “as above, so below” - the connection between heaven and earth
Card Interactions
With The Tower: Represents the healing and renewal that follows upheaval and crisis With The Moon: Balances intuition with clear spiritual guidance and hope With The High Priestess: Amplifies spiritual insight and connection to divine wisdom With The Sun: Together they represent the full spectrum of spiritual illumination and joy
Elemental and Astrological Correspondences
Element: Air (inspiration, clarity, spiritual guidance) Planet: Venus (beauty, harmony, spiritual love) with Uranus influences (sudden inspiration, awakening) Zodiac Sign: Aquarius (humanitarian ideals, innovation, spiritual community) Associated Deities: Venus/Aphrodite (beauty, love), Isis (healing, magic), Nuit (Egyptian sky goddess)
Esoteric Meanings
In occult traditions, The Star represents:
- The divine spark of inspiration within each soul
- The healing power of faith and positive visualization
- The alchemical marriage of spirit and matter
- The soul’s journey toward enlightenment and self-realization
- The principle of hope as a creative force in the universe