The Star
The Star — Upright
The Star card reflects the dreams and aspirations of the querent, often indicating active development of their innate abilities. It symbolizes a chosen goal that the querent confidently explores.
Additionally, the Star represents optimism, well-being in both the physical and emotional realms.
This card is also associated with meditation, during which the querent can gain new understanding and ideas. In these spiritual practices lie pathways to the development of unconscious talents and the attainment of creative and inspirational goals.
A meaning is only the beginning.
Explore what this card brings to your own question.
The Star — Reversed
Emotional, mental, or physical ailments may be connected to the querent's pessimistic self-perception.
Likely, the individual views themselves as insignificant, hindering them from realizing their creative potential and abilities, deeming them unworthy of attention. Depression and lack of confidence rob them of their inner strength, overshadowing their personal merits and talents.
The absence of inspiration and a sense of hopelessness can suppress any endeavors.
It is advisable to recommend to the querent to take active measures against negativity, seek professional help if needed, or embark on a path of self-improvement.
When encountering this card in a reading, it is helpful to discuss with the client how they are dealing with depression and pessimism, caution them about a potential challenging period in life, and suggest preparing to overcome future difficulties.
Astrology
The Star corresponds to Aquarius, ruled by Uranus, representing inspiration, renewal, and future vision. Uranus brings innovation and liberation, while Aquarius supports hope, humanitarianism, and spiritual clarity. Together they offer healing and illumination.
Numerology
Number 17 symbolizes hope, inspiration, and spiritual guidance. It reflects the essence of the card’s role in the journey, guiding insight through the lens of 8. The reduced number 8 brings focus to universal lessons and recurring themes.
Symbolism & Archetypes
Explore the symbolism — open a section to read more.
On the Tarot card The Star, as described in Aleister Crowley's Book of the Law, the symbol of Tzaddi reflects not the Star itself but rather corresponds to the zodiac sign of Aquarius.
This contradicts the secret order of the Golden Dawn, where Tzaddi is traditionally associated with the Star. Waite reveals this mystery as follows:
The image of a naked woman on the card, pouring water from two pitchers, is a clear reference to her astrological attribute.
The traditional symbol of Aquarius is depicted as a figure with two vessels. The water flowing from the pitchers symbolizes movement and distribution.
In the French system, Tzaddi and Aquarius are linked to the Moon and the zodiac sign of Pisces, while in the Waite system, Tzaddi is associated with Aquarius.
On a deeper level, the card represents the position of the Star on the Tree of Life, connecting the seventh Sephirah (Venus) with the ninth Sephirah (Luna). This is depicted through the purple color of the mountain (symbolizing the Moon) and the green tree (symbolizing Venus).
The eight-pointed central star and the surrounding smaller stars allude to the planetary ruler of Aquarius, representing Saturn.
The seven small stars symbolize the seven planetary deities of Tarot, corresponding to various cards of the Major Arcana.
According to Crowley, in the Book of the Law, it emphasizes that Tzaddi does not correspond to the Star but is actually associated with the Emperor (Arcanum IV), while the Star (Arcanum XVII) corresponds to Cheth, associated with Aries.
This means that in Crowley's Tarot, there is a substitution of these two symbols.
The imagery on the Star card represents Aphrodite Urania, the goddess of high, pure, and ideal love, symbolizing harmony and beauty.
It also bears resemblance to Isis in her cosmic aspect, symbolizing the subconscious mind immersed in the depths of universal consciousness and the spiritual world.
The card is also associated with Nut, the Egyptian goddess of the sky, known for her depiction with a vessel in her hand. Her womb symbolizes the starry sky giving birth to the sun.
It's also a metaphor for the beautiful, celestial part within every person, unfolding and developing during meditation, like a flower blooming in its growth and spiritual evolution.
The naked woman, symbolizing innocence and purity, carefully pours water from one vessel into a pool while pouring water onto the earth from another. Like an Aquarius, her zodiacal ruler, she transfers something from one realm to another.
This scene, typical of the Star card, depicts the process of meditation: the woman, symbolizing the subconscious mind of a person, immerses herself in the pool of universal subconsciousness and then carries her revelations into the real world.
The central eight-pointed star represents the spiritual essence of the soul and its enlightenment or blossoming during meditation. The smaller stars surrounding it denote the astral centers of energy or chakras that become active during meditation.
The bird on the tree, symbolizing the conscious mind, silently observes the unfolding Cosmos before it.
The number of the card, XVII (17), combines self-awareness (1) and complete mental control (7), as represented in the Chariot card, creating an irresistible longing for the soul's freedom.
Keep exploring
All 78 cards →
A READING THAT FEELS LIKE YOU
Your cards.Your kind of clarity.
Go beyond a card meaning. Explore personal tarot readings, choose your reader and keep the conversation going in Lumi.
Your next reading is a download away.
