17 – The Star
The Star is one of the most enigmatic cards of the Major Arcana because there is no clear agreement on the origin and meaning of its symbols and imagery. Most versions of this card depict a naked woman pouring water from two jugs into a pool, or in equal measures into a body of water and onto the land. That motif seems to echo the Temperance card and first appeared in French decks of the 17th century. The original Italian tarot cards were much simpler, showing a woman reaching up to hold a star in her hand. That is the image that inspired my approach to this card.
I see the Major Arcana as a journey toward enlightenment. It begins with the Fool and culminates in the World. Like the plot of a novel, it contains obstacles and reversals, the most dramatic of which is the Tower. The Tower is the turning point, at which we must abandon our ignorance and delusions in order to complete our journey to maturity, wisdom, and understanding.
The innocence of the Fool is a state to which we can never return. The Star is not about a return to the past, but a reorientation toward the future.
The cards that follow the Tower are cards of spiritual growth and deepening awareness of the forces that act upon us and how we respond to them. In this context, I see the Star as a beacon to guide us in our life’s journey. It is a source of constancy in uncertain times and a focus for our aspirations.
In this interpretation, the Star represents hope. This is not passive hope that simply wishes for a better future, but active hope that gives us the courage and determination to build it for ourselves. The Star reminds us that guidance is present even in the darkest times, if we trust our decisions and pursue our goals.
I chose to base my imagery for this card on my lived experience, kayaking in the predawn hours when the stars and the water create a mirror world. There is enough light to see the course of the river, but the shores on either side disappear, focusing awareness on what can be seen. Moving through darkness requires confidence and faith in the course one has set. It is a moment of challenge, but also of clarity. That is how I see the Star: it is there for us, but we must reach for it.
work in progress
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