The Star (Tarot card)

The Star (XVII) from the Rider-Waite deck

The Star (XVII) is a Major Arcana Tarot card.

Description

A. E. Waite was a key figure in the development of modern Tarot interpretations;^[1] however, not all interpretations follow his theology. Some frequent keywords are: [1]

• Calmness ----- Free-flowing love ----- Trust
• Tranquility ----- Peace of mind ----- Pure essence
• Hope ----- Serenity ----- Inspiration ----- Generosity
• Thinking positive ----- Joy ----- Faith ----- Regeneration
• Good will ----- Optimism ----- Harmony ----- Renewal of forces

A naked woman kneels by the water; one foot is in the water, one foot is on the land. Above her head a star shines out. In each hand she holds a jug. From one jug she pours a liquid into the water. From the other jug she pours a liquid onto the land. In other, older decks a woman (or sometimes even a man) is simply looking and sometimes gesturing at a large star in the sky.

Divination Usage

The Star from the Tarot of Marseilles

Interpretation

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The Star from Learning the Tarot: A Tarot Book for Beginners - Joan Bunning Says: "People have always looked to the stars as a source of inspiration and hope. There is something about their twinkling light that draws us out of ourselves and up into a higher plane. When we turn our eyes heavenward, we no longer feel the distress of earth. The Star reminds me of the clear, high voice of a soprano. There is something otherworldly about it. All the harshness and density of everyday life has been refined away leaving only the purest essence. After being exposed to the Star, we feel uplifted and blessed. In readings, the Star is most welcome when grief and despair have overwhelmed us. In our darkest moments, we need to know that there is hope, that there is light at the end of the tunnel. The Star is the opposite of the Devil who strips us of our faith in the future. Card 17 holds out the promise that we can eventually find peace of mind. The Star also reminds us to open our heart and release our fears and doubt. If you have been holding back in any way, now is the time to give generously. It is important to remember that the Star is inspiring, but it is not a card of practical solutions or final answers. Truly without hope we can accomplish nothing, but hope is only a beginning. When you see Card 17, know that you are on the right track. Your goals and your aspirations are blessed, but to realize them, you must take positive action. Use the light of the Star to guide you in your efforts."[2] The pool of water refers to the subconscious. The land refers to the material world. She renews both.

Links and references

[1] - The Star from Learning the Tarot: A Tarot Book for Beginners - Joan Bunning

• A. E. Waite's 1910 Pictorial Key to the Tarot
• Juliette Wood, Folklore 109 (1998):15-24, The Celtic Tarot and the Secret Tradition: A Study in Modern Legend Making (1998)

Trivia

• A boss character in The House of the Dead 4 is named after this Tarot card. He is a levitating magician wielding a pair of large knives, and attacks by using a series of light-based spells. He is also noted for being one of the only boss characters in the House of the Dead series that is capable of intelligent speech.
• In the X/1999 Tarot version made by CLAMP, The Star is Kusanagi Shiyuu.
• Jotaro Kujo, The protagonist of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure has a stand named Star Platinum which is based on this tarot sign.
• Founding father of surrealism Andre Breton's 1945 book "Arcanum 17" invokes The Star as a figure of healing and reconciliation in post-war Europe.
• Tarot cards are used throughout much of Europe to play Tarot card games such as French Tarot and Austrian Königrufen. In English-speaking and Spanish- speaking countries, where the games are largely unknown, Tarot cards came to be utilized primarily for divinatory purposes.

References

External links

• "Star" cards from many decks and articles to "Star" iconography