The Star appears in the tarot sequence immediately after the destruction of The Tower, offering a vision of hope, healing, and cosmic order. In the Visconti-Sforza decks, the imagery was simpler, often showing a woman contemplating a star, representing the virtue of Hope or the influence of the heavens on human destiny. It was a card of distant guidance.
The Tarot de Marseille established the iconic imagery used today. *L'Étoile* depicts a naked woman kneeling by a body of water. She pours liquid from two vases: one into the stream (returning energy to the source) and one onto the dry earth (nourishing the material world). This act represents the eternal flow of life force and the recycling of energy. Above her shines a massive central star surrounded by seven smaller stars (possibly the Pleiades or the seven classical planets). A small bird sits on a tree in the background, symbolizing the soul.
Waite’s RWS version deepens the esoteric connections. The woman is nude, symbolizing truth and the removal of the masks worn in The Devil and Tower. She kneels with one foot on the water (intuition) and one on land (practicality). The large star is eight-pointed (an octagram), linking it to Venus and the concept of universal love. Waite specifically identifies the bird as an Ibis, the sacred bird of Thoth (god of wisdom), suggesting that this scene represents the dawn of higher understanding. The seven smaller stars represent the seven chakras or the seven interior stars of the human body, which are being aligned.
Crowley’s Thoth Star is a stunning depiction of the Egyptian sky goddess, Nuith (Nut). She holds two cups: a silver cup pouring the water of life upon her head, and a gold cup pouring the 'blood' of spiritual essence. The water forms a spiral vortex, and the entire card is composed of crystalline geometries, suggesting that the chaos of the Tower has been resolved into a perfect, mathematical order. For Crowley, The Star represents the individual realizing their true nature as a star in the body of the goddess—infinite, free, and eternal.
The Star Tarot Card Meaning
The Star brings hope, renewed power, and strength to carry on. It shows that you are blessed by the universe and that the difficult times are behind you. You are entering a peaceful phase of healing, inspiration, and spiritual connection. Trust that your needs will be met. It represents the realization of your dreams and the finding of your true north. Shine your light without fear. This card is a soothing balm for the soul, promising that you have survived the storm and are now being guided by divine light. It encourages you to have faith in the future and to open your heart to the abundant blessings that are flowing toward you.
Core Meanings
Upright
The Star brings hope, renewed power, and strength to carry on. It shows that you are blessed by the universe and that the difficult times are behind you. You are entering a peaceful phase of healing, inspiration, and spiritual connection. Trust that your needs will be met. It represents the realization of your dreams and the finding of your true north. Shine your light without fear. This card is a soothing balm for the soul, promising that you have survived the storm and are now being guided by divine light. It encourages you to have faith in the future and to open your heart to the abundant blessings that are flowing toward you.
Reversed
Lack of faith, despair, discouragement. You may be feeling hopeless or disconnected from your spiritual path. It suggests a need to nurture yourself and find your spark again. You may be cynical or feeling abandoned by the universe. Do not lose faith; the stars are still there, even behind the clouds. Reconnect with your purpose. You might be focusing too much on the negative or refusing to accept compliments and help. It asks you to clear the blocks that are preventing you from feeling the flow of divine love.
HopeFaithPurposeRenewalSpirituality
Card Details
Element
Air
Astrology
Aquarius
Number
17
Yes/No
Yes
Description
A naked woman kneels by a pool, pouring water onto the land and into the pool. Above her shines a large star surrounded by seven smaller ones.
Reading Positions
Past
You found hope in a dark time. A period of healing and renewal restored your faith. This spiritual connection guides you now. You survived the storm.
Present
Hope is here. You are being healed and guided. Trust the universe. Follow your inspiration. You are on the right path and being blessed.
Future
Your dreams will come true. A period of peace, inspiration, and spiritual fulfillment is ahead. You will shine brightly and inspire others.
In Context
Celtic Cross
In "Outcome," wishes fulfilled and peace. In "Advice," have faith and look up. In "Self," you are hopeful.
Three Card Spread
The calm after the storm (Tower). Healing and renewal.
Yes / No
In Yes/No, it is a "Yes"—have faith, the universe supports you.
Love & Relationships
Healing, hope for the future, spiritual connection.
As Feelings
Not specified
Career & Finance
Inspiration, finding your calling, recognition.
Spiritual & Manifestation
Twin Flame
Not specified
Manifestation
Shadow Work
Where have you lost hope? The shadow Star is cynicism or spiritual bypassing. Are you ignoring reality in favor of "love and light"? Ground your spirituality in the present moment.
Meditation
Visualize yourself kneeling by a pool under a starry sky. You pour water onto the earth and into the pool. You are a conduit for cosmic energy. Feel the starlight entering your crown and flowing through you. You are infinite and loved.
Archetypal Journey
The Hero's Path
After the storm of The Tower, The Star shines. The hero is naked, stripped of all pretense, and connects directly with the cosmos. It is the moment of healing, hope, and renewed faith. The soul is washed clean and finds its place in the universe.
Numerology
17 (Seventeen). 1+7=8 (Strength). The Star is the higher octave of Strength—cosmic strength and hope. It represents the light that shines in the darkness and the connection between the subconscious and the superconscious.
Jungian Psychology: The Star
Archetype
The Maiden / The Self (Transcendence)
Shadow Aspect
The Star is the archetype of Hope and Renewal. Its shadow is Despair and Cynicism—the loss of faith in oneself or the future. This manifests as a 'dark night of the soul' where the guiding light is obscured. The individual feels abandoned by the universe, disconnected from their purpose, and spiritually dry. However, the more subtle shadow is 'Toxic Positivity' or Spiritual Bypassing. This is the refusal to look at the darkness, using 'hope' and 'light' to avoid processing pain or trauma. It is the Star without the grounding of the earth—a lofty, disembodied spirituality that floats above human suffering but cannot heal it. It leads to disillusionment when reality inevitably intrudes.
Integration Advice
Integrating The Star requires 'Grounded Hope.' It is not the belief that bad things won't happen, but the conviction that you have the resources to handle them. You must connect the cosmic view with the earthly reality. Actionable advice: Practice vulnerability. The woman in the card is naked; she hides nothing. Show your true self to someone safe. If you are cynical, search for one small example of beauty or kindness each day to retrain your perception. If you are 'spiritually bypassing,' ground yourself by engaging with the physical world—volunteer, clean your house, or do something practical to help another.
Historical Evolution & Symbolism
Evolution Timeline
- 115th Century (Visconti-Sforza): Depicts a woman in courtly dress holding a star (or sometimes reaching for it), representing hope and astrological influence.
- 21650s (Tarot de Marseille): 'L'Étoile' shows a naked woman kneeling by a stream, pouring water from two jugs—one into the water, one onto the land. Above is one large star and seven smaller ones.
- 31909 (RWS): Waite retains the Marseille imagery but adds specific symbolism: the Ibis (sacred to Thoth) in the tree, and the 8-pointed star of Sirius, emphasizing the flow of cosmic waters.
- 41944 (Thoth): Crowley depicts the Star as the goddess Nut (the Sky), pouring not water but liquid light from silver and gold cups. The imagery is geometric and crystalline, representing the clear vision of the New Aeon.
Academic Citations
- Waite, A. E. (1911). *The Pictorial Key to the Tarot*. 'She is the Great Mother... the supernal understanding... the waters of the pool are the waters of consciousness.'
- Crowley, A. (1944). *The Book of Thoth*. 'Every man and every woman is a star... The Star is the Lady of the Starry Heaven.'
Notable Card Combinations
The MoonNavigating the subconscious with hope. Dreams and intuition guiding the way.
TemperanceDeep healing and balance. Spiritual alchemy and peace.
Ace of CupsOverflowing love and spiritual grace. A new spiritual beginning.
The SunTotal happiness and success. The light returns fully.
Nine of CupsWishes granted. Emotional satisfaction and joy.