The Star in brief
In the Rider-Waite tradition, The Star stands for hope, renewal and faith, a calm after the upheaval of The Tower. Modern readers often take it as a sign of inspiration and a renewed sense of purpose, while the reversed card points to a loss of faith, discouragement or disconnection.
Waite wrote that the card has been called a card of hope, and that its mottoes are said to be “Waters of Life freely” and “Gifts of the Spirit.” Biddy Tarot reads it as a welcome reprieve after a period of turmoil.
The card’s picture
Waite described “a great, radiant star of eight rays, surrounded by seven lesser stars,” each also of eight rays. The female figure in the foreground is entirely naked. Her left knee is on the land and her right foot upon the water, and she pours the Water of Life from two great ewers, watering both sea and land. Behind her is rising ground and, on the right, a shrub or tree where a bird alights.
Waite wrote that the figure “expresses eternal youth and beauty,” and that for most readers she will appear as “the type of Truth unveiled.” Waite’s own reading went further: he named her the Great Mother of the Kabbalistic sephira Binah, supernal understanding, sharing her gift with what lies below “in the measure that they can receive.” In his notes on older packs, Waite added that some later cards replaced the bird with a butterfly on a rose.
Modern guides read the details closely. Biddy Tarot reads the foot on the ground as practical ability and common sense, and the foot in the water as intuition and inner resources. Biddy Tarot reads the five rivulets on the land as the five senses, and both Biddy Tarot and Labyrinthos read the seven small stars as the chakras. Labyrinthos reads the bird on the branch as the holy ibis of thought.
Upright meaning
Waite’s divinatory list for the upright Star is loss, theft, privation and abandonment, and then, by another reading, “hope and bright prospects.” Labyrinthos and Biddy Tarot both follow that second reading.
Labyrinthos reads the upright Star as hope, renewed power and the strength to carry on, coming after the shock of The Tower. Labyrinthos also reads it as a sign that a person has come through a hard challenge without losing hope, and is now discovering their own resilience.
Biddy Tarot reads The Star as renewed hope and faith and the start of a peaceful phase of calm energy and deeper understanding. Biddy Tarot also reads it as a time to find or rediscover meaning and purpose, shedding old limits and living more authentically. Biddy Tarot adds that the card suggests a generous spirit, a wish to share one’s blessings with others.
Reversed meaning
Waite listed the reversed Star as arrogance, haughtiness and impotence.
Labyrinthos reads the reversed card as a feeling that everything has turned against one, with lost faith in oneself or in something dear. Labyrinthos frames the reversed card as a call to nurture hope again, so that action comes from joy rather than fear.
Biddy Tarot reads the reversed Star as a loss of faith and feeling overwhelmed by life’s challenges, and often as a test of faith. Biddy Tarot also reads it as feeling disengaged and uninspired, and as a prompt to take time for self-care and reconnect with what truly matters.
The Star in love
In love, Labyrinthos reads the upright Star as plenty of hope and optimism, which can work like a magnet and lend charm. Labyrinthos also reads it as recovering confidence after a breakup, or for couples as a time to grow closer through honest communication.
Reversed, Labyrinthos reads the card as self-doubt and a loss of confidence clouding judgment, with harsh self-criticism. Labyrinthos also reads it as cynicism about love itself, and as a reminder to see oneself as a worthy partner.
The Star in career
For work, Labyrinthos reads the upright Star as positivity about one’s ambitions that others notice. Labyrinthos also reads it as a reminder to keep hopes high in a job search, and as a quiet, restful time after a stressful period at work.
Reversed, Labyrinthos reads the card as negativity affecting work, with enthusiasm and creativity fading. Labyrinthos also reads it as a sign that a change of approach or attitude may be all that is needed to restore motivation.
The Star and money
Labyrinthos reads the upright Star in money questions as faith and positivity, together with gratitude for what one already has.
Reversed, Labyrinthos reads the card as a sense of having given up, and frames it as a prompt to look again with a more positive outlook that can open the eyes to new possibilities.
The Star as feelings
As feelings, Labyrinthos reads the upright Star as hope and inspiration: someone who sees another person as a guiding light, with feelings full of optimism. Labyrinthos also reads it as one’s own renewal and openness to new possibilities.
Reversed, Labyrinthos reads disillusionment or disappointment, with someone unsure of the connection because of past hurt. Labyrinthos also reads the reversed card as one’s own self-doubt and loss of faith.
Questions to reflect on
- What still gives hope, even after a hard season?
- Where has resilience shown itself recently?
- What sense of purpose is asking to be rediscovered?
- What small act of self-care would help restore energy?