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.
The card is a card of hope, and its mottoes are “Waters of Life freely” and “Gifts of the Spirit.” The Star represents a welcome reprieve after a period of turmoil.
The card’s picture
The card depicts 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.
The figure expresses eternal youth and beauty, and for most readers she represents the type of Truth unveiled. The figure also represents the Great Mother of the Kabbalistic sephira Binah, supernal understanding, sharing her gift with what lies below “in the measure that they can receive.” Some later cards replaced the bird with a butterfly on a rose.
Modern guides read the details closely. The foot on the ground represents practical ability and common sense, and the foot in the water represents intuition and inner resources. The five rivulets on the land represent the five senses, and the seven small stars represent the chakras. The bird on the branch represents the holy ibis of thought.
Upright meaning
The upright Star’s divinatory meanings are loss, theft, privation and abandonment, and then, by another reading, “hope and bright prospects.”
The upright Star represents hope, renewed power and the strength to carry on, coming after the shock of The Tower. The upright Star is also a sign that a person has come through a hard challenge without losing hope, and is now discovering their own resilience.
The Star represents renewed hope and faith and the start of a peaceful phase of calm energy and deeper understanding. The Star also represents a time to find or rediscover meaning and purpose, shedding old limits and living more authentically. The card also suggests a generous spirit, a wish to share one’s blessings with others.
Reversed meaning
The reversed Star represents arrogance, haughtiness and impotence.
The reversed card represents a feeling that everything has turned against one, with lost faith in oneself or in something dear. The reversed card is a call to nurture hope again, so that action comes from joy rather than fear.
The reversed Star represents a loss of faith and feeling overwhelmed by life’s challenges, and often a test of faith. The reversed Star also represents feeling disengaged and uninspired, and serves as a prompt to take time for self-care and reconnect with what truly matters.
The Star in love
In love, the upright Star represents plenty of hope and optimism, which can work like a magnet and lend charm. The upright Star also represents recovering confidence after a breakup, or for couples a time to grow closer through honest communication.
Reversed, the card represents self-doubt and a loss of confidence clouding judgment, with harsh self-criticism. The reversed Star also represents cynicism about love itself, and serves as a reminder to see oneself as a worthy partner.
The Star in career
For work, the upright Star represents positivity about one’s ambitions that others notice. The upright Star also serves as a reminder to keep hopes high in a job search, and represents a quiet, restful time after a stressful period at work.
Reversed, the card represents negativity affecting work, with enthusiasm and creativity fading. The reversed Star is also a sign that a change of approach or attitude may be all that is needed to restore motivation.
The Star and money
The upright Star in money questions represents faith and positivity, together with gratitude for what one already has.
Reversed, the card represents a sense of having given up, and serves 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, the upright Star represents hope and inspiration: someone sees another person as a guiding light, with feelings full of optimism. The upright Star also represents one’s own renewal and openness to new possibilities.
Reversed, the Star represents disillusionment or disappointment, with someone unsure of the connection because of past hurt. The reversed card also represents 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?