The Star Tarot Card Meanings
The card of hope, inspiration, and serenity.
Last Updated: April 23, 2024.
The Star is card number 17 (XVII) in modern cartomantic tarot decks and the 18th major arcana trump card (The Fool, number 0, is the first card). Divination practices such as cartomancy can help us make decisions, offer guidance, and help us tune into our intuition when we are at a crossroads in our lives. Understanding the meanings of each tarot card can help you sharpen your interpretative skills so you can get the most out of your readings.
In this article, we will explore the different meanings of this tarot card in various reading contexts as well as the different advice it can offer.
4 Quick takeaways about this card
- The Star is a reminder that hope is always present, even in the darkest of times.
- It represents guidance and inspiration from the universe.
- The Star can also be a sign that we are on the right path.
- Finally, The Star is a reminder that we all have the potential to shine brightly.
The Star tarot card key correspondences
Upright keywords | Inspiration, hope, healing, positivity. |
Reversed keywords | Monotony, hopelessness, negativity, loss, failure. |
| Yes or No | Yes |
| Numerology | 17 (XVII) |
| Element | Air |
Ruling Planet | Uranus |
| Astrological Sign | Aquarius |
Jungian archetype | Light aspect: The Visionary, The Advocate, The Healer / Shadow aspect: The Angel, The Martyr |
Tarot timing | January 20th to February 18th |
Associated deities | Astrea, Seshat, Tawaret, Sopdet, Astarte |
Other name(s) | The Star of the Magi (Egyptian Tarot), and L’Étoile (Tarot de Marseille). |
What does the upright Star (tarot card XVII) mean?
In Latin, major arcana translates to “big secrets” and each of the 22 cards in this section of the Rider-Waite-Smith tarot deck represents an important life lesson we must all face at some point. The Star, arcanum 17, is no different.
Oh you are definitely feeling inspired! You feel so very blessed right now almost as if the universe is working in your absolute favour, but it is okay if you haven’t noticed how hopeful things are looking for you right now as the Star card follows the Tower card, and that card itself can bring some trauma. So you may still be navigating the end of those feelings but be rest assured, things are looking up for you! You have dealt with a hard and trying time, and now it is time for a period of calmness to take its place whilst you heal. Look to the bright opportunities of the future and embrace your newfound confidence in knowing things will be okay!
The star is the seventeenth tarot card (XVII) in the major arcana. In terms of numerology, 17 becomes 1+7 = 8. The number 8 represents not only your strength of will but also the ability to manifest your hopes and dreams.
When pulled in the upright position, The Star is associated with inspiration, hope, healing, and positivity.
If you are in a relationship, then the presence of this card can suggest that you are with someone that is very good for you, there is a lot of harmony, and it is a healthy relationship. They could even be someone you consider to be ‘the one’. But this card can also serve as an advice to let go of things, don’t hold onto baggage, if you’ve been having any relationship issues then trust in the fact you need to let things go to be able to heal and move forward together. It’s possible, your future is bright!
However if you’re single, this can either mean you’re incredibly happy being single and just enjoying your own company, or again it can serve as a reminder that you need to release any previous relationship baggage to make room for a new relationship that could come along if you make space for it.
What does the upright Star mean in a career reading?
In a career spread, this card indicates that you have some wonderful opportunities coming your way! Whether this be in the form of a job promotion or job interviews, if you’ve been waiting for something good then this is your sign that it is on its way!
The Star Tarot card as a person
The Star card will represent a person that inspires you to reflect and assess your situation(s). They could also be someone that’s potentially creative and artistic, or even someone that shows a lot of spiritual maturity. Not only this, but it’s someone who works hard to meet their goals, wishes and dreams.
What does the reversed Star card mean in Tarot?
For many tarotists, pulling the Star in the upside down position often indicates that you are feeling hopeless, maybe you have been through a hard time that has left you feeling low, down, drained, and losing trust in your life path having anything ‘good’ planned for you. But whilst you may be feeling this way, this card serves to remind you that whilst you feel the way you do, that doesn’t make it true.
The message here is that your feelings are not invalid, but your life most definitely is not hopeless. But only you have the ability to take back control and work past these emotions. The Star’s advice to you is to seek help if you need to, you don’t need to remain a victim of these negative emotions. You can heal.
When pulled in the reversed position, The Star is associated with monotony, hopelessness, negativity, loss, and failure.
What does the reverse Star mean in a love reading?
You have either completely lost faith in your relationship, or you’re failing to see the positive aspects. Sometimes it’s easy to focus on the negatives, but you’ll get so caught up in the bad that you’ll not see the good. The star is advising you to take a step back to see the full picture again!
If you are having issues with your partner then the Star reversed can also suggest that you need to heal old wounds and move on from things holding you back – this energy does not serve you.
However if you’re single, then the appearance of this card indicates you’re feeling lonely and have doubts about anything good coming your way in terms of love. You need to work on moving past this attitude to be able to move forward and attract love into your life.
What does the inverted Star mean in a career reading?
You’re most likely feeling bored, disillusioned or as if your career isn’t going anywhere! You’ve lost your love, enthusiasm, and spark for the work you do but you need to realise that you have the ability to change how things are and how you feel. Things aren’t as bad as they seem.
How to use the Star card in your Spellwork
If you are in need of creative energy, or require enthusiasm to embrace your talents, you can take the Star card and leave it in a room you have dedicated to being creative in (such as an arts room, a music room, or even just your office or bedroom will do if you haven’t a separate space.)
Cleanse the card, if you haven’t done so already, and make your intentions clear to the Star before surrounding it with items linked to your creative goals – an example could be paint brushes or pencils if you are an artist and have been experiencing ‘artistic block’. Replace the items surrounding the card every few days to create a ‘flow’ of energy, and keep this up until you feel you have achieved your goal.
Using the Star card in Dreamwork
The symbolism of the Star in your dreams can relate to guidance, protection, that you’re on the path to meet your goals. Stars are typically magickally linked, and this can be a sign you are moving in the right direction to what feels the most true to you. The symbolism overall is benevolent, and absolutely a good sign. Trust that things are flowing towards where you need to be.
If you wish to work with intentions for goals, hold the Star card before bed and visualise how you will feel after you’ve accomplished what you’ve set out to do. Place the card under your pillow to receive guidance in your dreams on additional ways to meet your goals.
A Poem to remember the upright meanings
Poems can be a good way to remember information because they often use rhyme and rhythm, which can make them easier to memorize.
Additionally, poems often use vivid imagery and figurative language, which can help to make the information more interesting and engaging.
The Star card reveals a bright light divine,
A sign of hope and healing over time.
A reminder to never lose your sight,
That joy and peace are yours to find.
The Star card is a beacon of faith,
A chance to make a hopeful start.
It’s a symbol of compassion and grace,
A sign of hope that won’t depart.
The Star card signals a time of change,
A time to take a leap of faith.
It’s a promise of a future bright,
Where hope and beauty will not abate.
The Star card is a sign of freedom,
A reminder of our destiny.
It’s a reminder to trust in fate,
For a future that’s filled with glee.
A Poem to remember the reversal meanings
A reversed Star calls to our sight,
From a place of darkness and night
The hope of what we seek is lost
The light is gone, at any cost.
The Star can bring a heavy blow
As we search for balance down below.
We turn away from what we see,
That life and fate can never be.
We strive to break through the clouds
When we’re surrounded by dark shrouds.
The Star in reverse is a sign
That we’re in for a difficult time.
We can seek to be inspired,
But we must become our own guide.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Star tarot card is a powerful symbol of inspiration, hope, healing, and positivity. When this card appears in your reading, it is often a sign that things are looking up for you and that positivity is very present in your life at the moment.
Despite its association with mysticism and occultism, the tarot has grown to become much more than a simple “fortune-telling” tool. For many tarot readers, it is a complex system made of symbolic imagery and psychological considerations (Jungian archetypes for example) that can be used for self-exploration, meditation, and personal transformation.
The 22 major arcana cards each correspond to different aspects of the human experience that are universal. They represent the different stages of the “hero’s journey”: our biggest challenges and life lessons, as well as our highest aspirations and greatest potential.
Have you ever had a reading where the Star card appeared? What was the outcome? What does the Star mean to you personally? How do you interpret this card in your own tarot practice? Share your thoughts and experiences with me in the comments below.
If you want to know more about the different tarot cards, feel free to check out our complete list of all 78 tarot cards and their meanings.
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Discover the meanings of the other 21 major arcana cards
This page is part of our comprehensive list of the 22 major arcana tarot cards & their meanings. If you enjoyed the read, then you’ll love the following articles.