Tarot Talk
This month, we will talk about the Major Arcana card called The Star. Since we haven’t talked about a Major Arcana card in a while, before we begin breaking down The Star, let’s define and describe some terms. There are 22 Major Arcana cards in a Tarot deck, with numbers from 0 to 21; the Majors usually deal with broader and more far-reaching life experience issues, issues that are archetypes which are easy for us to identify with and connect with at some point in our lives.
An archetype (pronounced “ark eh type”) is a generic, idealized model of a person, a personality, a behavior, an object, or a concept that can be copied, patterned, or imitated, and which can be identified universally without the need for a common language. The term archetype often refers to one of two concepts:
A “stereotype”; in other words, a personality type observed multiple times, especially an oversimplification of a personality type; stereotypes can be positive or negative. For instance, “girls make good cooks” is a stereotype.
An “epitome,” which is the embodiment of a particular personality type, especially as the “greatest” or “best” example of the particular personality type; epitomes can also be positive or negative. For example, Venus is said to be the epitome of feminine beauty.
So basically, archetypes represent personality traits that are common enough to be known by us all, through images (rather than words) which contain symbolism that connects with our subconscious in a universal manner. Each of us can understand the symbolism of archetypes and connect with that symbolism because each of us has personally experienced (or will at some point in the future) these archetypes in some form, at some point in our lives.
Besides the symbolism in the image of the card, each Major Arcana card corresponds to a number, an archetype, an element, an astrological sign or planet, a Hebrew letter, and a Path on the Tree of Life joining two Sephiroth. Let’s start breaking this one down; we’ve got a lot of work to do!
The traditional image of The Star shows a woman, either naked or dressed in blue (symbolizing the exalted woman), standing in or near a still body of water (symbolizing the life force and the subconscious); she may be standing with one foot in the water and one foot on land, similar to Temperance. There are two flasks of water on The Star, also similar to Temperance; however, in the image on The Star, those flasks are being emptied, one on the ground (symbolizing purpose) and one back to the water (symbolizing a willing connection to the subconscious), representing the active sharing of the soul on all planes of existence, and the binding of the soul to both spirit and matter. On the Temperance card, one flask is being mixed with the other, more in line with the inner focus of the other meanings of that card, unlike The Star, which connects the inner landscape to the outer world. Usually there are stars in the sky of the image on The Star, telling us that while all appears submerged in darkness, there is subtle yet powerful illumination to be had through humble spiritual aspirations. The Star tells of hope and inspiration found from above (divine) and within (inner consciousness).
Located after the chaos of The Tower, The Star symbolizes the passage between one phase of initiation and another, and that corresponding knowledge that we just may have made it through the darkness to the next dawn and all of its unknown potential. Like the Death card, the potential being offered to us by The Star is unknown, but we move toward that unknown potential willingly, without fear. Because of its connection to the night, and to experiencing being awake and being asleep, The Star is often associated with passing from night to day, and it is connected to dreams, the mysteries of the night, the optimism of the new dawn, and destiny.
The Star is the number 17 of the Major Arcana, and 17 breaks down as 1 + 7 = 8. In the Tarot Minor Arcana, the number 8 represents a conscious and deliberate response to the pause and assessment of the 7 card. That pause represented by the number 7 happens because the growth represented by cards Ace through 6 has begun to slow, and degeneration of force is approaching. The Star represents the completion of the time of learning, being submitted to a moral trial and then given an opportunity to apply what has been learned, similar to The Lovers. However, The Star takes this sort of evolution to the next stage, beyond the understanding of choice that is presented by The Lovers, and brings us the time of experiencing self-sacrifice in order to connect with and understand what is outside of the Self. A receptive nature has been attained by our efforts in the darkness, along with a simplicity of heart and spirit and a renunciation of the ego. The Star tells of an awakening after a pause, so that we may respond deliberately and with knowledge and wisdom to whatever comes next.
Not all archetypes symbolize people; The Star is the archetype of the Spirit or Life Essence, which can be seen as the part of the personality that survives death, or as the spiritual part of the psyche. This is the essence of the Self that remains pure, compassionate, and filled with love without judgment, no matter what experiences present themselves to us during life. This is the essence of the Self that willingly presents itself in order to experience both the good and the bad that life can offer, so as to understand and manifest not only personal dreams, but also dreams of humanity. This manifestation is achieved by submitting ourselves without hesitation to the will of the Divine in order to draw upon the Light that is always with us, and make our way through the darkness and chaos of The Tower.
The Star corresponds with Air, which is hot and wet, tends to expand or separate, and adapts to many situations. The element of Air corresponds with truth, clarity, and our capacity to analyze or apply logic. Thus, Air can indicate our mental state, the beliefs we have, and actions we take in response to effects around us. Air corresponds with the direction of East and rising sun, and thus with new beginnings and fresh ideas, as well as knowledge, intellectual ideas and thoughts.
The Star corresponds with Aquarius (key words: “I know”). Aquarius, the 11th sign of the zodiac, is a Fixed Air sign, ruled by Uranus and Saturn. Those born under the sign of Aquarius are unconventional, idealistic, and eccentric free thinkers different from those born under the other signs of the zodiac. They are progressive individuals who actively seek changes that benefit themselves and humanity as a whole. They care about the environment, politics, and humanitarian endeavors, and they often advocate for those who are less fortunate. They are good at thinking up effective plans, but they are also good at delegating (and empowering) others to manifest those plans into reality. Aquarians can be a bit stubborn (reminder: “Fixed Air sign” here), but the nice thing is that if compelling evidence is presented, an Aquarian will let go of outdated ideas. Aquarians are more in their heads than their hearts, so they may seem purposely isolated, but when they form relationships they are loyal.
In the Hebrew alphabet, each letter is connected in some way to the creative forces in the universe. They express themselves on three levels: one level is archetypical and runs from the first to the ninth letter; the second level is one of manifestation and runs from the tenth to the eighteenth letter, and the third is a cosmic level and runs from the nineteenth to the twenty-second letter.
The Star card corresponds with Tzaddi, the fish hook, the eighteenth letter in the Hebrew alphabet. The name itself is similar to the Hebrew word “tzadik,” which means “righteous person.” The letter Tzaddi represents the hook that captures the “fish” of Qoph, the subconscious mind. In Hebrew symbolism, the fish is a sign of fertility, so the letter Tzaddi represents the capturing or hooking of the fertility of the subconscious mind in order to feed, sustain and nurture the personality and anchor the Self.
On the Tree of Life, The Star represents the 28th Path (one of the Paths that views ways to transition to the Supernal Triangle, crossing the Abyss) between Yesod (the astral plane where we build thoughtforms and illusions, the home of our animating life force) and Netsach (the glimpse of the Machinery of the Universe and the energy we have given to Deity). The 28th Path is the Path of Natural Intelligence, of inspiration and aspiration, of the ability to love humankind rather than just one person, and of feeling energy through the senses.
This Path connects the Pillar of Force and the Pillar of Balance, and it is opposite the 30th Path, corresponding to The Sun of the Major Arcana, and here is a pair that work well together. The Sun and the 30th Path are about enlightenment that comes through scientific study; The Star and the 28th Path are about the dark of night, and the inspiration that comes to us from within. The 28th Path is about dreaming of the future (Netsach), and thus, beginning the initial process of finally manifesting our goals in the physical world. The energies of this Path flow downward into the foundations of our mind (Yesod), and act as catalysts that will eventually have a physical effect, but this Path is not of the physical world.
The symbolism of this Path has the potential to release quite a bit of creative power into our lives. This amazing power is often first felt through the physical body in some ways, almost feeling like sexual arousal but felt through the whole body rather than just the sex organs. This energy ultimately is a catalyst for the manifestation of our hopes and dreams, and once it is activated, it stimulates the inspiration that comes in those incredible Aha! Moments.
The Llewellyn Welsh Star tells of hope, inspiration, freedom after trials, salvation, destiny, and of drawing strength from nature; reversed it tells of resignation or depression, and of allowing others to determine our lives. The Legacy of the Divine Star card shows the wreckage of The Tower, however there is moss growing on the broken pillars, indicating that the destruction is over. It tells of idealism, self-discovery, liberation, and a sense of purpose; reversed it tells of arrogance, pessimism, dreaminess, and physical or mental illness. The Thoth Tarot Star represents reincarnation and the renewal of life, baptism and purification, and the beneficent nature of the universe. Reversed, it indicates skepticism and an unwillingness to examine our own self and our own behavior (usually because we are afraid of what we will find), or deception or gullibility.
The Star offers us hope, inspiration, and the strength to follow through no matter how tough the challenges may be. Denying the energies of this Major Arcana card will bring pettiness, self-doubt, and a fear of following our dreams. In the end, the new dawn will appear, and The Star tells us to look for the light that will illuminate the way.