The Star is card XVII of the Major Arcana in the Thoth Tarot. In a reading it speaks of hope, inspiration, healing and openness. In the Golden Dawn system it corresponds to the Hebrew letter He, path 28 of the Tree of Life between Netzach and Yesod, the element Air and Aquarius in astrology.
hope · inspiration · healing · openness · trust
What does The Star mean?
Well-founded hope and inspiration: the direction is right. A time of healing, renewal and trust.
Everyday meaning
Hope, renewal, inspiration. It points to healing after a crisis, trust in the future and unexpected help.
Psychological meaning
The ability to reconnect with a wider vision; the trust that is born from having crossed the dark.
Initiatic meaning
Path 28 from Netzach to Yesod, the letter He (the window, 5) and Aquarius, fixed air: the window from which infinity can be glimpsed. Nuit pours out the waters of life and reminds us that every man and every woman is a star.
The shadow side
Ill-dignified, it signals illusion, disappointment, sterile idealism, hopes that have no roots.
The Star reversed
The Thoth Tarot is traditionally read without reversed cards: the reader judges from the cards around it whether a card is well or ill dignified. This is its ill-dignified or blocked reading:
Trust lost, vision clouded; you need to find your way back to your most authentic ideals.
The Star in love, work and spirit
In love
Sincere love, openness and mutual trust; the healing of emotional wounds.
At work and career
Inspiration, creativity, long-term vision; future-oriented projects.
In spiritual practice
Recognising yourself as a star: divine individuality in an infinite cosmos.
Kabbalah, astrology and the Hebrew letter of The Star
He ה (5) · path 28: Netzach – Yesod · Air · Aquarius
Crowley on The Star
Following the correction 'Tzaddi is not the Star', Crowley assigns the letter He to the Star; the figure is Nuit pouring water from two cups, one of gold and one of silver, beneath the seven-pointed star of Babalon.
Frequently asked questions
What does The Star mean in the Thoth Tarot?
Well-founded hope and inspiration: the direction is right. A time of healing, renewal and trust.
What does The Star mean in love?
Sincere love, openness and mutual trust; the healing of emotional wounds.
What does The Star mean for work and career?
Inspiration, creativity, long-term vision; future-oriented projects.
What does The Star mean reversed?
The Thoth Tarot is traditionally read without reversed cards: the reader judges from the cards around it whether a card is well or ill dignified. This is its ill-dignified or blocked reading: Trust lost, vision clouded; you need to find your way back to your most authentic ideals.
What are the Kabbalah and astrology correspondences of The Star?
In the Golden Dawn system The Star corresponds to the Hebrew letter He, path 28 of the Tree of Life between Netzach and Yesod, the element Air and Aquarius in astrology.
