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The Star is the quintessential self-care card.
To give you a bit of context whilst you reflect on your own relationship to the card, here are a few key things to know about the Star:
Many, many tarot readers cite the Star among their favourite tarot cards (myself included), and it’s probably easy to guess why. The serene comfort that emanates from the card is contagious - look at this card for a minute straight and tell me you don’t feel just a couple of degrees better. But let’s talk about a few of the elements that make the Star such a warm hug of a card.
In the Rider Waite Smith version of the Star, a naked feminine figure crouches low beside a pool, one foot resting on the surface of the water. In the figure's hands are two jugs. One pours water into the green bank beside the pool, and another pours water directly back into the pool. In the distance, a tree rises up from a hill, and a large golden bird perches on its top branch. Eight stars glitter in the clear evening sky - Seven small white stars frame a much bigger golden star.
There is an inherent vulnerability and purity in The Star. The combination of the figure’s nakedness and crouching position make it clear that this space they’ve found themselves in, though outdoors at night, is a kind of sanctuary. Somewhere they feel safe.
The figure doesn’t just feel safe in this space, they feel connected and responsible for it: that’s why we see them nourishing the ground and returning water to the source. There’s a deep relationship of care and feeding here. This haven keeps the figure safe, and in return, they keep it nourished.
And it’s not just the land and the human figure that play their part - the stars light their work, and the bird watches over them too. It’s a card that, more than anything, shows an environment in harmony - one where every aspect of the whole plays their part, with a deep emphasis on care and peace. That’s why the card is so often associated with self-care and gentle self-confidence - it’s a card at ease with its environment and deeply connected to its parts - one which puts nourishment and gentleness down as its top priority.
In your tarot journal, you’re asked to reflect on what this card means to you, now, in this moment, and what actions and thoughts it inspires in you. As you journal, pay attention to what you’re personally picking up in the card, but also consider what the key symbols and themes in the card might be telling you. How are you nourishing yourself and your environment? Where do you find harmony? Who is looking out for you, and how are you looking out for them in return?
This mini-tarot lesson was brought to you by me, Chelsey Pippin Mizzi, founder of Pip Cards Tarot. I hope you gained a little context to help you continue reflecting on the card in your own way, and I’ll see you tomorrow for another mini-lesson.