Today’s card is number 17 of the Major Arcana, The Star, also known as the Daughter of the Firmament or the Dweller Between the Waters. In addition to the four suits found in a typical deck of playing cars, a standard tarot deck also includes 22 Major Arcana cards. Each of the Major Arcana cards represents a principle of occult worship or enlightenment, with this card being the 22nd and final card of the Majors, which are numbered 0 – 21. When studying these principles, one would start with the number 0, The Fool, representing innocence, the beginning of a journey, and the initiate, and ending with number 21, The Universe. Having traveled through the theoretical concepts of Magick, therefore, one would need only to apply these principles in real life to move forward on the path of enlightenment.
The Star speaks to us about astrology and its intricate link with Magick. Often in other Tarot decks, this card depicts one large star surrounded or highlighted by seven smaller stars. The center star represents the Eternal Parent (God) while the 7 smaller stars represented the planetary bodies; in the days when Tarot was first created, mankind was only aware of 7 planets in our solar system. Thus, these planets, able to effect change on both humans and our physical environment through their orbits and relationship to the Earth, become crucial to both determining a person’s personality and potential as well as any pivotal moments in the future of mankind and our planet. This assumption is still true to this day, being scientifically proven by the simple fact of the Earth’s tides being affected by the Moon’s cycle and gravitational pull. Therefore, a working knowledge of astrology, and how the planetary bodies interact with us, is important to ‘working with the flow’ of Magick. After all, you can swim against the tide and still go somewhere, but your journey is so much easier when you are swimming with the tide.
For those that are flowing with their spiritual tide, this card indicates that you are about to experience a transformation, as the caterpillar forms a chrysalis to become a butterfly. You are surrounding yourself with spiritual knowledge and openness; the Universe is ready to allow you in and will begin to share with you all matters according to your own skill level and ability. Try and recognize these new AHA moments and make the most of them allow for the most beneficial personal growth at this time.
On the flip side, this indicates that a working knowledge of astrology alone, without a structure of belief guiding it, will not yield any revelations to you. This, of course, will feed into the notion that the world, fate, etc… is plotting against you. Really, it’s just a lack of belief, in yourself and anything greater than that, that is keeping you from seeing more in the stars. If you recognize this person in your life, you are fighting a losing battle. They will always be the boss of their own destiny no matter how miserable it becomes. We all choose whether our glass is half full or half empty. It is up to you to decide if a half empty person has any place in your life.
Today, may you be on in the flow of Magick as you open yourself to possibility.