The Star Tarot Meaning: Upright and Reversed

The Star Keywords 

• Upright: renewal, hope, inspiration, healing, wholeness, inner peace, rejuvenation
• Reversed: insecurity, lost hope, self-doubt, lack of inspiration, pessimism, suppression

The Star: Description and Symbolism

As number ‘17’ in the Major Arcana, the Star card represents ultimate healing and renewal. There is a total of eight stars in the blue sky, representing abundance and potential within numerology. The seven stars represent the seven chakras of the human body, symbolizing health and inner balance. The 8-pointed yellow star refers to the morning star, giving the depicted woman direction, hope, and divine guidance.

The depicted woman wears no clothes and holds a relaxed stance, representing inner peace and freedom of expression. She peers at her reflection in the blue water in a contemplative pose, symbolizing self-knowing. The grass she kneels upon represents worldly influences, while the pool of water represents the collective unconscious. Her foot hovers over the water to signify that she is not submerged in her unconscious drives – she merely derives inspiration from them. 

An ibis bird is shown in the background to symbolize the Egyptian god Thoth, known for his healing and creative forces. Similarly, the woman allows her soul to express itself, represented by the water she pours. She pours from two pitchers, trusting that her inspiration and life force will be renewed once they empty. Her unconscious energy is poured back into the pool and onto the green grass, symbolizing rejuvenating inspiration and worldly creation.

The Star card traditionally corresponds to the zodiac sign of Aquarius. As the water-bearer, Aquarius’ energy presents themes of authenticity, self-knowing, and eccentricity. The air sign is unafraid of leaning into their soul purpose, no matter how they are perceived. These themes speak to the Star card’s themes of inspiration, hope, and inner peace. Both Aquarius and the Star guide you to heal and rejuvenate your spirit in your own way.

The Star – Upright Meaning

When the Star card appears in a tarot reading, it signifies a period of hope and healing. You are becoming more aligned with your innermost needs and desires now. It is a great time to prioritize peace and inner balance through self-care practices. Your inner voice is guiding you, encouraging you to remain authentic in all your endeavors.

The Star card could also be a sign to tap into new forms of creativity. Actualizing your ideas will feel immensely healing and freeing for you at this time. Your thoughts and feelings deserve an outlet, so don’t shy away from giving them their space. 

Alternatively, the Star suggests that you could be recovering from a recent loss or hardship. You are prioritizing keeping your spirit alive at this time, searching for new sources of inspiration. There are many reasons for you to be hopeful at this time, and you are willing to find more. It is a period of self-care and energy renewal.

Love Meaning – The Star Upright

The Star card appears as a hopeful sign of new beginnings in love. You are ready to approach your relationships with a renewed sense of self at this time. Past lessons have shaped your ability to be vulnerable and open with love interests.  So long as you keep the faith, you are likely to overcome obstacles with ease.

The Star may also signify a period of healing or recovery. Perhaps you are coming together with your partner after a misunderstanding, or you have found hope in dating again after a separation. This card suggests it is a good time to resolve suppressed feelings with others and within yourself.

As a relationship dynamic, the Star represents a partnership based on mutual trust and authentic expression. You and your partner are hopeful to overcome challenges as a team, offering each other support along the way.

When reading for how someone feels, the Star depicts someone who is hopeful about the connection. This love interest has done the inner work to understand their needs and intentions, setting themselves up for success in love.

Career and Finance Meaning – The Star Upright

When the Star card appears in a career context, you could experience a new wave of inspiration about your pursuits. If you have wanted to make your work more personal by pursuing higher studies or starting your own business, it would be a wonderful time to do so. This card reminds you that you are capable of aligning your efforts with your authentic purpose.

Financially, the Star may represent a period of recovery after an unprecedented obstacle. As you gain more control over your expenses, it would benefit you to create a budget. You may feel more drawn to investing in passion projects that will keep you inspired now and into the future.

Health Meaning – The Star Upright

The Star serves as a sign of recovery and rejuvenation. Emotions and stressors that you once found overwhelming are starting to become manageable. To lean into this period of healing, you are encouraged to prioritize self-care practices. Creative pursuits and inspiring forms of entertainment will uplift you at this time.

Spirituality Meaning – The Star Upright

When the Star appears in a spiritual context, it signifies a period where you feel more trusting of your direction. You are comfortable addressing your deepest needs and intentions, which allows you to manifest the outcomes you desire. 

The Star Card As Feelings Meaning – Upright 

The Star card represents feelings of hope and renewal. You are healing from outgrown doubts and obstacles, enabling you to move forward with newfound confidence.

The Star Card As Actions Meaning – Upright 

As actions, the Star represents whole-hearted decisions and involvement. You are motivated to cultivate inner peace by remaining true to yourself throughout your endeavors.

The Star – Reversed Meaning

When the Star appears reversed in a tarot reading, you may be going through a period where you feel drained of hope and optimism. Perhaps you have been working hard but seeing minimal results, or you may feel that your commitments are misaligned with your path. This card gently reminds you not to let external factors get you down. There are reasons to believe in what you have to offer the world, but you may need to focus your attention internally at this time.

The reversed Star card could also suggest that you are feeling particularly vulnerable or insecure in a given situation. You may need to reflect on what commitments leave you feeling rejuvenated and confident. Otherwise, you are more likely to suppress your feelings and desires. It would benefit you to prioritize self-care and healing to realign with your purpose. 

Love Meaning – The Star Reversed

When the Star card appears reversed, you may be going through a period where you feel less hopeful about love. Perhaps you are healing from a recent conflict or separation, but don’t know how to release the feelings that are weighing on you. This card gently reminds you not to get discouraged as you address suppressed fears and doubts. You are deserving of fulfilling connections – it is simply a matter of turning your love inward to recover from the past.

The reversed Star card represents a relationship dynamic that is actively recovering from a shared conflict or obstacle. You and your partner are finding ways to be vulnerable about your deeper needs and fears. Stay gentle and open-minded as you reconnect, and you are likely to resolve the matter.

When reading for how someone feels, the reversed Star represents someone who is clarifying their intentions. This romantic interest needs time to heal and connect with their deepest feelings before pursuing a new connection.

Career and Finance Meaning – The Star Reversed

The reversed Star emphasizes the need to realign with your true direction. You may feel uninspired in your role because your ideas have not had a sufficient outlet. If you are happy within your career path but craving a bit more, it would be a good time to start a passion project. Being in charge of your direction in some aspect of your work could be the missing piece you need.

Financially, the reversed Star suggests you may be going through a period where you are struggling to recover from losses. Rather than losing hope, you are encouraged to focus on the factors you can control.  You may also feel hesitant to treat yourself to fulfilling activities, but this card gently nudges you to do so nonetheless.

Health Meaning – The Star Reversed

When the Star card appears reversed in a health context, it may be time to face the needs and feelings you have been suppressing. Consider taking up journaling or a new creative hobby as an outlet for your thoughts. If you have been feeling stagnant, it will benefit you to get out of your head and into your body. You have more energy than outlets to expend it at this time, so don’t hesitate to experiment.

Spirituality Meaning – The Star Reversed

In a spiritual context, the reversed Star card encourages you to focus on healing and cultivating inner balance. Practices like yoga or sound bath cleansing will do wonders to reconnect your mind, body, and spirit. Your spiritual growth will be informed by deep self-reflection to help you realign with your calling.

The Star As Feelings Meaning – Reversed 

When the Star appears reversed, you may be feeling doubtful or pessimistic about the future. You may realize that some repressed feelings still need healing at this time.

The Star As Actions Meaning – Reversed 

The reversed Star card emphasizes a need for inner work and realignment. You have a vision that is worth pursuing, but it may require some reflection to overcome your doubts.

Past, Present, and Future Positions

Past Position

When the Star card appears in the ‘past’ position, it suggests that you have previously healed from a difficult circumstance or obstacle. You learned to focus your energy within to rejuvenate your spirit. This renewed sense of hope prepared you for your current situation.

Present Position

In the ‘present’ position, the Star card encourages you to focus on cultivating inner peace. You will find immense joy and healing from chasing what inspires you at this time. 

Future Position

The Star card in the ‘future’ position predicts that your current situation will lead to feelings of wholeness and rejuvenation. You are on the path to inner peace if you remain consistent in your efforts.

Yes or No Meaning of The Star Card 

• The Star Upright: Yes
• The Star Reversed: No

When the Star appears upright, it gives you a ‘yes’. The given situation is likely to bring you a sense of peace and hope, suggesting that you can achieve a desirable outcome.

When the Star appears reversed in a reading, it gives you a ‘no’. There are some doubts to be worked through to achieve the outcome you seek.

Advice and Message of The Star Card

The Star appears as a symbol of hope and rejuvenation, reminding you of all you have to give the world. You are encouraged to turn inward and attend to your deepest needs and desires at this time. The more balanced you feel within, the more inspired you will feel to share that sense of peace with others.

Summary of The Star Tarot Meaning

When the Star card appears, you are going through a time where you have learned many lessons about your needs and desires. You value inner peace and healing more than ever, keeping you aligned with your authentic purpose. When reversed, you may be feeling doubtful or pessimistic about your vision for the future. So long as you let your intuition lead the way, you will be heeding the Star card’s advice.