
“The stars signal comfort… By their very design they instill wonder in the deepest parts of our hearts, and allow hope to spring forth.”*
In Tarot, the word Hope encompasses the true depth of Major Arcana card, The Star.
In The Mythic Tarot Deck, The Star represents the story of Pandora’s box. In Greek Myth, the Titan Prometheus once stole the sacred fire of the gods and gave it to mankind. This angered the Gods who vowed to punish the human race for the crime. It was told that the King of the Gods, Zeus, ordered a exceptionally beautiful woman to be made of clay and water into whom the Gods put idleness, lies, and a selfish temperament. Zeus sent this woman to Epimetheus, Prometheus’ brother, along with a very special chest.
Before he was captured, Prometheus’ warned his brother to never touch the chest. Epimetheus in turn, told Pandora of the dangers the chest might contain but she cast aside his concerns. When she lifted the lid of the chest she released terrible Spites – Old Age, Labor, Sickness, Insanity, Vice, and Passion – which escaped into the world and infected mankind. All that remained in the box was Hope, which had somehow been locked inside with the Spites.
“Stars have long been seen as symbols of hope, regeneration, vision and new life. When this card appears, you know somehow that life is just about to become easier and brighter. Life’s forces combine to assist rather than hinder.” says Jan Shepherd at Angel Paths
Like Pandora, the Star often represents the release of conflict, anger, depression, and pain. It reflects an emotional struggle and a need to rebuild confidence and find balance. But, in the end you are left with this shining ray of HOPE, you have the strength to face whatever life is going to throw at you and yes, it might be hard, but you’re given an opportunity to discover something new and wonderful.
“The Star means ‘knowing’ that you will achieve what you want. – Amenti Anuket on Twitter
Joan Bunning of Learn Tarot says, “The Star is most welcome when grief and despair have overwhelmed us. In our darkest moments, we need to know that there is hope,that there is light at the end of the tunnel. The Star is the opposite of the Devil who strips us of our faith in the future. Card 17 holds out the promise that we can eventually find peace of mind.”
“The Star is a card that looks to the future. It does not predict any immediate or powerful change, but it does predict hope and healing. This card suggests clarity of vision, spiritual insight. And, most importantly, that unexpected help will be coming, with water to quench your thirst, with a guiding light to the future.” ~
The Star often comes as a message to the querent that things will get better very soon. Despair is a crushing force which can sometimes overwhelm the shafts of light that burn from The Star. It is at times when despair is about to pull us into the darkness The Star will appear to remind us that change is just around the corner.
It may also be warning against depending too much on blind faith. It is one thing to trust that things will improve but another to do nothing, waiting for The Star. Hope is just the beginning, action is needed to bring about the change and ultimately, hopes purpose is to encourage action as despair begets inaction. If The Star appears in your reading it may be telling you not to give up. The hardest part is almost behind you but you have to keep moving forward to reach the new horizon.
“To me,” Serenity Healing on Twitter says, “The Star means a light at the end of the tunnel. A glimmer of hope and guidance.”
How does The Star affect you this week? Have you found emotional release that leaves you feeling free of burdens and has renewed your hope and faith? Have you learned to trust yourself to fate and push forward into a brighter future with your dreams?
Cici has ordered a 12-month spread from Miss Michele and good things are in the cards for her.
The year 2009 is shaping up to be characterized by: “If you can dream it, you can do it.” Your dreams know no limits, and you have the power, strength, intelligence, and skills to realize every dream you have, everything you can possibly imagine. Miss Michele wouldn’t be surprised, with the plethora of Cups in this spread, if you’ve been searching for Mr. Right for some time – perhaps may have given up hope of ever sharing your life with someone special. If that is the case, this will be the year for romance for you!
Rarely have I seen so many Major Arcanas in a 12-month spread, which means this is a BIG year for you. Lots of significant changes are on the horizon. The year’s overview is represented by the 7 of Cups, the card of Daydreams. You may feel somewhat “off,” as if you can’t focus your mind on reality. That’s okay, though, because it is your wild imagination and ability to “dream big” that will bring you success this year – in career fulfillment and matters of the heart. Don’t worry if the money isn’t forthcoming this year; 2009 and the beginning of 2010 is all about emotional and spiritual fulfillment, which you will receive.
May: Knight of Pentacles: This month kicked off with preparations for some major changes in finance and career, which could have sparked your ordering this spread. You want to see which direction is best to take. Knights indicate changes on the horizon, but still in the early planning stages. Based on surrounding cards, moving forward will serve you well at this time.
June: Strength: You’ll need to harness your strength and most importantly, your feminine intuition, loving nature and above all, strength in character in order to succeed in your new – or simply expanded – business endeavors. The card Strength represent feminine strength of character rather than brute force. You can finesse your way into positive situations.
July: Eight of Wands: Things are moving full speed ahead for you. This card typically represents a new job offer or incredible business success. You may just be swamped with orders – so much that you need to hire help for certain aspects of you’re business. Your business is growing, and your income with it.
August: The Emperor: Come August, you’ll want to do things by the book, to avoid any issues or legal hassles. Someone may question the validity of your business, but you will be able to prove its worth with logic and calm grace. Also look for a male to figure prominently, perhaps in a management role; he can help take your business to the next level.
September: The Chariot: This card often indicates literal travel – perhaps for business or it could be time for a vacation. It also indicates, in this spread, that things are moving quickly for you. This entire year represents rapid growth and development.
October: The Magician: You are becoming a master at using your skills and talents to manipulate situations the way you want them. If you can visualize it, you can complete it this year. Lots of masculine energy in this reading makes me believe a male mentor will come into your life, probably showing up as the Emperor in August, and you will really begin to apply what he has been teaching you come October.
November: Four of Cups: The approach of the holiday season leaves you feeling a bit “off.” All these celebrations seem empty and devoid of meaning, and you don’t have any desire to be lifted out of your doldrums. This isn’t how you usually act – you may be missing someone who was close to you. Perhaps the strong male influence has stepped out of your life for reasons you don’t quite understand. The tarot’s advice? Step back to the roots of it all, why you do what you do. Devote time to a favorite charity and then step back and enjoy the fruits of your labor. You may have simply lost direction in your life… step back and consider what it is you really desire.
December: Knight of Cups: Things turn around with the Knight of Cups – Knights literally represent change, and Cups show an emotional change, a complete turn-around from November’s mood. You’ve re-connected with your dreams and goals and begin pursuing them again without hesitation or doubts.
January 2010: Nine of Cups: The New Year brings the fulfillment of the dreams you began to pursue with the Knight of Cups in December. The Knight may also represent a new love, and January’s Nine of Cups signifies the development of that relationship.
February 2010: Ace of Wands: As the Nine of Cups indicated the fulfillment of your dreams, you enter the next phase of your development with the Ace of Wands in February. Combined with the High Priestess in March, I wonder if a marriage, pregnancy or birth could be in the cards. You are bursting with ideas and the discipline and energy to execute them! It’s an exciting time of year for you.
March 2010: High Priestess: The High Priestess, shows that your feminine intuition serves you well in making upcoming decisions, in both business and your personal life. Don’t be afraid to open your heart and reach out, particularly in the realm of personal relationships – it is time! Do your research, though, and the answers will come easy.
April 2010: The Lovers: You’ll face a crucial decision this month, perhaps in regard to a new love. You will make the right choice.
Melissa, a regular listener to the RadioXShow, where Miss Michele and Serenity Bly appear to offer free readings on the fourth Wednesday of every month, wrote in requesting an L-for-Love Spread.
Overview: We have an L-for-Love spread with only one cup in the reading, which indicates that you are approaching romance with an analytical mind. Two Major Arcanas in this reading, however, tell Miss Michele that your current relationship might be “the big one.” There is significance here beyond just a fling!
Your past experience in love: Five of Swords: When we look at your past experience, revealed by the Five of Swords, it makes sense why you’re approaching romance in such a philosophical manner. You have been tricked in the past—hurt—when things were not what you expected and your lover turned out to be much more selfish and cunning than you imagined. Now, you are always counting the cards in the game of love, afraid to trust.
Your current experience in love: Seven of Cups: You are currently in the beginning stages of a very happy romance, one that seems almost too good to be true. Or, you may be involved in a romantic fantasy, perhaps with an Internet acquaintance, with dreams of something more. Either way, right now you are floating on clouds, heady with the possibilities in your future. However, because of your past experience, you are waiting for it all to come crashing down. Remember the Law of Attraction; you attract what you fear. In the sentence, “I don’t want him to leave me,” the Universe hears only the word “leave.”
What you want from a love relationship: Two of Swords: At first, this card seemed an odd draw for this position. Why would someone want to close their eyes, to not see things as they are? But the Two of Swords has dual meanings and both apply. You want to continue living in your fantasy land of the Seven of Cups… you want everything to remain perfect, even if it means keeping your eyes closed to your lover’s flaws. (While at the same time, you worry that he will be like your past lover and deceive you.) On the other end of the spectrum, what you seek in this relationship is balance, plain and simple. Someone who compliments your best traits and adds to your life without allowing you to lose yourself in the relationship.
What you need from a love relationship: The High Priestess: The High Priestess represents, once again, the number two, a need for balance. You need someone who will match you intellectually. Since the High Priestess represents a platonic relationship, friendship, trust and a strong partnership are much more important to you right now than carnal pleasures.
What you have to give your lover: Death: This is another card that seems unusual at first glance, but as we put the pieces of the puzzle together, it makes sense. You have it in yourself to give your lover a new beginning in life; the Death card, more so than a sad goodbye, welcomes a new beginning—a position, frame of mind, or life event. For this relationship to work, you must let go of your past, your fears, your relationship baggage. You have this potential. What you have to give your lover, quite literally, is a “new you!”
Possible future experience in love: Page of Wands: The outlook is good as Wands reveal action and pages are messengers, so we see a future relationship with a man who will make you feel “young at heart.” As indicated by the Seven of Cups you have jumped into the relationship head-on and it just feels right. Enjoy this time. The tarot does not want to reveal anything further than the start of your relationship, which could mean that you will have the feeling of “young love” for a long time before it transforms into a more mature relationship.
Remember, Melissa, let go of the past to manifest this great future!