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The Star (tarot card)

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The Star (XVII) from the Rider–Waite tarot deck

The Star (XVII) is the 17th ranking or Major Arcana card in most traditional tarot decks.[1] It is used in game playing as well as in divination.

Description and symbolism

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A naked woman kneels by the water; one foot is in the water and one foot is on the land.[2] Above her head is one large star, representing her core essences, and seven smaller stars, representing the chakras.[3] The star is typically eight-pointed, but some late 15th-century depictions depict a six-pointed star instead.[4] In each hand she holds a jug. From one jug she pours a liquid into the water. From the other jug she pours a liquid onto the land.[5] The five senses are represented by the five unique lines formed by water spilled on the ground. Temperance, the 14th Major Arcana card, also has a foot on both land and water while pouring water, but is depicted as standing and rigid.[6] It is the first out of three cards in the Major Arcana to depict celestial imagery. Sometimes three men, representing the three Magi are depicted below the Star.[4]

Interpretation

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According to A.E. Waite's 1910 book The Pictorial Key to the Tarot, the Star card carries several divinatory associations:[7]

17.THE STAR.--Loss, theft, privation, abandonment; another reading says-Hope and bright prospects, Reversed: arrogance, haughtiness, impotence.

In astrology, the Star card is associated with the planet Uranus and Aquarius zodiac sign.[8]

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In the manga JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders, tarot cards are used to name some of the characters' powers, named 'Stands'. The protagonist of Stardust Crusaders, Jotaro Kujo, has a Stand named Star Platinum, named after the Star card.[9]

In the Adventure Time franchise, powerful vampires are named after tarot cards. In the spin-off series Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake, Marceline the Vampire Queen (voiced by Olivia Olson) is named after the Star.[10]

References

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  1. ^ "The Star Tarot Card". Keen. 2014-08-26. Retrieved 2019-04-10.
  2. ^ "Star Tarot Card Meanings". Biddy Tarot. Retrieved 2019-04-10.
  3. ^ "Star Tarot Card Meanings". Biddy Tarot. Retrieved 2019-04-10.
  4. ^ a b Place (2005), pp. 156–157.
  5. ^ "The Star Meaning - Major Arcana Tarot Card Meanings". Labyrinthos. Retrieved 2019-04-10.
  6. ^ Pollack (2009), pp. 122–125.
  7. ^ Waite (1979).
  8. ^ "The Star Tarot Card". askAstrology.
  9. ^ Garnett, Christian (2021-10-20). "Cardcaptor Sakura & 6 Other Anime Based On Tarot Cards". CBR. Retrieved 2023-10-07.
  10. ^ Kaldor, David (2023-09-22). "Review: Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake "The Star; Jerry"". Bubbleblabber. Retrieved 2023-10-07.

Works cited

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Further reading

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  • Wood, Juliette (1998). "The Celtic Tarot and the Secret Tradition: A Study in Modern Legend Making". Folklore. 109: 15–24.
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