The Star
Finally, it was all finished. For the last 14 months there had been some sort of construction/restoration/remodeling project around my house. The house was finally silent, the dust was cleaned up and my checkbook gave a big sigh of relief from being overused. At first, I revealed in the stillness, the open time, and no more planning. But I had grown so unused to life without construction, I almost felt unmoored. What was now going to occupy my time and attention? Was I finally going to have to restart my personal writing projects again? Did I even want to do that? Fortunately, The Star has come to my rescue with some guidance. It is time for peace; physical, emotional and spiritual. Time to enjoy the calm and not just jump right into more hyper-activity—the kind of lifestyle that Americans often feel is the only way to live.
The Star is the 17th card in the Major Arcana and comes directly after The Tower—great upheaval. The Star is rest, recuperation and regrouping after a dramatic, emotional or difficult time. The Star is a long, deep breath followed by an equally long sigh. A promise that the worst is over and a moment of reflection is much needed before continuing the journey. Our beautiful woman is naked--stripped bare and vulnerable from her tower experience. But she seems calm and unbothered by her exposed state, rather she is concentrating on a pool of water. She holds two vessel, chalices of life that will never by empty. With one she is pouring water into the pool, making concentric rings of consciousness flowing out in the cauldron-shaped pool-interior reflection and intuition. From the second chalice she pours water on to the ground forming five distinct streams, the five senses--grounded and focused on the world. Shining from the bright blue sky are eight stars, seven small white stars—the seven chakras and alchemical processes. The large yellow eighth star, quintessence, is the purity of divine guidance and blessing that brings a new vision. In the tree behind her is the Ibis bird, the symbol for the great Egyptian god Thoth, creator and healer. Thoth is also the god of magic, bringing healing and magic to your life after hard experiences.
This sense of calm and emptiness is a time for healing and regrouping, a reflective time to let the divine guidance bath you in gentle starlight. This beautiful woman unites the abundant Empress and the introspective High Priestess. She expresses the inner calm that comes when activity stops and contentment is allowed to settle on the mind and heart. The journey can wait while the important task of healing and rest take priority.
During this time of quiet, intuition can again be heard more clearly and the world seen in a new light. Our consciousness has been expanded through the senses and we are able to receive the grace of the Divine Mother/Isis to live out inner peace that can flow again. I needed to trust that now life was more peaceful, that the next thing can gently ripple into my life, nudging open the door to the next world. I can leave my calendar a bit blank, knowing I can find the space for a walk, time in the library and just sitting and reflect in The Star’s calming water. I can pour my emotions, frantic thoughts and chaotic world into the cauldron shaped pool and let the magic of the water flow out into the world.
How can you nurture yourself and take time out from the world?
Where do you need to just be “you” and let go of what others think or expect?
Can you become comfortable with stillness and let the imaginal world float into your consciousness and inspire you?
