The Arcana of Hope and Destiny
The seventeenth major arcana, and the first of its kind to feature a celestial body before the sun and moon arcana, holds special interest due to its ability to combine man with his cosmos, linking the celestial with the material and earthly. This card symbolizes genesis or creation, representing the balance between man and nature, and man and the universe. Its appearance marks the beginning of many paths that close to start fulfilling new ones. It is the card of destiny.
Interpretation of the Elements in the Deck
This card is represented by the central figure of a naked young woman kneeling by a stream, symbolizing youth and beauty. The woman holds two jugs of water that she pours into the river, representing fertility and communication. Her nudity signifies purity and transparency, while the black bird perched on a tree indicates ephemeral beauty or the soul, sometimes associated with potential negative scenarios. The tree represents life.
The eight stars symbolize justice through the number 8, the loss of guidance through the color blue, and luminosity through yellow. The horizontal 8 is the symbol of infinity.
The woman’s action of pouring water into the river is sometimes seen as the fertility of the land, promising future prosperity, while the river often represents the vital flow of life with its inherent dangers.
The Star in Readings: The Intersection of Hopes and Life’s Course
The arcana, highlighting a celestial body in the tarot, is the best expression of the intersection of hopes and the natural course of life. Its strong capacity to signal the reconstruction of life’s ruptures is one of the most notable aspects during a reading where this card appears.
The star is a symbol of power over the favorable outcomes that the future may hold, revealing the existence or high possibilities of achieving balance, harmony, and a fulfilling life both materially and spiritually. The card also encompasses the three planes of human life: the spiritual, the emotional, and the material.
In a global vision, the arcana is an omen of good news and prosperity after turbulent periods, but it must be contextualized with the accompanying arcana.
In an inverted position, the card indicates a loss of energy on actions of declaredly unnecessary importance, expressing the need to evaluate the current path, and generally signaling a period or moment of bad luck.
Represents: Youth, beauty, luck, radiance, communication, creativity, mental values over emotional or sentimental values, good mental or intellectual connection, affinity of ideas, a moment of great mental strength and clarity of ideas.
Esoterically, it is associated with the planet Mercury. The 8 (17=1+7=8): It belongs to the element Air and the season of Winter.
In numerology, it represents the number 17: Obstruction, madness, tragedy. However, in tarot, it is positive.
Meaning in the Three Planes:
- Love Plane: A sentimental reunion will transform into a great love story. Your senses and intuition, along with your inner guide, will show you the way, leaving no room for doubt.
- Money Plane: An alternative or advice will bring relief to the financial problems you are facing. Don’t get discouraged!
- Work Plane: Intellectual work and research will allow you to improve by fostering a new beginning. Accept all proposals made to you in the work environment.
