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Air, Aquarius, brainstorming, character development, Christopher Vogler, Corrine Kenner, elements, Gemini, Joanna Powell Colbert, Libra, Major Arcana, Meet the Cards, Pleiades, plotting, Raelyn Barclay, recommended reads, tarot, Tarot for Writers, The Star, The Writer's Journey, writers, writing
The Star, opening to grace, is number seventeen (the expansion of seven according to Raven’s Tarot Site) of the Major Arcana.
- Symbolism: Hope and the spirit.
- Element: Air (see Tarot Elements)
What I See:
This is a peaceful card. There is the sense of the Air element with the night sky. There is also a sense of the Water element with the pool she kneels at and the blue of the sky behind her. I get a feeling of the Milky Way as a pathway but also as a boundary between earthly concerns and the silence of the universe. I get a feeling of renewing the spirit, refilling the well whether emotionally or spiritually or creatively. According to the book, those seven stars in the background are the Pleiades and symbolize our heart’s home. I like that.
Light (upright) Reading:
Experience the connection to the universe, nirvana.
- Keywords: Hope, Inspiration, Tranquility, and Idealism.
Shadow (upside down or reverse) Reading:
Beware of the “dark night of the soul.”
- Keywords: False Hopes, Detachment, Self-Serving, and Skittishness.
Plots:
The Pleiades are also called the Seven Sisters, how about a seven brides for seven brothers or seven grooms for seven sisters story? Wishing on a star? A shooting star? When you stargaze you are literally looking at the past, how about a time travel story?
Perhaps a retelling of Nuit, the Egyptian goddess of the night? Or Ganymede, the cup bearer of the Greek gods, he kept their cups filled with ambrosia (the water of life, nectar of the gods, the drink of immortality)?
The water could be holy water, or wine. How about a wishing well? A baptism?
Maybe a guiding light? The North Star that guides sailors. The Star of Bethlehem. Maybe even Venus, the brightest star-like light?
- Themes: Hope, Mystical experience, Wonder, Peace/Serenity, Spiritual blessing, Inspiration, Gratitude/Generosity, or Grace.
Characters:
The Star drinks deep and is filled with renewal.
- Archetype: Soul, Visionary, or Anima (the unconscious female element of the male) — Vogler refers to this as the Shapeshifter.
The Shapeshifter archetype is also a catalyst for change, a symbol of the psychological urge to transform. ~The Writers Journey
by Christopher Vogler
- Mythical Figures: Venus, Eos, Urania, Ishtar, Eve, and Psyche.
The personality enneagram, a nine-pointed array of personality types, might also be a useful reference for character building.
The Star is E8: Boss, Top Dog, Challenger, and/or Confronter
- Self Image — I am strong
- Passion — Lust
- Virtue — Simplicity
- Narcissistic Trap — Justice
- Avoids — Weakness
- Speaking Style — Challenging or Unmasking
E8 people are instinctive, spontaneous, and intuitive. Their “gut” feeling is the center of their awareness. They are often direct or territorial. They are concerned with power, ruled by aggression, and may be troubled by self-doubt or self-blame.
Additionally, look up one of the Air signs (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius) for personality traits.
Since the dawn of time, storytellers have used the stars as launching pads to describe their most secret hopes and dreams. ~Tarot for Writers
by Corrine Kenner
Image: Gaian Tarot
Raelyn Barclay 
When I first looked at the card, I mistook part of the cloud behind her as an angelic wing. Then I looked to the other side and realized it just part of the cloud.
I love each of the cards. There’s always some sort of focus on nature, like that darling bird peacefully standing in the lower corner.
Oh, I didn’t even notice that until you mentioned it. The cloud does look like an angel wing…so many possibilities. That nature focus with a Mother Earth deity and the multicultural influences were what drew me to this deck. I’m finding I reach for this deck first more and more.
Thanks for stopping by Angela.
I have to agree that the cloud does look like angel wings. I know nothing about tarot. 😦
I knew nothing about tarot when I started either, in fact being a minister’s daughter even had a sense of unease about it, but I love using it for brainstorming. If you want to explore it more start with my Using Tarot in Writing or Tarot 101 posts.
Thanks for stopping by Brinda.
A beautiful card, I can almost feel the peace radiating from the picture and her powers of introspection. This deck is really multilayered with its imagery!
Definitely multilayered. I see new things each time I work with this deck.
Thanks for stopping by Julie.
Wow, this card is so beautiful, it literally calls me to dream and create and wish upon a star. I just love the creativity for a character this inspires me to create!
“…and wish upon a star.” I love that Jennifer!
Thanks for stopping by.
Oh, I’d never heard that the Pleiades symbolized our heart’s home – very cool. I have a very old story (and yet still a WIP, sigh) that will fit that perfectly. 🙂
Love that Cate! Maybe you can breath new life into that old WIP now 🙂
Thanks for stopping by.
Very pretty. 🙂
It is.
Thanks for stopping by Angela.
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