Major Arcana - The Star

Leaving the Tower behind the Fool is drawn to the brightest Star in the sky, Sirius or Hope. A young naked woman is pouring water from two receptacles, it's symbolic of the elixir of energy. One receptacle is emptied in a small lake, the other on the ground, this symbolises the connection between the Inner and outer world, the Emotional and physical. The two trees in the background are the same two trees found in Paradise, the Tree of Life and that of Knowledge. The ibis is the Connection between Heaven and Earth. The butterfly representing the Soul. The Star leads the way, quiets the mind and heals. The Seven stars around it is the Seven Pillars of Wisdom or Truth.

The Fool must learn to trust his Guiding Star, to always keep Love, Truth and Hope closest to his Heart moving forward to fulfil his Destiny. Happiness and the promise of positive developments are the symbols of the Star. As the Fool journeys on his Path he must trust his Creativity, Intuition and have the Courage to follow his Idealism. He's expanding his mind to a much more Spiritual mindset...

In the Kabbalah the number 17 is connected to Light in the darkness, a new life and strength. The symbolism of the eight sided Star is that of hope and success. It provides confidence, happiness and support in times of hardship.

The Star will always support you as soon as you reach further than you thought possible before. The Star bestows you with confidence and happiness as you move towards the expansion of your consciousness. Both Aquarius and Nuit share the sign of two irregular lines, keep that in mind when you reach for the Stars...

 

Major Arcana - The Empress

It's time to meet your mother, the Fool has now grown quite a bit already and the next person he meets on his journey is his mother. The Empress. She symbolises Mother Earth, she's warm, loving and nurturing. She's the world of nature and sensation, her sceptre and shield represents power and spiritual strength coupled with intuition. She's fruitful and personifies Venus, temptation and truth. Venus was the Roman Goddess responsible for grain and crops among other things.

She's number 3 in the Major Arcana and that's a number of fertility and procreation. It's also a number of memory and represents past, present and future. 

This card of the Arcana reminds us of our collective relationship to and responsibility for Mother Earth. It asks us to look at ourselves and our needs, our attitudes and demands. Maybe it's time we stop ransacking the Earth out of greed and profit. 

So when is The Empress there to help you? When you're trying to live a more earth-centred life, that's when she'll be there, connect with her energy by going back to basics, spend time in nature, watch the night sky, do some gardening, become attuned to the seasons and spend time around animals. Let these activities become your meditation....