Major Arcana, number 17
The Star meaning and how to read it
- upright
- hope, wishes, healing, inspiration
- reversed
- disappointment, unrealistic hopes, low confidence
The Star shows a woman pouring water at the water's edge under a sky of stars. After the storm of the Tower comes quiet hope and healing.
Updated September 23, 2026
The Star upright meaning
Upright, the road to your wish is getting clearer. Even without quick results, follow the distant light and what was hurt slowly heals.
It is also a card of inspiration and having your gifts recognized. Picturing the ideal is itself a source of strength right now.
The Star reversed meaning
Reversed, your ideal is so high that you are shrinking yourself, or something you hoped for did not happen. Move the goal within reach and hope comes back.
The Star in love and feelings
Upright
Love with hope in it. Even if it has not taken shape yet, it grows over time. It turns up often for long-distance love and for someone you admire.
Reversed
You have projected so much onto them that the real person disappoints you. Start by seeing them as they are.
In the place of their feelings
They feel admiration and hope toward you. Because they care, they are closing the distance carefully.
The Star for career and money
Upright
Your talent is recognized and you come closer to the work you want. Strong for creative work and turning ideas into something real.
Reversed
The goal is vague and your drive fades. Break what you can do now into small steps and the sense of progress returns.
The Star as a future card
As a future card, hope and recovery. It often comes after a period that felt like rock bottom, the card of rebuilding.
The Star in a yes or no reading
uprightYesreversedDepends
Upright, yes: things move toward your wish. Reversed, depends: bring your hopes in line with reality and the way opens.
The Star as a birth card
The Star is your personality card if the digits reduce to 17. Born on March 7, 1960: 3 + 7 + 1960 = 1970, and 1 + 9 + 7 + 0 = 17. Then 1 + 7 = 8, so the soul card is Strength. Because of how the sums work, it only appears for people born in the 1960s or earlier.