Traditionally The Star can refer to themes of spiritual healing, the light at the end of the tunnel, the balance between heaven and earth or the spiritual and the mundane, purity and spiritual guidance.  The Star can symbolize experiencing the boundless, free abundance of the Universe.  Unbounded or psychological or psychic energy is flowing to you.  You're feeling personally energized and filled enthusiasm.  There is a never ending supply of this powerful resource within you that can be used in any way you desire.

Gail Fairfield:  You are welcoming a new flow of energy and resources into your life.  You are experiencing a new burst of confidence or a feeling that you can accomplish whatever you want to achieve.  You have the power to do it.  You can use the energy that is coming to you for any projects that are important to you.  You are receiving support or resources from you real-world activities.  You could be getting money, possessions, attention, or labor from an outside source.  You are aware of the abundance in the world and open to receiving it.

Karen Mahony chose a Romanian fairy tale of The Fairy of the Dawn to illustrate this card.  After reading her retelling of the story I wasn't sure how it fit.  Luckily Karen explains her logic:  "Hope, in all its aspects, is the most essential meaning of The Star card, and the story of "The Fairy of the Dawn" can help us to think about this concept from several perspectives.  The story begins with the father's lack of hope in the future, and his conviction that his sons won't be able to cope once they are in charge.  Then we see the sons' lack of courage and hope when they confront the dragon; each runs away in despair.  It's the youngest son alone who at least goes back home and asks for help; he doesn't entirely give up his hope, and as it turns out, a way is indeed found to get past the dragon."

Looking at these cards I am struck by the sense of hope that shines from Anne Morrow Lindbergh's face.  She seems a bit unsure and fragile, maybe even frightened but there is still a sense of hope and faith that comes through.  I have no idea at what time in her life this photo was taken, but the fact that she was able to survive and triumph despite being at the center of one of the century's most notorious kidnapping cases certainly suggests that Anne Morrow Lindbergh knew a thing of two about hope and faith.

The Fairy of Dawn has something of a petulant, disinterested look on her face.  Her expression does not inspire any confidence that she will prove helpful in dealing with the situation.  Despite this off-putting expression, Petru has faith that she will help him.  His hopes and dreams sustain him and enable him to push past her seeming disinterest and state his case.  Despite all of the adventures and challenges he has endured, Petru still hopes for the best.

Perhaps what these cards are telling me is that what I most need to know today is that I have to have faith.  I have to hold on to hope with both hands and not let it slip through my fingers.  The Star is often presented as a card of healing and of spiritual balance.  I am not yet at that place in my life but I do feel it getting closer.  What I need to keep in mind is that if I don't keep hope alive, if I don't have faith in myself, then I'll be stuck in that darkness that surrounds me.  I also need to remember that it's a reciprocal energy.  It's not always about me giving to others, it's also about others giving to me.  I tend to have a real challenge with accepting assistance or support from others.  I still cling to the idea that I'm one of those "rugged individualists" America likes to hold in such high esteem.  And that attitude is all well and good if I'm starring in a John Wayne movie, but in reality it creates and emotional and spiritual drain.  It reminds me of The Celestine Prophecy when the author describes watching interactions between people that resulted in the theft of energy.  It was as if the people he observed were psychic vampires, recharging their own batteries at the expense of others.  I think this probably happens more often than any of us realize.  In order to avoid being drained like those people I need to be sure I'm re-charging my own batteries in a positive and healthy way.  If I can't do this then I'll be drained and useless to everyone, including myself.