Twinn Swan

A nude woman kneels, her foot resting upon a pool of water and her knee on dry land. The woman pours water from two jugs, one into the pool and the other onto the land. Eight stars that are eight-pointed sparkle in the sky. The central star is significantly larger and more defined than the rest. In the background, an ibis sits on a tree.

In Egyptian mythology, the ibis was a symbol for the moon god Thoth. According to the story, the ibis used its long beak to cleanse the crocodile’s mouth after it had swallowed Osiris’ corpse. Due to this, the ibis was identified as a protector of the deceased. With time, the bird came to represent a transition from one state and realm to another state and realm.

The mythical qualities of the ibis reveal the human yearning to seek meaning beyond material reality. We all know, on some level, that what death takes, it does not give back. We will all have to leave this world someday. The star, therefore, represents that a permanent change is about to come into our life. One from which we can never go back to where we came or emerged from.

The ibis reflects our own hopes, dreams and our timeless need to make sense of–and find magic within–the material world around us. We know that there is so much to this world beyond what we can see, know and understand; let alone fathom.

AFTER DESTRUCTION

After the lightning strike of The Tower comes the cool calm of The Star. After The Tower has dismantled and destroyed those things that were holding us back, the Star awakens us to our new uncluttered environment. For the first time, in a truly long time, we give ourselves the space to see exactly who we are. All the things that we tried to hold onto are now gone. It is time to take a breath. It is time to take the steps necessary to move on and never look back.

It is time to realise that despite the destruction that has taken place, something has been preserved. That ‘something’ is your future. It is still there, waiting for you and waiting to be created. I think there is a strong relationship between the two cups behind the black-cloaked figure in the Five of Cups; and the two jugs in the Star. What we have most likely experienced is the destruction of something or even someone that was truly toxic. Now, we can move onto something bigger, bolder and better.

After destruction, what remains is not our bodies or our material existence. What remains is our karma, our desires and our pending futures. The past is gone, but the future still remains.

Liberation

The Star comes to grant us liberation and freedom (see Moksha). The time has come to let go. Do not hold onto anyone or anything anymore. The time has come to release and to surrender. You deserve so much more than a life that is chained to The Devil.

The nude woman is now finally free to be herself and show the world who is really is. She finally realises that she has spent most of her life staying true to a facade that someone else built up. With the Star on the horizon, we become aware of our own unique destiny. The nude woman now no longer has anything to prove to anyone. She has a strong sense of self-worth now. She knows who she is and she will not apologise to anyone for choosing to be herself.

This is me. This is who I am. This is how my Maker made me.

When the Star appears, it reminds you to believe in yourself and in the Universe’s support to reach and achieve all your goals. You do not need to follow a false belief system which has not led you to your heartfelt goals. So many people spend their lives trying to be what others want them to be. When the Star appears, it reminds us not to waste time trying to live up to false ideals or ideologies, especially if they have not brought you peace. You must trust the vision that God has for your life and place your trust in the Universe.

This card also has numerous healing connotations. The Star offers you a a reprieve: a chance to make peace with the turmoil that you’ve experienced in your life. Remember that despite your battle scars, you can still be vulnerable. You can still choose to trust and show up in the world as who you are; and not who everyone else wants you to be.

If there are people around you who do not appreciate and value you for your authentic self, perhaps the time has come to move on (see Six of Swords). The star reminds us that each of us is born to shine in our own unique way.