The Archetype and The Tarot: The Guardian and The Star

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This post is part of our January experiment exploring the Guardian archetype all month long through weekly pairings with tarot cards. If you missed the introduction to the Guardian and this month's journey (and the attunment ritual), you can read it here. I’m so excited to explore the Guardian with all of you! 💕

Dearest Readers,

May you feel the gentle light of guidance in your life today. May you trust that even in times of uncertainty, a luminous star shines to remind you of your true path. And may you know the power of guardianship—both in protecting what is sacred and in trusting the forces that hold you in return. 💖

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I feel like our journey with the Guardian has been especially blessed because for this first week, the card I drew to pair it with is The Star! At first glance, these two may seem like unlikely companions. The Guardian, with its themes of protection, boundaries, and preservation, might appear firmly grounded in the physical and immediate, while The Star’s ethereal energy is expansive, hopeful, and otherworldly. Yet, as we explore this pairing, I believe we’ll find a profound harmony between them. Together, they offer a potent message about how to hold space for the sacred—both in ourselves and in the world around us.

The Star tarot card from (L to R) the Mary-El Tarot deck, the Rider-Waite-Smith deck, and Leonara Carrington’s major arcana series.

The Star as the Guardian’s Light

In the tarot, The Star arrives after the upheaval of The Tower. To me, it represents hope, renewal, and a deep sense of faith in the larger cosmic order. The Star invites us to connect with our inner guidance and trust that even amidst chaos, there is a higher alignment at play. Its imagery from the RWS deck—a figure pouring water between the earth and a flowing stream beneath a starlit sky—reminds us of the delicate balance between grounding and flow, boundaries and openness.

When paired with The Guardian, The Star offers an illuminating perspective. Guardianship, while often associated with protection and defense, is not merely about creating barriers; it’s about safeguarding the spaces where light can enter. The Star reminds the Guardian that true guardianship is not only about shielding against harm but also about holding vigil for the sacred possibilities of renewal, hope, and inspiration.

The Star asks: What is the light you guard, and how does it guide you? This question opens the door for reflection on how we, as Guardians, can embody trust in the greater unfolding, while still tending to the sanctity of our inner and outer worlds.

Guardianship and the Act of Trust

One of the most profound gifts The Star offers the Guardian archetype is the reminder to trust. Guardianship often calls for vigilance, a watchful presence that ensures the safety and continuity of what is sacred. Yet, unbalanced, this vigilance can become exhausting, rigid, or fear-based, closing us off to connection. The Star’s hopeful energy speaks directly to this shadow of the Guardian, offering its gentle assurance that not everything needs to be tightly controlled.

The Star’s wisdom invites us to soften, to consider that true guardianship is a co-creative act with the Universe. While we guard what matters most—our boundaries, our sacred spaces, our inner light—The Star reminds us that we are not alone in this work. There are greater forces at play, and trusting these forces allows us to step into guardianship not from a place of fear but from a place of grace.

The Guardian’s Role in Protecting the Light

If The Star represents the light of hope and inspiration, then one of The Guardian’s roles is to ensure that this light is not extinguished. This pairing also reminds us that hope and faith require tending—they need healthy boundaries to flourish. As humans, we are constantly navigating spaces where our inner light meets the outer world. The Guardian calls us to protect the places within ourselves where inspiration and renewal live.

The image I see here is one of a sacred flame, a source of warmth and illumination. The Guardian archetype holds the responsibility of keeping this flame alive, shielding it from winds that might blow it out while ensuring it does not become smothered from lack of air. The Star’s gentle message helps the Guardian discern the balance: to guard the flame without trapping it, to nurture its light while allowing it to shine freely.

In practical terms, this might mean creating boundaries that protect our creative energy, our spiritual practices, or our emotional well-being. It might also mean recognizing when our boundaries have become so rigid that they block the flow of inspiration. The Star’s presence invites us to reflect on how we can guard our light with clarity and trust, leaving space for it to expand.

Practical wisdom for Guardianship this week

The pairing of The Guardian and The Star offers several practical insights for navigating daily life. Here are a few ways we might implement their combined wisdom:

1. Creating Sacred Space: The Guardian archetype reminds us of the importance of boundaries, but The Star encourages us to make those boundaries porous enough to let the light in. Let’s consider where we might need to adjust our boundaries—strengthening them where they feel too loose, softening them where they’ve become rigid.

2. Tending the Inner Flame: The Star’s message of hope and renewal is a call to tend to the things that bring us inspiration and joy. What lights you up? How can you protect time and space for these activities, even amidst the demands of daily life?

3. Trusting the Larger Picture: Guardianship can feel heavy when we believe the weight of the world rests on our shoulders. The Star reminds us to trust the larger cosmic order, releasing the need to control everything and instead focusing on what is ours to tend. Are there ways we could practice trusting in the Universe a bit more this week?

4. Balancing Rest and Vigilance: The Star’s serene energy contrasts with the Guardian’s watchfulness, reminding us that rest is essential to effective guardianship. Where might you need to step back, allowing yourself to be replenished by the light?

Some additional questions to consider/journal about this week:

• Why do think this pair is showing up in your life right now?

• Where might you be holding on too tightly, guarding from fear rather than love?

• How might you open yourself to trusting that the sacred is already held in ways beyond what you alone can provide?

• How can you guard your sense of hope against cynicism?

I can’t wait to hear all about how you’re relating with The Guardian and The Star this week! Let’s chat about in the comments. 🤗