A woman pours water from two urns, onto the ground and into a pool while stars hang in the background. Stars are a symbol of inspiration and hope. The woman is both refilling the pool so those who are thirsty can drink and watering the earth so that plants can grow to nourish the hungry.

Following the collapse of the tower, the Fool needs to find a new path. He needs to look ahead for healing and hope. The Star is not a card of practical solutions or final answers, but it suggests you should take positive action. Sometimes it heralds help arriving unexpectedly.

The Star’s presence signifies a period of respite, inspiration, and renewal for you. This renewal may be spiritual, physical, or both, and requires serenity. It is a particularly positive sign if you or someone close is recovering from illness or injury, and a symbol of hope. It is a light in the darkness, illuminating your future and your past.

A smiling young man is gathering dropped swords while looking at two embarrassed opponents, one of whom appears to be weeping. He has won his battle, perhaps fairly, perhaps not, but he has some advantage over the competition and is happy that he has prevailed.

There are times when you need to decide to lose or that it’s best to surrender. Pride can make us blind to our own shortcomings. It can bait us into battles we aren’t prepared for or shouldn’t be fighting in the first place. You might have allowed yourself to be deceived, tricked, or goaded into fighting, and have lost the respect of those around you. As you struggle through your disappointment, you realize that the only solution is to learn from your mistakes, limits and weaknesses.

This card indicates conflict in your life. Worse yet, it is closely associated with defeat and betrayal. It is likely that the defeat will be traumatic, and you will need to surrender, retreat and regroup. Your may have suffered injury to your pride or self-esteem, but the Five of Swords is also a warning of a potential to get caught in the cycle. Handle defeat with grace, move on, and success will come to you.