An excerpt from a book written in Japanese about the history and symbolism of tarot, by Kagami Ryuji. My translation:
XVII. The Star
Setting out into the vast ocean, sailors go forward in their ships, putting their trust in the stars. Glittering in the pitch-dark sky, stars symbolize hope—even in the midst of great darkness, there is light. The morning star tells of the arrival of the world of light. In Dante’s Divine Comedy, the gate of hell is engraved with the words “Abandon all hope.” In hell, the stars do not shine. Upon leaving hell, the poem tells us, again one sees the stars.
The star is also the archetype of hope. Thus, when people feel lost, they quietly sing, “I wish upon a star.”
The star symbolizes hope, ideals, and our true wishes, and also suggests the birth of new dreams and visions. In a condition of chaos, where nothing ahead could be seen, it signifies a ray of light. New possibility takes a concrete form, and, before our eyes, begins to appear. It also means facing and approaching an ideal, as a guiding star, in pure aspiration and romantic sensitivity, being receptive, perhaps combined with some other sense of values. As the figure generously pours water into the river, there is also a hint of love without reward.
Translator’s note: The Star, as illustrated (circa 1909) by Pamela Colman Smith, depicts a skyclad woman under giant stars pouring water from two vessels, one into a body of water, the other onto a shore.