The stars can charm and entice us even if we see only one of them. A small dot of brightness in a night sky might take you from the rational to thoughts of romance and the spiritual realm of the heavens. Upwards into blackness, beyond where the birds fly, we send our wishes for a better future. In 2021, the CNN News Source published an article titled, “Why do we wish on a star?”. It quoted Bertram Malle, a professor of psychology at Brown University who said, “Wishing on a star is simulating a desired future. If you then wish for something that you can control, you might strengthen your goal and initiate planning and persistence; if you wish for something you cannot control, you might at least have the momentary glow of an imagined world.”
The effect of a wish is hopefulness can take root. Hope will encourage you to trust in outcomes rather than a Chicken Little” always fearful the sky will fall down. Trust is how the imagined becomes the reality and when optimism grows. Interestingly, the Torah relies on the word trust and not faith to demonstrate an exquisite relationship with the divine. Early on “Abraham put his trust in God. . .". Genesis 15:6. Their connection was ultimately tested by God’s command to bind Issac for sacrifice. Although, he earnestly prepared to proceed, Abraham never used the knife. God had withdrawn his edict. Other than a pious person, most of us must develop a practical association to the divine and to our future.
In this context the concept of faith can be hard to grasp since it involves an intangible deity and a tomorrow which is unknown. We must admit there is an intrinsic “mystery of faith” states The Zohar, a classic Kabbalistic text. However, the notion of trust is familiar in our everyday, work world. Many people trust their dentist, lawyer, spouses, and other family members to provide good advice when asked. These individuals do not necessarily have a spiritual, effervescent component as does an imam, priest, or rabbi. For sure, some folks must earn our trust. We build on relationships to make them even more meaningful and personal.
Contrarily, fear and foreboding can creep into our thoughts and even our bodies without a sense of faith and trust. When one experiences a lack of either the consequences are realized almost immediately. You begin to get anxious. Your skin can feel clammy. Perhaps, you experience a sense of dread and obsess over possible bad endings. I am guilty of it, and know it can debilitate your energy and lower your self-esteem. However, with more faith or trust in positive outcomes, whether divinely inspired or not, you can free yourself from fear, doubt, and worry.
Let’s get back to the symbolism of a star, particularly the one in the night sky. In modern parlance the word can conjure up the image of actors, standout athletes, or fan-favorite musicians. They might be outspoken and opinionated but generally they are harmless people who have a great deal of influence in our culture. Folks look up to them and perhaps they should. However, it is dangerous to even semantically equate the bright stars in the dark heavens to false prophets and demagogues. Their linkage to the spiritual realm can be a form of reverence wrongly placed. Such is the case if you fail to recognize a wannabe dictator who masquerades as a populist president. Which is why it is imperative to trust your ability to discern truth from lies. Most importantly, trust your intuition and then use it. If you’re going to grant someone “star power” don’t be a master of self-deception and then find yourself the victim of a cruel master.
Of course, I am reminded of the tarot card, The Star. It exemplifies the process of rising from the ashes after being tested by the destructive fires of The Tower, the previous card. That was when all known structures and principles were blown-up and completely destroyed. A new way forward was mandated. From out of those blazes, the Star card arose. It represents hope, inspiration, self realization, and trust in renewal. These attributes become the north star, the guiding light to move forward and out of depression and despair. They can motivate the internal engine of the psyche and activate an indomitable spirit which is “impossible to subdue”- New Oxford Dictionary.
In a traditional deck numbered from 0-21, The Star is the XVII or 17th card in the suit of Trumps. However, I prefer the tarot's association to the Hebrew alphabet which is from 1-22. Check out the Street Smarts page on this website to learn more. The Star card alines with the 18th Hebrew letter, Tzaddi. Symbolically, she means a righteous or pious person who faithfully follows God’s commandments, as one might follow a physiotherapy regime to heal a broken leg. Zaddik can be humble and modest, as well as rich and famous. Kabbalists believe there are at least thirty-six of them, “the minimum number of anonymous righteous men {and women} living in the world in every generation. They are privileged to see the Divine Presence, and the world exists on their merit. The origin of this tradition is found in the Babylonian Talmud”. - Jewish Virtual Library.
"Abraham put his trust in God and he was merited for it” is the complete verse in Genesis 15:6. Initially, the prophet had no idea where the Promised Land was when he left the ancient Mesopotamian city of Ur to follow God's order. He had no idea how he could engender a great nation since Sarah was barren. In spite of not knowing, Abraham aimed tremendously high. In addition, he literally "walked, the walk"in a state of confidence and optimism towards a future ordained for him and only partially understood by him. In trying times faith, hope, and trust are called for. We wish for a better tomorrow not only for ourselves. However, a wish upon a star is only the beginning of it coming to life. Trust that it will. I know this might be hard to do, since most of us are not like Abraham.
“When you wish upon a star
Makes no difference who you are
Anything your heart desires
Will come to you.
If your heart is in your dream
No request is too extreme
When you wish upon a star
As dreamers do. . . . “
Go to the Side Street page on this website to finish the song from the movie, Pinocchio.
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