Ruby Jewel
Well, we are assuming it is water, but is it? It may be oil, or 'the water of life' (he that drinks of the water I shall give him shall never thirst again) or 'amrita' .
Did you see my link to Stella Maris ... Our Lady Star of the Sea ? She is the personification of the star energy you and Thirteen mention. Sailors would pray to her in storms. And she would calm the waters.
Now look at this and consider the woman in the star card;
http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Popul...ugust_1893/Why_a_Film_of_Oil_Can_Calm_the_Sea
On another level :
When she traverses the dark night of the soul, finds her star and guiding light, her purpose, what is she to do then? Sit in a cave and meditate?
No. She gives out her purpose, her will and work in the world, she pours 'her essence' forth.
In the Thoth Star card she pours one out and one over herself. To me this very much suggests the 'fountain technique' , a cycling and circulation of energies 'through and over the self ... a 'shower of star energy' - it is an important process in self-healing and revitalisation.
Perhaps it also suggests the 'natal baptism' of cosmic forces ( our 'astrological graces' inherited at birth) which help us find and define what our life purpose is and what our special 'offering' will be.
It all makes for an interesting combination; water is a symbol for the emotions, feelings and the unconscious (as the Moon also is) . When it is disturbed the surface is rough. Normally the surface is how we traverse this 'crossing'. Internally, when this part of us is upset or disturbed we can feel it inside. Like a rough or choppy feeling , or a surging and heaving to and fro ( or 'butterflies' in the 'stomach') . A healing here, has a calming and stabilizing effect, our 'Hara' ( centre just below the naval) becomes stabilized and can even feel like a sloshy body of water becoming calm and still. This can also be achieved by the 'fountain techniques' or similar yogic tantric practice to stabilize and vitalise the whole 'auric field' .
Here is a little visualisation of it @ 6:45 - 8:55
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDlC7oG_2W4
Well, I did look at Our Lady Star of the Sea and found it very significant. I particularly relate to the idea that she "leads" the sailors home. That seems to be a theme found in other perennial philosophies.....ie the Star of Bethlehem and the three wise men. When I think of the Star in the tarot, I see it in terms of the Papus structure in which she is a part of the triad 16 (Tower), 17 (Star), and 18 (Moon) at the conclusion of the Night Sea Journey through the Underworld (13 through 18). The next and last card after the Star is the Moon, and I see the Star as leading the lost Fool through the Moon Card (of addiction, nervous breakdown, etc) in the Underworld, down the path that goes through the Towers in that card........out of the Dark Night into the Sun Card (18). A true Guiding Spirit/Star.
I see what you mean about "pouring her essence forth." Since the pond is right there which she dips from, I am satisfied that it is water that she pours. Especially since she is Aquarius, the Water Bearer. Perhaps like Prometheus who brought fire to mankind, she brings water.....water to drink and water to soak the earth for the plant kingdom. For, without water, there is no Hope for mankind.....none whatsoever.