13. DEATH
DEATH TAROT CARD MEANING
TAROT KEY MEANINGS
Light Seer (Upright): endings, cycles of transformation, transition, change, new beliefs, newfound awareness, a symbolic death, rebirth and renewal
Shadow Seer (Reversed): not wanting to move on, clinging to the past, fear of change, sentimental attachments, forces of destruction, mortality, end of hope. mourning loss
DEATH OVERVIEW
The reaper steps into view and stares at the seeker. He knows his appearance usually causes panic, and he wants us to know that he isn’t usually meant to be taken literally. He’s here to share his healing wisdom and to illuminate the potential he holds to transmute and transform your life. Taking one step closer, he pushes his hood back to reveal his inner landscape, and his new forest, teeming with life. Its trees mimic the land you already know, yet it has the brightest of opportunities shining down from its center. He reminds us that before this new world can take root, something old must cease to be. This is the natural ebb and withering of things that are no longer being nourished, and the dying of one form so that it can shift into another. Peacefully, he watches his old reality fall away to make space for this new birth, and he opens his cloak to you during this metamorphosis, knowing that it will mark a major change in your life, and that you will emerge transformed.
After decay, the ground is abundantly fertile.
MESSAGE FROM DEATH
Energy cannot be created or destroyed. Things change. And transform. And we see this in the cycling of experiences that the death card portrays. The Death/Rebirth card in your reading suggests that you are on the cusp of a massive transformation, and that it’s time to mourn the end of one phase while celebrating the birth of a new one. The energies of transmutation and rebirth are arriving, as well as a beautiful transition that will allow you to expand your consciousness and move closer to your own divine essence. A cycle in your life is coming to an inevitable end. (Deep breath in if this scares you, sweet shadows and light! Change can be a wonderful thing!) You may be experiencing the end of a relationship, a shift in your career or in a belief you once held, or maybe you’re beginning to recognize the outdated nature of your plan for the future. Know that clinging to the past will only block the flow of positive energy in your situation. If you are longing for times gone by, know that this card is gently urging you to release what is already losing energy, and to focus on the things that are actively gaining momentum. Welcome the possibility of something new, and allow this major phase to come to a graceful end. You have gained all the lessons and wisdom you need to move on to the next chapter. Look towards the magic of this newfound life, because underneath its morbid exterior, the death card heralds exciting times filled with the brightness of so much potential! New light awaits.
QUESTIONS FOR THE SEER
• Is there an attachment that is holding you back, or keeping you from experiencing this birth of your true nature?
• What comes next, after you release the past?
• What magic are you ushering in and birthing? What new experiences and opportunities are you excited about?
• If you could be reborn, what life would you birth yourself into? And, trigger alert: Would you be able to maintain that perfect life with your current values, confidence, determination, faith, lifestyle, and attitudes? E What would need to change?
@whitneyjensen
I see a lot of light held on the loving side of darkness. I love that your deck still has darkness but I don’t
interpret it as scary or evil in any way. You have brought the love out of the darkness.
@tincantarot Such is the stuff we are made from.
@thefaeriegodmother I love it! I just wish there was more darkness in the art though, because sometimes when
you look at death it’s sort of unpleasant.
@arcanesenses This image of Death evokes possibilities for me. Like she’s the portal to a more natural rebirth!
@crowningelements I see a portal as well and a bit of a Hitchiker’s Guide to the Galaxy vibe. Death as a portal to
exploration and meaningful change.
@yogasentido Clothing waiting for a new body, new contents - all the way to the stars. A new everything.
@entrebrujastarot La muerte no representa dolor, conlleva a la paz y una nueva vida. El final representa el
principio de una nueva era. La transformación nos ofrece un nuevo panorama, una nueva visión, un nuevo nivel
de existencia, un nuevo amencer. Trascender, eliminar, sanar, renacer... es un estado puro, el todo y la nada
vibrando en infinitas posibilidades.
