Death XIII

Keywords & phrases

• Inevitable end of a matter
• Natural death, end of a cycle
• Acceptance
• Release
• Faith
• Rebirth, new beginning
• Transformation
• Growth

First impressions

And now for the most feared (and misunderstood) card in the deck. Death makes a fairly terrifying first impression in this apocalyptic scene of carnage. The Rider Waite Death card is the stuff of nightmares.

What is happening in the card?

Death rides in on his pure white stead fully suited and booted in armour, invincible and ready to vanquish all in his path. And so he does. No one can resist him.

He carries a black banner with a white rose symbolising rebirth after the passage through the unknown.

In the background, a river flows and life goes on. On the far side cliffs rise up and we see the sun rising between two towers, the same towers that we see in The Moon.

A new day is dawning. A new cycle begins. Life goes on.

How can we relate to this card?

It’s not unusual for some to respond with a shudder when this card appears, Death is death, after all.  The dark, mysterious unknown. But as any sensitive Tarot reader and writer will be quick to point out “It doesn’t mean actual death… unless, of course, it does, which it doesn’t.”

So how can we look positively on Death and relate to the message it brings without fear and dread?

Perhaps by asking ourselves what we are ready to shed or release from our lives. What should go and what might spring up to take its place? How will life go on?

Is this an opportunity for transformation and growth? What does the new day bring?

Message & affirmations

Today, I release what no longer serves me. I embrace change and transformation.

Events, situations & readings

In a relationship spread:
The end of a relationship (or phase of a relationship) that perhaps is no longer good for you, which in turn creates the space for something new and more fulfilling to develop.

In a work, business or finance spread:
Signal for the end of a cycle at work or in business. Redundancy, a new job, necessary and inevitable changes in the workplace that ultimately allow for new initiatives and growth.

In a health and wellbeing spread:
Death may indicate that the time is right for making radical changes in your habits and routines if you want to achieve physical transformation.

Reversed:
It may be that you are resisting or fearful of change right now. How might that be holding you back? Or perhaps you are struggling to let go of people and things that no longer promote your physical, emotional, mental or spiritual wellbeing.

People & interaction with other cards

Let’s talk about the Big 3: Death, The Devil and The Tower.

In the unlikely event that this apparent triad of doom shows up in a spread, you may be experiencing sudden and seismic change in your life and relationships. This may indeed be an oh f*ck  moment, but know that this is the wake-up call. A chance to tear down and banish unhealthy beliefs and patterns of behaviour and an opportunity to start again.

Questions, prompts & insights

What do you need to release from your life right now in order to move forward and grow?

What have you lost and how has that transformed you?

Featured decks & credits:
Main image from The Rider Waite Tarot.

The second featured image of Death is part of an ongoing AI art Tarot project by Still Small Voice Tarot.