Death: Read the Card

(Tarot Prompts for Writers)

Here’s a compilation of my notes on reading Death as a card of the day or in a spread.

If you’re just learning tarot, use the deck that most appeals to you, and spend some time looking at your card. What does it say to you? (See my description of Death as I see it.)

Tarot is personal and open-ended. There are traditional meanings — and yes, you should know them if you want to read tarot cards — but it really only “works” if you follow what the cards mean to you personally. Your death and my death may not mean quite the same thing.

Number

13 is generally considered unlucky or even malevolent. No one wants to live on the 13th floor, even in our supposedly rational era. The number signifies upheaval and destruction, but it can be seen as having a transformative wake.

Name

Death is universally feared. There’s nothing personal here, but on that same cold note, there’s nothing that can be moved. Death comes to us all, whether we are prepared or not, and it does not care what you think of it. Though optimistic people say Death is about transformation and rebirth, it’s really about death, and time, and how everything ends. Everything that came before you has died, and everything that comes after you will die. There may be rebirth or transformation, but first there is Death — and few look forward to that.

Placement

The Death card comes near the middle of the major arcana — not at the end. This suits the traditional idea that one should devote a great portion of mature life to ensuring a good death. The card’s appearance does not mean that death is coming soon, but it reminds you that certain chapters of your life are over, and all will end one day and you should remember this. The card tells you to live with the knowledge that you will die and all will die, to live more deliberately on this account.

Traditional interpretations

The Death card warns of a significant change coming, one that is unexpected and yet the natural outcome of a situation. Death indicates personal endings, mortality, destruction, upheaval, calamity, and loss. It can also warn of greater disaster, revolution, war, plague, or social upheaval. Whether the destruction is on a grand or small scale, Death may be a blessing in disguise. Or at least you’ll be able to tell yourself that eventually, when the crying’s done.

Don’t despair if you get this card, but gird your loins. Every life includes grief along the way, small deaths at the ends of chapters — your own childhood, your children’s childhoods, etc. — and this card tells you to suffer and grieve and move on and embrace the next phase of life.

The card does indicate the death of something, but it also usually signifies rebirth. Destruction for renewal, a clearing of the land for something new to grow. Death can be a liberator and change can be opportunity. But change is scary, and death is scarier. Know that you are not alone — it comes to us all.

The appearance of this card can indicate a need to get rid of the outdated or superfluous parts of your life in order to move better into the future. It can mean you’re clinging to things you need to let go of. Or it can mean real death, divorce, failure, and loss. Something will give way, but that will allow something else to flourish.

Reverse interpretations

The card reversed has two main interpretations:

First, bad news. At best, the enforced removal of something you should have let go long ago. At worst, hope destroyed. Know the difference between pain and suffering, and do not allow yourself to suffer more than necessary. You may be the cause of your own problems. Accept, change, and move on. You are not alone in suffering and grief.

A second interpretation is of inertia, lethargy, a sleepwalking life. Wake up! You are stagnating – no change, no growth, no accomplishments – and you must change now to realize your potential. You’re disappointed with what is but you’re not making the most of it. Stop clinging to the past and to your foolish dreams. Get real. This is your life. It won’t last. Beware of becoming a caricature of yourself. Embrace life.

Thematic readings

In love, a relationship is ending. There will be drama, imbalance, intensity, grief. But this is a transformative stage. Don’t despair.

In work, you’ll experience a painful end to professional development. It’s time to prepare for a new phase of your work-life. Don’t think it can be avoided. Don’t just suffer through it; take on some new leadership into the future.

In general life, a difficult time is coming; endure it and persevere. Recognize that every life experience includes an opportunity to learn and grow. You are approaching the end of a phase, but another phase may begin. A new era is ahead. Remember that you’re not above suffering — you may have escaped it thus far but it can’t be escaped forever — but it may aid your development if you turn to deeper concerns and recognize your connection to all life.

Specific positions

Current situation: Embrace change. Let go of the past and move on. The card can indicate health crises, but more often tells of emotional or spiritual difficulties that you have to move on from.

Past influence: Your old self is dead; be your new self. (But know that your new life may not be better than your old, and you may not be ready for it.) Your resistance to change is not to your benefit.

Outcome: Change is coming. It will be temporarily painful, but it may be better in the longterm. At any rate, it’s coming and you can’t escape it, ready or not.

Blocked: The card warns of the need to renew yourself to avoid stagnation. You may be unable to move on, stuck and inert. The solution is to change and progress. Don’t fear. Get out of your own way.

Questions for the Querent

Do you have any reaction at first sight of this card? What do you focus on?
Do you see this card as indicating real death? Spiritual renewal?
What has Death taken from your life so far?
Do you have things to clear from the field in your life?
Are you living the life you want? What do you want your life to have been, at the end of it all, looking back?
How do you feel about your own death? Do you keep it in mind?
Do you see Death as a great equalizer?
If you had but little time left, what would you do with it?
Do you feel that your life has been a gift?

Keywords to aid Memory

Change
Passage
Renewal
Transformation

Write

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Images on this page are by the following artists: Banner, left to right: Marseilles deck engraved by Nicolas Conver; Dragon Tarot illustrated by Roger and Linda Garland; Tarot Balbi by Domenico Balbi; Gilded Tarot by Ciro Marchetti; Radiant Rider-Waite deck illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith (also shown in box); Druid Craft deck illustrated by Will Worthington.