[?] Subscribe To This Site

Death Tarot Card

Letting Go to Receive
The Death Tarot card is perhaps the most misunderstood and feared card of the Tarot.
In simple terms the aspect of Death within Tarot is a process of cutting away the unnecessary emotional, mental, and spiritual baggage that is no longer effective in your life.

Meaning of the Death Tarot Card
Beliefs that you have developed about yourself and concepts that others have taught you can keep you in conflict and in a state of confusion.
Like liberation from the sufferings of Life, The Death Tarot Card can, like a snake shedding it's skin; enable the opportunity of transformations and new creative growth.
The flower dies to reveal the fruit, the fruit dies to reveal the seed, the seed dies to reveal the plant. The plant grows to make the flower, the flower dies to reveal the fruit ad finium.

The Number 13
The Death Tarot Card is card number thirteen and I will briefly discuss the occult numerology of the Death Tarot Card.
Our society has reinforced the number thirteen is unlucky, I am here to teach you otherwise. One is not officially a teenager until the age of thirteen. It is the death of childhood.
There were twelve disciples of Christ, he was number thirteen. The Death card of the Qabbalah is nun which means "fish". This of course was an emblem of Christ and a symbol of life beneath the waters or life traveling through the waters. Similar to when one is in utero.

Our day is divided into twelve hours, thus the 13th hour is the end and the beginning.
Traditionally there are 12 zodiac signs. This ignores one of thelargest constellations of our Heavenly skies. Ophiochus, the serpent bearer. The Serpent Bearer circles after Scorpio (the ruler of the Death Tarot card), thus is the Thirteenth sign.
One of this constellations deities is Hercules, whom is known for his 12 labors which symbolized the sun's (son's) passage through the twelve houses of the zodiac.....after this, he was clothed as the sacred King and sacrificed (made sacred). Only to be reborn. So Death is the end and the beginning.

For more on the mysterious thirteen -
Ophiuchus the serpent bearer of the zodiac

The symbols of the Death Tarot

death tarot card

Image from Photo bucket by Jessica Colle

The Death Tarot card usually portrays a skeleton with scythe. The reaping skeleton is a symbol of death but the skeleton is the foundation of the body. The Shamans whom dressed as skeletons were the personification of Death. At the same time, like the seed of the fruit after the flesh has rotted away, the bones represent the potential for rebirth. The shaman initiate must die to be reborn and to attain the immortal knowledge. The Shaman is reborn from the bones to a higher order of existence.

The Cycle of the Moon
The blade of the scythe is a crescent moon, the time of new growth and awareness.
There are thirteen moons within the solar year, and once; thirteen moons was the natural calendar.A seven day week was defined by the change in shape of the moon. Every seven days the moon changes from dark, to new, to full, to waning, to dark. This is how the week was defined.

Let go and Renew
The Card does not mean physical death but defines a radical, external transformation. It defines freedom from old patterns, behavior and thoughts. Some may fear this change but it is a liberation from the ego. From oneself. It is a time for renewal and singing the bones back to life.

Fear of Death prevents one from living. When we embrace life and thus death, knowing that any action may be our last; then our actions can become impeccable, only then in one totally at union with their environment and living in the Now.

The Darkest Hour is before Dawn
The traditional card is more symbolic of the astrology and myth. Death in armor refers to Scorpio's external shell. Death rides on the white Mare of Night or the hag of Death no one can escape. Carrying a flag of black representing the all pervading darkness of our selves and our worlds; it also supports the pure white Rose of Creation, that is the ever-flowering, mandala creation of life.
The Pope may appeal to death but merely stands almost worshiping the power of Death and the power it bestows him.
In the distance, the rising sun is approaching. The dark night of the soul is always followed by Dawn.

Meet the Tarot Priestess

This site is updated as regularly as possible and is created entirely by myself when time and energy permits. If you appreciate this I would certainly appreciate any donation.Thank you.