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Death and its powerful message in tarot

Death is Major Arcana card No. 13

Death, like the Devil, is one of the most feared cards when it shows up. However, its meaning isn’t literal; it doesn’t mean death, nor does it point to anyone’s death. Death carries a strong and decisive meaning, whether upright or reversed in a reading.

Card Correspondences:

Kabbalistically, this card is linked with the planets Pluto and Mars, the letter Mem, and the number 40.
Esoterically, it’s associated with the zodiac sign Scorpio, the element Water, and the season of Spring.

Numerologically, it represents the number 13 or 4 (13=1+3=4), symbolizing change and transformation, which can be seen as positive for some and negative for others.

Visual Description of the Card:

The card shows Death in person, riding a white horse and holding a black-and-white banner. Death is depicted as a skeleton, since the bones of the human body are the part that survives death.
The armor Death wears indicates they are invincible, and indeed, no one has yet triumphed over death. The white horse that Death rides symbolizes purity, which shows that death is the ultimate purification. Everything is reborn, fresh, new, and pure.

In the card, you can see a bishop bowing down, and people of all ages and social statuses are represented here—men, women, and children—showing that death makes no distinction based on age, race, gender, social class, or material possessions. This is further emphasized by the golden crown lying on the ground, belonging to a dead king.

The banner Death carries has a black background, symbolizing the absence of light. The white rose on it represents beauty, purification, and immortality.

In the background, there’s a rising sun, symbolizing immortality, as the sun “appears to die” each night, only to rise again each morning. The two thick pillars guard the gateway to the sun, symbolizing the knowledge needed to achieve immortality.

The boat in the water represents the vessel that carries souls across the river Styx, which, in Greek mythology, marks the boundary between the world of the living and the dead.

The background is a neutral gray, once again showing Death’s impartiality.

Death Upright:

Death and its powerful message in tarot
Death and its powerful message in tarot

General Meaning:

This card represents new beginnings, change, transformation, transition, and the end of cycles.
It’s the “death” of something in the sense of a deep, radical change. It doesn’t imply the death of the querent or anyone else, so there’s no need to panic when this Major Arcana card appears.

The change it announces is usually positive, but the other cards will help determine what the change refers to. It could be the arrival of a new person, a drastic career shift, a major move, or even a change in long-held beliefs.

This change is often sudden and disruptive. One phase of your life ends to make way for something better. It’s about letting go and leaving the past behind, a deep cleansing that opens the door to new and potentially better opportunities.

The change could be external, but there’s often a significant inner shift as well. The more open you are to the change, and the less resistance or control you try to exert, the more beneficial the transformation will be for you.

Because the change is usually unexpected, it may initially feel scary or negative, which is normal. But soon, you’ll realize that it was for the best and that it will benefit you in the long run.

It’s about shedding unnecessary baggage—letting go of unhealthy attachments or even breaking bad habits, such as addictions to drugs or alcohol.

If the Death card appears as the final outcome, it’s a great omen. Major changes and deep transformations will occur in many areas of your life, and these changes will create a purging shake-up.

If it appears in reference to a person, it indicates that this individual is open to change, mentally flexible, ready to take on challenges, restart from scratch, and undergo a complete transformation. They may already be changing, or the card may be signaling their upcoming transformation, but change is the key word here.

If Death appears to describe a situation, it may point to the end of something—a long-term relationship, a job you’ve held for years, or even a situation of poverty if you’ve been in that place. Alternatively, it could represent a sudden reversal from having money to not having it.

The context matters. The situation described is one of change or impending change, and it will be for the better, bringing new and necessary elements.

Love:

In terms of love, if you’re in a relationship, positive changes are coming. Any obstacles that have been holding you back will be overcome, and the relationship will evolve and strengthen.
If you’re single or waiting for love, it’s on its way. A significant romance may appear with the potential to become a long-lasting, meaningful relationship. This card can also indicate radical changes in your lifestyle, possibly pointing to a move or major renovations in your home.

One important message from this card is that if you’re in an unhappy relationship but are afraid to leave because of loneliness or are stuck in routine, it’s time for serious self-reflection—both internally and with your partner.

Positive changes and improvements are possible, but if they aren’t, you’ll need to accept things and finally let go of the relationship. Either things change for the better, or they change from the root, but change is inevitable when Death appears.

Work:

When it comes to work, favorable changes are coming—new, fresh, and brilliant ideas. You’re convinced and full of faith in what you’re doing. Relationships with bosses, colleagues, partners, or subordinates are excellent, and there’s support as everyone is fully engaged in their tasks.
On the other hand, if your job makes you unhappy, whether due to what you do or how much you earn, this card urges you to make a big change without fear. The change you choose will be the right one, and you shouldn’t let fear keep you tied to the security of your current job. The change will be favorable, so decide to make it.

Money and Finances:

Luck may strike like a flash of light in your life, and unexpected financial gains could come your way. Inheritance or surprise monetary windfalls are possible. It’s a good time to diversify, expand, grow, and make all sorts of investments.
However, as mentioned earlier, Death can also signal the opposite: moving from financial well-being to near ruin. This will depend on other cards present (for example, the 5 of Pentacles).

If that’s the case, try to minimize the impact and change whatever has led to your downfall: bad decisions, poor investments, overspending, unnecessary and superfluous expenses, or money lent out that hasn’t been returned, or loans that are impossible to pay back.

Health:

Your health is also highly favored by this card. You’ll recover or heal from an illness, and you’ll have strength and vitality. If you’re dealing with serious or long-term illnesses, improvements are on the way.
It signals excellent overall health recovery. As you can see, it announces quite the opposite of dying!

Spirituality:

Now is the time to cultivate a positive attitude. You need to understand that the changes you’re going through will benefit you, so try not to resist them.
Even if you’re in the middle of a “dark night of the soul,” know that this too shall pass. Don’t fight the change. Let yourself feel what you’re feeling, but don’t wallow in pain or sadness.

If you need help, ask for it. Even if you feel alone in the world, you’ll find someone willing to open their arms and provide you with help and support.

Death Reversed:

Death reversed
Death reversed

General Meaning:

When this card is reversed, it loses all the positive connotations of the upright position. Change is still happening, but it mainly signifies that what’s complicating matters is your strong resistance to change.
Often, changes initially seem negative, but over time, they turn out to be highly beneficial. If you’re reluctant to make these changes, things won’t improve for you.

The surrounding cards will determine whether the change is good and necessary to make. If Death stands alone, describing specific things, its meaning is negative.

Love:

In love, it signals breakups. There may be cheating and infidelity. Your partner’s attitude may suddenly change, or you yourself may start to display unexpected behavior.
Long-term relationships may face complications, and if you’re single and looking for love, you might not meet the right people. There’s a risk of being lied to and emotionally deceived.

This card also indicates that you need to take a deep look at yourself and your attitudes, especially focusing on improving your self-esteem. Ultimately, that’s what others see, and they accept or reject you based on it.

It doesn’t mean everything is lost, but caution is needed. Deep conversations, communication, and expressing what you think and feel are the ways to avoid a collapse.

Work:

When it comes to work, this card is practically begging you to switch jobs. You need to innovate, generate new ideas, and think differently.
It may point to the end of a working relationship or partnership. Your attitude is key here; if you don’t adapt or adjust to what’s required, the risk to your job is serious. You must commit, do your part, and meet expectations.

Money:

Regarding money and finances, Death reversed is certainly negative. You may suffer financial losses due to poor decisions or just plain bad luck. For example, you could be poorly advised and buy shares of a company that collapses shortly after.
There may be theft of money, and lending is not advisable as the chances of getting it back are slim. This is not a good time to gamble or try your luck.

The only consolation is that, as they say, “money comes and goes.” So, hold on to the belief that this won’t last forever. Financial failures and setbacks are something everyone experiences to some extent. Don’t let money become the central focus of your life because just as it went, it will reappear.

Health:

This card doesn’t indicate death—yours or anyone else’s—but you need to pay special attention to your health when this Major Arcana appears reversed.
Problems you haven’t taken seriously enough may worsen if left untreated. If you’re recovering from an illness, it may be a slow and lengthy process. Consult a doctor, take care of yourself, from routine blood pressure checks to more complex exams. Eat healthily.

Sometimes we worry about an ailment and don’t consult a doctor out of fear, but if you do, you’ll likely find it’s not as serious as you imagined, and you’ll think, “Why didn’t I do this sooner?” Prevention is key right now.

Spirituality:

Whenever Death appears in any configuration or context, it’s particularly important to cultivate a positive attitude.
Naturally, there are times in life when maintaining a positive outlook is difficult, but you must avoid falling into pain, negativity, pessimism, or anything that pushes you toward depression and sadness.

Everything, absolutely everything, changes in life—nothing is eternal! And even though you may be in the shadows right now, the sun will shine again in time.

Try to understand why and what this change has brought into your life. It likely carries a message and a lesson you need in order to grow, to be better, and to evolve in this incredible journey called life.

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