Understanding the Death Card in Tarot Readings

The Most Frequently Misinterpreted Card of the Major Arcana

Jul 7, 2009

In spite of disturbing imagery, the major arcana tarot card for "Death" does not indicate bad things to come in the future. In fact, it often signals a time for rebirth.

For many who read tarot cards, the Death card is interpreted far too literally to mean "Someone is going to die." It very rarely - if ever - actually signifies a real death.

More frequently, the Death card calls for the process of purging excesses and old thoughts, ideas or beliefs in order to make room for the new. The card may signal the psychological process called "ego death" or a process of getting down to the barest essentials in order to find new life and rebirth.

History of the Death Card

The thirteenth card in the major arcana, Death follows the Hanged Man and precedes Temperance. In The Tarot: History, Symbolism, and Divination (Penguin, 2005), Robert M. Place points out that the appearance of the Death card in the middle of the 22 cards of the Major Arcana makes it clear that "this is not a story that ends with Death." (p. 150) Since the cards of the major arcana depict a mystical journey to immortality, like all epic tales, the hero must descend to the underworld and rise again.

The imagery is most often the skeletal grim reaper riding the pale horse depicted in Revelation, where Death is one of the four horsemen of the Apocalypse. In all of the historical decks of the tarot, Death was consistently assigned the number 13 for the symbolic reasons of "bad luck" associated with this number.

However, in spite of the bleak imagery, there are also images of hope, renewal and rebirth on the card. On the Rider-Smith or Rider-Waite Tarot deck (the most commonly recognizable images of the modern Tarot), Death is holding a flag emblazoned with the white rose, which is a symbol for rebirth. In the distance, a ship sails toward a sunrise. In the story of the tarot, Death is not an ending, but a new beginning.

Place continues, "Death is not an end but a new beginning. He represents the passing of the old, the natural end of a situation, and the dawn of new opportunity. All things end but the cycles of the world teach us that all endings are followed by renewal." (p. 204)

Understanding the Death Card in a Personal Tarot Reading

In the old axiom "where a door closes, a window will open," the Death card signifies the closing door. It is the creation of space and opportunity for growth and change. While the Empress signifies rebirth, Death clears the space for her to do her work. There may be a time of transition, a feeling of "being in limbo" while one closes that door and awaits the breeze from the window.

Allow the skeletal figure of the Death card imagery to serve as a reminder that it may mean "getting down to bare bones." This may be the completion of a task or project that leaves you the space and time to take on new endeavors. It may be clearing clutter from your home or donating a large pile of clothes to a homeless shelter. It may mean shedding attitudes, beliefs or ideas that are no longer serving one properly.

Often, the Death card signifies getting down to only the essential, and relinquishing everything that is no longer necessary. One natural image to apply to the Death card is that of Autumn and Winter before the Spring. There has to be a period of fields resting fallow and trees dormant and without leaves before new buds and sprouts can appear.

Like the Wheel of Fortune card, the Death card can leave one feeling caught up in the wheels of fate. This is inexorable change, there is no choice here, no escape. One may feel like they've been swept up by the universe, carrying the individual down a new path.

Supporting Cards that may Appear with the Death Card in a Tarot Spread

When supporting cards such as these appear in the same tarot spread with the Death card, look at the placement of the cards to see if there is additional clarity involved. Does the 8 of Wands point to what area of your life is quickly wrapping up? Does the 8 of Cups show you what part of your life you are ready to walk away from?

Opposing Cards that May Appear with the Death Card in a Tarot Reading

Cards that may appear contradictory to the Death card in a tarot reading include:

While it seems that these cards contradict the Death card, in fact, they support it. They may indicate that the period of "limbo" indicated by the Death card will be relatively short, and that the supplicant is rapidly approaching a new time of growth, renewal and new beginnings.

As with the supporting cards listed above, take care to note where these cards appear in conjunction to the Death card. If they are before the Death card, it may signify a rapid period of growth and rebirth; one can expect a lot of changes in the near future!

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