Tarot cards are for fun at their core. They evolved from games and are best interpreted in creative, fluid ways. Many people take them too seriously, which can lead to unnecessary worries. And perhaps the card that scares people the most is the death card. After all, what is more frightening than death?
“The death card is often shrouded in fear and misunderstanding,” says tarot reader and spiritual life coach Danny Santos. “The skeletal figure, sometimes depicted riding a pale horse, conjures images of literal death, catastrophe, and horror. It’s no wonder that many recoil at its sight, thinking it a curse or a harbinger of doom. The dark cloak and ominous scythe feed into notions of dark magic and negative energy, stoking the fires of fear and trepidation.”
When you draw the death card, it represents the end of something — but as they say, endings are new beginnings. Not only may the death in question not be literal, but it may be the death of something that you actually want out of your life. The card may symbolize a career change, a change of direction within a relationship, or even a change in your relationship with yourself.
“In truth, the death card is far from a grim reaper,” Santos elaborates. “It symbolizes the end of a cycle, the closing of one chapter to make way for another. It’s the phoenix rising from the ashes, the ultimate symbol of transformation and rebirth.”
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If there is a symbolic death occurring, you can ensure it’s a positive one by working through resistance within your own mind, saying goodbye to the old, and welcoming in the new. “This card encourages us to let go of what no longer serves us, to embrace the endings that are a natural part of life, and to trust in the process of renewal,” Santos says. “When Death appears in a reading, it’s a powerful reminder that endings are not to be feared but embraced.”
No tarot card means just one thing, though, and the death card could also point toward something else. “The death card can signify a profound connection to the past, to ancestors and those who have gone before us,” Santos adds. “It invites us to honor these connections, to draw strength from our heritage, and to recognize the cyclical nature of life and death. This card’s magic lies in its ability to help us see the beauty in transitions, to find peace in letting go, and to welcome the transformative power of change.”
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Trust your intuition if you draw the death card, as it may also mean something else that’s personal to you. What you read in the guidebook that comes with the cards or online may reveal common meanings. But as you develop your own relationship to your tarot cards, they may develop meanings you wouldn’t read about anywhere.
To increase the chances of getting a message you’ll understand, you can set the intention as you’re shuffling to receive exactly what you need. Regardless, remember not to take the draw to heart too much. It is only death, after all.
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FAQs
DEATH. —End, mortality, destruction, corruption; also, for a man, the loss of a benefactor; for a woman, many contrarieties; for a maid, failure of marriage projects. Reversed: Inertia, sleep, lethargy, petrifaction, somnambulism; hope destroyed.
What is the death as an answer in tarot? ›
Upright Death: When pulled in the upright position, the Death card signifies a "Yes" answer to a yes-or-no question. Reversed Death: When pulled in the reversed position, the Death card signifies a "No" answer to a yes-or-no question.
What is the most destructive tarot card? ›
The Tower is widely associated to danger, crisis, sudden change, destruction, higher learning, and liberation.
What is the Death card guidance? ›
The Death card advises you to detach from the old order. You may want to close accounts, complete unfinished tasks, and gather your harvest. It is time to move on. If you cut the cords that have bound you to old ways and outdated conventions, you could free yourself to join the sweep of incoming light.
Is tarot card reading true? ›
In fact, historians have described western views of the Tarot pack as "the subject of the most successful propaganda campaign ever launched... An entire false history and false interpretation of the Tarot pack was concocted by the occultists; and it is all but universally believed".
What is the Death tarot card outcome? ›
Death Tarot Card reveals transitions and new beginnings, urging us to accept change. In Love & Relationships, Death card symbolizes the power of transformation for growth and transcendence. Career & Finances readings warn against resistance to change in order to succeed.
What tarot cards indicate sickness? ›
The Tower: This card is often associated with sudden illness or accidents. It can also represent chronic conditions that have a negative impact on the body. The Tower is typically linked to the head and nervous system. The Seven of Swords: This card can represent physical illness that is caused by stress or anxiety.
What is the saddest tarot card? ›
Theresa Reed (aka, The Tarot Lady) and I got together to talk about grieving – and the Five of Cups, identified by Theresa as “tarot's saddest card in the deck.”
What is the luckiest card in the tarot? ›
WHEEL OF FORTUNE—Destiny, fortune, success, elevation, luck, felicity.
Which is the strongest tarot card? ›
In almost all tarot games, the Fool is one of the most valuable cards.
DEATH. —End, mortality, destruction, corruption; also, for a man, the loss of a benefactor; for a woman, many contrarieties; for a maid, failure of marriage projects. Reversed: Inertia, sleep, lethargy, petrifaction, somnambulism; hope destroyed.
What is considered the Death card? ›
The ace of spades (also known as the Spadille, Old Frizzle, and Death Card) is traditionally the highest and most valued card in the deck of playing cards.
What religion is tarot cards from? ›
Tarot cards are commonly associated with New Age religion. This literature review will provide an overview of New Age religion and discuss how Tarot provides insight into the study of the New Age movement in the twenty-first century. Tarot cards and the ways in which practitioners use them can be defined as religious.
Do tarot cards predict the future? ›
Tarot can't predict the future, but it can help you make that big decision. Three cards pulled from the iconic Rider-Waite–Smith tarot deck. Michelle Tea suggests beginners start with a three-card reading.
Should you read your own tarot cards? ›
Can I read my own tarot? You can (and should!), but as with all other reading, proceed with caution. “It's important to know how to do it in a way that won't be harmful to yourself,” says Wall.
What does death Symbolise in tarot? ›
Death (XIII) is the 13th trump or Major Arcana card in most traditional tarot decks. It is used in tarot card games as well as in divination. The card typically depicts the Grim Reaper, and when used for divination is often interpreted as signifying major changes in a person's life.
What Tarot card represents loss? ›
The Five of Cups is associated with sadness, loss, despair, and loneliness. In the upright position, it signifies regret, disappointment, and focusing on negative emotions. Reversed, it represents personal setbacks, self-forgiveness, and moving on.
What does the Death tarot card mean in marriage? ›
Death can indicate a major ending in the life of one or both partners. There is much transformative energy that can feel difficult to process. Some of the changes occurring may also trigger feelings of loss or grief. This partnership must face its current challenges and transformations with honesty and compassion.
What does the Death card tattoo mean in Tarot cards? ›
When the death card is chosen, you will never be the same again. You are growing and changing and a transformation is happening or needs to happen for greater things to come. Keywords: Transition, Change, New Beginnings, Death.
