Taurus Rising

Today’s drawing brings us the Death card.  This is card number 13 in the Major Arcana.

This card isn’t meant to be literal.  I’ve spoken to a few of my non-Tarot friends about this card and they see this card as a bad omen or the death of the querent.  However, I don’t see this card as scary.  I see the Death card as the symbol for the end of something.  Transitioning phase.  I explained this card to my friend as a person that is getting married.  That person’s single life comes to an end (death) and they are moving on (birth) to the married life.

I use the Universal Waite deck.  In the background of the Death card, you can see a ship sailing on rough waters.  This could represent some difficulties with the transition (hard time letting go, feeling blocked, poor communication).  All that is in view of the ship is darkness, but behind the darkness, above the mountains, the sun is shining on the other side.  The Sun card in Tarot symbolizes clarity and understanding as well as overcoming obstacles.  It may be a rough transitioning, but the ship is still sailing.  Clarity and happiness are on the way.

Death and transitioning is a part of life.

Reversed: When the Death card is reversed, I see something that hasn’t ended, but should have.  For instance, back to the theme of marriage, perhaps you found out some terrible things about your spouse – but rather than leave (death of the marriage), you stayed and you are stuck in a position of grieving and sadness because these things haven’t ended.  Basically, I see the Death card reversed as being stuck, clinging onto something that should have ended, and the inability to move on and transition into a new phase in life.  Aecletic Tarot’s page on the Death Card Reversed also has some great interpretations about this card.

I’m interested in your feedback!  If you have thoughts to add about the Death card, please share them in the comments section.

Related posts:

1. Daily Tarot Card: 2 of Pentacles
2. Daily Tarot Card: Major Arcana – 16 – The Tower
3. Daily Tarot Card: 8 of Cups
4. Daily Tarot Card: Major Arcana – 19 – The Sun
5. Daily Tarot Card: Ace of Swords

Tags: Daily Tarot Card, Death

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