Death Tarot Card Meanings

death tarot card meaning

Death Tarot Card
Meanings and Keywords:

Death tarot card meanings in traditional tarot stem from its connection to both Astrology and Numerology. Death tarot card can mean:

Upright:

Endings and new beginnings.

Completing a chapter in your life.

Putting the past behind you.

Dealing with what scares you.

Regeneration after a transition.

Seeing the truth of a situation.

Creating a whole new life for yourself.

Reversed:

Abuse and addictions.

Blocked grief

Unable to move on. 

Death tarot card meanings and Astrology

Death tarot card is ruled by Scorpio. Scorpio is ruled by Pluto. Pluto is the planet of transformation, rebirth, and regeneration. Learn more about Scorpio on Astrograph website here.

Death is a symbol of the Subconscious.   

Death speaks of the subconscious, especially our core programming from childhood. It can often speak of where our more challenging emotions are stored. Hella, the norse goddess of the subconscious speaks of this place. You can learn more about her and her connection to the Vision Quest here. 

Death In The Vision Quest

There are 3 main vision quests in the Major Arcana cards. The final one is Hanged Man to Judgement. In the Hanged Man, the Seeker stills their mind and goes within. In the Death card, they go deep within their own mind. They travel to a place our Norse Ancestors called Vanaheim (Water World). This is the part of our mind where our Soul is experiencing connection to the Divine. This union is seen in the next card, Temperance.

Death tarot card meanings upright

Death tarot card meanings in a general reading

Death tarot card represents transformation, endings, and new beginnings. You are like a flame, constantly changing, never remaining exactly the same from day-to-day, throughout your life. Old habits and patterns might have to be shaken off so that you can be reborn again as a new and improved you.

Death tarot card in a love reading

In a love reading, Death tarot card often shows up when the Seeker has lost their identity within the relationship. Maybe they entered into the relationship too soon and are now having second thoughts. It can speak of a relationship that will either end or renewed.

Death tarot card in a career reading

In a career reading Death tarot card means careers in the police or military. This card also denotes taxes and managing other people’s money. Death also shows up when the Seeker is about to change their careers. 

Death tarot card as feelings

Death tarot card indicates feelings that have been buried only to be reawakened. These feelings could have been buried very deep and they can overwhelm the seeker. The Seeker most likely is dealing with childhood issues when Death tarot card speaks of feelings. The seeker could feel the need to break free from their routine and try something completely new.

Death tarot card as Personality types

Death tarot card denotes someone who is going through a great transformation and has experienced their share of loss and endings. They need to release the past, let go and let God. This is someone who needs to surrender what is beyond their control. There is hidden grief in Death people who are waiting to be released.

Death tarot card meanings reversed

Death tarot card reversed indicates that something that should have come to a blessed end for some reason persists. ‘Not death’ is not a desired thing as it is not living either. For some reason, the person is holding on. Blocked grief is often a factor. The seeker might be unable to face the pain of loss.

Death tarot card meanings as Personality types

The reversed meanings of the tarot cards often speaks of the Seeker acting out due to being under a lot of stress. This can bring out the shadow aspect of the person. 

Death reversed speaks of someone who is instead stuck in a limbo state where not much is going on. They need to embrace a new way of life and a new existence. They might wish to change and long for transformation but are struggling with deep safety and survival issues. It can be someone who is stuck in the past. They need to understand their past so they can have peace.

Death tarot card combinations

Some important tarot card combinations including Death:

Death(XIII) + The Magician: Skill shortage.

Death(XIII) + The Chariot: Settling down.

Death(XIII) + Justice: Taxes. Using other people’s resources.

Death(XIII) + The World: A completion. Graduation.

Death(XIII) + Ace of wands: Lack of support.

Death(XIII) + Five of wands: Differences in personalities.

Death(XIII) + Nine of wands: Difficulties opening up.

Death(XIII) + Six of cups: Your childhood.

Death(XIII) + Seven of cups: Procrastination.

Death(XIII) + King of cups: Old Fashioned.

Death(XIII) + Ace of swords: Changing your mind.

Death(XIII) + Six of swords: Moving.

Death(XIII) + Ten of pentacles: An inheritance.

Death(XIII) + Knight of pentacles: Change in career.

Death tarot card meanings summary

Death tarot card shows up when there is an ending occurring in your life. A new opportunity is representing itself. Death tarot card can also signify your childhood. Sometimes Death represents a fear. Death is a symbol of the subconscious.

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