"The veil or mask of life is perpetuated in change, transformation and passage from lower to higher, and this is more fitly represented in the rectified Tarot by one of the apocalyptic visions than by crude notion of the reaping skeleton. Behind it lies the whole world of ascent in the spirit. The mysterious horseman moves slowly, bearing a black banner emblazoned with the Mystic Rose, which signifies life. Between two pillars on the verge of the horizon there shines the sun of immortality. The horseman carries no visible weapon, but king and child and maiden fall before him, while a prelate with clasped hands awaits his end.
There should be no need to point out that the suggestion of death which I have made in connectionwith the previous card is, of course, to be understood mystically, but this is not the case in the present instance. The natural transit of man to the next stage of his being either is or may be one form of his progress, but the exoteric and almost unknown entrance, while still in this life, into the state of mystical death is a change in the form of consciousness and the passage into a state to which ordinary death is neither the path nor gate. The existing occult explanations of the 13th card, are, on the whole, better than usual, rebirth, creation, destination, renewal, and the rest." A.E. Waite
Death
Most of us know the first reaction we get when people see the death card in our tarot deck. A nervous giggle, or a quick reaction. But in truth this can be one of the finer cards for someone in a reading- a real opportunity, a door opening.
I would first like to address the issue of physical death. Many writers will say that they've seldom come across 'real' death in a reading. But it can and does happen, though seldom. How would you address this is going to be a key question you should ask yourself before reading for others. Yes its a rare event- but what if? Now indeed, someone might be asking exactly for that type of information- maybe someone who is quite ill and in pain, be gentle, courteous and think about what you say. I can offer only those words as guidance.
In the Rider Waite deck you have Death marching in on a white horse (not exactly the knight in shining armor of fairy tales) coming from the left (subconscious) and marching forward to the conscious. As in all things there is change and transformation and sometimes the change comes from outside ourselves.
Ruled by Scorpio before the horse you see a child and woman with the religious persona standing upright. The death figure is in black armor- masculine and with an illusion of reality that is not quite there...He has a wilted red plume on his helmet- the passions of life are no longer vivid. The white horse is a symbol of change, of transformation and also of the Spirit while the banner shows a white rose. On the black background, the white rose
signifies the purity of what has transformed in this process.
The background show either a rising or setting sun- and how one views this can often indicate the approach taken to this transformation. There is a city in the background also- a place to go to once the change has happened.
The stream and waterfall show again the conscious flow that we've seen in other major cards and there is boat with a red sail- from the Egyptian mythos of the soul being transported out of the body-- with red indicating the creative life force.
Thirteen is a most interesting number- it is sometimes viewed as an omen- signifying bad luck...others find that very quirkiness its charm. Keep in mind that there are thirteen lunar months in the year, and the thirteenth month was traditionally the time of death and rebirth....so we have here the indication that it is a time when all that has been faced so far in the journey is now changed and forever will be different.
When you read this card it is usually indicative of something major occurring or about to occur-- and sometimes the querent does not see or wish to see these meanings. Yet without change this would stagnate and never regain a glory.
This is the wheel of life turning. We see it in the season of life- birth, growth, flower, harvest, death, and in death the seed is transformed once again. So it is with everything in our lives- relationships, jobs, situations of all sorts.
Perhaps this card is telling us that it is time to move on--maybe we don't want to, or we linger because we feel it is right, or perhaps because it is comfortable. But time and death will march forward...so must we also.
You may need to address the attitude of the querant- are they fearful of change, stubborn at doing things the way they want to rather than make a transition...exploring this card is most important for the meaning has many levels.
EXERCISE:
Is there something in your life that is undergoing a transformation?
A death and rebirth? What is it- how do you feel about the changes? What
emotions come to you as you meditate on the card?
