The Card of the Day: The Death Card (Reversed)
“What changes are you resisting?”
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The Death card is the tarot's most notorious symbol for change and transformation. Many people are afraid to sit at a tarot reader's table because the "dreaded” Death Card might show up! We've all seen the movies where the dark and mysterious fortune teller turns over the death card, to foretell someone's ghastly end. In actuality, the Death card is a wonderful card to get in a reading. It indicates that you are undergoing vitally important changes, for your own good. Although not always welcome, and sometimes shocking to experience, the changes before you are the next step in your personal evolution. Although Death outwardly appears frightening, he is ALWAYS accompanied by rebirth. Like the legendary Phoenix, you too will rise from the ashes to live a joyful new life again...revitalized and renewed.
Do you struggle with accepting change? Does fear of death, keep you from actually "living" your life? What old, unneeded, part of yourself are you resistant to letting go of, even though you know it would set you free?
Death appears astride his white horse, heralding an end to old ways. His steed marches over kings and commoners alike. No one is immune from his power. All must change. Everything that lives must die. Death's banner is a white rose on a black background. This is stark symbol of a truth that is "black and white." Light (the white flower) always emerges after darkness (the black background). Although his skeletal face looks scary, Death is not a monster. Nobody wants to see Death, even though he has the thankless job of kindly ending suffering. Death cannot be bargained with, and eventually visits us all. The King under the horse found that out. No amount of money could put off this day for him. The adolescent girl in the card looks away...unable to look Death in the face. The priest has been preparing for Death his whole life, and yet even he kneels uneasily.
Only the fearless little child in the foreground holds a flower up to death. Children don't get scared of change the way adults do... Children don't fear death, because they don't understand a fear of the realm beyond. It’s a land filled with infinite light, where they were just residing not too long ago. What’s so scary about a realm of infinite peace, release, joy and laughter?
Look closely at the background of the Death card...past the river...way up in the distance where the two towers form a gate. A realm of light lies beyond, represented as either a rising or setting sun. Whether the sun is rising or setting is unimportant...for as the sun is setting here, it is simultaneously rising there.[1] Is that a "shining city" illuminated in the sun's radiance?[2]
Overcoming your fear of change is the requirement of this card. I find it fascinating that the card that we associate with change in the tarot, is also the card that makes us react with a twinge of fear whenever we see it. I’ve been reading tarot for many years and even now this card gives me a start! This illustrates that change, no matter how positive the promised outcome, is still scary. And yet change is inevitable. In nature, that which cannot adapt becomes extinct.
The changes occurring for you are leading you to new life. Other cards that surround the Death card will indicate what part of your life is undergoing change at this time. Have courage and let go of all that you no longer need. The light of rebirth awaits you.
When the Death card appears reversed it asks you what changes you are resisting. Often the answer can be found in what you are avoiding. It's time to challenge any form of denial. You know what needs changing. You know what needs your courage right now. The question is if you are going to approach your personal transformation with passive or assertive energy. Passive energy is going to make you dread change. You will say to yourself "Why is this happening to me?"
When you approach difficult changes and life challenges with courage, then you have some control over your response to this situation. Facing fears gives you great power over them. You no longer find yourself running and hiding from reality. Death reversed brings you in touch with the very things you've been avoiding. This is where you will find the next steps toward your personal evolution.
Death reversed asks you to step out of shadow and back into the light. Confront and let go of all that which no longer serves you. What has been keeping you stuck and in a state of fear or immobility? This card is very healing for clearing out energy blockages. Death (upright or reversed) is always accompanied by Rebirth. Rebirth is the Yang to Death’s Yin. As the sun sets here it is simultaneously rising elsewhere. Do not fear what is changing right now. Often the fear isn't of something, but rather the fear of stepping up, taking your power back and allowing yourself to grow past this lesson. "Old and familiar" can often seem comfortable even if it's killing you inside.
Have courage because the transformation you are resisting will lead to a better you. Let your changes happen. Your sun will rise again.
*Death (Reversed) in a Love Reading
New Relationship
Death reversed can represent an individual who may display possessive, jealous, or obsessive behavior. Although their intensity can feel flattering at first, their behavior over time may raise red flags. This card advises one to trust their instincts and enforce their boundaries.
Long Term Partnership
Death reversed can represent a resistant partner who is extremely averse to change. They may cling to unhealthy habits or people even if these attachments create suffering. It’s important to encourage them to let go of the old, to make room for new opportunity for authentic happiness.
Seeking Romance
Death can appear reversed when you’ve already undergone a long process of loss, grief, and transformation within your love life. It’s time to move on from fruitless shadows and revitalize your vibrant spirit. Like the phoenix, you are rising out of the ashes, and hope is rekindled.
*This excerpt is a sneak peek at my upcoming book “Tarot in Love: Consulting the Cards in Matters of the Heart” from Llewellyn Books and available for preorder Fall 2022!
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[1] Alexandra Collins Dickerman, Following Your Path: Using Myths, Symbols and Images to Explore Your Inner Life (Los Angelos: Jeremy P. Tarcher Inc., 1992), 167.
[2] Johannes Fiebig and Evelin Burger, The Ultimate Guide to the Rider Waite Tarot (Woodbury, MN: Llewellyn Publications, 2016), 48.
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