13 Death

Lethargy

Upright: The illusion of time, space, distance and form, ending or dissolving of material form and formation, physical deterioration, sublimation, no longer trying to scientifically explain life experiences but simply living them instead, the metaphorical death that comes before an awakening deliberately and consciously cutting something out of your life, letting something go, letting go of something holding you back, removing what is no longer beneficial in your life to free your whole being, leaving the past behind, dealing with immediate matters, physical experience, reincarnation, slow action, fertility, hidden mysteries, discovering the sexual inclinations of someone, looking into partner’s finances, transformation behind the scenes, adjusting to a new physical or material situation, disagreement, blocked energy, lack of energy, lethargy, fatigue, feeling powerless, change, karmic change, voluntary change, stagnancy as a result of change, going through a transition, change of the physical body, tired of growing/shifting/evolving, metaphorical death, the final letting go for the ultimate release, new beginnings, new cycles, in alignment with natural cycles of life, something deteriorating, completion of a project, another dimension of consciousness, going away in order to come back at the same time, completion of a circle, Death may refer to physical death in rare, extreme cases, taking care of funeral and burial of physically deceased, necromancy, telepathic communication with the deceased, Christianity’s Satan

Death is 

“Death certainly is only relative and the death of the form may mean the commencement of life on another plane. Birth down here may be seen as a sort of death of a higher existence.” – A.E. Thierens

Reversed: Ending or dissolving of material form and formation, physical or material destruction, physical deterioration, sublimation, no longer trying to scientifically explain life experiences but simply living them instead, letting something go, let go of outdated ideas or something that has outlived its purpose, reincarnation, image of the external, partner’s secrets, sexuality, intimate partner, discovering the sexual inclinations of someone, looking into partner’s finances, lethargy, fatigue, discouragement, feeling powerless, change as a result of stagnancy, voluntary or involuntary change, unexpected development for fortune or misfortune, physical change in the body, dealing with matters directly, setbacks or failures which bring new hope and understanding, that which clears away the old to make space for the new, death or surrender leading to perfect freedom, total surrender similar to an orgasm, removing the masks, the final letting go or ultimate deep relaxation for the ultimate release, silencing mental logic and memory to receive higher insights, spiritual purification, metaphorical death, going through a transition, something deteriorating, failure of a project, Death Reversed may refer to physical death in rare, extreme cases

Death in Reverse refers to removing masks for total surrender which leads to perfect freedom. It’s the final letting go or ultimate deep relaxation before the ultimate release – similar to an orgasm or streaking naked through a public place. It’s the clearing out of something that has outlived its purpose to make space for something new. When the Death card is Reversed, it’s the full and final acceptance of failures, discouragement, or fatigue that leads to a metaphorical death or transition. Letting go and admitting total powerlessness and helplessness allows new hope, understanding, and freedom to come in.

Death In A Reading

Relationships Reversed: To find out the secrets of someone, pull other cards in a reading for details.

Suit: Water in the 8th House

Impermanence, Corruption, End, Giving Birth To A New Idea Or Creation

When we think of death, we commonly forget the new birth that inevitably goes along with it. Death in one realm means the beginning of life in another.

Energy consciousness cannot die. But we collectively express ourselves through ever-changing experiences formed from a defined set of parameters, also known as our thoughts, or awareness.

We assume that transformation involves a painful death of some kind. But not always. Sometimes it evokes a beautiful, smooth and welcoming transition from one state or perspective to another. In a sense, we die every night at the end of a day, only to wake up brand new in the morning.

We experience all kinds of deaths throughout our lifetimes. Death isn’t a foreign concept but a healthy, natural experience.

Some traditional meanings of Tarot’s Death card define death as fertility, or the perpetual creation of material form which is born from thought.

Could this mean that focusing on the beauty of the new makes letting go of the old equally beautiful? Or maybe there’s no such thing as actual loss – only changing experiences.

When Death Shows Up In A Reading

Health and Body Image: Perhaps food isn’t being digested and absorbed into your bodily system, but is instead putrefying in your gut, creating a plethora of health issues. Or a bodily organ or organisms may be corroding or breaking down. Toxins need to be flushed out in order to restore health. Fertility and motherhood could also be indicated here, as purification leads to new birth.

Occupation and Finances: It might be time to end a project in your occupation, or your career itself, in order to start something new or move in a more innovative direction.

Relationships: Does a relationship seem to be deteriorating? Change might be in the air. A new relationship may be on your horizon, but remain passive. Set your heart on the values of a soul connection that are important to you in order to manifest that physical reality, whether in an existing relationship or a new one.

Hidden Meaning: Under the illusions of scarcity, loss and death, we appear to be victims of the material realm. But in the larger reality, we create our experiences, rather than the other way around. This means we create experiences of loss, as well as prosperity. One isn’t necessarily more desirable than the other, because they work together. Everything is continuously decaying into something new.

Reversed: Reversed, Death might indicate inertia, lethargy, sleep, sleep-walking, a trance, or unconsciousness. You might need to time to rest, clear your mind and recalibrate before moving forward. Or this could be a message to explore your unconscious, shadow side to see what’s draining your energy from behind the scenes.

Advice: Death reminds you to remember your mortality, which could also mean accepting the impermanence of material form in space and time. Because form is made of energy and energy can’t die, this card might refer to the end of something with the purpose of beginning something new. Or it could mean the elimination or destruction of something, or something corrupted, or the death of time, or closure, or the completion of a circle. In very rare cases, this card could be a warning of fatality. In any case, you’re encouraged to use your power to release something old in order to create something new. For example, transmute self-abasement or shame into self-empowerment and beauty, or a whole new lifestyle.

Astrological Association: Pluto

Timing: “Major Arcanas mean that no timeframe is specified but instead the issue indicated by the card must first be resolved. Reversals should be noted, as with this system they represent obstacles that must be overcome before the event can occur.” – Barbara Moore

Yes or No: No