XIII. Death

Element: Water (🜄)

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio (♏)

Hebrew Letter: Nun (נ)

Kabbalistic Path: 24

Upright

Keywords: Endings; release; rebirth; transformation; transcendence

Events: A. The completion of an important phase; major life transformation; relationship endings; job loss; significant loss B. The end of the old, the beginning of the new; transition periods; new career opportunities; progress from lower to higher states

Personality: Unique; adaptable; emotionally detached

Mental State: Anxious; suffering

Advice: Let go of the past and embrace a new beginning; keep moving forward with hope; sometimes the destruction of old things leads to new possibilities; releasing unhealthy attachments allows for a better future; don’t fear transformation—sometimes an ending is the catalyst for something better

Card Imagery: Death rides a white horse, carrying out its mission. In the face of death, social class, race, and gender do not matter. However, behind Death, harvested souls are flying toward the light.

Symbolism:

  • White Horse – White symbolizes beauty, purity, and an untainted soul; the horse represents the spirit
  • Small Boat – Represents the journey of life; may also symbolize Charon’s ferry from Egyptian mythology, carrying souls across the underworld river
  • River – Possibly symbolizes the River Styx
  • Glowing Light – Represents divine spirit, spiritual awakening, and the cosmic source
  • People – Represent different social classes and identities, signifying that transformation or death treats all as equals
  • Sun – Waite wrote, "The immortal sun shines between the two distant towers." Here, the rising sun represents a bright future
  • Twin Towers – Represent known realities. Beyond their borders lies an unexplored world, waiting to be discovered

Reversed

Keywords: Stagnation; resistance to change; slow progress; stubbornness; avoidance

Events: Slowed progress; refusal to accept life changes; resisting transformation; uncertainty about what changes are needed for progress; remaining in a relationship out of fear of loneliness; emotional dependency; staying in an unsuitable work environment; financial loss; lack of growth

Personality: Stubborn; inflexible; avoids reality; escapes responsibility

Mental State: Avoidant; suffering; conflicted; feeling trapped

Advice: Avoid negative lifestyle patterns; clarify what you truly seek; fear is natural, but avoidance and overthinking won’t solve the problem; learn to release attachments to embrace a better future

Card Imagery: The soul is trapped in a floating bubble, blindfolded, unable to escape.

Symbolism:

  • Bubble – Represents being trapped in one's own thoughts
  • Coffin – Derived from the Lenormand "Coffin" card, symbolizing endings but also new beginnings

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