DESCRIPTION

Death, which is armored like the scorpion that represents the corresponding zodiacal sign Scorpio, is more exoskeleton than skeleton. The familiar red feather that signifies life in the Fool and Sun cards, droops on Death’s helmet. He rides in from the West upon a fiery eyed, white horse wearing a pirate-themed bridle. He carries a banner, and this banner has the same two colors of black and white. Displayed on Death’s banner is a “mystic rose,” serving as both a symbol of life and an emblem of renewal. The skeleton is a symbol for the true self because it’s the core structure that the body is built upon. It’s the toughest part of the human body. After death it remains, even when the worms of the Earth have consumed the flesh. Flesh may decay, but the bones remain, and therefore the skeleton represents one’s eternal self. The message of this card is one of regeneration.

The black colors that we see in this image relate to Saturn, or Father Time, which is also related to the principle of elimination and limitation. We all have things that we want to and need to eliminate in our lives, including emotional attachments, limiting thoughts, and various worldly attachments. Death’s role is to help us to let go of those things, and to let that which no longer serves us die. Four figures, possibly representing the fourfold name, appear before Death. The scene shows a king has died while a maiden resembling Strength turns away and is struck with grief. A figure resembling the Hierophant, with a fish-head miter reminiscent of the letter nun, pleads for intercession, although whether he is praying for his soul or others’ is unclear. The only one turning towards Death with joy is the child, who holds a bouquet of flowers. You can see that Death is much larger and more powerful than them all. When he appears, no one is immune to the changes that he brings.

There are five characters in this card, the dead king on the ground, a priest or the Hierophant, a woman, a child, and Death, himself. This alludes to the power of the number 5. The banner that Death carries has a five petaled rose. Five represents the quintessence, the fifth element, the spirit of life, which is concealed within the four elements. It is the source of all living form. The white rose on the banner appears only one other time, which is in the Fool’s left hand at key zero. This represents that superconsciousness of our pure spirit. In both these keys, the white rose refers to the purification of our desired nature. It’s a symbol of illumination. Many might assume that the Sun that we see in the background of this card is setting because they consider death an ending. In truth, the mystery teachings say that this is a rising sun. It symbolizes rebirth. Every day, with every breath, we engage in an ongoing cycle of renewal and recreation. The rising Sun also symbolizes that we should look forward to the new. In the background of this card, there’s the river or the stream of consciousness, the river of life. The boat upon the river is sailing towards the sun, indicating it’s returning to the source of light.

The death archetype is embodied during moments that require letting go and moving forward, and during times when a person has helped others during moments of change or during a loss. Examples might include hospice and care workers who support people through their process of transition into the afterlife. It’s also the midwives, the nurses and doctors who play key roles in the birth process of babies. Death may be attributed to various types of counselors who specialize in assisting people through divorce or handling the loss of loved ones due to physical death.