Death

This card often startles people in a reading. Never ye fear, dear humans – this card does not often hold literal meaning. Sure, sometimes it does. But most often not!

What is death other than a transformation, and the beginning of new cycle? In most cases, Death indicates that you are at the end of a phase, and beginning a new one. Perhaps you are at the end of a major relationship, or changing career paths. You may be moving to a new city. Whatever the change, it’s BIG, and it’s irreversible. You must let go what is left behind. When we let go, even if painful at first, we are able to achieve new heights. Opportunities will open up that you may never have experienced had this change not taken place!

Death reminds us deeply of impermanence. Nothing remains unchanged forever – and that is the true beauty of life. Unhealthy attachments can cause us much grief and suffering. We must learn to go with the flow of each new phase of life. Things will be less sharp edged if we can put them down and enjoy them without clutching. It gives true meaning to the phrase “if you love them, set them free!”

If this card does indeed signify loss of life, I have most often seen it signifying a past loss. Often this past loss is having an affect now, due to a failure in processing one’s grief. It may be time to process it now, so that you can move on (and perhaps so that your loved one can as well).

It does occasionally indicate a loss to come, but even then, it does no good to fear. We must every day be prepared to lose everything we have at any moment. How do we do this? We live fully in each moment. Be totally present. Savour your loved ones. Tell them how you feel. Every. Day. We never know when they may leave us, and we never know when we may leave them. Death teaches us to return to the Now. Enjoy your life while you have it!

Death reminds us that old things must come to an end, so that new things can be born and flourish. If nothing aged or died, we would not have the divine flow that brings us joy. Without sadness, there is no happiness. We must know both sides of the coin to appreciate the whole. Knowing that death is just one part of a cycle, gives us peace.

If you have lost a loved one, take comfort in the fact that they are not gone, they have merely transformed. If we look closely, we can find them in many places. Especially our hearts ♥️