XIII – Death
“transformation through change”
symbol: to let go, farewell, conclusion, solution
zodiac: Scorpio
alchemy: putrefaction
date and ritual: All Saint’s Day – mourning, recollection
path of Nun: Tiphareth – Netzach
“Death” is usually the most feared card of the whole Tarot deck. Each time, when we think we have dealt with and understood this theme of leave-taking, we are confronted with another aspect of the „principle of ending“. Everything ends and everyone dies, so we cannot escape or avoid this archetype. While the other Major Arcana are of varied importance in life, death awaits everyone and must be processed – voluntarily or forced.
Death is the promise, that nothing lasts forever – after all change is the only constant in our cosmos. In alchemy, we speak of putrefaction, which represents decay and rotting in nature. These processes generate the compounds, which are necessary for rebirth and evolution. One corresponding symbol of death is time. The reaping hook takes the form of Saturnus, which not only symbolizes the great sea of our subconsciousness and the vortex of creation, but also the past and all which is already dead from our point of view. In an occult context, it corresponds to the Qliphot, the husks of creation. The vortex or marsh at the base of the tree does represent a symbolic entrance into the roots of this tree of life. In many myths about initiation, the protagonist must wander through a place of darkness, (a cave or a swamp) to enter the heavily guarded underworld. Only after unveiling the self, (compare the sage of Inanna entering the underworld) facing the inner demons and conquering fear of death itself. The hero/ine in these legends can resurrect from this experience.
Another symbol for this ambivalent vortex of time/death would be a black hole, which is not only in the center of every galaxy but also represents the end of all matter. The two scorpions symbolize the dissolving principle. Their poisonous nature is representative for all the decomposing forces like mushrooms and legions of ants or bacteria, which can be called the mediums of disintegration.
The vortex in the lower part of the card represents the spiral cycles of being. It reminds us that death is not only the end, but also generates the compounds which are necessary for a new beginning. Within the vortex a crown, a pyramid, and a wand are circling. These symbols are manifestations of power, matter, hierarchy, and physical wealth. The archetype of Death reminds us that no physical thing or social status can be taken with us, in times of transformation and therefore has no metaphysical value. The skull in the foreground is a symbol for our strong fear of the “monster” of death and uncertainty, of what comes after a farewell. This feared figure of personified death covers the awakening sun, which is already arising behind the skeleton and the bare tree. The sunrise promises an awakening, even if we can never know how it will manifest itself.
