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T.13 Death

Activity

XIII. Death

Name: Death
Hebrew Letter/Meaning: Nun (נ) / Fish, Movement
Element/Planet/Zodiac: Mars, Pluto / Scorpio
Name of Path: Imaginative (finding similarity in difference)
Type: Connecting Activating
Connecting Sefirot: Beauty (6) & Victory (7)


Tidbits: Forced and natural endings (Mars) are both New Beginnings (Pluto). Structured change, and transformation. It is the Fool and The Hermit in another sphere of activity.

The banner features a White Rose of York, a symbol of the entire Tree going through purification leading to immortality—a curious symbol for a scene that initially seems so morbid. This path’s intelligence is indicated by the fact that children, men, women, and the Pope are all equal in the face of Death. Notice the ship in the river indicating a journey and passage of time. Notice the jumping fish, symbolizing rebirth in the higher self.

Death brings energy into situations related to interpersonal complexities that allow for their transformation. More specifically, it is the process of sacrificing what is pleasant and comfortable (overcoming challenges) to be in integrity with our Higher Self.

Reference Note:

Spend time with each of the Trumps to generate your “tarot encyclopedia” notecard for each.

Working with the Trumps is slightly different because they represent forces of subjective experience instead of forms and objective structure. The symbolism in the cards is more complex, subtle, and profound. For this reason, we will slow down our pace to only one Trump per day (except today when we do two).

You are encouraged to only engage with one Trump per day. This will hopefully allow you to relax a little, spend more time exploring each trump, and catch up with any minor arcana you had to skip over the last few weeks.

In case it’s still helpful, here is the recommended process.

  1. Look at the image on the card and examine its details.
  2. Read the page in the companion book for that card.
  3. Read the description provided here.
  4. OPTIONAL: Read other descriptions of that card online or in other books.
  5. Reflect on the questions posed.
  6. Write down the details of the image that have meaning to you and the 2 or 3 interpretations (perhaps 1 heavenly, 1 upright earthly, and 1 reversed earthly) that resonate most strongly for you.
  7. Reflect on whatever correspondences you can find, such as relationships to other cards, astrological associations, and anything else. Include notes on anything specific that stands out.

    Feel free to write down your own interpretations based on what comes to you!