Death
Major arcana, number 13
Upright
An ending that makes room — this card is about clearing, not loss.
Reversed
Holding on to what has already ended — it finished in fact, only the acknowledgement is missing.
| Arcana | Major |
|---|---|
| Number | 13 |
How to read this
- The 22 major arcana speak of the large movements; the 56 minor arcana speak of the specific events inside them. Noticing which one you drew tells you the scale.
- A minor card is read by combining suit and number: the suit says which area of life, the number says which stage within it.
- Reversed is less an opposite than the same force blocked or overdone. Before flipping the meaning, look at where that force is actually going.
- A card is a picture of the present situation, not a fixed future. The same card reads differently depending on what you asked.
Frequently asked questions
QWhat does the tarot card Death mean?
Upright: An ending that makes room — this card is about clearing, not loss.
QWhat does Death mean reversed?
Holding on to what has already ended — it finished in fact, only the acknowledgement is missing.
QWhere does Death sit in the deck?
Major arcana, number 13