endings and beginnings, change, clearing out
Death Tarot Card Meaning
What Death means upright and reversed, with readings for love, money and career.
The picture and its symbols
Death shows a skeleton knight on a white horse and a fallen king before him. It is number 13 of the Major Arcana, the part of the Fool's journey about testing the inner self and learning balance. The most misunderstood card in the deck. It does not mean a literal death but the end of a chapter, and in the distance the sun is rising between two towers.
Upright meaning
endings and beginnings, change, clearing out. One chapter ends and a new one opens. Do not fear the ending.
- Love
- The relationship changes greatly or is brought to a close. One thing must end for a new connection to enter.
- Money
- A good time to clear out old spending habits or investments and start again.
- Career
- A major change arrives, such as a transfer or a new job.
- Yes or no
- No
- Advice
- A Major Arcana card points to a larger current that effort alone does not control. Put your energy into aligning with it rather than resisting.
Reversed meaning
resisting change, lingering attachment, stagnation. You are holding on to what should end and cannot move forward.
- Love
- You still feel attached to a relationship that is already over.
- Money
- You are putting off a loss you need to settle.
- Career
- Refusing change may make things feel even more stuck.
- Yes or no
- No
- Advice
- A reversed Major Arcana card signals that you are pushing against a larger current. Before forcing things, ask what you need to let go of.
Timing
Because this is a Major Arcana card, do not hurry the timing: wait for things to ripen. Readers usually think in terms of a season.
The question this card asks
What has already ended that you have not yet let go of?
Draw the cards yourself
For entertainment and self-reflection only. Do not use a reading to make health, legal or financial decisions.