Death, the grim reaper, is often portrayed as a skeletal figure with a scythe, both in the Tarot and in art. This macabre image played an important role in medieval art, while death is allotted a significant place in all the world's mythologies. Death is seen by some cultures as a mistake, by others as a punishment for our sins, or as an agreement between the first man and the first woman. Behind all these stories lies the idea that, long ago, people could renew themselves and that death was a temporary state of affairs. In Hindu mythology, the goddess of death has a terrible and destructive face - Kali the Destroyer. She is portrayed wearing a crown of severed heads, or a necklace of skulls. She carries the sword of death, scissors to cut life's thread, and, significantly, the lotus of eternal generation, symbolising the endless cycles of death and rebirth. The name Kali also means 'time'. Time often accompanies death in various myths, while in western art, death's scythe belongs to Father Time himself. Both, not surprisingly, are seen as unstoppable forces. St. Paul was not alone in thinking of death as an enemy, which must be vanquished. In I Corinthians, chapter 15, he said, "The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death". A Coffin Text from Ancient Egypt suggested a very similar attitude; 'Save me from the claws of him who takes what he sees; may the growing breath of his mouth not take me away.' Yet remnants of a more positive, celebratory attitude towards death linger in the traditional Irish wake, the richly symbolic Mexican Day of the Dead, and the countless stories of resurrection and rebirth. Astrologically, Death is associated with the sign of Scorpio and the eighth house of the zodiac wheel. Scorpio is an intense, emotional and intuitive sign. It is traditionally linked with secrets, being both secretive and intent on delving beneath the surface to reveal the truth. Scorpio's house is said to be the house of sex, death, birth and transformation. Transformation is the keyword here, applying to both the Tarot card and its astrological counterpart. The number thirteen is popularly held to be unlucky. It is the traditional number of witches in a coven, and the number of lunar months in a year. According to an old book of numerology it is the number of death, destruction, faith, hope and rebirth. The writer goes on to say, "He hath the key of power and dominion who understands the number thirteen." Interpretation Death More than any other Tarot image, Death is frightening to both the inexperienced reader and anxious querent. Most people are afraid of death, and naturally do not want to think that someone they love is about to die. For this reason, amongst others, many modern interpreters of this card suggest that it means 'change'. This is partly true. However, the idea of confronting something implacable and alarming must not be completely brushed under the carpet. When you draw this card in a reading it is certain that something is coming to an end. This experience may be painful, and difficult to come to terms with. Resistance to this change may work for a time, but not forever. Yet there is no need to be afraid, for Death promises that transformation will follow. Your life is about to be altered completely, some old and outworn part of yourself is dying, and your circumstances will eventually reflect this. This card cannot be taken lightly, or dismissed as some trivial event. Major changes lie ahead, and you may require some time to mourn the passing of what you are leaving behind. Try to think of it in terms of life itself; each phase serves its purpose and we move on to the next. Death in the Tarot promises transformation, renewal and the start of a new life once you are free of the old one. Occasionally it does augur physical death, but this rarely, if ever, applies to the querent. Never predict an actual death when you are reading the cards - it is a totally irresponsible thing to do. Reversed You are resisting changes in your life, and this refusal to adapt is creating a stagnant atmosphere around you. You may feel lacking in energy, as if carrying some great weight. You may feel as if you are wading through treacle. Life could be very boring indeed when you draw Death reversed. Nothing seems to have changed for a long time; everything goes on and life itself seems to have lost its meaning for you. Lethargy and inertia poison your days, and you are so tired you cannot be bothered to do anything about it. If surrounded by positive cards, death reversed could be telling you to wait. Make the most of this, for there is little you can do at the moment. You will overcome your fears, be released from the past, and sooner or later begin a new cycle. 0 - The Fool 1 - The Magician 2 - The High Priestess 3 - The Empress 4 - The Emperor 5 - The Hierophant or Pope 6 - The Lovers 7 - The Chariot 8 - Justice 9 - The Hermit 10 - The Wheel of Fortune 11 - Strength 12 - The Hanged Man 13 - Death 14 - Temperance 15 - The Devil 16 - The Tower 17 - The Star 18 - The Moon 19 - The Sun 20 - Judgment 21 - The World