13 Death
In the traditional deck...
The Death card represents transformation, endings, and rebirth rather than literal death. This powerful card symbolizes the completion of one phase of life and the beginning of another, often involving the release of old patterns, relationships, or ways of being that no longer serve your growth. Death is about necessary endings that clear space for new beginnings—the shedding of an old skin to allow for transformation and renewal. This card appears when major changes are occurring or needed, when you must let go of the familiar to make room for something better. Death reminds us that all things must end for new life to begin, and that resisting natural cycles of change only prolongs suffering. The transformation represented by Death is often profound and permanent, leading to a completely different way of being in the world.
In the Shakespeare deck...
Edgar from King Lear, stripped of his identity and reduced to the wild madman "Poor Tom," embodies Death's profound transformation through complete dissolution of his former self. When Edmund's deception destroys Edgar's reputation and forces him to flee, everything that defined him—his noble status, his father's love, his very name—dies completely. Wandering the heath as a bedraggled, half-naked beggar, Edgar has experienced the death of his old life so thoroughly that he must reinvent himself entirely. Yet this devastating loss becomes the foundation for his ultimate transformation. By losing everything, he gains the freedom to become someone new and eventually emerges stronger, wiser, and more compassionate. His journey through the wilderness of despair mirrors Death's promise that complete endings create space for profound renewal and rebirth.
Interpretation...
When the Death card appears, a significant phase of your life is ending, making way for profound transformation and new beginnings. Like Edgar losing his identity and status, you may be experiencing or approaching the complete dissolution of something that has defined you—whether a relationship, career, belief system, or way of life. While this ending may feel devastating, Death assures you that this dissolution is necessary for your growth and evolution. The card reminds you that clinging to what's already dying only prolongs the pain—true renewal requires allowing the old to fall away completely. This transformation will likely be more profound than you expect, reshaping not just your circumstances but your very sense of self. Trust that what emerges from this ending will be more authentic and aligned with your true purpose.
Advice...
Accept that certain aspects of your life need to end completely
Don't cling to what's already dying—let the transformation happen
Trust that profound endings create space for equally profound beginnings
Allow yourself to be stripped down to essentials for true renewal
Embrace the unknown rather than trying to control the transformation
Remember that your core self will survive even the most complete changes
See loss as liberation from what no longer serves your highest good