The change of perspective The Hanged Man has passed through is truly transformational, so it is natural that the next card is all about transformation, the birth of something new after something old has died. This card is certainly, and unjustly, one of the least popular when it shows up in a reading. In the West even the word is sometimes stigmatized, while in the East people are more likely to understand that death is an integral part of the cycle of life: nothing new can ever happen if something old does not perish. This card can mean actual death, but it is primarily about transformation and endings. The end of a job you are not satisfied with, of some relationship in your life; perhaps it signifies moving to a new house, or just changing your personal image. In fact, many times we are delighted that something is finally over and done with. Those who fear this card are those who do not understand that change is beneficial and that it is happening all the time. Look at yourself ten or twenty years ago and you will see that some parts of you, some beliefs you had, have died, while others have taken their place. The only reason transformation is illustrated in such a catastrophic tone is that it is often fought against by those whose egos are afraid of change. Just look at politicians all over the globe today: they are certain to experience this card on one level or another, because Death, just like Justice, is fair and inevitable.
On the card
The most obvious thing we see is a skeleton in armour riding a pale horse. The pale horse and the skeleton are both clear symbols of death. The skeleton holds a banner with a five-petalled white rose on a black background. According to Waite it is the Mystic Rose; it symbolizes rebirth, perhaps the main theme of this card. Five is also the number of rebirth and grace. Beneath the horse we see a dead king, a clear message that no one is immune to the cycles of life and death. Even more, the horse tramples his crown, showing utter indifference to all human achievement and status. Even the greatest and most glorious human creation in the material world is just a temporary spark compared to the glory of the spiritual world. In front of Death stands a bishop, praying, illustrating faith in the face of death. At the feet of the bishop we see a maiden who has fainted, obviously unable to deal with the horrible passing of the king. At the feet of the horse we see a child holding a white rose, looking up at Death as if entranced, with curiosity or bewilderment. These three people represent the three main responses of human beings exposed to death. The first is that of religion, trying to solve the issue with prayer, mourning and ritual. We have countless rituals in the world, all trying to establish a relationship with death. The second is looking the other way, denial, illustrated by the young girl who has fainted. She does not want to see or acknowledge death as something natural and ever-present. But look at the little child. The little child does not try to make death a friend or to ask death to go away. He looks death in the face, recognizes death for what it is, and has a natural acceptance of this reality. In the background of the card we again see the river of the Major Arcana, the same river that originates in The High Priestess. This time we can see a boat on the river: a plausible reference to the river Styx, but also a clear indication that life goes on, and for everything that dies there is something else that is born. A motif that underscores this concept is the rising Sun. Indeed, the Sun is rising, not setting, clearly a new beginning. There are two towers, one on each side of the Sun, a firm connection with The Moon card, where the same two towers appear. Some see them as tombstones, others relate them to karma. Some argue that the New Jerusalem appears as a silhouette against the Sun, which brings the motif of the new beginning further into focus. The Hebrew letter for this card is Nun, to sprout or to grow; in the light of the conclusions above, this is self-explanatory.
Upright
When Death appears it almost always signifies a major change in one's life. Go with the flow of sudden change and have faith. You will find the inner strength you need to deal with new situations. After all, it might clear the way for a brand new start and something of greater value for you. Some kind of ending is taking place in your life.
Reversed
This card brings a strong feeling of change mixed with dread and horror, the result of attachment and bondage. Inertia and stagnation might be the problem; you need new ideas to break the ice. This card usually reminds us to cut out the obsolete.