Happy Halloween, Samhain, All Soul's Day, Day Of The Dead, or whatever you may celebrate on this special day. They say that on Halloween the veil between the living and the dead is at it’s thinnest. This is a great day for divination and tarot readers. This holiday is based around death in many cultures. I thought it would be appropriate to talk a little about the Death card.

There seems to be a bit of confusion surrounding this card of death. I recently paid a visit to a site that said "death means physical death and that’s that! ". I really don't agree with that statement at all. I felt today would be the perfect day to shed some light on this dark debate of the Death card.

When reading the death card I think it's very important to really look at the cards surrounding it. These other cards really are the key to deciphering the death cards message in that reading. It's also important to analyze the question of the spread.

For example lets say someone with cancer comes to you for a reading. They shuffle the cards, the spread is laid and all the cards are very negative. The cards show sickness, money problems, and the infamous death card. Nowhere in the spread is any sign of hope. At this point it is obvious that death probably means physical death.

What do you say to the querent? Well if you say "dood I'm looking at a dead person. This is the worst spread I've ever seen. Your already dead!" You as the reader probably just killed the person yourself. They now have no reason to fight the disease and may just give up and let the disease slowly take them. They came to you for a glimmer of hope and its your responsibility to give them that. 

Now it’s important to remember that the querent also wants truth and answers. Its your responsibility to give them that as well. So what do you do?

I think in this situation its important to give them hope as well as honesty. Explain that this is just one possible outcome of many. The tarot simply gives us a glimpse of what could happen if you stay on your present path. The cards don't look good, but if you don't give up, the outcome could change. If you overcome this obstacle, many things in your life will change and you will have a new outlook on life itself.

So in the above situation it is probable that death means physical death. So when does the death card not mean physical death?

Lets look at some other situations. The question may be about divorce or finances. Chances are with the exception of suicide that the death card in this reading is not physical death. You may want to ask the querent if the question is pushing them toward suicide. If they say no then it is safe to assume that the card represents transformation in the face of adversity. If they say they are suicidal you should push them to get some outside help immediately (suicide hotline, or counseling).

So what does the death card mean when its not suicide or physical death? I think the card represents transformation in the face of adversity. Death to the old ego. Death to old ways of thinking. Spiritual transformation that changes the person forever. A potential problem that will lead to a spiritual rebirth.

I know this is an ongoing debate with many tarot readers. This is how I see the death card. You need to use your own judgment when reading this tricky card. Trust your intuition and remember when all else fails there is hope.