The Card of death is one of the most misunderstood cards in tarot. Although it carries with it a kind of fear, what it really means is transformation. Or, well, this endings they are not always bad. Sometimes they are necessary. Necessary even now, as October begins, this is even more important. Endings are necessary for change and change is necessary for new beginnings. In a sense, all these words are synonymous with each other, and therefore there is no need to fear Death if it appears in your spread. Just as the natural world changes with falling leaves and longer nights, the Death card reminds us that in order for there to be renewal, things must come to an end, much like the transition from autumn to winter.
The traditional version of the death card features a skeletal figure on a horse, which symbolizes the certainty of change. In a landscape where either rich or poor individuals face dire consequences, it shows the transformation affecting all of life. Behind the skeleton figure is the rising sun, indicating that after all is over, something new awaits the dawn. Thus, the lesson that October teaches us and the imagery of this card can be related: October is when nature prepares to sleep, cleaning out the old to prepare for the new.
October is a delicate month when the walls between the physical and spiritual worlds thin. That’s why it’s the month of the Death card, and it really encourages you to let go of what doesn’t serve you – whether it’s outdated beliefs, toxic relationships, or habits that are holding you back. Just as nature sheds its leaves, the Death card encourages you to embrace necessary endings.
There must be an end. At the same time, the death card also promises rebirth and transformation. In October, we should hope that the energy given by this card can motivate you to face your fears of change, trust the process of transformation and welcome a new beginning. It reminds us that growth often comes from letting go, because letting go makes room for something better to emerge and take its place.
