Death is the necessary condition for rebirth. It is necessary to die in the profane state, to overcome the initiatory passage to relive better, immersed in a situation of sacredness. Contrary to normal use, the reaper of the thirteenth arcana holds the instrument in his left hand so that the skeleton and scythe draw a letter of the Hebrew alphabet, the mem.
The bones of the skeleton are dyed in flesh pink, emblem of all that is sensitive and human. The sickle with the red handle (the fire that dries up everything) seems to spare hands, feet and heads which still retain their appearance: nothing dies definitively, therefore nothing is really lost but everything continues, everything is transformed.
This blade signifies radical transformation, a charitable goal of a state, an enterprise completed; heredity, atavism; temporary loneliness, melancholy destined to dissolve in a short time; beneficial renewal, unexpected evolution; recovery of health, danger escaped; it promises rebirth, new projects, new ideas, conversion, or a useful defeat. It binds to everything that is nocturnal, secret: magic, sexology, psychoanalysis, radioactivity, alchemy and, on a physical level, sperm, hormones, white blood cells, organic defenses, the anus.
It has a close analogy with snakes, scorpions, toadstools, cemeteries, caves. Corresponds to the first part of autumn, November, Tuesday, the element of air, the planets Mars and Saturn, the signs of Scorpio and Capricorn. Indicates a solitary individual, a researcher, an astrologer, a magician; a person trying to "make a life over".
In the negative: Death, symbolized by the reversed blade, instead implies a more radical, definitive break. It therefore means failure, disappointment, mourning, negative attitude, obstacles, unfulfilled projects; anguish, discouragement, lack of faith in oneself, change not implemented. Loss, end, detachment, old age; breakdown of a family situation or a friendship. It envisages a situation of immobility, stagnation, inertia or brutality, rebellion, violence, punishment. Perverse occult actions. It portends serious illness, death (with other negative cards), accidents, sexual impotence, suicide, disease of the genitals and anus.
The advice of the arcane
Do not undertake anything new for now.
Pairings
- Contrasted with the Magician: need to change point of view and intentions.
- Near the Chariot: revenge from a mortification, resumed.
- At the Hermit: regression of an illness.
- Preceded by the Wheel: death caused by a vermin.
- Followed by the Wheel: a substantial legacy.
- Between the Hanged Man and the Stars: death by drowning.
- Followed by the Hanged Man and the Tower: loss of a loved one, annihilation.
- United with the Devil: inevitable change of situation.
- Near the Tower: Stopping Events.
- At the overturned stars: dangers deriving from water.
- Accompanied by the Stars and Judgment: optimism, favorable changes.
- Near the Moon - internal and external contrasts, nightmares, fear of tomorrow.
- Preceded by the card representing the consultant: serious illness. but not lethal.
- Followed by the same: disease causing death.
- Preceded by any Cup card: consolation.
- Followed by the same: end of a love affair.
- Near a blade of Sticks: an alienating profession that does not give satisfaction.
- Followed by a blade of Pentacles: Loss.
- At any card of Swords: accident, suffering, danger of death.
