Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Don't Fear the Reaper!

The Death card is always a constant point of discussion when the topic of Tarot comes up at the Parlor. And whenever I look at a Tarot deck that I've never seen before, the first thing I always do is find the Death card to see how it is presented. This card alone can give you great insight into the mindset of the author/illustrator of the deck.


What type of image do you prefer for the Death card? The Rider-Waite-Smith image of an armored Death on a horse? The Marseilles version of the skeleton and scythe?

 Perhaps you have a favorite image from a different deck that you own. One of my favorites is from an ancient deck that portrays Death as a little girl carrying a worn rag doll. Somehow it seems appropriate.


Then there are the various meanings and interpretations attached to this image to deal with, as well as understanding how you will deal with this card when it appears in a reading. We've all had sitters that gasp when you turn this card (mostly because they have seen too many movies with gypsies in wagons). "No, no," you hasten to explain, "This is all about rebirth!" But is it really? Rebirth? Change? The starting of a new cycle? Very few other cards in our illustrious Book of Tarot carry such a stigma as this piece of pasteboard.

So what does it mean to YOU? We invite you to drop a comment, or come by one of the Meet-Ups at the Parlor and join in the discussion!


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