My Favourite Death XIII

US Games Systems

If the Fool is arguably the most important card in a deck, the Death card is undoubtedly the most feared. Of course, it does not predict death but change. Change affects all, hence the group of figures beneath the horse in the RWS. Something old must 'die away' in order for something new to come into being. 

5. True Black

The elegant True Black shows Death as the gatekeeper standing before a door to the "afterlife". The letters that can be seen on the door are from Tao Te Ching. Arthur Wang's excellent guidebook states he likens life to flexibility and death to rigidness. The ability to be flexible and change is therefore essential to being alive. 

4. Dark Mansion

I love how humorous this card is. It looks like Death is bored in his lonely graveyard and will only be cheered up by some new company. A great deck for the gothic horror lovers, the ornate gates depicted in the background give that nod to the transformative nature of change. Step this way and change our Grim Reaper's grimace to a grin. 

3. Lux ex Umbra

Here we have the tradition of the Death card having no name and only a number.  This might soothe some of your more nervous clients but the scull reflected in the butterflies wings retains that sinister quality. The process of change from a caterpillar to a beautiful butterfly has taken place in this card but the memory of what is lost is still there. Taken forward on those delicate wings. 

2. Oak, Ash and Thorn

A beautiful, strong moon-gazing hare surrounded by transformative butterflies sitting in the dark forest. He is a symbol of good luck, in some traditions, reminding us that when a situation is tough, change is good news. No matter how difficult the process, represented by those spiky thorns, once change has taken place, the outcome will see you stronger. 

1. Tarot of the Sweet Twilight

Now this is as much a surprise to me as it may be to you. An old-fashioned mass market deck, how can this be my favourite Death card? Well, multiple languages bordering the image aside, this Death card really tugs on the heart strings. What's happening here? Death is carrying her soul across the barren desert, step by step till he can gently lay her down to rest. The process of change, of transformation, of dying, can be soothing and tender. Death can be our friend supporting us and transporting us from the cold of the dark moon to the warmth of the sun. 

Decks

• Universal Waite by US Games Systems 
• Smith-Waite Borderless edition by US Games Systems 
• Radiant Rider Waite by US Games Systems 

​5. True Black Tarot by Arthur Wang 
4. The Dark Mansion Tarot by Magdalena Kaczan and Krzysztof Wasiuk, Taroteca Studio
3. Lux ex Umbra Tarot by Pauline A. and Bruno K, Mystiic 
2. Oak, Ash and Thorn by Stephanie Burrows and Adam Oehlers, Three Trees Tarot
1. Tarot of the Sweet Twilight by Cristina Benintende, Lo Scarabeo