Trust is an important issue for The Hanged Man.
Do what you can
to foster trust between yourself and your family. Help them
understand you, and remain open and curious about them and
how you all can connect.
Supporting and Opposing Cards
Along with The Hanged Man, the Two of Swords emphasizes a time of
pause to go inward to connect with intuitive truths. The Hermit’s
wisdom emphasizes that of The Hanged Man.
The Hierophant’s conventions and institutions clash with The
Hanged Man’s unconventional, creative, or iconoclastic truths. Cards of
speed, urgency, and outward action—such as the Knight of Swords—
detract from The Hanged Man’s inward journey and subtle, inner
convictions.
XIII. DEATH
ALSO KNOWN AS Transformation
KEYWORDS Endings, Grief, Transformation, Rebirth
ELEMENT Water
ASTROLOGY Scorpio
NUMEROLOGY 13, Reduces to 4
Death is a card of endings, grief, and letting go. When we let go, we
transform. Fear breaks down, unleashing love.
The death that has occurred in this card is the death of a king. We see
that his crown has been knocked off. Death suggests that we may have
lost a degree of control, but, as we learned in The Hanged Man, we don’t
have to hold ourselves up all the time. Even when we lose the ability to
control a situation, we can find trust in the divine. It is possible that
we’ve secretly been longing to be free from a certain inner control
mechanism that, possibly due to sorrowful circumstances, we are now
released from.
The Death card reminds us that death doesn’t mean one particular
thing. The child in this card faces death with wide-eyed curiosity. The
maiden turns away from death and laments. The bishop greets death
solemnly. Just as the figures in the card each relate to death differently,
none of us can predict what an ending will mean to us or how it will feel.
This card, therefore, reminds us not to preemptively fear endings just
because they are endings.
If you have pulled the Death card and fear the ending it represents, be
patient with yourself in your fear, and remember to look beyond the fear
to see the whole story. Death is a card of liberation and rebirth. Growth
can be painful, but it is always worth it. Who do you want to become?
What is the world you wish to live in? Believe in your transformation.
Reversed
Death, reversed, suggests that you are refusing to accept an ending. You
fall prey to worry, fear, and confusion, resisting your own
transformation. Remember that you cannot control anything about this
ending except for the amount that you grow from it and the beauty you
make from your pain.
Symbolism
ROSICRUCIAN ROSE The four elements and quintessence, or spirit
(emphasized as central in this symbol)
KING’S CROWN Control
DEATH’S BLACK ARMOR Protection
RIVER River Styx, the soul’s journey after death
Mystic Meanings
In numerology, the number 13 is not an unlucky number; rather, it is a
powerful number indicating the ability to confront truth and thereby
transform. When the digits are added together, the number 13 reduces to
4, echoing The Emperor’s acceptance of reality’s hard facts. The stability
of the number 4 offers us a feeling of resolution.
Death’s element, water, allows us to release our grief and pain
through tears, helping us cleanse our spirit.
Death’s astrological association is Scorpio. Scorpios are fascinated
by transformation, sometimes causing the death of a false way of
thinking or being. Scorpios are calm in the face of change.
Posing a Question
I’ve always enjoyed being around people, but recently I’ve been
experiencing anxiety in groups. What is underlying my fear?
If you have pulled the Death card in answer to this question, your
identity (your armor) is in flux. You feel tender, but you are
resilient, formed by coming through fire. Be gentle with yourself.
Know that your sensitivity is due to getting used to your new self.
Focus on the growth you must do, rather than temporary
solutions for your anxiety. Time will soothe your self-
consciousness, and you will once again enjoy being with others.
Supporting and Opposing Cards
If the Ten of Swords comes up in a reading along with Death, the cards
are acknowledging the pain you are experiencing due to an ending. Be
sure to acknowledge the emotional impact of this situation so that you
can grieve and heal. The Wheel of Fortune emphasizes an ending that is
fated or beyond your control. Don’t guilt yourself about this ending.
Instead, learn from what has happened, and move forward with a
positive attitude.
There is no card that negates Death. The Fool, however, may be
oblivious or blasé in the face of an important ending.
XIV. TEMPERANCE
ALSO KNOWN AS Art
KEYWORDS Creativity, Art, Healing, Balance
ELEMENT Fire
ASTROLOGY Sagittarius
NUMEROLOGY 14, Reduces to 5
Temperance allows us to flourish emotionally, creatively, and spiritually,
due to having all the elements of our life flowing together in harmonious
balance. Temperance is the card of alchemy, art, and metaphors. It is
about elements combining to heal an imbalance and create an
experience that is more than the sum of its parts. The angel in this card
pours water from a silver cup to a gold cup, combining elements. The
water magically pours sideways, indicating that, in the creative zone, the
impossible becomes possible.
This card’s definition of temperance is not abstinence, but rather the
right balance of elements. This principle is represented by the
placement of the angel’s feet: one on land, one in water. If you have
pulled Temperance, you are encouraged to find or maintain balance. If
you are struggling with addiction or imbalance, instead of forcing
yourself to abstain from something, make improvements in other areas
of your life so that they will provide you with the satisfaction you are
looking for. Temper yourself by adding a practice or experience to your
day, which is intrinsically fulfilling and helps balance out any
destructive behaviors or influences.
Reversed
Temperance, reversed, indicates a lack of balance. This imbalance may
be caused by indulgence or addiction, or else by deprivation, as in eating
disorders or the rejection of your own emotions. Take steps to restore
balance.
Symbolism
ANGEL Divine protection
WATER Purification, healing
THE SEPTENARY (TRIANGLE WITHIN A SQUARE) Seven principals of human
experience
IRISES Hope
Mystic Meanings
In numerology, the number 14 signals stability. As such, it indicates that
emotions are not primary in the inspired state, but rather one of many
qualities present. When the digits are added together, the number 14
reduces to 5, a dynamic number of change and mediation. This echoes
Temperance’s meaning of combining many different elements.
Temperance’s element is fire. This is a dynamic card in which
elements are combined and creative or fiery chemical reactions take
place.
The zodiac sign Sagittarius is associated with Temperance. People
born under Sagittarius have many varied interests but are also very
direct. Similarly, Temperance combines unique elements with specific
aims in mind.
Posing a Question
I’m working under a tight deadline. What quality will help me
complete my project on time?
If you have pulled Temperance in response to a quality you need
to channel in order to help you achieve a goal, you are
encouraged to find balance to successfully complete your task.
Stay healthy through the big push of your deadline by nourishing
yourself, getting enough sleep, and refraining from isolating
yourself. Allow the flow of your creativity to guide and fuel you.
Supporting and Opposing Cards
The Star in combination with Temperance emphasizes Temperance’s
meaning of healing. Balance is emphasized by the Two of Cups and
Justice.
The Fives of Wands and the Five of Swords indicate chaos and
conflict, respectively. They both oppose the harmony of Temperance.
The Devil’s hedonism opposes Temperance’s balance.
XV. THE DEVIL
ALSO KNOWN AS Pan, Temptation, Captor of the Lost
KEYWORDS Vitality, Play, Temptation, Oppression
ELEMENT Earth
