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HP Tarot - 13 Death
By Ellygator
274 Favourites67 Comments19K Views
(2008) 5 1/2" x 10 1/2" Pencil on Paper. Processed and framed in Photoshop.
In movies, if the Tarot is featured, someone invariably pulls out the Death card, there is horrified silence and then the hero usually gets into horrible trouble and folks die left, right and center.
In real life this tends to be far less dramatic, though it can be a profound experience. For example this year Death is my annual card, and it sure has been an interesting ride so far - though as you can see I am still among the living!
Typically the card will indicate a natural transformation. While the Tower can land on you like a ton of bricks knocking you silly and out of your path, Death usually changes you from the inside out, and it tends to feel more organic, even though it may be painful and scary at times. To me the best symbol for the card is a sloughing snake.
One day she'll look like death, with pale and withered skin and dull, blind eyes, and the next she'll be sleek and glossy and beautiful after having shed her now useless old skin.
For the image for the Death card I chose the arch at the Department of Mysteries. And though the ancient-looking stone arch in the movie looked fine and dramatic, it would have made for something of a rather dull card, so I went with something more ornate and elaborate.
For the curtain I actually chose an image of rippling sand tilted to an odd angle to give a feeling of disorientation, as if there truly was an entirely different dimension behind the confines of the doorway.
In movies, if the Tarot is featured, someone invariably pulls out the Death card, there is horrified silence and then the hero usually gets into horrible trouble and folks die left, right and center.
In real life this tends to be far less dramatic, though it can be a profound experience. For example this year Death is my annual card, and it sure has been an interesting ride so far - though as you can see I am still among the living!
Typically the card will indicate a natural transformation. While the Tower can land on you like a ton of bricks knocking you silly and out of your path, Death usually changes you from the inside out, and it tends to feel more organic, even though it may be painful and scary at times. To me the best symbol for the card is a sloughing snake.
One day she'll look like death, with pale and withered skin and dull, blind eyes, and the next she'll be sleek and glossy and beautiful after having shed her now useless old skin.
For the image for the Death card I chose the arch at the Department of Mysteries. And though the ancient-looking stone arch in the movie looked fine and dramatic, it would have made for something of a rather dull card, so I went with something more ornate and elaborate.
For the curtain I actually chose an image of rippling sand tilted to an odd angle to give a feeling of disorientation, as if there truly was an entirely different dimension behind the confines of the doorway.
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© 2008 - 2021 Ellygator
Comments67
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I always liked the feel of that room and the death arch in the Department of Mysteries. The feel in there, so peaceful and calm, almost draws you in through deaths door...it is so inviting for those who live connected and close to it.
It is frightful for those who are not ready...but for others...it is a most welcome change and rebirth.
Well done.
It is frightful for those who are not ready...but for others...it is a most welcome change and rebirth.
Well done.

on a personal level this is my favourite card. I too pulled the death card to signify my life this year and am happy I did. Although it is taking a lot of work I am again finding myself maybe even in ways I never knew myself. I am particularly pleased with your choice of the sand curtain. Perhaps your intent was not what I feel but when I think of sand I think of the shine and shape sand can wear into an ordinary old piece of glass. Giving it new life. Death is infact life and should never strike fear into the receiver of this card.

I really like your interpretation of the sand curtain. It adds a dimension I had not thought of but that I love a lot. I think I chose sand, because one of the most spiritual things I can think of to do is walk alone by the side of the sea at sunset. Lost between the four elements in their starkest forms and just a traveller between the worlds of air, earth, fire and water...
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