Major Arcana · XIII · combinations

Death: Combinations with Other Tarot Cards

In combinations, Death means the end of one stage and the start of another. It almost never speaks of physical death, but rather of decisive changes described by the neighboring card.

ending
transition
renewal
release
inevitable change

Element: Water
Astrology: Scorpio
Pairs with the Major Arcana: 21

Death combined with the suits

Wands

With Wands: the end of a project, a change of occupation.

Cups

With Cups: the end of a relationship, an emotional transformation.

Swords

With Swords: a painful ending, a final decision.

Pentacles

With Pentacles: a change of job, the loss or redistribution of resources.

Death and the Major Arcana

Death + The Fool
The end of one stage and a bold start to the next. The old leaves, making room for a new path.
In love A breakup that opens a new chapter of life.
Death + The Magician
Transformation through your own effort: a person consciously changes their life, closes the old and starts the new.
In love Ending an old relationship on your own initiative.
Death + The High Priestess
A deep inner transformation. A secret connected to the end of something, or an intuitive sense that a chapter is over.
In love A quiet breakup or the end of a secret relationship.
Death + The Empress
The end of one stage in family life or creative work, and the birth of a new one. Sometimes a pregnancy ending in childbirth.
In love The relationship is reborn or comes to an end.
Death + The Emperor
A change of power, the end of the old order. A leader steps down, a company closes, a reorganization.
In love The end of a relationship with a domineering partner.
Death + The Hierophant
The end of a tradition, a break with old rules and beliefs. A change of views.
In love The end of an official relationship, a divorce.
Death + The Lovers
The end of a relationship or a choice that closes the door on the past. Feelings transform.
In love A breakup or a radical change for the couple.
Death + The Chariot
A sharp change of direction, the end of the road. A move, a change of job.
In love The end of the relationship, someone leaving.
Death + Strength
The strength to live through an ending and a transformation. A way out of a crisis.
In love You have enough strength to close the old chapter and begin a new one.
Death + The Hermit
Solitude after a chapter ends. Making sense of losses, inner transformation.
In love A time of being alone after a breakup.
Death + Wheel of Fortune
Inevitable change, the end of a cycle. Fate closes one door and opens another.
In love The end of a relationship, set in motion by the course of events.
Death + Justice
A fair ending: a case closed, a divorce, a contract coming to an end.
In love A final breakup, a divorce.
Death + The Hanged Man
The waiting ends in change. Let go of the past — that will clear the way.
In love The end of a relationship after a long crisis.
Death + Temperance
A transformation that leads to healing. After the ending comes balance.
In love A calm ending and a new beginning.
Death + The Devil
Freedom from dependence or, on the contrary, a destructive passion. The end of a vicious circle.
In love The end of a toxic relationship.
Death + The Tower
Radical change, the collapse of the old world. Hard, but liberating.
In love An abrupt breakup, a crisis.
Death + The Star
Hope arrives after the ending. Healing and a new beginning.
In love A new love after a breakup.
Death + The Moon
Fear of change, uncertainty after an ending. It is hard to let go.
In love Fear of a breakup, anxiety.
Death + The Sun
A transformation for the better. A new life, joy after change.
In love Happy changes, a new life together.
Death + Judgement
Rebirth, a new life, a second chance after an ending.
In love The relationship is reborn.
Death + The World
A great cycle comes to an end, and you move to a new level.
In love The relationship reaches a new level.

Death and the Minor Arcana

Death + Ace of Wands
The end of one undertaking gives a push to a new one; a change of occupation.
Death + Two of Wands
A choice that closes the past and opens a new road.
Death + Three of Wands
The end of one stage, a shift to bigger goals.
Death + Four of Wands
A move: the end of one stage of life and the start of a new one in another home.
Death + Five of Wands
The end of the struggle, the conflict resolved.
Death + Six of Wands
A victory that completes an important stage.
Death + Seven of Wands
The end of the struggle, the need to let go of your position.
Death + Eight of Wands
A stage ending quickly, an abrupt change of direction.
Death + Nine of Wands
The end of a hard period, but you need to recover your strength.
Death + Ten of Wands
The end of overload, release from the burden.
Death + Page of Wands
News of the end of one stage and the start of another.
Death + Knight of Wands
A move, a departure, an abrupt change of scenery.
Death + Queen of Wands
A woman going through changes.
Death + King of Wands
A change of leadership, the end of a reign.
Death + Ace of Cups
A new feeling after the end of an old relationship.
Death + Two of Cups
The relationship transforms; the old form of the union comes to an end.
Death + Three of Cups
Saying goodbye to friends, the end of a friendship or a group.
Death + Four of Cups
The end of apathy; changes that shake you out of numbness.
Death + Five of Cups
The end of a relationship, a loss you have to live through.
Death + Six of Cups
Saying goodbye to the past, the end of nostalgia.
Death + Seven of Cups
The end of illusions, a sober view.
Death + Eight of Cups
A final departure, the end of a stage.
Death + Nine of Cups
The end of a period of pleasure, a transition to something new.
Death + Ten of Cups
Changes in the family, the end of one stage.
Death + Page of Cups
The end of a romantic stage.
Death + Knight of Cups
The end of a romantic relationship.
Death + Queen of Cups
A woman going through changes.
Death + King of Cups
A man going through changes.
Death + Ace of Swords
A final decision, a breakup, an ending.
Death + Two of Swords
A choice that closes one of the roads.
Death + Three of Swords
A breakup, the end of a relationship.
Death + Four of Swords
Rest after completing an important stage.
Death + Five of Swords
The end of a conflict, a breakup.
Death + Six of Swords
Departure, saying goodbye to the past.
Death + Seven of Swords
The end of deception, exposure.
Death + Eight of Swords
Release after something comes to an end.
Death + Nine of Swords
Fear of the end.
Death + Ten of Swords
A final ending.
Death + Page of Swords
News that something is ending.
Death + Knight of Swords
An abrupt departure, a breakup.
Death + Queen of Swords
A woman after a breakup.
Death + King of Swords
A man after a loss.
Death + Ace of Pentacles
New income after a loss.
Death + Two of Pentacles
The end of financial instability.
Death + Three of Pentacles
The end of a project.
Death + Four of Pentacles
Losing your savings.
Death + Five of Pentacles
The end of difficulties.
Death + Six of Pentacles
The end of financial dependence.
Death + Seven of Pentacles
The end of the wait.
Death + Eight of Pentacles
The end of one job.
Death + Nine of Pentacles
The end of dependence.
Death + Ten of Pentacles
A change of generations, an inheritance.
Death + Page of Pentacles
The end of studies.
Death + Knight of Pentacles
The end of a long piece of work.
Death + Queen of Pentacles
A woman going through changes.
Death + King of Pentacles
A change of business owner.

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Frequently asked questions

What does the combination of Death and The Lovers mean?

The end of a relationship or a choice that closes the door on the past. Feelings transform. In love: a breakup or a radical change for the couple.

What does the combination of Death and The Sun mean?

A transformation for the better. A new life, joy after change. In love: happy changes, a new life together.

What does the combination of Death and The Tower mean?

Radical change, the collapse of the old world. Hard, but liberating. In love: an abrupt breakup, a crisis.

How does Death combine with the Minor Arcana?

With Wands: the end of a project, a change of occupation. With Cups: the end of a relationship, an emotional transformation. With Swords: a painful ending, a final decision. With Pentacles: a change of job, the loss or redistribution of resources.