#13: Rebirth
Rebirth is the card of transformation, endings, and renewal. Despite its ominous name, this card is not about physical death but about the shedding of the old to make way for the new. It represents the cycles of life, the inevitability of change, and the power of rebirth. It speaks to the profound transformations we undergo—whether in identity, relationships, or personal evolution. It reminds us that letting go is not an end but the beginning of something new.
UPRIGHT
Transformation, endings and new beginnings, letting go, rebirth, evolution
REVERSED
Resistance to change, fear of endings, stagnation, holding onto the past
rebirth Overview
Death is not to be feared—it is a natural, necessary part of growth. This card appears when a chapter in your life is closing, making room for something new. Whether it’s an identity shift, the end of a relationship, or a major life change, Death encourages you to embrace transformation rather than resist it.
If Death appears in your reading, ask yourself: What am I holding onto that no longer serves me? What transformation is unfolding in my life? How can I trust in the process of letting go?
Symbolism and Imagery
The Skeleton in Armor – Represents the inevitability of change, as death comes for all. The armor shows that this transformation is unstoppable.
The Black Horse – A symbol of power, mystery, and the unknown.
The Rising Sun – Represents hope, renewal, and the promise of a new day after endings.
The River Flowing in the Background – Symbolizes the continuous flow of life and the certainty of change.
The Figures Before Death – A king, a child, and a figure in prayer—showing that transformation affects all, regardless of status or belief.
Upright Meaning
Upright, Rebirth signals deep transformation. An old version of yourself, an outdated belief, or an unfulfilling situation is being cleared away. While endings can be difficult, this is a moment of growth. Trust that something better is waiting on the other side.
In a reading, ask yourself: What am I ready to release? How can I embrace change rather than resist it?
Reversed Meaning
Reversed, Death suggests resistance to change. You may be clinging to something that has already run its course. Fear of the unknown can keep us stuck, but avoiding transformation only prolongs discomfort. The more you surrender, the easier the transition will be.
In a reading, ask yourself: Am I holding onto something that is already over? How can I allow change to happen with less fear?
Final Thoughts
Death reminds us that endings are just the first step toward new beginnings. Transformation is not always easy, but it is always necessary. Let go with trust, and know that what awaits you is meant for you.
#13: Rebirth
Queer and Transgender Meaning
Death is not an ending—it is a transformation. It is the shedding of old identities, the release of what no longer serves you, the rebirth into something truer. It is the moment when you let go of fear and step fully into yourself. This card reminds you that transition is not just about change—it is about becoming who you were always meant to be.
UPRIGHT
Transformation, rebirth, endings and beginnings, letting go, evolution, stepping into a new self
REVERSED
Fear of change, resistance, clinging to the past, struggling with transition, grief
Death and the Trans Experience
There is no card more fitting for transition than Death. This is not a card of loss—it is a card of transformation.
For trans people, Death represents the shedding of old identities, the release of the past, and the rebirth into authenticity. It is the moment you stop living for others and start living for yourself. It is saying goodbye to a name that never fit. It is letting go of the fear that kept you silent. It is stepping forward, even when you are afraid.
But Death is also about grief. Transition is beautiful, but it can come with loss—the loss of how people once saw you, the loss of relationships that do not survive your truth, the loss of the person you once pretended to be. This grief is real, and it deserves to be honored.
The beauty of Death is that it is never just an ending—it is a beginning. The old self dissolves, and something more authentic, more whole, more powerful emerges.
This card asks: What do you need to release in order to fully become yourself? How can you honor your past while stepping into your future?
Symbolism and Imagery
Death is filled with symbols of transformation and rebirth.
A skeletal figure riding a horse – Death is inevitable, but it is also a cycle. You are always becoming.
A rising sun in the background – A reminder that every ending is also a beginning.
A fallen crown on the ground – The death of old power structures, the release of past identities.
A white rose on a black flag – Purity and new life emerging from the darkness.
Upright Meaning: Transformation and Rebirth
When Death appears upright, it signals a powerful transformation—you are shedding what no longer serves you and stepping into something new.
For trans people, this might mean:
Letting go of an old identity – Fully embracing your transition, without apology.
Releasing fear and shame – Choosing to live authentically, regardless of outside opinions.
Embracing a new version of yourself – Whether physically, socially, or emotionally, you are becoming something new.
Honoring both grief and joy – Letting yourself feel the weight of change while also celebrating growth.
This card reminds you that you are not ending—you are evolving.
Reversed Meaning: Fear and Resistance to Change
When Death appears reversed, you may be struggling to let go of the past or resisting transformation.
For trans people, this can look like:
Clinging to old identities – Struggling to fully embrace transition.
Fearing the unknown – Hesitating to move forward because change feels overwhelming.
Grieving what was, but not allowing rebirth – Holding onto loss without stepping into what comes next.
Feeling stuck in between – Knowing change is needed but resisting the shift.
Death reversed challenges you to release what no longer serves you, so you can step fully into your truth.
Final Thoughts
Death is the moment when you stop hiding, stop pretending, and step fully into yourself. It is not just an ending—it is a rebirth, a transformation, a becoming.
This card says: You are not losing yourself. You are finally meeting yourself. Let go. Step forward. Become.