Death

I have a number of years' experience as a tarotist.  For those who don't know, I got interested the year I turned 14 thanks to Piers Anthony's novel "Tarot", which is, as my first mentor would know, a sci-fi novel, and plays off in a future in which most of humanity has left Earth for other worlds rich in the resources we need so badly.

Anyway, I got my first deck, David Palladin's Aquarian Tarot (with a blue wavey-scallopy pattern on the back, printed 1970 by U.S. Games, Inc) on the exact same day my uncle married his long-time girlfriend, Ruby.  The date:  14 October 2000.  I spent a large part of that day learning to shuffle my cards and coming to grips with the fact that I had no idea how to do so.  I did my first reading a few minutes later (with the help of the LWB) and another that same night during the reception/supper thing.

The reason I brought this up is that, in my twelve years as a tarotist, I have very seldom read about death, or anything related to it.

I've heard of other readers, some of whom are mediums or such, who regularly read about it, and those who have passed on, or prepare those with dying family for when the family member finally passes.

Yesterday was the first time I did this.  Please note:  I don't remember much of the reading, but what I do remember I'll add.

The lady I read for I'd seen a few times.  She walked past, looked around and said, "I think I'll sit by you today."  Whenever she comes to the market, she told me, she had a reading of some kind done.  I smiled, told her how the payment would work and she smiled and agreed.  She sat down and shuffled the deck (the self-same Aquarian Tarot, which had been popular the whole of yesterday morning) and drew nine cards - this suited me, as I could actually do a nice 9-card spread for her.  What I saw made little sense at first.  The central card was the Five of Pentacles (Loneliness, or alone-ness), with two Majors before it, two after it, and four other Minors mixed into it.  The first thing that popped to mind was a spiritual journey.  Then there was mention of some kind of exile and recuperation and retreat, and finally something about balance.  I told her what I saw and she confirmed some of it, wondered at others and finally told me a bit about herself.

She has terminal cancer and is tired.

When she told me, she got this funny look on her face and the tears started rolling.  She didn't do the whole scream and weep thing, but she did explain that sh'ed made peace with the fact of her coming death and she'd accepted it.  Of course, by this time I'd gone to sit next to her and comfort her, and when we both finally managed to calm down a bit I could read the cards properly for her.  The interpretations and the messages came through hard and fast at this point and she looked at me and said, "That's so true."  She'd been holding on for her children's sake all this time, and they kept asking her for two more years, but while she is physically fit and healthy (all things considered), she is spiritually ready and her soul is tired of hanging on.  I showed her two cards and she turned to me with new tears in her eyes.  I thought it was for the reading, but she said to me, "Thank you.  Now I finally have the permission I wanted."

She'd been so caught up in holding on for her kids she'd not allowed herself to carry through with her decision.

After the reading we sat talking for a little while longer and she told me next year was the year she had in mind for her leaving.  She mentioned how she wants it to be quick and she's sure it will be, but just in case she's putting it out there.  I immediately had a rare vision and saw her passing in her sleep.  I didn't tell her but said that I'm more than sure it will be.  She thanked me, I thanked her, and then ran to the restroom to finish my bawling and clean my face.

The Aquarian Tarot went unread for the rest of the day.