card of the month
10 october 2026 — 08 November 2026
death
It feels a little on-the-nose to pull the Death card at this time of year — the time of falling leaves, dwindling daylight, the thinning veil, Halloween, Samhain, Día de los Muertos, and — gulp — Election Day. But as you’ve heard me say before, the cards always know what we need to hear.
Let's get one thing out of the way: This is not a warning about our mortality. In many decks, this card is called something to the effect of “Death and Rebirth.” The Death card means changes, transitions, transformations. First death, then rebirth. Much like the way my garden right now is slowing in its production, and its plants are breaking down, returning to the earth, becoming nutrients to help next year’s garden flourish.
Maybe this lunar cycle you’re confronting some big change — wanted or unwanted. Or maybe there’s something that you know, deep down, you need to change, but can’t make the leap. Now’s the time. This change will be what you need. Out with the old, in with the new.
Because like death, change is inevitable. And it can be really stinking uncomfortable. But a lot of that discomfort comes from clinging to the past, or clutching at what’s no longer useful to us, or even good for us. Look at the people in this card — there’s a lot of suffering there. And what a cast of characters: We have a fallen king (see the crown under the horse’s hoof), with a religious figure, a beautiful maiden, and a child, all pleading with death, begging for its mercy. Not status, power, piety, beauty, youth, or innocence can spare us from the inevitability of death. Change (and death) comes for us all. It’s the great common denominator. Kind of comforting when you think of it that way, yeah? Maybe?
So: Do you want to be like these figures, fighting the inevitable and writhing in agony at Death’s feet? Or do you want to turn to the sun rising over the horizon and move toward whatever comes next?
Yes, change is uncomfortable. But after awhile, so, too, is stagnation. This lunar cycle, release the old and embrace the new. Take a moment to grieve — change implies some kind of loss, and it’s important to honor that and feel all those feelings that come up. But then turn toward the sun. Whatever is there is what you need.
THINGS TO MEDITATE ON THIS LUNAR CYCLE: What’s something you’re clinging to that’s no longer working for you? Where can you let go? Identify a change you can bring into your life — be it a new role at work, a new haircut, a new habit, or a new use of your time — and then let’s check in next month and see where it took you.
