The Card of Death
from Legend of the Arthurian Tarot in an upright position.
The Death card from this deck shows Gwyn ab Nudd the Welsh Wild Huntsman and gatherer
of souls riding with his band of warriors over a desolate landscape. As the story goes Gwyn,
son of Nudd, is the Welsh Wild Huntsman, God of the Dead, Hunter and Warrior, he is the
Lord of the Underworld. The sight of the Wild Hunt streaking through the sky was believed to
foretell a coming death, as Gwyn was assigned the task of collecting the souls of the dead.
His ghostly fleet was said to be made up of men fallen in battle. Some rode horses, others stages,
all accompanied by the red-eared hounds of the Otherworld (cwn Wyhir) The riders of the Wild Hunt
were also charged with protecting the dead. With thundering hooves and deafening horns their
violent passage through the skies was said to scare evil away from the realm of Annwn.
Glastonbury was reputed to the home of Gwyn, housing him and his spectral host within the hollow
hill. It was said that one could access the Otherworld by way of this tor. According to the Angelo
Saxon Chronicle, Arthur accompanies Gwyn on this wild hunt. They also cross paths in the story
with Creiddylad. Gwyn is in love with Creiddylad. Despite this affection, arrangements have been
made for her to marry Gwythur, the son of Gwreidawl. Desperate to prevent the marriage, Gwyn
abducts the fair Creiddylad. Arthur pursues Gwyn and lays siege to his fortress. He insists that
Creiddylad be released, but Gwyn fails to yield to Arthur's demands. Eventually, it is agreed that
Gwyn and Gwythr will fight for the hand of Creiddylad. The battle will take place on May Day, and
it is decreed that it shall be repeated every May Day till the end of time. Then, whom ever is the victor
shall win the fair Creiddylad.
It has been suggested that this annual struggle is symbolic of winter and summer's custody battle for land.
Looking at this card the hills are bare and there is a ruined castle overlooking a river. It is Winter,
the Season of Rest and Re-birth. The river running through shows the promise of Life to plant and
animal alike. The leafless trees symbolize the dark time season when the passage of time of the
shadows brings insight. It is that time which it is believed that the veil between the worlds is the
thinnest thus bringing insight, heightened psychic abilities and depth to people. There is a lightning
storm brewing and the sparks of electricity also symbolize life bioelectric energy impulses are what
keep us alive but can also kill. Castle ruins symbolize an end of an era. The horn symbolizes a
warning signal that a storm is coming. No matter what our stasis in life death is the great equalizer
and the skeletons are all equal to one another. Water has traditionally divided this world from the
realm of the dead. The Celts believed the sea or a river ran between the two. The river!, like life,
represents beginnings. It is also represents a natural course to things of this life. One further piece
of symbolism - The horse, ridden by the members of the wild hunt is commonly thought to carry
the souls of the dead to the next world.
Reference for Story is from "A Keeper of Words Legend of the Arthurian Tarot" by Anna-Marie Ferguson
So what does this wild train of events mean for us. Clearly it is change. Death is a change
from one thing to another. It is a transformation of something. It is all well and good to know the
story behind this card but look at the card too and let it speak to you. The storm is on us.
Change is the message.
Meanings:
Major transformation or change
A new Era is beginning
Leaving the past behind
Death of an old self
Renewal
Rebirth
Advice:
Get ready for some endings. We all know death may be an end but it is also a new beginning. Prepare your for change. Don't fight things changing because with change comes growth. We all learn and then start a new task. Ask yourself if there is anything that needs changing ion your life and take steps to work on it.
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