An image from Irmgard Hofmann-Barth’s 1990 Egyptian Tarot. The Death card.
It doesn’t look particularly Egyptian but it’s an attractive design. We see the astrological sign for Scorpio at the bottom right, which seems a suitable connection, and the sign for the modern planetary ruler of Scorpio, Pluto (traditionally it’s Mars). While Mars represents war, anger, passion, action..., Pluto represents life, death, and regeneration.
A rather cheerful skeleton dominates the right side of the card with a long scythe with a blood, red handle. What I like best is the eye-catching group of the three creatures on the left, all linked with Scorpio - at the bottom a red scorpion, color-coordinated with Death’s scythe, in the middle a green serpent, and at the top an Eagle.
Astronomically these represent two constellations bear Scorpio: Ophiuchus/Serpentarius (Serpent-Bearer) and Aquila (Eagle). They represent the higher octaves of Scorpio, both still dangerous predators, but the serpent is regeneration and wisdom, the eagle the ability to rise above things with higher insight and perception.
Snakes are known for shedding their skin (and scorpions their carapace). According to medieval beastiaries, aging eagles are fed by their young, grow new feathers and are rejuvinated.










