Review: Memento Mori Deck

Title: Memento Mori: 36 Cards to Embrace Life
Author:  Red Wheel
Publisher:  Weiser
Date:  October 6, 2025
Pages:  36 cards

“Memento mori” is Latin for “remember you will die.” This concept of remembering death is found in cultures around the globe and throughout history. In art, it is portrayed using skulls, withered flowers, timepieces, smoke, coffins, flickering candles, rotting fruit – objects symbolizing the fragility of existence, the passing of time, and the impermanence of life. 

While some find reminders of death morbid or distasteful, the tradition of memento mori is meant to remind people that death is inevitable and life is short, so not to waste any of it. The concept is often paired with the phrase “memento vivre,” which means “remember to live.” “Carpe diem” and “you only live once” are similar sentients, all noting anxiety and fear of death is useless.   

Skeletons are the only symbol used to represent death in these cards. They are shown in mundane moments such as reading a book, drinking tea, playing chess, scrolling on a cellphone, dancing, picking vegetables in the garden, and looking in the mirror. Their life-affirming messages are simple: forgive, rewind and reset, for everything a season, choice feeds fate, and return.  

The illustrations are detailed, colorful, and by no means threatening or morbid. If anything, some are light-hearted, even cute. Because skeletons do not portray a sex, ethnicity, sexual preference, social standing, or age, they can be any of us, stripped to the bone and making us all equal in death. And, what comes after that is irreverent. 

This pocket-size oracle deck is meant for contemplation, for determining what “you need to focus on to be here now.” As such, it points to what users need to embrace in the present to make the most of the moment. 

No guidebook comes with these cards – only 389 words of introduction in tiny type on both sides of one of the 2.25-by-3.5-inch, Gold-guilded cards. That leaves users to trust their intuition when interpreting the images and key words. While experienced readers will have no difficulty, the vivid drawings and simple messages make this deck non-threatening to anyone seeking guidance to make the most of the present moment. 

About the Reviewer:
As an eclectic solitary practitioner, I travel the country in a converted school bus and share magick with those I meet. Find me at https://thewitchonwheels.com/ and on Facebook.