Clear the Path

From the Anna K Tarot, Death; from the Meditation Cards, Erupting Patterns:

 

If the path before you is clear, you're probably on someone else's.

― Joseph Campbell

Death beckons, though not in an intimidating way. His message seems to be more about a need to clear the path in order to progress further. What needs to be released? The message from Erupting Patterns (via a quote from Pema Chodron) points to the blockage:

Those of us with strong addictions know that working with habitual patterns begins with the willingness to fully acknowledge our urge, and the willingness not to act on it.

When strong emotions arise, especially in response to unexpected change or uncertainty, it's easy to step back into habits of thinking and reacting that appear to offer solace but actually don't benefit us. If we want to move forward, it's time to accept that they don't help us but hold us back.