The Tower
Sometimes life can really grind us down. The Tower is here to say that, while it may be difficult right now, there is a lot of potential for regrowth and starting anew. Read on for more of its wisdom!
The Tower Tarot Card Description
"Things falling apart is a kind of testing and also a kind of healing. We think that the point is to pass the test or to overcome the problem, but the truth is that things don’t really get solved. They come together and they fall apart. Then they come together again and fall apart again. It’s just like that. The healing comes from letting there be room for all of this to happen: room for grief, for relief, for misery, for joy. When we think that something is going to bring us pleasure, we don’t know what’s really going to happen. When we think something is going to give us misery, we don’t know. Letting there be room for not knowing is the most important thing of all. We try to do what we think is going to help. But we don’t know. We never know if we’re going to fall flat or sit up tall. When there’s a big disappointment, we don’t know if that’s the end of the story. It may be just the beginning of a great adventure.”― Pema Chödrön, When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times.
Whenever I pull the Tower tarot card, I think of Pema Chödrön's beautiful work, "When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Hard Times.” So much that I added one of thousands of moving quotes from her text to this very article.
Now, back to tarot. Our beloved Tower is the sixteenth card in the Major Arcana tarot deck; preceded by Temperance, a card of balance and moderation. Rather abruptly we transition to the Tower, and the sudden change, upheaval, and revelation it brings to our awareness.
The imagery in this card is intense, often including a tall tower struck by lightning, engulfed in flames, with people falling from it. Wowza!
This vivid imagery serves a purpose, brazenly capturing the dramatic shifts that force us to let go of old structures and beliefs to make room for the new. The crown at the top symbolizes our ego or false beliefs being toppled, making way for personal transformation. Quite the adventure.
Key Takeaways
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The Tower depicts abrupt and often unexpected change which invites us to connect with our inner fire and resilience.
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The Tower signifies a spiritual awakening that (lovingly) shakes us out of complacency
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When it comes to matters of the heart, the Tower suggests open and honest communication and to face any deep-seated issues or challenges head-on.
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Through all the chaos, the Tower has our back, leading us down a spiritual path of transformation.
Qualities
- Upright: Awakening, destruction, revelation
- Reversed: Avoiding change, identity crisis, resisting truth
Celestial Influence
- Planet/Zodiac: Mars
- Card Number and Arcana: XVI (Major Arcana)
- Element: Fire
- Crystal: Obsidian
Try meditating on the Tower card while holding obsidian to provide more clarity during moments of stress.
Symbology of The Tower Tarot Card
The Tower
The central image of a tall, imposing tower represents structures in our lives—whether physical, emotional, or psychological—that we believe are stable but are built on shaky foundations. These structures can include belief systems, relationships, careers, or personal identities.
Lightning Bolt
The rather angry looking lightning bolt striking the tower signifies sudden and unexpected change. This bolt of energy comes from above, symbolizing a force beyond our control that brings about immediate transformation. It represents a moment of truth or a revelation that can no longer be ignored.
Flames
The flames engulfing the tower symbolize destruction and purification. Fire has the power to destroy, but it also cleanses and makes way for new growth. The burning building suggests that the old ways must be burned away to clear a path for new beginnings.
The Upright Tower: Interpretations and Meanings
In a tarot reading, the Tower shows us that sometimes falling apart a little, or a lot, is needed for healing and growth. It calls us to confront reality and embrace the changes that can lead to deeper understanding of ourselves and others.
Love and Relationships
When the Tower appears upright in a love reading, it signifies a period of sudden and significant change. This could mean the end of a relationship or a profound shift within it. Often, the Tower represents the breaking down of false beliefs and shaky foundations. While these changes can be challenging, they often lead to greater honesty and deeper connections.
If you’re single, the Tower might signal a transformative encounter or realization that shifts your perspective on love. This classic “tower moment” can be jarring but ultimately freeing as it will allow you to break free from old patterns and embrace new growth.
Career and Finances
In career and financial readings, the Tower upright signals abrupt changes and just to be dramatic, potential upheaval. This could manifest as significant shifts in your work environment or financial stability. While unsettling, these changes clear the way for new opportunities that will better align with your core values and aspirations.
The Tower Reversed Meaning
The reversed position of the Tower card indicates that you might be avoiding necessary changes or resisting the truth about something. It warns against ignoring issues in the hope that they will resolve on their own. Low-key feeling called out by the Tower, but fair enough. A valid message!
Love and Relationships
In a love reading, the Tower reversed suggests you might be avoiding conflict or in denial about certain aspects of your relationship. Inevitably, this avoidance often leads to prolonged tension and issues that only grow in size. The reversed Tower warns against ignoring any tough conversations in the hope that things will resolve on their own. Vulnerability and openness for the win.
Career and Finances
In career and financial contexts, the Tower reversed indicates a desire to avoid disruption and maintain the status quo, even if it’s not serving your best interests. Sadly, this resistance can lead to greater instability over time.
Don't worry, this doesn't mean financial ruin or anything, but it might be time to seek new opportunities, develop new skills, or create a more flexible financial plan.
Departing Wisdom from The Tower
The Tower card, though intense, carries a powerful message of transformation. It reminds us that sometimes, old structures must be dismantled to make way for new growth and understanding. This upheaval isn’t about punishment but about clearing out what no longer serves us.
Mantra: During hard moments, I will gently remind myself that things are always in transition.
References
The Way of Tarot | Alejandro Jodorowsky, Archive.org
The Marseille Tarot Revealed A Complete Guide to Symbolism, Meanings & Methods | Yoav Ben-Dov
The Pictorial Key to the Tarot | Arthur Edward Waite
Disclaimer
The contents of this article are provided for informational purposes only. Take what resonates with you and leave behind anything that doesn't. Anahana is not liable for any interpretations, insights, or outcomes that may arise from using the information provided.
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