The Tower

The Tower

The Basic Meaning of the Card (Rider-Waite)

The Tower is the sixteenth card in the Major Arcana of the Tarot and symbolizes sudden upheavals, chaos and change. The card’s image shows a tall tower struck by lightning and people falling out of the tower. It represents that sometimes dramatic and unexpected events can occur which shake up our lives and our fundamental structures, forcing us to adapt and change.

Upright Meaning

When The Tower appears upright in a tarot reading, it means that you can expect sudden changes, disruptions or conflicts in your life. The card urges you to be prepared to handle these challenges and to understand that they can lead to positive changes and new insights in the long run. It is a time to let go of old structures and to be open to building something new and better.

Reversed Meaning

If The Tower is reversed in a reading, it may indicate that you have already experienced a sudden change or crisis and that you are now on the way to recovering and rebuilding your life again. It can also mean that you are trying to prevent or deny such a change from happening, which can make it harder to cope when it does occur. The card urges you to be open to change and to see the possibilities in chaos and upheaval.

Example Interpretation

If The Tower appears in a reading alongside the Three of Pentacles and the Six of Swords, it could be interpreted as a sudden and unexpected change (The Tower) leading to new collaborations, efforts and successes on the material plane (Three of Pentacles). In order to achieve this, it is important to seek support, advice and help from others (Six of Swords) when navigating through this period of upheaval and change.

Psychological Interpretation

Archetypal Meanings

The Tower is one of the most feared and misunderstood cards in the tarot deck. It is often associated with destruction, chaos, and sudden change. However, when viewed from a psychological perspective, The Tower represents the archetype of transformation and rebirth.

In many ancient cultures, the tower was seen as a symbol of man’s attempt to reach the divine. It was believed that through this pursuit, one would experience a profound inner awakening and emerge as a stronger, more enlightened individual. This theme is echoed in The Tower card, as the figures falling from the tower symbolize the breaking down of old structures and beliefs in order to make way for new growth and understanding.

Behavioral Patterns

When The Tower appears in a reading, it often signifies a major and unexpected upheaval in one’s life. This can manifest in a variety of ways, such as a sudden loss, a life-changing event, or a significant shift in mindset. The initial reaction to this disruption may be fear, anger, or a sense of chaos. However, it is important to recognize that these emotions are natural and necessary in order to move forward and embrace the transformation that is taking place.

On a deeper level, The Tower may also indicate a need to let go of old patterns and beliefs that are no longer serving us. This can be a difficult process, as we often cling to what is familiar and comfortable, even if it is ultimately hindering our growth. The Tower urges us to confront these patterns head on and release them in order to make room for new and more empowering ways of being.

Integration and Shadow Work

Working with the energies of The Tower can be a challenging but ultimately rewarding experience. It requires us to face our deepest fears and vulnerabilities, and to embrace the unknown. This process of transformation can be supported through shadow work, which involves exploring and integrating the aspects of ourselves that we may have suppressed or rejected.

The Tower also teaches us the importance of surrender and trust in the face of upheaval. By accepting and embracing the changes that are occurring, we can emerge from the destruction stronger, wiser, and more aligned with our true selves.


More Tarot Cards In "Major Arcana"

Strength

Strength is a tarot card that symbolizes self-control, strength and courage. It also represents the ability to overcome obstacles and to handle adversity. It is a sign that the person has the necessary strength and power to achieve their goals.

Strength

Temperance

The Tarot card Temperance symbolizes balance and harmony. It depicts an angel holding two vessels, one vessel of water and one vessel of wine, and mixing the two to create a perfect balance between the two. The card also symbolizes that one must find a good balance between different aspects of their life in order to achieve happiness and satisfaction.

Temperance

The Chariot

The Chariot tarot card symbolizes a journey or a quest that is facing a person. It stands for power, victory and success that can be achieved by balancing opposing forces and finding a way to unite them to create unity. It also represents the will to take control of one's own life and to realize one's dreams.

The Chariot

The Devil

The Devil tarot card symbolizes feelings of being trapped in a destructive pattern or situation. The card also symbolizes a call to take responsibility for one's actions and overcome limiting behaviors. It can also indicate that one should avoid allowing oneself to get caught in traps created by others.

The Devil

The Emperor

The Emperor is a tarot card that symbolizes authority and leadership. It stands for control, structure, and regulation. It also represents a fatherly figure who has the necessary experience and knowledge to lead others. It can also mean that one should be responsible, enterprising, and have a will to take control of their actions.

The Emperor

The Empress

The Tarot card The Empress symbolizes creation, possibilities, and refinement. It also represents female strength and courage, parenting and creativity. It stands for an abundance of energy, kindness and goodwill. It also strengthens the ability to create new situations and to fulfill dreams.

The Empress

The Fool

The Fool is a tarot card that symbolizes a new beginning, an adventure and unknown potential. It also represents a person who is willing to take risks and trust their intuition. It is a card that advocates for change, growth and new opportunities.

The Fool

The Hanged Man

The Hanged Man tarot card symbolizes a moment of stillness and surrender. It depicts a person hanging upside down from a tree branch, indicating that one must let go of control and allow things to happen. It can also mean that one must take a step back and look at the situation from a different perspective.

The Hanged Man

The Hermit

The Hermit tarot card symbolizes a person seeking self-reflection, after going within and searching for the answers that lie within. It stands for solitude and inner journey, and represents a person who is about to step out of their comfort zone and bravely take a step into unknown territory.

The Hermit

The Hierophant

The Hierophant tarot card symbolizes traditional teaching and religious instruction. It also represents a mentor who helps guide us to a better life. It can also represent a role model that we can look up to and learn from. The card stands for the transfer of knowledge, guidance, power, and authority.

The Hierophant

The High Priestess

The High Priestess tarot card symbolizes intuition, mystery and spirituality. It also represents the ability to seek out deeper meaning and knowledge. It symbolizes knowledge, secrets and the possibility of finding answers within oneself. It is a sign to trust one's intuition and follow it to find the right path.

The High Priestess

The Lovers

The Tarot card The Lovers symbolizes love, determination, and choice. It represents a powerful moment of infatuation and emotional closeness between two people who are facing an important decision. It reminds us that we all have the power to choose our own happiness.

The Lovers

The Magician

The Magician tarot card symbolizes the ability to transform and create something new. It stands for creativity, intuition and power. It also represents a person who has the ability to handle different elements to create something new. The card stands for the rebirth of ideas, solutions and changes.

The Magician

The Moon

The Moon tarot card symbolizes mystery, intuition, and dreams. It depicts a moon illuminating a forest-like landscape, with two dogs standing along the path and a turtle shell floating in the water. It represents uncertainty and that we may not always be able to see the whole picture. It can also warn of dangers that may be lurking in the darkness. It can mean it is time to listen to your intuition and follow your dreams.

The Moon

The Star

The Tarot card The Star symbolizes hope, optimism and renewal. It represents comfort and support after a difficult period, and encourages us to follow our dreams and never give up. It is a sign that we are protected on our journey and that we can trust that the way forward is bright.

The Star

The Sun

The Tarot card The Sun symbolizes the light, joy, and hope. It represents love, harmony, and success. It stands for enlightenment and positive energy and means that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. It can also mean that you have reached a stage of personal growth where you are ready to take new steps.

The Sun

The World

The Tarot card The World symbolizes the end of a cycle and is a sign of perfection, balance and realization. It represents feelings of joy, fulfillment and an emotional goal that has been achieved. It also symbolizes a new beginning and is a sign that one has overcome all obstacles and is ready to start anew.

The World

Wheel of Fortune

The Tarot card Wheel of Fortune often symbolizes a fate that follows a cycle of fortune and chance. It typically depicts a wheel-shaped circle with a number of symbols representing different aspects of life. The card can represent the constant change that occurs in life, that everything is ephemeral and that nothing is permanent. Wheel of Fortune can also symbolize the power to create one's own luck and to take responsibility for one's actions.

Wheel of Fortune

Death

The Tarot card Death symbolizes a change or a new beginning. It stands for transformation and renewal, and is a sign that it is time to let go of the old and welcome the new. It can also mean that it is time to leave old habits and patterns behind and create new ones.

Death

Judgment

The Tarot card of Judgment symbolizes a moment of awakening and renewal. It represents a moment of insight and understanding that leads to new levels of liberation and transformation. It is a sign that it is time to let go of the past and take the steps needed to move forward towards a new beginning.

Judgment

Justice

The Tarot card Justice symbolizes justice, balance and order. It represents the distribution of justice and the consequences of our actions. It can also symbolize that one must take responsibility for one's own life and stand by their actions and face the consequences.

Justice