The Tower | Tarot Card Meanings & Interpretations
A card seen as chaotic, The Tower represents a divine intervention that was bound to happen in due time. The universe will bring in new changes and force out your outdated beliefs and foundations that are unstable. This may come as a dramatic shock or event, however, you need to look at your life honestly and not become the victim. Find the root cause.
KEYWORDS
Upright: New beginnings, taking a risk and being prepared to succeed or fail, new opportunities, a child, the ultimate entrepreneur.
Reversed: Rushing into a decision, being naïve, taking a risk without preparation, being childish.
Numerology: 16
Astrology: Mars (planet), Aries (zodiac sign), Fire (element), and Cardinal (mode).
Timings: This can indicate a sudden or unexpected upheaval, very soon.
YES/NO: No.
SYMBOLISM
Crown Falling: The crown falling can be interpreted as the crown chakra going through internal changes of beliefs, as well as enlightenment.
Black Background: The background indicates mystery, as well as not being able to see clearly what is going on.
Lightning Bolt: The bolt is significant of a sudden shock, the arrow on the end can be interpreted to say that divine intervention was involved, as there is a target.
Fire: Fire is symbolic of destruction, and things turning to dust or nothing. This is symbolic as The Tower tends to symbolise a crumble and a need to rebuild.
Twenty Two Flames: These flames can be signs of the 12 signs in the zodiac and the 10 points of the tree of life. You can also interpret this as the total number of Major Arcana cards - which are life lessons. This can be interpreted as divine intervention by spirit.
Smoke: The smoke can signify a lack of clarity and not seeing clearly in the situation.
Crumbling Foundation: The foundation below is rocky, sharp, and unstable, whilst the tower above is built solid and stable. This can suggest that although on the surface above things seems stable, underneath the core foundations will eventually fall apart, causing the destruction of the entire tower.
Three Windows: The windows are dark inside, which means you cannot see what goes on within, however, all is being revealed on the outside. The number three can be significant as it is the number before four. Four is a number signifying foundations, buildings, and structures. Three can signify progress and wait for results. As this is the number before, it can indicate a stepping stone toward the structure.
Character 1: One figure jumps out wearing both a red and blue outfit, the red can be signs of fear, anger, passion, and energy, whilst the blue represents calmness, confidence, trust, and emotions. It is likely this figure jumps by force and fear, rather than choice.
Character 2: The second figure jumps out wearing all blue, signifying their trust and confidence in the divine. This figure likely jumped by choice and trust.
THE TOWER MEANINGS
GENERAL
In a general reading, The Tower indicates an unforeseen change due to the foundations not being stable and solid. This is a change that was bound to happen in due time, and now the spirit is pulling the rug beneath your feet to say it's time for restructuring. This unexpected chaos typically can indicate a spiritual awakening, or deep truths being revealed. It can also be interpreted as a release of what no longer serves you being forced upon you.
REVERSE: The Tower can be interpreted as resisting this unforeseen change. This can be an entire rejection of change, or a refusal of changing your internal belief systems. This refusal and resistance will eventually turn out for the worse, as the more change is refused, the more that it ends up being forced on you. Alternatively, The Tower can suggest fearing change, and instead completely avoiding a chaotic situation.
LOVE & RELATIONSHIP
When The Tower appears in a relationship reading, it can signify there are weak relationship foundations that are eventually going to cause relationship tension and struggle. The Tower can also indicate partners with opposing beliefs, which cause internal and external tension. It is important to know that the relationship needs time for serious rebuilding, but it is not the end. In these circumstances, the relationship hasn't been built on solid foundations, and over time the foundation weakens and crumbles. Alternatively, outdated relationship beliefs are being restructured.
REVERSE: The Tower can indicate relationships breaking down due to internal causes. There could be possible belief systems that are being uprooted and changed, particularly if they are causing differences between you and your partner. However, when in reverse, this can indicate that one party may be avoiding this change or completely rejecting these new beliefs and ideas. There may be a huge fear around change, and avoidance and refusals may be wreaking havoc on the relationship. Avoiding and rejecting these changes will only make things worse, as change will be forced in a more destructive and negative way. It is important to allow change and breaks, to start to rebuild new relationships, and begin moving forward positively.
CAREER, JOB & BUSINESS
In a career, business, or job-related reading, The Tower can indicate business downfalls, recessions, and huge losses. There may be possible corruption in the workspace being revealed. It is important to try to figure out the root of the issues so that rebuilding and restructuring can take place.
REVERSE: The Tower can indicate clinging onto outdated beliefs within a workplace or your career. There may also be internal business changes, and due to this, you are having trouble adapting to the changing ways your job or career is developing into. You may be having an internal career crisis, causing you to really think about your future and what you want to truly do on your soul's journey. It is important to go with the flow in these situations, as the spirit knows what is best for you.
FINANCE
The Tower appearing in a financial reading can indicate large financial losses and breakdowns of your current financial situation. These can indicate losses related to businesses or personal situations, however, this can also be a wake-up call to improve and rebuild your finances. The Tower's appearance can also indicate this is a financial situation that is long overdue.
REVERSE: The Tower can indicate that you have avoided a disaster in your finances, this could indicate not taking responsibility for your finances, or just having a near-miss event. Either way, the Tower can serve as a warning for you to not repeat your financial mistakes.
HEALTH
The Tower appearing in a health reading can suggest sudden illnesses or accidents coming unexpectedly. The Tower can also indicate health issues, including mental health issues that relapse unexpectedly, causing extreme stress and emotional turmoil. Self-care is an extreme priority at this time, it is important to seek health advice if needed.
REVERSE: The Tower can suggest ignoring or completely rejecting an illness or warning sign. The Tower can also indicate rejecting professional diagnosis' out of fear of it being true. You may also be having an internal crisis and need to seek support, but are suppressing this. Alternatively, The Tower in reverse can be a card of internal transformations and recovery, building back up from a chaotic experience.
PERSONALITY & ARCHETYPES
As a personality, the Tower can indicate an individual who has explosive tendencies, such as anger issues. They may be slightly chaotic without warning, or possibly aggressive or violent. This individual may be immature and needs time to restructure their core belief systems and values.
POSITIVES & ADVANTAGES
Change is for your highest good, revelations and truths are revealed. You are going through an intense spiritual awakening and will gain new awareness and perspectives.
NEGATIVES & DISADVANTAGES
Avoiding a catastrophic event, or a refusal and rejection of new beliefs and systems. Existential crisis and questioning of one's life purpose. There could be a fear of change. You need to trust the process.
