nothing will ever be the same
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Tarot Alley uses the Rider Waite type of deck for our meanings, symbols, interpretations, etc.
The Tower represents upheaval and destruction. This – not Death – is the card to worry about.
The Tower card means change. And not a little one. Something huge, epic, life changing.
The Tower – and the experience that goes with it – are unmistakable life events. Nothing is the same after.
Take a look at the Rider-Waite Fool displayed to the left (or above).
What is your first impression?
What do you think is going on here? Who are the people? What are they doing? What’s happening to the tower? What does the other imagery say to you?
There’s no right or wrong answer here, just your interpretation.
Astrology: Mars
Element: Fire
Numerology: 16 = 1+6=7 (imagination, inner work, psychology)
Common Symbols
- a Tower to represent the old way
- Lightening to represent a sudden destruction
- Falling People (or objects) to represent the fallout
Keywords & Concepts
- chaos
- disruption
- uncertainty
- unexpected
- change
- revolution
- disaster
- shock
- upheaval
- destruction
the Tower for Personal Growth
Identify what holds you back and attack it. Embrace bold change. Criticism may come; if so, search each barbed word for a kernel of much-needed truth. Some of life’s greatest lessons are tough ones! With time, a bruised ego can become fertile ground for personal growth and maturity.
Ask Yourself:
- How might the current situation dramatically alter your perspective?
- How might this loss open the door for new growth?
- What attitudes need to be struck down before you proceed?
- In what ways have you hit bottom?
- How might your situation be impacted by someone;s metaphorical fear of falling?
Interpreting the Tower
When the Tower appears, a life-changing event is happening or about to happen.
It’s unavoidable and nothing will be the same when it’s over. But it’s ultimately a positive.
The Tower represents an aspect of your life that must be destroyed so that something better can be built in its place.
You may not think, initially, that the Tower has to go. But, eventually, you’ll recognize how much better off you are with the replacement.
While it’s often perceived as a terrible life event and tragedy (such as a job loss, bankruptcy, death of someone close, serious injury/illness, etc), it doesn’t have to be. It could mean a natural disaster, major move (physically or career), or other non-tragic but huge event.
The Reversed Tower
How you read reversals is a personal choice. You can ignore reversals and read them as if the card is upright (this is what I often choose to do) or you can interpret reversals as variations of what they would mean upright. There are 3 common ways to read reversals: as a negative interpretation, as an opposite interpretation, or as a block on the upright interpretation. Check out How to Read Reversals for more information.
Negative: A negative reversed Tower suggests a major disaster. This is going to be something that hurts, deeply.
Opposite: An opposite reversed Tower means you’ve avoided something terrible. Evaluate what that might have been and make sure you understand what happened & how you avoided it so it doesn’t reappear.
Blocked: A blocked reversed Tower indicates you’re avoiding things. It’s time to stop. You must face what’s happening so you can rebuild things better.
Examples of the Tower
Specific Interpretations
Specific situations are the general interpretation (from above) used for a specific situation (love, career, etc). There is no need to memorize these (or even look them up) if you understand the general interpretation. However, here are some basic interpretations for some specific situations:
Love & Relationships
When it comes to love and relationships, the Tower is usually a bad sign.
If you’re in a relationship, the Tower represents a difficult time. It’s a test of your relationship. You’re going to be pushed to your absolute limits. If your relationship survives – and many won’t – it will have changed, significantly.
If you’re single, the Tower suggests you’re likely about to face the reasons why. What uncomfortable revelation about yourself will you have to deal with?
Regardless of your relationship status, sometimes the Tower is predicting an assault. Be safe, careful & sensible (although, don’t use it as an excuse to hunker down).
Reversed
Negative: A negative reversed Tower suggests a painful experience.
Opposite: An opposite reversed Tower means you’ve avoided a disastrous situation in your love life. Be sure to learn a lesson from it so it is an avoidance and not a delay.
Blocked: A blocked reversed Tower indicates avoidance. You know your relationship is over but just can’t end it. Or, if you’re single, you know why but you just can’t seem to do anything about it. Stop avoiding & fix your problems.
Professional Life
The Tower suggests a big professional change.
This could mean a job loss, change in position (positive or negative), financial losses, career or education shift, etc.
Reversed
Negative: A negative reversed Tower suggests this professional change is going to hurt, a lot.
Opposite: An opposite reversed Tower means you’ve avoided something terrible. If you want to make sure it doesn’t happen later, be sure to figure out what could have happened & how you avoided it.
Blocked: A blocked reversed Tower indicates you’re resisting change. It’s not surprising, change can be scary but you’ll never be satisfied with your professional life if you don’t.
Health & Wellness
The Tower represents sudden change. For your health, that might be an illness or accident.
Try to stay positive and open to your options.
Reversed
Negative: A negative reversed Tower suggests a bad outcome. Be extra cautious right now.
Opposite: An opposite reversed Tower means a health scare that turns out to be something minor.
Blocked: A blocked reversed Tower indicates that you’re ignoring the signs of an illness. Your best chance at recovery is to see a doctor now!
the Tower Tarot Card Meaning
The Tower represents complete destruction and nothing will ever be the same.
Once you feel comfortable with the Tower tarot card meaning, check out the next card in the tarot deck: XVII – the Star Tarot Card Meaning.
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