The Tower
The Tower signifies sudden, often violent disruption that destroys established structures and forces a rapid, painful descent from long efforts and ambitions. It symbolizes unexpected change, chaos, and instability that challenge spiritual growth and expose vulnerability to the ravages of man and time. In readings it serves as a warning to use extreme caution, possibly indicating accidents, evacuation, or a complete overhaul of power, while its reversed meaning can point to necessary change, escape from danger, or even an unexpected windfall. In magickal work the card represents failed plans or danger but can be paired with protective influences and careful action to lessen harm; intention should remain positive.
Keywords
16. The Tower
Description
No matter how strong we build the house, the Big Bad Wolf can still show up to blow it down. The Tower represents those unexpected blasts of violence and mayhem that sometimes sweep across our paths to erase our footsteps and leave us in despair and anguish. We work hard in life to go farther; we reach for the stars and aim for the heavens, but what's often a long climb up is a short fall down. The Tower shows us that even the strongest fortress is prone to the ravages of man and time. Whether a prison or a palace, back to dust will crumble the walls in which we dwell.
Divinatory Meanings
Destruction; spiritual growth is challenged or is set back; a fight; an accident; chaos; insecurity; nervousness; instability; adversity; a warning to use extreme caution; an overhaul of power; evacuation; eviction; escape is advised.
Reversed
A circumstance that seems unfortunate brings needed change; evacuation from a dangerous place or situation; a warning to use extreme caution; spiritual development needs a new path; a serious accident; an unexpected windfall.
Magickal Uses
This card can be used to represent a failed plan, an accident, chaos, danger, disaster, or severe depression. Covered with a protective card such as the Ace of Pentacles, and combined with logical and careful action, such misfortune might be prevented or its results lessened. Keep intention positive when using this card.
Visual Description
A tall stone tower is struck at the top by a jagged, luminous bolt, causing the crown and masonry to explode outward. Fragments and stones rain down while two figures tumble from near the summit. At the base a robed figure thrusts a long staff toward the tower and two other people climb or crawl out of a broken doorway in the tower's side. The sky is stormy and charged, and glowing shards of light punctuate the upper atmosphere.
Modern Spellcasters tarot
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