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The Tower - An Exploration of Tarot

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I'm beginning a new series of my own personal exploration of Tarot cards. These views are a combination of the more popular interpretations, my decks that slightly differ, and my own personal 30+ years of reading and learning Divination and Tarot.

It's been my experience that reading cards is a mix of natural inclination, practiced skill, intuitive art, and understanding perception and how it works. It's with this opinion that I interrupt cards and dive into their meaning.

While tarot cards of give multiple interpretations and explanations to one card. This doesn’t mean that everytime every single word applies. This is where intuitive art comes in. It's the ability to feel the cards and situation to determine which meaning is actually being conveyed through the card.

I will not being going in a specific order with these cards because when you read - they don't fall in order. And I feel certain cards take priority over others as there are a few that are most commonly either misunderstood or misinterpreted.

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Most people view the tower as complete destruction. And it can. However, if that's your only takeaway. You're missing the point entirely. The tower often is a sign of sudden drastic change. And while change can feel like destruction. It can also be simply a sudden shock. The tower reflects a need to break down the old to bare foundation and begin a new. When tearing down old habits. Chaos, fear, anxiety, abandonment may occur. And this is reflected in the the illustration of the tower. Resulting in anxiety when seen in a spread. This is another card that calls for a reflection of personal perspective. If someone is in a denial or refusal to change. Then yes, this will feel like destruction to them. However, if they understand exactly what this card is trying to convey. And open their hearts to the change and understand that sometimes hard lessons simply need to be learned. They can then invite the positive aspects of this card that bring a new beginning with a stronger foundation than before. Also. When viewing from the perspective of destruction. One needs to . It's not just destruction. It's destruction of your own making. So really. It's more of a warning to change your ways.

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Below are 4 separate interpretations of the tower. Two are the most common. The third is from the Steampunk Tarot. And the fourth is The Enchanted Forest Tarot which is almost entirely different all together. As you read. Pay attention to how many different ways these interpretations can be taken. And don't focus on merely 1 keyword or interpretation. Instead, dissect these interpretations and reflect on past readings to which this card appeared and which parts were actually applicable and which parts were mere perceptions that prevented the actual interpretations to actually surface.

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Tower Keywords

UPRIGHT: Sudden change, upheaval, chaos, revelation, awakening

REVERSED: Personal transformation, fear of change, averting disaster

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Labyrinthos

The Tower card depicts a high spire nestled on top of the mountain. A lightning bolt strikes the tower which sets it ablaze. Flames are bursting in the windows and people are jumping out of the windows as an act of desperation. They perhaps signal the same figures we see chained in the Devil card. They want to escape the turmoil and destruction within. The Tower is a symbol for the ambition that is constructed on faulty premises. The destruction of the tower must happen in order to clear out the old ways and welcome something new. Its revelations can come in a flash of truth or inspiration.

The Tower represents change in the most radical and momentous sense. It is for this reason that the card itself visually looks so unnerving. But it doesn't necessarily have to be truly frightening or ominous. Because at the heart of this card, its message is foundational, groundbreaking change.

The kind of event that the Tower card marks does not have to be something terrible, like a disaster or a great loss.  Change itself is a normal part of life that one has to embrace. But it can sometimes strike fear, for it means that we must abandon the truths that we have known prior to this event. The old ways are no longer useful, and you must find another set of beliefs, values and processes to take their place.

Be positive, it is time for you to replace the old foundations of the past with something that is more genuine and will serve you better in what is to come.

In of work, there is an inevitable argument bound to happen. You need to be in control and keep your temper in check. Avoid saying something that may hurt other people. When it comes to your love life, your romantic relationship may be nearing its end. Take this as a warning - if you really value your relationship, then it is time for you to take damage control or open a communication to clear misunderstandings. In your finances, the tower meaning refers to the need to be assured on your transactions.

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Rider - Waite/Biddy Tarot

The Tower shows a tall tower perched on the top of a rocky mountain. Lightning strikes set the building alight, and two people leap from the windows, head first and arms outstretched. It is a scene of chaos and destruction.

The Tower itself is a solid structure, but because it has been built on shaky foundations, it only takes one bolt of lightning to bring it down. It represents ambitions and goals made on false premises.

The lightning represents a sudden surge of energy and insight that leads to a break-through or revelation. It enters via the top of the building and knocks off the crown, symbolising energy flowing down from the Universe, through the crown chakra. The people are desperate to escape from the burning building, not knowing what awaits them as they fall. Around them are 22 flames, representing the 12 signs of the zodiac and 10 points of the Tree of Life, suggesting that even in times of disaster, there is always divine intervention.

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The Enchanted Forest Tarot

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Steampunk Tarot

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A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

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Now that we have covered the multiple interpretations and the variable uses thereof. Let's look at the cards themselves. In tarot. Each card contains symbolism. And it's important to not only understand the symbolism. But how to apply it as well.

Here are a few examples:

Celtic Tarot

Here we have a near traditional depiction of the tower and it's destructive properties. But look closer. Built in an unstable environment on unsuitable terrain. It was a choice to build a structure doomed for destruction. And it's a choice to rebuild in a more suitable environment. This leaves the assertion that the tower being destroyed by lightening needs to come down. It is inhabitable it's a beacon for chaos.

The Enchanted Forest Tarot

Here we have a less traditional depiction of the tower. Yet the same interpretations remain. The folly to build a tower from a rotten tree. Of course it was doomed to fall apart. Again. That was a choice. So we see a pattern. And upon closer inspection. We see the door is ajar. This destruction was invited in. But out of the destruction. We see a building of rooks. So out of the building that was doomed to fail. We see a new building emerging - taking flight as it were.

Steampunk Tarot

Again you have a near traditional depiction of the tower. Slightly different yet the same basic interpretation is shown. Upon closer assessment. You see fresh, lush, green baby trees springing up. Inferring the old must be destroyed. So that the more youthful stronger virtue can emerge and flourish.

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When interpreting cards. It's important to understand not only every aspect of the cards and interpretations themselves. But also the perception of the situation at hand. Often times cards are misinterpreted because the perception of the one inquiring isn't fully being understood or seen. When reading cards it's important to understand that each card is made to have multiple meanings so that they may be interpreted according to individual situations. And that the same meaning doesn't apply to every single situation in the same way. I hope this helped! :grinning:

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Sources & Links

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Rider - Waite/Biddy Tarot Source

Labyrinthos Source

Celtic Tarot

Steampunk Tarot

Enchanted Forest Tarot