The Tower Card in Tarot

courtesy of The Psychic Internet

The image portrayed on the Tower card can be upsetting to to those who are unfamiliar with its meaning. It shows a tower that is cracking and crumbling; bolts of lightening strike the tower while people and animals leap from the tower.

Since the Tower is a higher arcana card, it carries important messages with it, as all higher arcana cards do. And the fact that the image is a tower, we know that it was part of the original tarot decks in use during the 1400s.

One might expect that it would carry the number 9 (all tarot cards have a number associated with them except for the court cards), but, in fact, it carries the number 7. A nine indicates the end of an era, followed by a new beginning, which is the general meaning of the Tower. But since the Tower is a 7, it carries a spiritual message, which we call "a Cosmic Intervention." We at The Psychic Internet feel that any "7 card" carries this message of spiritual shakeup. The Tower card, especially, indicates that the Universe is intervening to shake up the status quo, and this intervention is necessary as part of the general path that the person is traveling. Thus the "7 card" and especially the Tower, carries with it both "good news" and "bad news." The short-term is stressful and challenging, but the long-term is greatly improved.

A 7 carries the reassurance to have faith in the things that can�t be seen, but nevertheless exist. The number 7 suggests that the seeker must know the ultimate truths. A 7 says that it is only through experience that intellectual and spiritual understanding develops... and faith in the unseen is attained.

Key words include faith, observation, investigation, discrimination, meditation, discovery, knowledge, wisdom, perfection, fear, faithlessness, pessimism, skepticism, doubt, ignorance, and escapism.

Many 7s in a Reading indicate a period of introspection or solitude. They also indicate unlooked-for advantages or gains through things that come unexpectedly.

There is no doubt that the Tower is a high stress card. But this stress can lead to a blinding flash of insight, or a moment of truth so overwhelming that there is no way to ignore it.

In any case, it does portend that the usual ways of doing things -- old systems -- are breaking down (or must be broken down) in order to be replaced.

This process can create anxiety as security is questioned and in some cases, destroyed. At its worst, the Tower indicates that when the troubles begin, they will come quickly and illusions are shattered. The good news is that the truth about people and situations are revealed in great clarity.

The card recommends a questioning of previously accepted beliefs.

After some major transition, it does give congratulations and suggests that the questioner can feel proud of how issues have been handled.

Sometimes the card warns of catastrophe, normally through forces of nature, that can cause the loss of home or other miseries.

(I once did a New Year Reading for a woman who lived in northern California during a very dry December. I pointed out that she needed to be prepared for moving to higher ground during February since there would be a flood. I did not know that she lived on the Russian River. The Tower card appeared in her Reading along with several other cards that painted a picture of this disaster. Although she was skeptical at first when I described her moving to higher ground, history proved the accuracy of the Reading as her home of 32 years was swept away and she was prepared weeks ahead of time.)

Rarely, the Tower card points to a theft, the loss of a job, or fights among family and friends. But the good news is that these troubles normally pass within a year or less.

No matter what the issue that the Tower describes, it always indicates a period of restoration, healing, and renovation with major internal change, restructuring and burning out of what is false and rigid.

It suggests a time for healing and restoring oneself through diet, exercise, excursions in nature, and inner work.

It is also a "timing card" pointing to the fact that the time has come to make strides to overcome difficulties. This card speaks of tyranny and injustice which can be overcome only with recognition, focus, and commitment.

Interestingly, when this card appears, household appliances act up, break down, or create problems. Also, it suggests that the questioner watch for car problems or sudden accidents, to slow down and use caution.

Feelings of betrayal or abandoned by a partner can come with this card. It can even predict a divorce or parting of the ways in a relationship.

No matter what the entire message of the card (in conjunction with other cards) the questioner will experience a new beginning and improved conditions which will help him/her regain a sense of peace, emotional balance, and/or power in life and career. It points to a new opportunity with encouragement to go for it!

At the very least, it�s time to discern what is meaningful with the additional recommendation to remain calm in the face of unexpected changes, all the while, listening to the inner voice that assures that everything is going to be all right.

This selection is provided as a courtesy to interested parties. Neither WholeARTS ^tm nor The Psychic Internet ^tm is responsible for the accuracy of the information.