Yes. The sky is falling. Yes. Nothing will be as it once was. Yes, although most Tarot readers will profess that all cards have a duality, they also secretly agree that the Tower is THE WORST. But wait. Let’s unpack that a bit before you run away screaming. What exactly is the Tower?
“The Tower” is a Major Arcana Tarot card that is often depicted as a tall, narrow tower being struck by lightning, causing its top to crumble and people to fall out. It exists in almost all modern Tarot Decks.
In traditional interpretations, “The Tower” represents sudden upheaval, chaos, and destruction. It can indicate a major crisis or disaster that shakes the very foundation of your life, and may result in feelings of shock, fear, and loss. However, it’s important to remember that even though this card can be frightening, it can also be a catalyst for positive change and transformation.
“The Tower” encourages us to be prepared for unexpected events and to face the truth, even if it’s painful. It can also serve as a wake-up call to reassess our values and priorities, and to let go of things that no longer serve us.
It is generally believed that the card was first included in the Tarot de Marseille, a French Tarot deck that dates back to the 17th century. The Tarot de Marseille was one of the first Tarot decks to include a standardized set of Major Arcana cards, which included “The Tower. “The Tower” card was not included in the Visconti-Sforza Tarot deck, one of the oldest surviving Tarot decks, created in the 15th century in Italy. It is a 78-card deck that includes the four suits of the Minor Arcana (swords, cups, wands, and coins) as well as the 22 cards of the Major Arcana. However, the specific cards in the Major Arcana vary slightly from later Tarot decks, and “The Tower” card is not among them.
Some Tarot scholars believe that the closest equivalent in the Visconti-Sforza deck is the card called “La Saetta,” which means “The Lightning” in Italian. “La Saetta” depicts a hand emerging from a cloud and holding a bolt of lightning, which is striking a castle or tower. While the imagery is not identical to “The Tower,” it does share some similar themes, such as sudden upheaval, destruction, and unexpected events. That’s an ever-so-brief history, but what about the panic the card tends to illicit?
Well, “The Tower” is absolutely considered one of the most challenging Tarot cards to receive in a reading. Here are some reasons why this might be true:
- Sudden upheaval: As mentioned earlier, “The Tower” can indicate sudden and unexpected events that can cause upheaval and chaos in our lives. This can be difficult to deal with, especially if we feel like we have no control over the situation.
- Destruction: “The Tower” is often associated with destruction, which can be frightening and unsettling. It can be hard to imagine a positive outcome when everything around us is crumbling.
- Loss: In addition to physical destruction, “The Tower” can also represent emotional or spiritual loss. This can be especially difficult if we are attached to the things or people that we are losing.
But stepping back and assessing it’s subjective meaning, it’s important to remember that the Tarot is not inherently good or bad – it’s simply a tool for self-discovery and growth. Here are some reasons why receiving “The Tower” in a Tarot reading might not necessarily be a bad thing:
- Transformation: “The Tower” can be a powerful catalyst for transformation and growth. When everything around us is falling apart, it can be an opportunity to reassess our values, priorities, and beliefs, and to make positive changes in our lives.
- Awakening: Sometimes, we need a wake-up call to realize that we are stuck in a rut or living our lives in a way that is not aligned with our true selves. “The Tower” can be a powerful wake-up call that helps us see things more clearly and take action to create a better life.
- Liberation: When we let go of the things that no longer serve us, we can experience a sense of freedom and liberation. “The Tower” can be an opportunity to release old patterns and beliefs that are holding us back, and to embrace a new way of being.
So can you be serenely subjective when someone gives you a second glance as they pull the Tower during your reading? Well, that’s up to you but remember that if you can’t glean meaningful insight from your reading then perhaps you aren’t open enough to find that message or it isn’t a lesson that you want to hear yet. There is some merit to the idea that ‘the harder the truth, the more important its message’ so a fear-inspiring card like the Tower might be the revelation that no one asks for but everybody needs.
You can peruse our Tarot Card section, and maybe you’ll get lucky and draw the Tower one day!