The Tower Tarot Meaning: What Does It Really Mean?
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The Tower Tarot card is the seventeenth card in traditional Tarot decks and will show up during a time of change and chaos. It reflects a shift in ideas, and with this shift comes pain and destruction. However, enlightenment follows.

What does the Tower mean for you?

Keywords For The Tower Tarot Card

Upright Keywords:

  • Paradigm Shift
  • Destruction
  • Chaos
  • Change
  • Revelation
  • Trauma
  • Enlightenment
  • Awakening

Reversed Keywords:

  • Fear of Change
  • Avoidance
  • Delay
  • Clinging to the Past

Symbolism and Imagery of The Tower

When learning tarot, it is important to meditate with each card and take time looking at the symbolism and imagery depicted.

Traditionally, the Tower is depicted on fire, sat on the top of a rocky mountain. It is quite a shocking image, with fire and lightning destroying a stone tower. Smoke is filling the dark sky.

Two people are seen jumping from the tower, most likely to their death. The lightning overhead represents a breakthrough. Ideas and ideals have been shattered by a beam of light.

The Tower is probably the most shocking card of most Tarot decks. The imagery of destruction and death can be quite worrying and stressful when it pops up in a reading. However, like every card, the Tower brings hope and positivity. You just need to get through the chaos right now.

Read our full guide into Tarot Meanings.

Marcus Vance

Marcus Vance

Cybersecurity & Digital Privacy Researcher

Marcus Vance is a cybersecurity auditor and technology writer dedicated to educating the public about online safety, data privacy regulations, enterprise security, and emerging cyber threats.

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