Major Arcana

The Tower

Tarot Card Meaning

The Tower tarot card from the Rider-Waite-Smith deck

Upright

  • upheaval
  • sudden change
  • revelation
  • chaos

Sudden disruption shatters false structures. It feels destructive but clears the way for truth.

Reversed

  • avoidance
  • fear of change
  • delayed disaster
  • narrowly escaped

Avoiding necessary destruction or narrowly escaping disaster. The reckoning is delayed, not prevented.

Symbolism

Lightning strikes the crown atop a tall stone tower, setting it ablaze. Two figures plummet from the windows against a black sky filled with falling flames — the sudden, divine destruction of false structures.

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