The Tower

The Tower Tarot Card Key Words#

Before diving deeper into the upright- and reversed Tower tarot card meaning, and its connection to love, work, and life, below a quick overview of the most important words connected to this Major Arcana card.

The Tower Tarot Card Description#

With a black background and an unnerving overall feel, the face of the Tower tarot card contains just that: a burning tower of terror.

Sitting on the top of a jagged mountain, the fiery spire is several stories tall. The head of the steeple is missing, replaced by a lighting bolt and flames: smoke barrels out of the top and the sides.

Flames are also fanning out of the three windows and specks of fire fill the sky. Although the Tower tarot card can represent many different situations, the crown at the top of the card symbolizes the material world and ambition.

What is most disturbing is the desperate people who have jumped from the Tower and are now falling to their death. It is clear that total destruction is imminent, and there is no turning back.

Upright Tower Tarot Meaning#

If we had to redesign the upright Tower to a more modern-day representation, a crashing airplane would be an accurate alternative image.

The Tower signifies total destruction. If you’ve received the Upright Tower tarot card, prepare for things to be leveled and dismantled.

As with all loss, this will probably be a painful process. It can also lead to a fresh start.

Before you are able to make these positive changes, you’ll have first to face the truth about a situation.

Are you prepared to take your blinders off take this personal crisis head-on? Seeing through illusions and letting go of what you wish things to be is the very first step.

Money and Career Meaning#

The Tower tarot card equals insecurity in every area, especially when it comes to career and finances.

In work readings, the Tower can symbolize instability or fear of disruption, but it does not predict job loss, unemployment, or business failure.

In finance readings, the Tower can symbolize concern about instability. It cannot predict ruin, legal trouble, or bankruptcy, and spending decisions should rest on actual circumstances.

Buckle down and embrace a conservative attitude until this period has passed. Thankfully, even the powerful changes the Tower brings won’t last forever.

Love and Relationships Meaning#

The Tower tarot card in a love reading can symbolize rupture, conflict, or the collapse of an unstable dynamic. It does not establish whether a friendship or partnership will end.

The Tower can symbolize a disruptive disclosure or conflict, but it does not establish deception, an outburst, or how a relationship will end.

Losing a relationship you valued can be painful and humbling. The Tower can symbolize a difficult transition, but it cannot establish that a relationship was not meant to be or that a loss was necessary.

Sometimes, the hardest part is the initial change. Remember, it is much better to accept the truth and move on than to live a lie.

Health and Spirituality Meaning#

The Tower tarot card in a health reading can symbolize shock or disruption. It cannot predict illness, pregnancy loss, or depression.

Feelings of grief, sadness, and discouragement are often connected to card number 16. Do you feel as if you are a prisoner in your own mind or body, unable to change the things you want so desperately to be different?

You might not be able to stop the toppling down that the Tower represents, but you can come to accept where you are right now in this moment. Now, instead of focusing on what can’t be changed, think about what you can do to make things different.

If you’ve pulled this card in connection with a question on spiritual or psychic development, the answer is a little more positive. Although you may have to let go of old beliefs, now is the time to embrace your authentic self.

The Tower Reversed#

Are you clinging on to people, places, and things that are no good for you because of fear? This is a common scenario personified by the Tower reversed.

Many times, we know that it is time to let go, but instead, we hold on tighter. Things come tumbling down eventually, and we shake our heads as we look back at all the time we wasted.

Close your eyes and ask yourself this question, “What can I let go of?” If there are things or relationships, you would be better off without, it’s time to release and accept. Doing so is difficult, but it will free you to participate in the positive parts of your life that bring you true joy.

The Tower reversed can prompt reflection on old habits and perspectives that may be limiting change. Letting go can be difficult, and the card does not guarantee that hardship or heartbreak will prove worthwhile.

The Tower: Yes or No#

Many readers say the answer is no when the Tower appears in a Yes or No reading because it symbolizes disruption. That convention should not decide whether to start a business, change work, or deepen a relationship.

You’ll need to ride out the disruption symbolized by the Tower before you can consider making positive moves.

The Tower can symbolize rebuilding after disruption, but it does not establish how long difficulty will last or promise that what follows will be greater.

Important Card Combinations#

Although the Tower clearly isn’t a card you hope for in a reading, it also has positive aspects. Especially, when combined with other cards, like the Chariot or Temperance. Below you can find the most important Tower tarot card combinations.

The Tower and the Chariot#

Things may be difficult right now, but when the Chariot joins the Tower, there is a shift in power. Even if it doesn’t look like it, you are in control.

What things can you change, and what should you let go of? What will it take to secure a victory or have the things that you really desire? Be confident and do just that.

The Tower and Temperance#

It’s time to find a middle ground. The Tower alone usually brings forth swift ends to connections of all kinds. But when the Tower is paired with Temperance, a ‘Hail Mary’ may save the day.

Instead of giving up, look for common ground and a way to stay together. All isn’t lost in this case. You will need to do some negotiating, though.

The Tower and Death#

The changes that are being brought by the Tower will have lasting effects. Powerful forces will be at play here if the card is combined with the Death card.

The key is to avoid worrying or freaking out. Instead, look to the other cards in the reading. Doing so will allow you to pinpoint exactly how/where the issue is going to present. Having as much info as possible will allow you to remain calm and in control.

The Tower and the High Priestess#

It’s time to stop avoiding the inevitable. The constant chaos in your life is of your own doing, even if others are involved. When the Tower and the High Priestess are matched, personal responsibility is key.

We can’t control other people, but we do have power over who we let in our lives, what we accept, and who we allow to stay. We also control our reactions and how we move forward after loss.

The Tower Tarot Art#

Although I write all the descriptions based on the Rider-Waite Tarot deck, it doesn’t mean that I use other decks too. And there are so many beautiful decks out there! I can lose myself browsing and searching the web for beautiful tarot cards.

Below you can find a small selection of beautiful Tower tarot cards. If you created a Tower tarot card yourself and want to share this, I would love to hear from you!

The Tower Tarot Card in a Reading#

That’s all for the Tower tarot meaning! Hopefully, you’re not shaken up by the pulling of the Tower and realize that life’s challenges are just as important as the ‘ups.’

It is a contrast that helps us appreciate the good times. What things do you have to be thankful for? Journaling these bits of gratitude daily can make a huge difference in perspective and happiness.

Are you a Tarot beginner? Learn how to read Tarot in this Tarot Beginners Guide.