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Major arcana · XVI
The Tower: tarot card meaning
Keywords: Sudden change, revelation, awakening. Lightning strikes what was built on sand. Upheaval clears the ground for truth.
Upright meaning
Lightning strikes what was built on sand. Upheaval clears the ground for truth.
Reversed meaning
Avoiding a necessary upheaval, or a change that is happening inwardly.
Symbolism
Lightning strikes a tall tower; its crown topples and figures fall.
Its place in the Fool's journey
Sudden upheaval that clears away what was built on weak foundations.
Questions to reflect on
- Where in my life does "sudden change, revelation, awakening" feel true right now?
- What would the upright meaning ask me to do this week?
- If the card felt reversed, what is blocking or delaying it?
Draw it yourself
Draw a free one-card, three-card or Celtic Cross reading in the Tarot Room. Traditional pairings for this card: Tourmaline sphere, White sage incense and All crystals.
Tarot decks and accessories
The Tower: questions
What does The Tower mean upright?
Lightning strikes what was built on sand. Upheaval clears the ground for truth.
What does The Tower mean reversed?
Avoiding a necessary upheaval, or a change that is happening inwardly.
Is The Tower a yes or no card?
Tarot isn't a yes/no oracle, but readers who use it that way usually read The Tower upright as 'not yet' or 'think again' and reversed as 'wait'. Treat it as a prompt for reflection.
What number is The Tower in the major arcana?
The Tower is card XVI of the 22 major arcana. Sudden upheaval that clears away what was built on weak foundations.