16 - The Tower

The Tower stands high on a mountaintop, made of ambition and built on false ideas. Lightning blazes down from the sky, destroying the top of the tower and anything that is evil. Falling drops of light represent the descent of the life force into the material plane. A man and woman fall from the tower, plummeting towards earth, leaving their world of material security after a blazing glimpse of truth itself. This card is often associated with Lucifer's fall from grace, and with the fall of the kingdom of Satan. The crumbling of the tower reminds us that if we use our knowledge and gifts for evil purposes, then destruction will be wrought upon us by the powers above.

When the Tower appears in a Tarot reading, it indicates big changes, conflict and catastrophe. Not only that, but there will be an overthrow of existing ways of life -- look for someone whose world is about to change dramatically, and have their world completely disrupted. However, with destruction comes enlightenment, showing us that ultimately, selfish ambition and greed bring us nothing of value.

A reversed Tower card shows that freedom of mind and spirit can be attained, but only at a great cost. This card may indicate someone hoping to break free of an abusive relationship, or leave a potentially disastrous job situation. This is the card of oppression and false imprisonment.