The Tower

A structure built on something false comes down. The Tower is about sudden change and truth arriving all at once, hard in the moment and clearing in the end.

Upright

• upheaval
• sudden change
• revelation
• collapse

A structure built on something false comes down. The Tower is about sudden change and truth arriving all at once, hard in the moment and clearing in the end.

Reversed

• averted disaster
• fear of change
• slow collapse
• aftershock

A disaster narrowly avoided, or a collapse put off and still waiting. Reversed, the card asks what is being propped up that would be better rebuilt.

Not every reader uses reversals. Many treat a reversed card as the same theme, blocked, delayed or turned inward.

In the picture

Lightning strikes the crown from a tall tower on a rocky peak. Flames pour from its windows and two figures fall, against a dark sky.

Astrology and numerology

The Golden Dawn, the Victorian magical order whose scheme most modern decks follow, linked The Tower with Mars. Read about Mars and the element fire, which the card shares.

Its number reduces to 7, which numerology associates with reflection, analysis, inner life. See every card that reduces to 7.

Yes or no

In yes or no tarot, The Tower counts as a no when upright, and as a yes when reversed. This follows a common convention and not a rule from the deck's makers.

Tarot is a tradition of symbolism. This page says what readers traditionally associate with the card. It does not predict anything and it is not advice.