The Tower
Major arcana, number 16
Upright
A sudden collapse — what stood on an unsound base gives way, and what survives was actually solid.
Reversed
A collapse narrowly sidestepped, or you are propping up what would be better let go.
| Arcana | Major |
|---|---|
| Number | 16 |
How to read this
- The 22 major arcana speak of the large movements; the 56 minor arcana speak of the specific events inside them. Noticing which one you drew tells you the scale.
- A minor card is read by combining suit and number: the suit says which area of life, the number says which stage within it.
- Reversed is less an opposite than the same force blocked or overdone. Before flipping the meaning, look at where that force is actually going.
- A card is a picture of the present situation, not a fixed future. The same card reads differently depending on what you asked.
Frequently asked questions
QWhat does the tarot card The Tower mean?
Upright: A sudden collapse — what stood on an unsound base gives way, and what survives was actually solid.
QWhat does The Tower mean reversed?
A collapse narrowly sidestepped, or you are propping up what would be better let go.
QWhere does The Tower sit in the deck?
Major arcana, number 16