Major Arcana cards：XVI The Tower

Card Interpretation

This is the only Major Arcana card with no positive connotations. The imagery depicts a towering spire piercing the clouds, struck and shattered by a bolt of lightning; two figures plummet from the collapsing tower to the ground below. Such sudden, unforeseeable upheaval is almost impossible to accept. No matter how arrogant humankind may be, it pales in comparison to the immense power of nature—defying nature will only incur divine wrath. Although this drastic change may overwhelm you, it is meant to teach you to grow. Learn to embrace it, and you will move forward with far greater ease in the days to come. Accepting the overwhelming strength of your adversary is undoubtedly difficult, yet facing it pragmatically and resolving it rationally is in itself a tremendous step forward.

The once-majestic tower, standing tall and unshakable, is struck by a sudden lightning bolt, crumbling into flames. The thunder and lightning are nothing less than divine fury and punishment. The golden crown atop the tower is also blasted away by the bolt—a portent that power, wealth, and achievements are all reduced to nothing in this abrupt transformation. The Tower symbolizes destruction, namely sudden catastrophe. The two men falling from the tower appear to be none other than the Emperor and the Hierophant from earlier cards. Their downward-plunging postures and terrified expressions foreshadow that in the face of such unexpected disaster, no one—regardless of class or wealth—can hope to escape unscathed. If luck exists in this world at all, then the odds of misfortune befalling someone are equal to everyone; the same holds true for good fortune.

Upright Position

When drawn upright, the card signifies: Bankruptcy, adversity, dismissal from work, sudden illness, a devastating blow, drastic changes, being implicated in trouble, collapse of faith, reaping the consequences of recklessness, constant turmoil, abrupt separation, and a love that ends in ruin. The obstacles in your career are plain to see—avoidance is not an option; you must dare to face the challenge head-on, formidable as it may seem. Emotionally, the sudden change plunges you into profound grief. Embracing this transformation will allow you—or both of you—to walk a better path in your future life journeys.

Reversed Position

When drawn reversed, the card signifies: Predicament, internal strife, a pressing crisis, unfavorable circumstances, a move toward stability, the price of arrogance, a fight with one’s back to the wall, a premonition of separation, and a romantic crisis. There are finally signs of stability in your career. Do not resist the inevitable changes blindly, for that will only trigger even more drastic upheaval—change will come, no matter how hard you fight it. Emotionally, both of you have finally calmed down. Although communication still poses some difficulties, no major changes will occur for the time being. Perhaps making some concessions will help your relationship become more harmonious.