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The Tower Card: Facing Fear and Finding Freedom
The Tower card in tarot. Just saying its name can send a shiver down your spine, right? It’s the Tower card demystified that helps us see past the fear and uncover its purpose. Lightning strikes, people tumbling out of a crumbling tower, chaos everywhere. No wonder it has a reputation for being one of the most feared cards in tarot. But here’s the thing: the Tower isn’t out to ruin your life—it’s here to shake things up for the better.
Let me start with a confession: I used to dread seeing the Tower in my own readings. I’d shuffle my deck, see that jagged lightning bolt, and think, Oh great, what now? But the truth is, the Tower has been one of the most powerful teachers in my life. From deconstructing my faith to navigating my autism diagnosis, my personal Tower moments have been nothing short of life-altering. They felt chaotic and messy in the moment, but looking back, I can see how they cleared the way for something better.
A Journey Through Oz and Chaos
Rewatching The Wizard of Oz after seeing Wicked gave me a whole new appreciation for how the tornado mirrors the Tower card. It’s chaotic, terrifying, and leaves destruction in its wake. But it also propels Dorothy into an incredible journey of growth and self-discovery. That’s exactly what the Tower does—it tears down what’s familiar to make space for transformation. Much like Dorothy’s story, the Tower isn’t about the destruction itself; it’s about what comes after.
Breaking Down Belief Systems: My Faith Deconstruction
The first major Tower moment in my life was my faith deconstruction. I grew up deeply rooted in a belief system that shaped every part of my identity. It gave me purpose, community, and a sense of certainty about the world. But as I grew older, cracks began to form in that structure. Questions I wasn’t supposed to ask bubbled to the surface, and the answers I found didn’t satisfy me.
Letting go of my faith felt like watching the tower of my life collapse brick by brick. It wasn’t just about beliefs—it was about losing the foundation that everything else was built on. For a while, I resisted. I tried to patch the cracks, rebuild the structure, and pretend it wasn’t falling apart. But the Tower doesn’t allow half-measures. When it’s time for something to go, it goes.
In the aftermath, I felt untethered and scared. But as the dust settled, I began to see the possibilities. Without the constraints of that old framework, I could build something new—something that aligned with who I truly was. Losing my faith wasn’t the end of my spiritual journey; it was the beginning of something deeper, more authentic, and entirely my own.
This experience taught me to rebuild my spirituality from the ground up, free from rigid constraints and more in tune with my personal truth. It’s this openness that now shapes my approach to tarot, meditation, and the way I connect with others.
Misunderstanding the Tower: Clearing Up the Chaos
The Tower gets a bad rap in tarot. It’s one of those cards that immediately makes people nervous, and I get it. But this is where the Tower card demystified reveals its true purpose. But most of that fear comes from misunderstanding what the Tower actually represents. Let’s bust some of those myths wide open and clarify what the Tower card represents.
Myth 1: Disaster or Divine Intervention?
Many people see the Tower and think, “Oh great, my life’s about to fall apart.” And sure, the card can signal upheaval, but it’s not a bad omen. Think of it like the tornado in The Wizard of Oz. Dorothy’s life gets turned upside down, but that same storm takes her to Oz, where she discovers her inner strength. The Tower’s chaos might feel overwhelming, but it’s moving you to a place of transformation—this is what the Tower card meaning truly represents.
Myth 2: Is Chaos Always Bad?
The Tower’s energy can be unsettling, but it’s not inherently bad. It’s about breaking down what no longer serves you. Sometimes we’re clinging to false beliefs, toxic relationships, or unsustainable patterns, and the Tower comes along to do what we can’t: tear them down. The card’s destruction clears the way for something better. It’s not punishment—it’s liberation.
Myth 3: Losing Control Doesn’t Mean Losing Power
Yes, the Tower often points to things outside your control, but that doesn’t mean you’re powerless. You can’t stop the lightning bolt, but you can decide how you respond. Resisting change? That’s like standing in the middle of the storm and demanding it stops. Spoiler: it won’t. But if you lean into it and let the process unfold, you’ll discover new strengths and perspectives you never thought possible.
Myth 4: The End or a New Beginning?
It might feel like the end when everything is falling apart, but it’s really just the middle. The Tower is part of the Fool’s Journey—a necessary step before reaching the Star card. The Star symbolises hope, renewal, and authenticity. To get there, you’ve got to break free from the old and make space for the new. Trust me, the Tower’s chaos is paving the way for something brighter.
Embracing a New Lens: My Autism Diagnosis
Another huge Tower moment for me was my autism diagnosis. It was one of those moments where everything you thought you knew about yourself suddenly shifts. At first, I resisted. I didn’t want to rethink my entire life through this new lens. I worried about what it meant for how others saw me and, more importantly, how I saw myself.
But as with all Tower moments, resistance only made it harder. Once I stopped fighting it, I began to see the gift in that diagnosis. It gave me clarity, language, and understanding for experiences I had struggled with for years. It wasn’t the end of the world—it was the beginning of a new one. The Tower broke down old narratives about who I thought I was and made room for me to embrace who I really am.
Tools for Navigating Tower Moments
Navigating Tower moments can feel overwhelming, but there are ways to approach the chaos with grace and resilience. This is where understanding the Tower card demystified helps provide clarity. Here are four tips to help you ride the storm:
Tip 1: Pause and Reflect
Pause and reflect on what’s falling apart. Ask yourself: “What is this clearing space for?” Sometimes the answers aren’t immediately obvious, but they’re there. Consider journaling or talking it out with someone you trust to gain perspective.
Tip 2: Embrace Your Emotions
Let’s be real: Tower moments can be emotional. Whether it’s fear, anger, or grief, give yourself permission to feel it all. You’re human, and these emotions are part of the process. Ignoring or suppressing them will only make the transition harder.
Tip 3: Find the Silver Lining
Tower moments often have something to teach us. What illusions are being shattered? What truths are being revealed? Dig into the discomfort and see what’s beneath it. This might involve reframing how you view the situation and asking yourself what opportunities might come from it.
Tip 4: Surrender to the Journey
It’s hard to see the bigger picture when you’re in the middle of the storm, but trust that the chaos is leading somewhere meaningful. Just like Dorothy didn’t see the tornado’s purpose until she was in Oz, your Tower moment is setting you up for something transformative. Remind yourself that transformation takes time, and it’s okay to not have all the answers yet.
Looking Back: What the Tower Taught Me
Looking back on my own Tower moments, I can see how much they’ve shaped me. Deconstructing my faith taught me to question everything and find my own truth. My autism diagnosis showed me that understanding myself is a lifelong process. Each time the Tower has struck, it’s left me with the clarity and courage to rebuild stronger than before, embodying the lessons and growth tarot cards can offer.
The Tower isn’t here to punish us; it’s here to liberate us. It tears down what’s holding us back and forces us to confront the truths we need to grow. And yes, it’s messy, but the mess is where the magic happens.
Wrapping It Up: Turning Destruction Into Transformation
Rewatching The Wizard of Oz reminded me of how the chaos of the tornado wasn’t the end of Dorothy’s story—it was the beginning. It’s a perfect example of the Tower card demystified, showing that upheaval can lead to growth. The Tower is just like that. It shakes us up, drops us in unfamiliar territory, and forces us to face ourselves. But, much like Dorothy’s journey in Oz, it leads us somewhere we need to go, even if we don’t see it at first.
The Tower card isn’t here to ruin your life; it’s here to transform it. Yes, it’s uncomfortable, and yes, it can feel like your world is being turned upside down. But when you lean into the chaos and trust the process, you’ll find clarity, growth, and the chance to rebuild on stronger, more authentic foundations.
So next time the Tower shows up, don’t panic. Instead, ask yourself: What’s this storm trying to teach me? If this resonates with you and you’d like to explore your own Tower moments in a tarot reading, book a session with me today. Together, we’ll uncover the lessons and opportunities hidden in the chaos. Embrace the process, and you might just find it leads you to a version of yourself you never knew was possible.
