XVI. The Tower

Element: Fire (🜂)

Planet: Mars (♂)

Hebrew Letter: Peh (פ)

Kabbalistic Path: 27


Upright

Keywords: Destruction; upheaval; sudden change; revelation; crisis; chaos

Events: A sudden, unexpected crisis; a shocking revelation; major disruptions; breaking down of existing structures; loss of stability; natural disasters; corporate collapse; personal or relationship turmoil; destruction of illusions

Personality: Unpredictable; intense; experiences radical changes; often challenged by life’s unexpected events

Mental State: Shocked; overwhelmed; struggling to adapt

Advice: Embrace change as an opportunity for transformation; learn from destruction and rebuild stronger foundations; trust that chaos is sometimes necessary for growth

Card Imagery: A great tower is struck by lightning, flames engulfing its upper section as figures fall from the structure.

Symbolism:

  • The Tower – Represents human ambition, built upon fragile foundations
  • Lightning – Divine intervention or a sudden revelation
  • Falling Figures – Represent those affected by sudden change
  • Flames – Symbolize destruction and purification
  • Dark Clouds – Indicate the unpredictable nature of fate

Reversed

Keywords: Avoiding disaster; resisting change; delayed consequences

Events: Ignoring warning signs; barely escaping a crisis; gradual realization of truth; clinging to old structures despite their instability

Personality: Fearful of change; avoids necessary transitions; resists inevitable shifts

Mental State: Anxious; hesitant; stuck in denial

Advice: Face reality instead of resisting change; embrace transformation, as avoiding it may only prolong discomfort

Card Imagery: A tree can grow strong even in a harsh environment.

Symbolism:

  • Cracked Tower – Imminent collapse; structural instability
  • Dim Lightning – A delayed but inevitable realization

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