Tarot Special Edition: Tower Card
Pictured above: Sculpted tarot card created by Tara Palazzolo of Wicked FairyTale®. This textured interpretation of Tower blends symbolism and storytelling into a tactile experience. View more at WickedFairyTale.com.
Originally published on December 1, 2023 -Archived as part of my Sacred Tools and Tarot & Compass content.
Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.
The measurement of time is the only constant in the world. Dates are expressed in various formats, words are conveyed in different languages, symbols are dependent on culture, and personal beliefs about life, death, and the divine are as diverse as the oceans on this dear planet.
But time always marches forward, one grain of sand in the hourglass, minutes turning into hours, always 24 in one day, never no more or less. Each second builds upon the previous, stretching to minutes, hours, days, weeks, years, and eventually a lifetime.
Decisions sometimes are hasty; other times, they are carefully deliberated. Opportunities are seized within an instant, and fleeting moments can result in years of regret. Each of our experiences is laid like the bricks of a foundation, each decision dependent on the one prior, some tossed haphazardly, others placed methodically. This applies to personal and professional goals, whether a career change, a romantic interlude, where we live, or what we buy.
Sometimes, we veer off our course; we start along one path and find ourselves somewhere we thought we would never be, whether that is a pleasant surprise or tragedy. The Tower card is tied to the latter. Think of the Tower as Death’s impatient partner, lurking in the shadows. It collects every action like a tally, weighing it carefully against what is for our highest good.
Emotionally, the Tower feels like a gut punch, stealing your fiery ambition and breath, making you feel out of control, helpless, and abandoned. It can present as a job loss or losing a loved one, having the wind knocked out of your sails, being abandoned by those closest to you, or even being disconnected from your faith or the divine.
The Death card is about transformation and rebirth, encouraging proactive change, which is in our control. It gently nudges us in the direction that invites us to grow, learn, and alter our course while we still can. When ignored, the Death card pairs with the Tower, sometimes blindsiding us out of nowhere and wreaking havoc on finances, partners, and life experiences.
These events, in hindsight, provided clues all along, encouraging us to remove our blinders and recognize that Death was our ally, our biggest supporter and fan, helping to move us in the direction that screams excitedly, “Yes!” to our existence. An analogy would be longing to do a side hustle as a musician but having a demanding job with a lot of travel that leaves you feeling drained.
Death might whisper inspiration from an ad-seeking someone with your skills, but you have no time to practice, or a friend begging you to play a gig at a well-known nightclub, but you won’t return from a work trip until the following day.
If your path and purpose are to be a musician, you might suddenly be laid off or moved into another position without travel. Now, you might be angry that you lost the frequent flyer points you were saving for your upcoming vacation or distraught over your pay reduction. The Tower card calls for a realignment to your authentic self—the internal promise and direction you signed up for in this finite human experience.
As destructive and reeling as it may be, it is an opportunity to begin again with a strong and level foundation to achieve the dream life you deserve. Remember, even in Tower moments, life is happening for you, not to you. Try to weather the storm with grace, which is easier said than done, and be grateful for a chance to begin again and have something even better.
If you are experiencing a Tower moment, try asking these questions:
“What is divine trying to protect me from?” (i.e., heartache, bad investment, demanding job)
“Where is my foundation (life) unstable/faltering?” (e.g., finances, boundaries, goals)
“How can I create change for better stability?” (i.e., budget for finances, more aligned job)
“What do I need to learn from this moment?” (e.g., flexibility, patience, communication)
Until next time, let your inner compass guide you. 🧭
💫Tara
© 2023–2025 Tara Palazzolo, True Path Co. All rights reserved. Originally published on Wicked FairyTale® and updated for True Path Co for timeless clarity and seasonal alignment. This piece is part of the Traveler’s Codex—designed to support your journey of inner growth and sovereignty. Sharing is welcome with proper credit. No reproduction or redistribution is permitted without written permission.