a tower surrounded with smoke

What Are Tower Moments & How You Can Turn Chaos into Opportunity

Last Updated: September 20, 2023

The Tower isn’t the most comforting of cards to pull in a tarot reading.

It often signifies the need for major upheaval, a period of chaos and destruction, and sometimes even feeling like you are stuck between a rock and a hard place. But what is it that makes this card so powerful? What’s behind the frightening imagery?

First and foremost, this is a card – not a life sentence. It symbolises big changes, yes, but it’s not an omen set in stone, and when folks say to you that they are “having a tower moment” make sure that you show up for support, and not for gossip, and they’ll want you as part of their new foundation moving forward.

Table of Contents

The Tower in Tarot Recapped

The Tower in Tarot is a “no” and represents themes of trauma, destruction, unexpected change, revelation, chaos, awakening, and warning. It’s a card of realization, upheaval, and wee bit of crisis too. My favourite way to describe it is the need to tear down an outdated foundation and build something new & more stable.

When we hear the term “tower moment”, we often think of a sudden shocking event that forces us to change our perspective or way of life. This can be as simple as coming out of a longterm relationship or as big as a natural disaster. A Tower Moment can be anything that causes us to pause, reflect, and ultimately change our lives in some way.

But what does it mean to have a “tower moment” in the tarot, or in life?

the tower tarot card number 16

What Is A Tower Moment?

When we experience a “tower moment” in tarot readings, and in life, it means that something is about to come into our lives to cause a dramatic change. It usually comes out of nowhere, but it has the power to alter our perspectives and help us see things from a different angle. A tower moment can shake up our comfort zones, challenge our belief systems, and force us to make changes that may have been difficult for us before.

It is an important reminder to stay open to growth and to be willing to face our fears. A tower moment can help us learn how to make the most of any situation, even if it isn’t what we initially wanted or expected.

Personal tower moments may look like (in a worst-case scenario) an unexpected redundancy, or a family death or illness, or even the end of a relationship. Even mild tower moments could be your car breaking down on the way to an important interview (and public transport is on strike), or a surprise hefty bill arriving in the mail that messes up your vacation plans.

These moments can be incredibly difficult to process and understand, but with some time and reflection they can lead to profound changes that make us better individuals in the long run. We just can’t always immediately see this in the moment. The Tower card reminds us to stay open to growth and change as part of our life’s journey. Don’t let stress steer the wheel!

This card reminds us that life won’t always go according to plan, but with a little bit of courage and resilience, anything is possible.

Historical Tower Moments

These historical events were indeed tower moments that shook up societies, challenged the status quo, and had a lasting impact on generations, often leading to positive changes and a broader perspective on various issues.

  1. The Fall of the Berlin Wall (1989): The collapse of the Berlin Wall marked the end of the Cold War and the reunification of Germany. It symbolized the fall of the Iron Curtain, signifying hope and newfound freedom for millions in Eastern Europe and beyond.
  2. The Cuban Missile Crisis (1962): The Cuban Missile Crisis brought the world to the brink of nuclear war during the Cold War. It forced global leaders to reevaluate their approach to diplomacy and arms control, ushering in a new era of international relations.
  3. The Civil Rights Movement (1950s-1960s): The Civil Rights Movement in the United States brought about a tower moment for racial equality. Protests, legislation, and social activism challenged systemic racism and segregation, leading to significant changes in the country’s laws and attitudes.
  4. The Stonewall Riots (1969): The Stonewall Riots in New York City were a pivotal moment in the LGBTQ+ rights movement. They catalyzed a wave of activism and advocacy for equal rights and acceptance, changing the lives of countless individuals.
  5. The Women’s Suffrage Movement (early 20th century): The fight for women’s suffrage was a tower moment in the struggle for gender equality. It led to the ratification of the 19th Amendment in the United States and inspired women’s rights movements worldwide.
  6. The End of Apartheid (1994): The end of apartheid in South Africa marked a tower moment in the nation’s history. Nelson Mandela’s release from prison and the subsequent dismantling of racial segregation brought hope and reconciliation to a divided country.
  7. The Arab Spring (2010-2012): The Arab Spring was a series of uprisings across the Middle East and North Africa that challenged authoritarian regimes. It sparked political and social changes, although the outcomes varied in different countries.
  8. The Moon Landing (1969): The Apollo 11 moon landing was a tower moment for humanity’s understanding of space and exploration. It symbolized the potential for achieving seemingly impossible goals and expanded our perspective on the universe.
  9. #MeToo Movement: The #MeToo Movement was a tower moment for gender equality and the empowerment of women. It started as a hashtag on social media in 2017, and it has since grown to become a global movement against sexual harassment, assault, and abuse.

upright tower tarot card

Are Tower Moments Negative or Positive?

Tower moments should not be seen as negative experiences, as life is depressing enough, but rather opportunities to learn and grow. Change can be a good thing, even if it is uncomfortable or unexpected. The Tower card reminds us that life is unpredictable, and sometimes the only way forward is through chaos and destruction.

In most cases, a tower moment cannot be avoided, but it can be used as a tool to help us create something new from the rubble. Tower moments often bring clarity and understanding, even when it may not feel like it at first.

The next time you experience a tower moment, remember that change is inevitable and know that you will get through it with courage and grace. It’s all part of the process of becoming the best version of yourself.

Let it take you where it needs to go. And remember that sometimes a “tower moment” can be seen as an opportunity for growth and progress.

Can You Prevent A Tower Moment?

I’d say it’s really unlikely that you can prevent a tower moment. It’s a part of life and it’s important to go through them in order to grow. That said, there are ways that we can prepare ourselves for when they do come so that we’re better equipped to handle the situation.

Have an open mind and be willing to let go of any expectations or preconceived notions. Stay as grounded as you can, and be in the present moment as much as possible. This will help you stay focused and aware of any changes that are happening, instead of trying to fight them or resist them.

Finally, don’t forget to take care of yourself. It’s important to have a strong support system in place before going through these kinds of moments because it can be stressful and overwhelming af, whether that’s a positive thing or not, a rally of support behind you can really make you see the inner workings of a life journey.

reverse tower tarot card

Understanding Your Tower Moment

When you are learning about it through a tarot reading, the more you’ll know and understand your tower moment, the better prepared you will be. Take time to reflect on what caused it, how it has changed your life, and what lessons can be learned from it. 

Connect with yourself and focus on the positive aspects of growth that this event has brought into your life. Look at how you can support yourself, ask the cards to show you how you’ll know positive progress is taking place (like what does a new foundation look like for you?)

When you are physically “living it” for your tower moment, go slow and be gentle with yourself. Take time to process what is happening and don’t expect it to all make sense right away. Remember that anything that happens during this moment is going to bring about change, but it doesn’t always have to mean the end of something. 

This can also be an opportunity for you to create something new in your life – something that will serve

Moving Forward From Your Tower Moment

If you are currently in the middle of the tower moment “storm”, then what I would suggest is firstly – relax! Nobody is going to die, and nothing is completely undone! Find ways to ground yourself to prevent any panic, and

Create a space for yourself where you can take things one step at a time. Self-care is the key to getting through this transition – make sure that you are taking care of your physical and mental health, as well as allowing yourself time for reflection and to create an action plan. Most importantly, don’t be afraid to ask for help when needed.

And when you have gone through your tower moment, it’s time to take all of the lessons and insights you gained from it and move forward.

The most important thing is to stay open and stay connected to yourself. When something feels off or uncomfortable, don’t be afraid to reach out for help. Whether it’s a friend, a therapist, or a tarot reader – don’t be afraid to let people into your journey and ask for help when needed.

Tower moments can often bring us clarity and understanding that we couldn’t find in other ways. They can challenge our beliefs, test our resilience, and push us towards growth. Generally speaking babe, just be open to change.

Tower Moments Represented in Tarot Readings

If you’re reading for yourself, and the Tower comes up in relation to a question about some plans that you have or a query about relationships, your job or even money, It could be a sign that what you thought was going to happen or how something would turn out is not really going to be the case. 

It may also be an indication that something unexpected will occur and there’s no way of predicting it at this point. Don’t panic, take a breath, and ask your cards what you can do to make this next part of your journey smoother for you, and where you can get some additional support.

If you’re reading for a client, and the Tower comes up in a tarot reading it can represent a surprising moment of sudden change and destruction, but it’s important to remember that it also brings with it the potential for growth. It is a reminder to stay open and flexible during times of transformation, and to use our inner strength to make the most out of any situation.

Don’t freak out your client by making them panic or forget to remind them that unexpected change is inevitable, and we should stay open to it and use our courage and resilience to make the most out of any situation. Help them understand why this card may have come up and how they can use this energy for positive growth in their life.

The Tower from the Rider-Waite-Smith deck

Tower Card Combinations Not To Ignore

When we are pulling cards, there are a few card combo’s that I feel shouldn’t be ignored, and this is especially relevant to the Tower card. Whether you’re pulling cards in a specific tarot spread, or you are pulling a general card (“What do I need to know today?”), don’t let the imagery and symbolism of this card put you in a situation where it’s a freeze, fawn, fight or flight scenario. You have complete autonomy

Some of the important card combos to look out for when it comes to Tower moments are:

The Chariot + Tower

This combination can be an indication that you are being forced to make an abrupt change in your life path, but with a lot of courage and determination, it will bring about many rewards.

Strength + Tower

This pairing shows that you in your Main Character Energy moment will be calling upon your skills, your willpower and your very nature to get through this, and you absolutely will.

Three of Swords + Tower

This card combo is telling you that although there may be some sadness and grief associated with this Tower moment, it will pass without lingering too long, lean on your friends for support and you will gain strength from the experience.

The Fool + Tower

When these two show up it’s a literal “starting again” scenario, whether that is from your work or creative endeavours, travel plans or education routes, or even in a dating journey.

Use your power to make the most of your Tower moment, and remember that you are always in control. Pay attention to the signs and signals that your higher self is trying to give you, as it is genuinely telling you that you are being presented with an opportunity for growth. 

You will likely need to act quickly in order to take advantage of these new openings, so stay on your toes, and remain open and flexible.

How To Make Your Tower Moment An Opportunity

If you need tips to stay motivated when things aren’t always going so well, we have some suggestions below;

  1. Surround yourself with supportive people who will listen to you, and who will give you a big hug when needed.
  2. Make a list of all the positives that have come out of this experience (or your expected positives) – you’ll be surprised at how much has changed for the better!
  3. Take time out for yourself in whatever way works best – whether it’s going for a long walk, listening to your favourite music or taking a yoga class.
  4. Journal about the situation, as it can be very cathartic and free-flowing.
  5. Talk to a mental health professional if you are struggling with how to process everything that’s going on – this could be the best move for you in terms of getting clarity on any residual trauma or even resistance to change.

Tower moments can be scary, but also they can give you the opportunity to start anew and become your new fave self. 

Stay open, stay connected and use this time to reflect on what matters most in life – it’s a great time to find out more about what truly makes you happy xox

LB

I have been reading Tarot for more than 15 years. I have always enjoyed using my intuition to provide clarity and insights to others. Tarot is one of my favorite forms of divination, and I love sharing that passion with like-minded folks.

Continue your tarot journey ✨

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