Published 11/03/2023 • Updated 29/10/2026 by Joanne Jones

The Tower Tarot Card Meaning

Love, Relationships, Breakups, Feelings, Career & Transformation

Written by Joanne Jones, Founder of Trusted Psychics.

What Does the Tower Tarot Card Mean?

The Tower means something will change abruptly, or you will come to know something. A situation or relationship that you believe in could be put into question. The Tower is card 16 (XVI) in the Major Arcana. When upright, it can represent a disturbance or bad news. Reversed, it can mean you may want to avoid change. You may feel uncertain about yourself or are rebuilding from destruction.

If asking a love-related question, you can expect The Tower to represent heartache or your relationship coming to an end, or maybe you just came to realise something about your significant other. Work questions can include learning about your current job, or you realise what you truly want to do with your career.

The Tower can mean many things, but it doesn't always mean your relationship will end or that you'll lose your job. It all depends on your question, the position of the card and the cards around it.

The Tower is one of the most misunderstood yet versatile cards in the Major Arcana. When you see a lightning bolt blasting through a building, fires raging and people tumbling out of what was only moments before depicted as a perfectly sturdy structure, its dramatic imagery is often associated with disruption and sudden change, although its meaning can vary considerably depending on the circumstances of the reading.

In a love tarot reading, if you’ve laid your cards out to answer a question about your relationship, you might see “breakup” at first glance. If you’ve laid them for your job, you might assume you’re going to lose what you’ve worked so hard for. The Tower can look like confirmation that whatever you're going through is only going to get worse.

Except that isn’t always true.

Yes, The Tower often symbolises upheaval, revelation, disruption, and sudden changes. But what’s fascinating about the card is what causes those forces.

When the Tower shows up in a tarot reading, it can indicate relationship instability or a truth revealed within the relationship. In a career reading, it may represent change, instability, or an unexpected change in a job role, but it does not always mean a breakup is looming or that you are about to lose your job. It comes down to the question being asked and the position of the surrounding cards.

In this guide, we will be looking at The Tower tarot card meaning upright and reversed, what it can mean for you in love, relationship, breakup, emotions, reconciliation, career, and spiritual readings. We will go over what other tarot cards around The Tower can affect its meaning and why tarot readers never read this card alone.

If you are learning how imagery, spread position and surrounding cards shape an interpretation, our guide to Tarot Cards for Beginners explains the foundations.

The Tower Tarot Card at a Glance

The Tower is the 16th tarot card, also known as XVI. It represents sudden changes that can occur in your life.

What Does the Tower Tarot Card Mean?

The Tower tarot card can signify a major life event that may be totally unexpected, which could be anything from your love life or relationship situation, your job situation, or something that you never thought would challenge your beliefs.

As The Tower can seem very dramatic, there could have been small issues building up to this situation. For instance, you may have felt your relationship had changed, where your partner may be acting distant towards you, and you felt something was off.

You may have both refused to address the situation because neither of you wanted to find out what may have happened. This can be applied to The Tower tarot card meaning in love. There is no saying that you will break up, but maybe something needs to be brought to light.

Sometimes when change is unexpected, it can be emotionally distressing. One of the great aspects about the Tower card is that you can take what was lost and learn from it. What stayed constant, you can build on and make better.

The Tower Tarot Card Symbolism and Traditional Meaning

Why do tarot cards contain such gruesome images? When looking at the Tower Tarot card, you can't help but question why there is lightning, fire and people falling off a building. What do these terrifying symbols mean, and how did tarot readers interpret the meaning behind this card?

Card XVI, or the 16th card in the Major Arcana. It sits between The Devil and The Star. The Tower is typically used to represent a time of upheaval in one’s life with unexpected changes and revelations.

The Tower is called the "La Maison Dieu" or House of God in some of the oldest Tarot decks. While the image of this card has changed over the years, this meaning can still apply when reading The Tower Tarot card.

In the Rider–Waite–Smith tarot deck, first published in 1909 and illustrated by Pamela Colman, we see a picture of a tower being hit with lightning, flames bursting from the tower and a golden crown flying from the top, with two men falling from the building.

These images contribute to the symbolic meaning of the Tower; the lightening can represent revelation, and the crown could mean a sense of security falling away. The Tower itself can be any situation or relationship that is no longer stable or needs attention.

Remember that just because this card depicts scary things does not mean something bad will happen. You may want to ask yourself what is changing in your life or if there is something you should not ignore.

Understanding What the Tower Tarot Card Symbolism Means

The Tower Tarot Card Upright Meaning

If the Tower shows up in the upright position in a tarot card reading, it may indicate there is enormous upheaval, sudden changes, and revelations about something you once believed to be true.

You may have allowed something to happen for a long time and have now decided things need to change; it’s also possible that you've come to realise that something you've been striving for is no longer fulfilling to you.

Maybe you have been unhappy in your relationship for months and chosen to hide your emotions. You may have worked towards a particular career for years, only to realise that it no longer brings you the satisfaction you expected. Or you might finally decide that it’s time to give up a difficult situation.

The upright Tower encourages you to look at what is no longer working rather than automatically fearing what might happen next.

The Tower Tarot Card Reversed Meaning

When The Tower is in a reversed position, it can be interpreted in various ways depending on the cards surrounding it. You may be at a time where you are refusing to acknowledge change and emotionally struggling with areas of your life that need attention.

You could be avoiding telling your partner that you are unhappy in the relationship. You may be dissatisfied and feel unappreciated in your job but have not looked into new opportunities, or maybe you have not recovered from past trauma or loss of a loved one, which has built up a lack of confidence.

There are people who believe that if the Tower is reversed, you're running away from an encounter you know will happen. While others believe it's you rebuilding yourself from something that happened.

The Tower Upright Vs Reversed

Neither position tells you precisely what event will occur.

What Does the Tower Tarot Card Mean in Love and Relationships?

When you pull the Tower as your tarot card meaning in love, it can mean turmoil. You could find yourself going through many emotional issues in your relationship. It can also represent learning something unexpected about your partner, or even your relationship ending unexpectedly.

You may have been with someone for a while and noticed things just don’t feel the same. Maybe the warmth has gone, or your partner has become more closed off than they used to be.

You may ask yourself if you both still want the same things from each other. There could have been arguments where your partner revealed how he really feels towards you. It’s obvious the relationship isn't what you thought it was, and it feels like there may be no future together.

All these situations could play into the tarot card meaning of the Tower when asking love-related questions about trust, emotions, commitment, does he still love you, is this the right relationship for you. The surrounding cards can offer additional meanings and should always be read together to gain a more accurate interpretation.

Just because the Tower card appears in your love reading does not mean your relationship is over, although it may be encouraging you to face the truth about your partner or situation at hand. It could also represent wanting different things from your relationship as you may be growing apart.

The Tower's interpretation for love isn't always about losing someone you care about. Sometimes it's about recognising what needs to change if a relationship is going to move forward.

The Tower Reversed in Love

If you have received this tarot card reversed, you may be avoiding a situation or talking about a situation that you both need to address. This could also mean that you are trying to heal from a previous relationship problem.

You may know that you both need to talk about something but don’t want to rock the boat.

The Tower encourages you to be honest with your situation and to understand that something must change for the relationship to continue.

Does the Tower Tarot Card Mean a Breakup?

The Tower, when reversed, can indicate a breakup in a relationship or the need to try and rebuild a relationship after a breakup when maybe trust has been broken.

Communication is a contributing factor as to why neither of you has been willing to address the situation, which has led to you gradually growing apart. You may still love each other but need to recognise that with a lack of communication the relationship will not move forward and may eventually end.

When the Tower is read with the surrounding cards, it can also indicate an emotional recovery, especially when next to the Star card, which is a card of emotional healing when both parties are committed to resolving differences and changing behaviours to rebuild a relationship. Although when the Tower sits next to the Eight of Cups, it can indicate your expectations are not being met.

Explore Our Top 10 Tarot Readers and get a more personal interpretation of your Tarot questions.

The Tower Tarot Card as Feelings: How Does Someone Feel About You?

The Tower can also appear when asking about feelings in a love reading. It can indicate someone is feeling passionately towards another person or they have a sudden crush on someone.

Maybe you have met someone and things have been moving along quickly. They may like you and want to spend time around you, but it might be too fast for them, especially if they were not looking for something more.

If you recently got into a fight with your significant other, The Tower as someone's feelings could mean they are upset; they might be disappointed or unsure about what you two are doing, or something you both talked about may have altered their view of you.

There are many different emotions The Tower can stand for when it comes to love, so depending on the situation, there could be intense emotional feelings.

Does the Tower Mean Someone Has Feelings for You?

Yes and no. As mentioned earlier, The Tower can stand for strong emotions. These feelings could be for you, or they may not be. They could represent attraction, fear, sadness, weak feelings, or they may be unsure of what will happen next.

Someone could be attracted to you but may not be ready for a relationship, or they may be upset after an argument and are having trouble moving past it.

When you have The Tower and The Lovers, this can represent someone facing a decision in their love life. Or a situation that will change their perception of love. If you pull The Tower and Two of Cups, it could mean your special connection may hit a roadblock.

These cards cannot tell you that someone is thinking about you. Or that they are in love with you and afraid of losing you.

Tips from Joanne: “Whenever I'm asked about someone's feelings, I take into account the question being asked and all the cards. Just because the Tower came up, I would not tell a client that they are crazy about them or in love with them. Always look at how they act towards you. If they try to spend time with you and talk to you, that is a better indicator.”

The Tower Tarot Card Meaning for an Ex and Reconciliation

This usually signifies your breakup with your ex or something you have learnt about them or your relationship in the past. Maybe you and your ex split up unexpectedly, and you want to know why. There could be something you found out about them or realised that you didn’t like about them whilst in the relationship.

This doesn't mean your ex will come back or that they won’t. It all depends on your situation and the other cards surrounding The Tower in your reading.

Read one of our lates guides on Tarot Cards for Reconciliation.

The Tower Upright: Will Your Ex Come Back?

The Tower can signify that there has been some type of shock in your relationship. Your relationship may have fallen apart, or trust was broken. You should ask yourself if there are any issues between you and your ex that need to be addressed before they reach out to you.

There is no telling if your ex is going to come back to you.

The Tower Reversed: Can My Ex and I Get Back Together?

Your ex and you may still have feelings for each other but find it hard to move on from your breakup. Or maybe you are slowly beginning to heal.

The Tower reversed can mean that you should take time to reflect on what happened. If you and your ex have been speaking recently, this could be the case.

Of course, just because you miss your ex doesn't mean you should get back together. Both of you should know why your relationship failed and what (if anything) has changed.

Think about what you have learned from this situation and why you think things may have changed.

The Tower Tarot Card Meaning in Soulmate or Twin Flame Relationships

The Tower can also come up in tarot readings about your twin flame. It may signify that you will go through a separation or awaken to something about yourself or your relationship.

It may mean that you and your twin flame's connection is being disrupted or that you need to rethink your situation. Keep in mind that you can't know if someone is your soulmate/twin flame just because you have this one card.

Joanne's Tip: “People are drawn to each other for many reasons. Some relationships can teach you lessons about what you want in life. So, if the Tower shows up in a soulmate tarot reading, I will focus on what that relationship taught you instead of thinking it’s your soulmate. Passion is great, but love needs more than that.”

The Tower Tarot Card Meaning in Career and Money

When the Tower appears in a Career reading it can indicate you may be facing a feeling of a lack of security in your current job role. Or perhaps a wake-up call that you may have to make some changes in your life.

Maybe there are some changes happening in your line of work. Your company may be downsizing, or new management may have come into place that you're unsure about.

This doesn't always mean that you will be fired or lose your job. There could be internal changes happening within, that trigger this change. You may feel although you have been in the same job for many years you are not appreciated for your contribution to your company’s success.

The Tower Tarot Card Spiritual Meaning

Maybe you have always believed in something, and recently something happened that made you not want to believe it anymore. You may start to become more into spirituality and gain more awareness about yourself or life in general.

Spiritually, The Tower can also stand for awakening and ego transformation. When it comes to becoming a better person, it can sometimes mean that you have to stop believing in certain things.

Is the Tower Tarot Card Yes or No?

In a yes or no Tarot reading, The Tower is generally considered a no-leaning card, particularly when asking questions about love, relationships, career, or situations where you're hoping things will remain stable.

However, The Tower doesn't always mean no. Its interpretation depends on the question you're asking and whether the card appears upright or reversed.

For example, if you ask, "Will my relationship continue exactly as it is?" The Tower may lean towards no, suggesting that something about the relationship needs attention or could change.

But if you ask, "Is it time to reconsider my career?" The Tower could lean towards yes, as its traditional meaning is associated with challenging existing circumstances and recognising when change may be necessary.

Joanne's Advice: “I wouldn't give someone a definite yes or no simply because The Tower appeared in their reading. It's a versatile Tarot card, and the same card can have very different meanings depending on the question. I always encourage readers to consider the surrounding cards and the customer's circumstances rather than treating one card as a guaranteed prediction.”

The Tower Tarot Card in Past, Present and Future Positions

Tower past position: Could stand for a past relationship that ended or some kind of sudden change that happened in your life. You may want to take this opportunity to reflect on the lessons learned from this situation.

Tower present position: Something in your life may be being shaken up, or you have started to become aware of something in your life. Ask yourself what has changed and if what you're doing is still beneficial.

Tower future position: Can represent change or unexpected things happening in your life. It could also mean a significant event or realisation in the near future. There is no telling that something terrible is going to happen. Just use the Tower to see what you can learn if changes were to happen in your life.

How to Interpret the Tower in a Three-Card Tarot Reading

I always remind those new to learning Tarot: Never allow one card to dominate your reading, whether you have only just started reading or you have been a reader for years.

We know that when people see the Tower has appeared in their reading, it’s like they are filled with instant dread, especially if they are asking questions about their love life; they will immediately assume that everything will go wrong or that they will breakup from their partner.

I teach my students to understand the question that is being asked and the person's situation and look at the surrounding cards as they should always be read together and not just the one card.

Here's an example of how you can use The Tower in a tarot reading.

Tarot Question

A female customer approaches me with questions about her relationship. She feels like her significant other has been pulling away and feels like they are drifting apart.

"What do I need to know about my relationship changing?"

We can use the following 3 cards to represent the Current Situation, Obstacles and Advice.

Card 1: The Tower - Current Situation

This card can represent that something has changed in her relationship or she is starting to see flaws that she wasn't noticing before.

I would not say that The Tower means they will break up. Instead, I'd want to understand whether something has happened or whether the distance has developed gradually.

For me, The Tower represents the change she's experiencing, not a prediction that her relationship is going to end. I would assume that there has been some sort of change that may be causing distance between them.

Card 2: Two of Swords - Obstacle

The Two of Swords can mean not making decisions or running from a difficult decision. With The Tower, this could mean that there is a conversation that needs to happen but is being avoided.

Maybe she is afraid to ask her partner why he has become distant because she does not want to really hear his response or start an argument.

The Two of Swords can play a big role here because it is associated with being indecisive, avoiding difficult conversations and confusion.

Card 3: The Star - Advice

The Star can mean many positive things such as hope, recovery, self-confidence and finding your path.

My guidance would be to find a time when you both can start gentle communication, being honest about how you both feel and find out if you are both committed to making changes to resolve differences to make the relationship work.

The Star is generally interpreted as a positive sign; even when we may feel anxious or uncertain where we stand, the Star brings hope to a situation.

How I Would Read These 3 Cards Together

I would say that they have questions about their relationship (Tower). There are things that they need to talk about and maybe it’s something they are avoiding (Two of Swords). If they both love each other, they need to take their time and build their relationship back up. (Star).

One thing I enjoy about this reading is all the cards play into each other.

I would not tell my client that their relationship is coming to an end. I would ask her what she knows about her relationship and what questions she may want to ask if they are both willing to work things out.

That's why I always tell my students to read all of your cards together. There are many ways you can read The Tower. But when you add in the two of swords and star. It allows you to go more into detail.

The Tower Tarot Card Combinations

There are many different meanings when reading The Tower with other cards.

The Tower and the Lovers

When the Lovers is paired with the Tower, this could mean that you are at a crossroads in a relationship. A shocking revelation may lead to making choices for your future.

The Tower and the Star

When these cards appear together you could be experiencing hope. Healing from emotional pain and starting to better yourself.

The Tower and Death

You could be experiencing change in your life. The death card can be read as something that will come to an end. But could also be read as starting something new.

The Tower and the Devil

A period of difficult situations followed by a period of change with new opportunities, personal growth, and rebuilding.

The Tower and Ace of Pentacles

May show you some practical steps you can take to gain what you want out of your life. More suited for career and money readings.

Remember that these cards can all go together with other cards and will all depend on your question. Each card in its position and all together will help you read the meaning behind them.

The Tower Tarot Card FAQs

What Does the Tower Mean as an Outcome?

The Tower as an outcome in your reading can mean many things. It can mean something that comes out of the blue or that your situation will take a drastic turn. Not always a bad one either. Look to your surrounding cards for further insight on what the change could bring and what steps you can take.

Could the Tower Be a Positive Surprise?

It can be. Just because The Tower brings about change does not mean that the surprise will be a negative one. You could receive news that prompts you to act on something that you haven't before. Again, this is not certain to be a positive surprise.

What Does the Tower Mean as a Person?

As a person, The Tower can signify someone who brings about change in their surroundings. They may bring unexpected change, or they could affect the way you look at something. They could be going through some major life changes as well. A single card will not tell you who this person is or what they are capable of doing.

What Does the Tower Mean in a Daily Tarot Reading?

The Tower as a daily tarot card can mean to stay open and keep an open mind. Perhaps you should challenge your beliefs on something. Something may come your way that you have been ignoring. It's not saying that something horrible will happen to you today. Just think about what areas in your life could benefit from a change.

The Tower Vs Death Tarot Card: What's the Difference?

They both deal with major life changes. The Tower tarot card usually means that there will be a sudden disruption in your life, or you will learn something that you didn't know before. Something that may change the way your current situation looks. The Death tarot card is more associated with death or ending something and moving on to another thing in life.

What Tarot Card Comes After the Tower?

The Star comes after The Tower in the Major Arcana. Some believe that The Tower represents hardship, and then after that you will receive The Star and feel as if there is light at the end of the tunnel. There are many ways that tarot can be interpreted, and it can be beneficial to study the Major Arcana as it all goes hand in hand together.

Joanne's Perspective: What 30 Years of Listening to People Has Taught Me

When I founded Trusted Psychics in 1992, I wanted to create a different type of service where people felt comfortable talking about their worries, asking questions, and receiving genuine, thoughtful guidance.

Over the years, I've devoted much of my life to developing that service and helping our psychic and Tarot readers understand that knowledge and experience are important, but so is recognising someone's emotions, listening without judgement, and communicating with compassion.

Over time, I've come to realise how much energy we spend worrying about things that may never happen or circumstances we simply cannot change. Our readings can offer another perspective, but ultimately, the choices we make about our lives remain our own.

“I believe the spoken word is one of the greatest gifts we have”.

A few thoughtful words can bring comfort, offer encouragement, or help someone feel less alone.

"However much you worry today, tomorrow will still arrive. You can't change everything life throws at you, and you don't need to have all the answers. Just deal with one small thing at a time, be kind to yourself and remember that tomorrow is another day."

My commitment has always been simple: to listen, care, and help people through life’s confusing moments with kindness and understanding.

A Little Guidance When You Need It

If you're going through an uncertain time or have questions about love, relationships, or your future, sometimes talking things through with someone who will listen can make a difference.

At Trusted Psychics, our experienced psychic and Tarot readers offer thoughtful, personal readings to help you explore your questions at your own pace.

View our Live Readers Today.

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