Spooky Tarot Cards

Dispelling the myths of the Tarot's most dreaded characters

The images on some Tarot cards can be a little scary, especially when they come up in your reading. It's mostly symbolism, though -- those skeletons, devils and natural disasters aren't to be taken literally. We took a look at the history and meaning of the three cards that leave most Tarot reader recipients shaking in their metaphysical boots -- the Tower, Devil and Death cards -- just in time for Halloween! We can't promise the Boogeyman won't be hiding under your bed this season, but we can promise that a Tarot reading won't be doing you in anytime soon.

The Tower
In a Tarot spread, the Tower looks pretty grim. In practically all renditions of the card, disaster is striking or has just struck. The demons of madness and despair are released from ancient hiding places and nature conspires with human failings to destabilize a society. The upheaval is collective and impersonal. Let us remember, though, that these images were originally created for the educated nobles and clergy, reminding them that they had the most to lose if the hierarchy was toppled.

Lightning is a fitting karmic payback for the guilt of those whose fortunes come from the exploitation or abuse of others. A modern subtitle might be "revolution," indicating that through drastic social change, oppressed people can find renewed hope of better times. The Tower experience comes like a flash of lightning to topple the hierarchy of the old order, after which everyone can have a fresh start on a more equal footing.

In a reversed position, the Tower card suggests that the drama is over. All the leaning towers have fallen. Leave behind the issues and emotions that caused this to happen. Ask yourself what you can do now that the options of your past are closed. As you pick yourself up and begin again, you'll find renewed energy for your next significant endeavor.

To look at the Tower simply, it means great change forced by those who have been made to feel powerless. On a personal level, it could mean confronting someone who is a negative influence in your life -- either causing them to change, or banishing them altogether so you can focus your energy on more positive people around you. On a collective level, it could indicate a social transformation -- like voters standing up for real change in a coming election. It's not quite scary when you look at it like that, right?

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