russelgreene

Joyful Release, Emergence of What was Trapped or Imprisoned

Card Number: 16
Astrology: Mars
Hebrew Letter: Peh; Meaning: Mouth; Numerical Value: 80

This card is usually seen as a reference to The Tower of Babble and many times thought of as an omen for ruin, a fall from pride, divorce, destruction…etc. But as we read the story of the Tower of Babel, we realize that the “destruction” of the Tower was a gift.

We find mankind gathered together to build a tower to climb into Heaven that he might know God. However, with all the lands of the Earth now again fertile after the Flood, this labor has humans concentrated in one place rather than dispersing to cultivate the land. God doesn’t strike the Tower with lightning nor smite anyone from the Tower’s heights, he simply causes the diversity of language which causes mankind to disperse into the world.

Keywords: Joy, Temple, Construction, Dancing, Overflowing, Uncorking a Bottle, A Sudden Change, A Sudden Realization/Epiphany,  Celebration, Opening, Exploding, An Emotional Outburst, Loosing One’s Temper, Being Humbled, Gushing, Ejaculation.

In a Reading

From “The Way of Tarot” – A. Jodorowsky “The principle message of the Tower could be: stop looking for God in the sky; lets find him on Earth.”

This card represents the release of that which was imprisoned, a secret revealed, perhaps someone coming out about his or her sexuality. It may herald a change of residence or a journey leaving the country. A joyous separation, the release of a project or artistic endeavor. It also represents our body, the structure that holds our spirit, our inner god. If it appears later in the reading, The Tower may reveal the existence of more facets of the original question. In its phallic connotation, it can refer to the penis in the process of ejaculating and love of the male genitalia.

On the darker side, it may be symbolize a difficult birth, a rupture or a sudden separation. We could also read a destructive act of nature or other form of catastrophe. It can be seen as a warning against arrogance, pride and complacency.