What is "Tower Time?"

In tarot, the Tower card bears an image of a tall, strong tower that is being struck by lightening, toppling over and is literally on fire. People are throwing themselves out of windows onto the rocks below to escape the inferno. It speaks of destruction of things that were previously unmovable, obliteration of shelter and security - massive upheaval.

The Tower card from the Rider-Waite tarot deck.

Sooooooo...that's "Tower Time!" It's the time when that kind of thing happens. It's not what anyone would describe as "fun." But for various reasons, a whole lot of people right now find themselves living through their own Tower Times, on either a personal or on a more societal level.

We all go through Tower Times at various points. The end of a marriage, the death of a loved one, the loss of a job - one or more of these towers will probably topple at some point in all of our lives.

I've been married to my wonderful husband for over 15 years, but friends - he is my second husband. I am divorced. And let me tell you, divorce is not fun. Even when it's for the best, it's not fun. No matter how amicable a divorce might be, it's the end of something you were committed to, something you were counting on. It shakes you to your core. That's "Tower Time."

But what comes after is the rest of your life! If I hadn't gone through that harrowing Tower Time, I would not have my wonderful, rock-solid husband. My child would not exist. I love my family, and I love my life, and I wouldn't trade them for anything - including being spared that awful Tower Time in my 20s. This is what Tower Time makes possible.

The Tower is the fire that ravages a forest, making way for new growth. The Tower is the devastating job loss that opens you up to a life-changing and fulfilling career shift. But it's really hard to see that when you're in the middle of it. When you're in the middle of a divorce, or have just been laid off, or are grieving any kind of loss, it's hard to focus on the "what next." You really have to feel the loss before you can see clearly what's ahead.

Tower Time isn't just personal, though. It can happen on a wider scale. Tower Time is institutions that we relied on that start to crumble. Tower Time is suddenly realizing you're living beyond your means because prices have soared while your paycheck has not. Tower Time is realizing that the values that you thought you held in common with others no longer apply.

All of that can be Tower Time as well. And a lot of us are dealing with this macro-Tower Time on top of whatever personal Tower Times life was going to throw at us anyway.

And in such times, when life feels overwhelming and it's so hard to see clearly, fresh perspectives and new information can really help us to steer our ships. That's why I decided to start "Tower Time Tarot," specifically. Because the Tower is falling, and it's rough sailing with low visibility for a lot of us. But together, we can navigate this storm.