Cards of the Major Arcana: The Tower – The Star – The Moon

Today, we will present three more cards from the Major Arcana of the Rider-Waite Tarot deck. Together, they represent unexpected change and renewal after hardship, leading to a deeper sense of self-awareness in our life's journey.

The Tower card symbolises sudden upheaval and chaos. It represents unexpected, often destructive, change that leads to revelation and growth. It prompts us to reassess beliefs and structures that no longer serve us.

The Star card embodies hope, inspiration and serenity. It signifies healing and renewal after hardship and encourages trust in the universe. It suggests guidance and a sense of direction, illuminating the path forward with optimism.

In contrast, the Moon card reflects intuition, dreams and the subconscious. It serves as a warning about illusions and uncertainty, urging introspection. It encourages embracing one's feelings and navigating fears to ultimately lead to deeper self-awareness and clarity.

The following are extracts from the author's book on tarot. Further information about the book can be found in the notes.

Card XVI of the Major Arcana: The Tower

In the Rider-Waite deck, the card with the number XVI shows an image of destruction. The top of a tall tower, shaped like a crown, is struck by a bolt of lightning, which splits the night sky. Flames flare up as people plunge headlong into the depths – one of them wearing a crown.

A catastrophe has taken place. Everything that has been built upon has been destroyed. The Tower heralds a violent change. Unlike the Death card in the Tarot, which indicates a natural end, the Tower is the messenger of a violent intervention.

Like the Tower of Babel in the Bible, people became careless when building a tower that was too high, forgetting the balance between heaven and earth. This image can be applied to many things. The Tower signifies destruction or the end of something caused by unexpected external circumstances. However, imminent upheavals also send out signs.

The nature of the high tower is precisely its inability or unwillingness to recognise such signs. The word 'arrogance' perfectly describes such a state of mind. You simply refuse to accept that a storm is coming and that things will never be the same again. Fate makes no distinction between people. ... End of excerpt.

Card XVII of the Major Arcana: The Star

After a period of painful upheavals, sacrifices or the end of things as they were, the beautiful image on the seventeenth card brings a sense of calm. A naked woman with golden hair kneels beside a small pond.

As in 'Temperance', one part of her body is on the earth and the other is in the water. She holds two jugs, emptying one into the pond and the other onto the ground. The water flowing onto the grass divides into several small streams, one of which has already reached the pond. Nothing is lost. Sooner or later, the streams will reunite. The jugs are not containers; they are springs that fill the pond and water the earth.

Above the woman is a marvellous blue sky dotted with stars, including a large golden one surrounded by seven smaller ones. In the picture, there is also a small bird and some distant mountains. There is an impression of harmony with the cosmos and existence. All fears are unfounded because nothing is lost, and the stars watch over us.

The woman wears no wings or clothes. She is in her original state, free from all constraints. She has nothing to hide – she is the power. The messages are 'Follow your star!' and 'Reach for the stars!', and some people are 'Born under a lucky star'. ... End of excerpt.

Card XVIII of the Major Arcana: The Moon

A jackal and a dog howl at the moon, which is rising between two towers in the night sky. A crab emerges from a body of water, seemingly eager to leave its element behind. The moon in the card has the face of a beautiful woman with her eyes closed.

As water is the element of this card, it also symbolises femininity. It represents the unconscious, dreams, visions and the depths of the soul. Like water itself, the moon represents feelings rather than the mind. In ancient times, the sun was considered masculine, as were the deities associated with it. In contrast, the gentle moon was considered feminine, as reflected in moon goddesses. Even today, this association is evident in almost every language.

Arcanum XVIII has a lot in common with water, at least in terms of clarity – or rather, the lack of it. In ancient times, the illuminated surface of water was used for 'seeing', just like a crystal ball or mirror. The images we saw were rarely clear or unambiguous, and could be deceptive, much like coloured memories.

Dreams are never as clear as films. They communicate through the symbolism of the subconscious. However, it is always beneficial to pay attention to dreams and learn to understand their language. ... End of excerpt.

Would you like to find out more? Eleonore's book offers valuable guidance on using Rider-Waite Tarot cards. You can read some excerpts here:
– Using Tarot cards as a guide: Explore the wisdom of the Rider-Waite deck
– Mistakes when dealing with Tarot cards: The right way to use the Tarot
– How to interpret the hidden significance of Tarot cards: The Major Arcana
– Try swinging a pendulum. Communicate with your inner self
– Cards of the Major Arcana: The Magician – The High Priestess – The Empress
– Cards of the Major Arcana: The Emperor – The Hierophant – The Lovers
– Cards of the Major Arcana: The Chariot – Justice – The Hermit
– Cards of the Major Arcana: Wheel of Fortune – Strength – The Hanged Man
– Cards of the Major Arcana: Death – Temperance – The Devil

© 'Cards of the Major Arcana: The Tower – The Star – The Moon. Exploring the themes of chaos, hope and intuition in Tarot': A series of essays by Eleonore Radtberger (translated by Izabel Comati), 02/2026. Image credit: Pressenet.