Annotated Visual References for Card XVI. The TOWER
The TOWER can be the "ivory tower" in which the occupants are are not grounded, and isolated from reality. The TOWER is a symbol of elevation and exaltation. Inflation or hubris is reduced as the inhabitants are brought down to Earth. A dragon guards the hoard of riches stored within The TOWER. Here, Sir Francis Drake, known as a 16th Century pirate to some (a.k.a El Draco-- "the Dragon"), is depicted waiting in his vessel for the opportunity to acquire booty. Deconstruction of the old makes way for the establishment of the new. The most serious consequence of The TOWER is beheading (loosing your head).
Source of images: Dragon from McCaffery, A. with Woods R. (1997) A diversity of dragons. New York: Harper Prism. Illustrations by John Howe, p. 61. The dragon is a mythological being and can be any color and/or change colors, which I took liberty to do in this card. Tower on outcrop (with crack added) from an original water color owned by the author, unsigned; A gift from Kimberly Smith, aka K*. Golden Hind, ship of Sir Francis Drake source: Konsam, A. (1999) The history of pirates. The Lyons Press; New York, p.62. Boarding Axe: R. Platt (1994) Pirate. Photographed by T. Chambers. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, p. 29.
"Castles made of sand
fall into the Sea, eventually." -- (Jimi Hendrix)
The TOWER can be the "ivory tower" in which the occupants are are not grounded, and isolated from reality. The TOWER is a symbol of elevation and exaltation. Inflation or hubris is reduced as the inhabitants are brought down to Earth. A dragon guards the hoard of riches stored within The TOWER. Here, Sir Francis Drake, known as a 16th Century pirate to some (a.k.a El Draco-- "the Dragon"), is depicted waiting in his vessel for the opportunity to acquire booty. Deconstruction of the old makes way for the establishment of the new. The most serious consequence of The TOWER is beheading (loosing your head).
Source of images: Dragon from McCaffery, A. with Woods R. (1997) A diversity of dragons. New York: Harper Prism. Illustrations by John Howe, p. 61. The dragon is a mythological being and can be any color and/or change colors, which I took liberty to do in this card. Tower on outcrop (with crack added) from an original water color owned by the author, unsigned; A gift from Kimberly Smith, aka K*. Golden Hind, ship of Sir Francis Drake source: Konsam, A. (1999) The history of pirates. The Lyons Press; New York, p.62. Boarding Axe: R. Platt (1994) Pirate. Photographed by T. Chambers. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, p. 29.
"Castles made of sand
fall into the Sea, eventually." -- (Jimi Hendrix)