The Tower Moment: Collective Upheaval, Systemic Collapse, and What Comes Next
Last week, I talked about how I believe the world is going through a collective Tower moment. I also promised to elaborate on that.
In tarot, there are 78 cards, divided into two parts: the Major and Minor Arcana. The Tower card belongs to the Major Arcana, and it's typically depicted as a tall tower being struck by lightning, with people falling from it—pure chaos.
Because this card signifies upheaval and abrupt, often painful endings, a lot of people dread seeing it in a reading—sometimes even more than the Death card. That’s interesting, right? You’d think the Death card would represent something more final or painful, but it’s usually about transformation, shedding old patterns, and releasing bondage. The Tower, on the other hand, represents unavoidable change—often sudden and disruptive.
Personally, I love the Tower card. It’s one of my favorites because no other card so clearly illustrates the natural order of change. Change feels chaotic when we’re not prepared for it, but it’s inevitable. I’ve said before that only two things in life are certain, but I’m often corrected that there are actually three: death, change, and taxes. No matter how much we try to avoid them, they’re inescapable.
The truth is, the United States has been in a constant state of change since its inception. Collectively, we've made a series of choices that have led us here. I’m not an expert in anything except self-mastery, so take what I say with a grain of salt. But depending on who you ask, you'll get a different answer about where America went off the rails.
There are many factors that have brought us to this moment—one major issue being corporations gaining the rights of individuals. Take Hobby Lobby, for example: in a court of law, it was ruled to have individual religious freedoms, which meant it could deny contraceptive coverage to employees. This is just one way corporations have influenced policies that don’t serve the collective good.
A couple of months back, I wrote about the history of cannabis and how lobbying efforts from industries like paper, logging, oil, and textiles pushed for its criminalization. This is an example of propaganda shaping public opinion—a concept I’m learning is called “manufactured consent.”
And we’re still seeing this play out today. Corporations continue to lobby for their own interests. Propaganda is used to justify policies like mass deportations of undocumented immigrants. Bills are being passed that override rights and freedoms we’ve long taken for granted.
The Tower moment is here. The question is: what comes after?
We are watching systems that once seemed unshakable crack under pressure. The economy is unpredictable, governments are tightening their grip, civil rights are being challenged, and corporations are prioritizing profits over people more blatantly than ever. If you’re paying attention, you can feel the shift—an unraveling of what was, making way for what will be.
Historically, Tower moments lead to two things: destruction and rebuilding. The old ways collapse, often painfully, but in their place, there’s an opportunity to create something better. The hardest part is that in the middle of it, everything feels uncertain. That’s where we are now. The collective is waking up, and those in power are scrambling to maintain control. That’s why we’re seeing more censorship, more divisive narratives, and more manufactured consent to keep the masses from realizing just how much power we actually have.
So, how do we prepare for the fallout?
1. Strengthen Your Foundations
When the Tower falls, what remains is whatever was built to last. That means focusing on what truly matters: your well-being, your relationships, your values. Get clear on what you stand for and what you’re willing to fight for.
2. Get Comfortable with Discomfort
Change isn’t easy, but resisting it only makes it harder. Learn to sit with uncertainty instead of fearing it. The more adaptable you are, the better you’ll navigate what’s coming.
3. Build Community
The systems we relied on may not be there in the same way soon. Find like-minded people, support local businesses, and create networks of mutual aid. Community will be essential in weathering the storm.
4. Diversify Your Resources
If we’ve learned anything from past economic collapses, it’s that relying too much on one system (whether it’s a job, the stock market, or supply chains) is risky. Learn skills that make you more self-sufficient, look into alternative currencies, and have a plan in case access to resources becomes restricted.
5. Stay Informed, but Discern Wisely
Propaganda is everywhere. Seek out multiple sources, question narratives, and don’t blindly accept what you’re being told—especially by institutions with a vested interest in keeping you complacent.
6. Take Care of Your Nervous System
Constant chaos takes a toll. Ground yourself, breathe, and find practices that keep you centered. A regulated nervous system makes better decisions than a panicked one.
Tower moments are terrifying, but they’re also necessary. They clear the way for something new—something that couldn’t exist without the collapse of the old.
That’s why I’m not afraid of what’s coming—I’m focused on what we can build. The question isn’t whether change is happening. It’s already here. The real question is: What are we going to do with it?
That answer is up to us.
Looking for ways to get involved or people to follow?
I’m starting a new section where I highlight someone I follow who shares valuable insights—whether it’s about resistance, mutual aid, or just putting in the work.
This time, I want to spotlight Sasha S. Graham, a powerhouse I came across about a year ago. She first appeared on my FYP discussing the 4B movement and the importance of standing together in sisterhood against patriarchy. I stuck around for her determination and dedication to the communities she serves.
If you’re interested in her work, follow her on Substack, where she shares most of her content:
👉 https://sistaseparatist.substack.com/subscribe?utm_campaign=unknown&utm_medium=web
Take care of each other,
Mia Marie
