18- Destruction

On Crisis and upheaval, rebuilding and renewal

The Destruction card represents upheaval, chaos, and the transformational power of crisis. It depicts the flaming branches of a tree, surrounded by a raging inferno, as a stark reminder of the inevitability of change. This card heralds a period of challenges—emotional, mental, financial, or spiritual—that will shake the foundation of your world. There may be no way to prepare for the coming storm, but remember: the ashes left behind nourish the soil for new growth. It’s in the aftermath of destruction that you can find clarity, resilience, and the opportunity to rebuild a stronger, wiser version of yourself.

If you’re feeling blocked:

If you’re feeling blocked:

The Destruction card asks you to confront the fear of losing what you’ve built. Are you clinging too tightly to routines, ideas, or identities that no longer serve you? Transformation doesn’t always require a firestorm—it can start with small, intentional changes. Begin by shedding what feels stagnant. Redecorate your creative space. Explore new methods of expression. Experiment with styles, perspectives, or mediums you’ve never tried before. The essence of destruction is renewal: allow parts of your life or art to fall away so something fresh can emerge.

Reflection questions:

  • What in your life or creative process feels outdated or stagnant?

  • How can you embrace change, even in small ways, to spark growth?

  • If everything you hold onto were to vanish tomorrow, what would you rebuild first?

Creativity exercises:

Revisit the Past:
Find an old piece of art, writing, or a project from years ago. Look at it with fresh eyes and reimagine it using your current skills and perspective. This will highlight how much you’ve grown as a creator.

Make Something New from Something Broken:
Gather discarded or broken items—old jewelry, torn papers, or forgotten scraps. Use them as raw materials to create something entirely new. Consider the metaphor of building from the ashes.

Destruction as Inspiration:
Write or draw a scene of destruction: a forest fire, a collapsing building, or the end of a world. Focus on the emotions and sensations tied to this upheaval. Then, create a follow-up piece or finish it by showing signs of renewal or rebirth in the aftermath.

Chaos Collage: Rip up pages from an old magazine, then piece the shreds back together in a creative way to create a poem, affirmation, color wheel or surreal image.