Odu Reflection: When Helter Isn't Skelter

Ever feel like life is spinning out of control? At one moment or another, I think we all have
and its not a good feeling. But sometimes, we need that spin out, that commotion, that
raw energy to take us out of our comfort zone, to make us take a good look at our current
situation and to help us muster the courage to make necessary changes.
Recently, the od If Ogunda Otura was revealed during a divination session at which I
was present. My mentor explained that this od is known as the od of helter skelter, and
most often marks the beginning of a tumultuous time in a persons life. Despite the
difficulty, this od also often marks a significant ultimately positive change, a change
that might not be possible without that period of trial and tribulation. This od is
reminiscent of the tarot card The Tower, and speaks to the idea that, at times, the walls
must come crashing down around us before we realize we need to build a new house.
Hard as they may be to see while were in the midst, the most difficult periods of our
lives are often when we learn, grow and progress the most. These periods arent really
helter skelter at all in that they are not random occurrences, but carefully constructed
circumstances to spark our transformation. These are not times for self-pity, but times
for self-examination. What needs to change? How can you change it? Answering these
questions honestly can help turn a rough ride into smooth sailing. Heres to calm waters
ahead. Ase!
Tower Tarot Card Meaning
Tower Card Symbols
A tower on a rocky outcrop, a powerful bolt of lightning, one or two figures falling from
the tower, sometimes waves crashing below.
Tower Tarot Story
As the Fool leaves the throne of the Goat God, he comes upon a Tower, fantastic,
magnificent, and familiar. In fact, The Fool, himself, helped build this Tower back when the
most important thing to him was making his mark on the world and proving himself better
than other men. Inside the Tower, at the top, arrogant men still live, convinced of their
rightness.
Seeing the Tower again, the Fool feels as if lightning has just flashed across his mind; he
thought he'd left that old self behind when he started on this spiritual journey. But he
realizes now that he hasn't. He's been seeing himself, like the Tower, like the men inside, as
alone and singular and superior, when in fact, he is no such thing.
So captured is he by the shock of this insight, that he opens his mouth and releases a
SHOUT! And to his astonishment and terror, a bolt of actual lightning slashes down from
the heavens striking the Tower and sending its residents leaping out into the waters below.

In a moment, it is over. The Tower is rubble, only rocks remaining. Stunned and shaken to
the core, the Fool experiences profound fear and disbelief. But also, a strange clarity of
vision, as if his inner eye has finally opened. He tore down his resistance to change and
sacrifice (Hanged man), then came to terms with Death (Death); he learned about
moderation and synthesis (Temperance) and about power (The Devil). But here and now, he
has done what was hardest: he destroyed the lies of his life. What's left are the foundations
of truth. On this he can rebuild himself.
Tower Tarot Card Meaning
With Mars as its ruling planet, the Tower is a card about war, a war between the structures
of lies and the lightning flash of truth. This is a card about anything we believe to be true,
but later learn is false. This realization usually comes as a shock, hence, the violent image.
It is, quite simply, that moment in any story where someone finds out a shocking truth, one
that shatters their perceptions and makes them reassess their beliefs.
When the Querent gets this card, they can expect to be shaken up, blinded by a revelation.
It sometimes takes a very bright flash of light to reveal a truth that was so well hidden. And
it sometimes takes an earthquake to bring down beliefs that were so cleverly constructed.
What's most important to remember is that the tearing down of this structure, however
painful, allows us to find out what is true and reliable. What will stand rather than fall apart.
Thirteen's Observations on the Tower
The Tower is one of the clearest cards when it comes to meaning. False structures, false
institutions, false beliefs are going to come (or have already come) tumbling down,
suddenly, violently and all at once. This sort of prediction can scare anyone, especially as
the one you're reading for likely does not know that something is false. Not yet. To the
contrary, they probably believe that their lover is being faithful, that their religious beliefs
are true and right, that there are no problems in their family structure, that everything is fine
at work...oh, and that they're fine. Just fine, really.
Alas, they're about to get a very rude awakening. Shaken up, torn down, blown asunder.
And all a reader can really do to soften the blow is assure the querent that it is for the best.
Nothing built on a lie, on falsehoods, can remain standing for long. Better for it to come
down so that it can be rebuilt on truth-or not rebuilt at all, if that's what seems best. This
rude awakening is not going to be pleasant or painless or easy, but it will be for the best in
the end.