Hi there, I am a tarot reader, its actually my proffesion now (self employed) and have read them for over 13 years now. I dont go in for all the 'frolics' that come with reading cards, the cards arent magical, they are cards. Its you that interprets them, they are a tool. Take care of them as you would any tool or object that is important to you.
If however you prefer to go with the wives tales, you can wrap your cards in black silk, to keep negative energies out. You can also put them in order (major arcana, the fool - the world, then the minor) this is believed to 'clear' them, ready to be used again.
Personally I keep three sets all together in a normal box on my window sill, and very rarely put them in order (normally its to make sure I havent lost one!) yet I still get very good feedback from readings.
The tower card reappearing will e most likely just pointing out that life is unpredictable, there is no set way to go about life, just like there is no set way to go about the cards. You might just be trying too hard.
For learning the cards, its best to start with the major arcana. Learn the fools journey, as each card represents the phases we go through in adult life. Pick a few key words to go with each card, and learn that only. Begin to do simple three card readings with the major arcana only, a good one is to do a morning, afternoon and night reading every day, to get used to the cards.
When you feel comfortable with the major cards, begin to learn the minor. Its best to learn what areas the suits tend to pinpoint: Wands: Initiative, Career, Ambition, Cups: Love and emotions, Swords: thinking, logic, challenges, Pentactles: Materialism, earth, finance.
The important thing to remember, is not to get it into your head that certain cards can only ever mean one thing. This is not true. For example, many readers would say the empress relates to pregnancy. How would you explain this to someone whom has been steralised and the chances of pregnancy happening are very very slim if at all? Its good to learn key words to remind yourself of the basic meanings, just dont tie yourself down to those meanings, keep your mind open.
Most of all, take your time, practise on everyone you know, and everyone you dont know. Ignore anyone telling you you are evil and so on for reading the cards and have fun.