Category: Katrina Rasbold

By Katrina Rasbold

Pamela Colman Smith’s illustrations for the Rider-Waite-Smith tarot deck revolutionized tarot interpretation, embedding each card with rich visual symbolism that speaks to intuition as much as intellect. Among these, the Three of Wands stands out as a quietly powerful card—one that speaks of foresight, personal growth, and the broadening of horizons.

Let’s take a closer look at the card and unpack its layered meaning, symbolism, and spiritual resonance. Continue reading Tarot Talk: Three of Wands

By Katrina Rasbold

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The Rider-Waite-Smith tarot deck, illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith under the direction of Arthur Edward Waite, is a cornerstone of modern tarot practice. Among its 78 cards, The Hanged Man stands out as one of the most enigmatic and paradoxical. Its unsettling image—a man suspended upside down by one foot—invites a pause. But in that pause lies the card’s true power: the invitation to surrender, shift perspective, and embrace transformation. Continue reading Tarot Talk: The Hanged Man

By Katrina Rasbold

Among the most visually celebratory cards in the Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot deck, the Four of Wands radiates joy, accomplishment, and stability. Designed by Pamela Colman Smith under the guidance of Arthur Edward Waite, this card belongs to the Suit of Wands, which governs creativity, passion, and action. Its imagery suggests festivity and harmony, making it one of the most positive cards in the deck. But beneath its bright and cheerful surface lies a deeper symbolism that connects to numerology, esotericism, and human experience. Continue reading Tarot Talk: Four of Wands

By Katrina Rasbold

In the world of Tarot, few decks are as iconic as the Rider-Waite-Smith deck, illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith under the guidance of Arthur Edward Waite. Among its striking imagery, the Seven of Wands stands out as a card of resilience, challenge, and personal fortitude. But beyond its surface meaning, the artwork carries deep symbolic layers that speak to themes of conflict, personal power, and perseverance. Continue reading Tarot Talk: Seven of Wands

By Katrina Rasbold

For many people, the Five of Swords is one of the more visually striking and unsettling cards in the Rider-Waite-Smith tarot deck. It depicts a smug-looking figure in the foreground, holding three swords, while two defeated individuals walk away in the background. The sky is cloudy and gray, adding to the tension of the scene. This card often signals conflict, betrayal, hollow victories, and the consequences of dishonorable actions. What does the symbolism in Pamela Colman Smith’s depiction of the Five of Swords tell us and what are the subtle implications of the card in a reading? That’s our topic for this week’s “Tarot Talk” post. Continue reading Tarot Talk: The Five of Swords

By Katrina Rasbold

In the realm of tarot, few images are as evocative as those found in the Rider-Waite deck, and the Page of Wands stands out as a vibrant emblem of youthful energy and creative possibility. Created by Pamela Colman Smith, whose artistry and intuitive symbolism have defined tarot for over a century, this card invites us to explore themes of inspiration, adventure, and the boundless potential inherent in new beginnings. Continue reading Tarot Talk: The Page of Wands

By Katrina Rasbold

The 10 of Swords is one of the most visually dramatic and emotionally charged cards in Pamela Colman Smith’s iconic Smith-Waite Tarot deck. It evokes a sense of finality, defeat, and deep transformation. The card’s stark imagery, featuring a figure lying face-down with ten swords piercing their back, has made it one of the most recognizable and, for some, unsettling images in tarot. However, beyond its ominous first impression, the 10 of Swords holds profound symbolic meaning that speaks to themes of endings, resilience, and rebirth. Continue reading Tarot Talk: 10 of Swords