Category: Tarot Talk by Katrina Rasbold

By Katrina Rasbold

The Three of Cups in the Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot, illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith under the direction of Arthur Edward Waite, is a card that radiates joy, connection, and celebration. This Minor Arcana card, nestled in the suit of Cups (which governs emotion, intuition, relationships, and creativity), represents shared happiness, community, and emotional abundance. With its rich symbolism and evocative imagery, the Three of Cups is a card that often heralds the joy of coming together and the blessings of emotional fulfillment. Continue reading Tarot Talk: Three of Cups

By Katrina Rasbold

The Lovers card in Pamela Colman Smith’s iconic Rider-Waite-Smith tarot deck is among the most visually striking and symbolically rich in the Major Arcana. Numbered VI (6), this card transcends the simple notion of romantic love and invites a profound exploration into the themes of duality, choice, unity, and the spiritual dimensions of love. First published in 1909 under the guidance of mystic and scholar Arthur Edward Waite, Smith’s imagery has since become the gold standard for modern tarot interpretations.

Let us explore the symbolic language woven into this card and how it informs its interpretation in a reading. Continue reading Tarot Talk: The Lovers

By Katrina Rasbold

Pamela Colman Smith’s Queen of Wands, part of the Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) Tarot deck first published in 1909, radiates the commanding presence of feminine fire. She is regal and passionate, embodying the dynamic, confident, and intuitive traits of the Wands suit, which corresponds with the element of fire. As with all court cards, she can represent a person, an aspect of oneself, or a situational archetype. In Smith’s richly symbolic illustration, every detail of the Queen of Wands is deliberate and telling. Continue reading Tarot Talk: Queen of Wands

By Katrina Rasbold

In the classic Rider–Waite–Smith Tarot deck, illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith and published in 1909 under the direction of Arthur Edward Waite, The Chariot stands tall as the seventh Major Arcana card. Numbered VII and embodying themes of victory, self-mastery, and willpower, this iconic card captures the moment when determination and divine alignment fuse into forward momentum.

Let us explore the many layers of symbolism in Smith’s artwork and unpack how this complex image translates into powerful interpretive meanings for readers today. Continue reading Tarot Talk: The Chariot

By Katrina Rasbold

In the Rider–Waite–Smith Tarot deck, the Judgment card—number twenty in the Major Arcana—is among the most evocative and spiritually charged images. Illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith under the direction of Arthur Edward Waite, this card heralds awakening, transformation, and the soul’s final reckoning before transcendence. Laden with Christian imagery and esoteric undertones, the Judgment card is not merely about divine judgment in a religious sense, but about the profound moment of self-assessment, karmic resolution, and resurrection into a new phase of consciousness.

Let us explore the symbolism in Smith’s artwork and the deeper meanings this card conveys in a tarot reading. Continue reading Tarot Talk: Judgment

By Katrina Rasbold

In Pamela Colman Smith’s iconic rendering of the Two of Cups for the Rider–Waite–Smith Tarot, we are presented with a deeply evocative image of emotional connection, mutual respect, and the merging of energies. This card, often associated with romance, unity, and partnership, carries both esoteric and emotional symbolism that reaches beyond the surface image of two lovers meeting. Let’s explore the depths of this card’s symbols, its upright and reversed meanings, and its place within the larger Tarot system.
Continue reading Tarot Talk: The Two of Cups

By Katrina Rasbold

Pamela Colman Smith’s depiction of the Justice card in the Rider–Waite–Smith (RWS) tarot deck offers a rich and balanced portrayal of equilibrium, moral clarity, and karmic consequence. As the eleventh card in the Major Arcana (numbered VIII in some traditional decks), Justice sits at the midpoint of the Fool’s Journey, marking a moment of reckoning, truth, and ethical discernment.

This post explores the symbolism and interpretation of the Justice card, including visual details, esoteric meanings, numerological significance, and advice for when this card appears in a reading. Continue reading Tarot Talk: Justice

By Katrina Rasbold

The Ace of Swords, illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith under the guidance of Arthur Edward Waite, is a card that gleams with intensity, clarity, and decisive power. It is the purest embodiment of the element of air within the Minor Arcana and signals new beginnings in thought, truth, and communication. With its striking imagery and subtle symbolism, this card heralds a mental breakthrough or the slicing away of confusion to reveal crystalline insight. Continue reading Tarot Talk – The Ace of Swords

By Katrina Rasbold

The Tarot deck designed by Pamela Colman Smith under the guidance of Arthur Edward Waite is one of the most iconic and enduring images in esoteric symbolism. Each card is rich with layered meanings, psychological insight, and archetypal resonance. Among them, the Eight of Swords stands out as a visually striking and emotionally charged card. It is a card that immediately evokes feelings of entrapment and helplessness — yet, like all cards in Tarot, it holds a mirror to deeper truths, inviting us to look beyond surface-level suffering.

Let’s take a closer look at this powerful image, its symbolism, and the multiple ways it can be interpreted. Continue reading Tarot Talk: Eight of Swords

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

By Katrina Rasbold

The 2 of Pentacles is a fascinating and dynamic card in the Rider-Waite-Smith tarot deck, illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith under the guidance of Arthur Edward Waite. This card belongs to the suit of Pentacles, which is associated with material wealth, practical matters, and earthly concerns. However, the 2 of Pentacles introduces a theme of duality, balance, and adaptability, making it one of the most fluid and energetic cards in the suit.

In this post, we’ll explore the symbolism and interpretation of the 2 of Pentacles, examining its deeper meanings and how it applies to different areas of life

Continue reading Tarot Talk: The 2 of Pentacles

By Katrina Rasbold

The Star card, numbered XVII in the Major Arcana, is one of the most optimistic and inspiring cards in the Tarot deck. Illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith under the guidance of Arthur Edward Waite, the Star radiates themes of hope, renewal, and spiritual enlightenment. Its deep symbolism and artistic nuances make it a profound card to interpret in readings, offering insights into healing, guidance, and inner harmony.

Continue reading Tarot Talk: The Star

By Katrina Rasbold

Pamela Colman Smith’s depiction of The Hermit in the Rider-Waite tarot deck is one of the most iconic images in tarot history. Designed in collaboration with A. E. Waite and first published in 1909, the card encapsulates profound themes of introspection, guidance, and spiritual enlightenment. To fully appreciate its layers of meaning, it’s essential to explore both its visual elements and the underlying symbolism.

Continue reading Tarot Talk: The Hermit

By Katrina Rasbold

The Five of Wands, illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith for the Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot deck, is a card rich with dynamic imagery and layered symbolism. Its chaotic yet vibrant scene invites diverse interpretations, making it a fascinating subject for study in tarot readings. Let’s delve into its visual elements, symbolic meanings, and potential interpretations. Continue reading Tarot Talk: 5 of Wands