Category: Tarot Talk by Katrina Rasbold

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

By Katrina Rasbold

Pamela Colman Smith’s interpretation of the Empress card in the Rider-Waite Tarot deck is a visual masterpiece rich in symbolism, embodying themes of nurturing, creativity, and abundance. As the quintessential archetype of the divine feminine, the Empress evokes a sense of fertility, beauty, and connection to nature. Let’s delve into the intricate layers of this card and uncover its meanings.

Continue reading Tarot Talk: The Empress

By Katrina Rasbold

The 7 of Swords from Pamela Colman Smith’s iconic Rider-Waite Tarot deck is a card that captures intrigue, strategy, and ethical ambiguity. Its vivid imagery and layered symbolism invite rich interpretation. In this blog post, we will delve into the meaning, symbolism, and potential messages of this enigmatic card.

Continue reading Tarot Talk: Seven of Swords

By Katrina Rasbold

Pamela Colman Smith’s rendition of the King of Pentacles in the Rider-Waite Tarot deck is a visual feast of symbolism that embodies themes of material success, authority, and grounded leadership. By delving into the details of the imagery and its esoteric meanings, we can uncover profound insights into this card’s essence and its implications in readings.

Continue reading Tarot Talk: King of Pentacles

By Katrina Rasbold

The Knight of Cups is one of the most evocative and romantic cards in the Tarot deck, often capturing the imagination of those who encounter it. Associated with emotion, intuition, and idealism, the Knight of Cups is a messenger of the heart, riding towards new horizons in search of meaning, love, and spiritual fulfillment. Pamela Colman Smith’s design for this card, as part of the famous Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot deck, has become a symbol in its own right—imbued with layers of symbolism and rich with meaning.

In this post, we’ll explore the symbolism of the Knight of Cups card in the context of the Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot, its visual elements, and how it is interpreted in both upright and reversed positions. Continue reading Tarot Talk: Knight of Cups

Pamela Colman Smith’s Nine of Wands  is a compelling visual representation of resilience, persistence, and guarded strength. The card depicts a wounded man gripping a staff, standing amidst eight other wands planted firmly in the ground. His wary yet determined gaze encapsulates a wealth of symbolic meaning, making this card a potent source of reflection for tarot readers. More personally, this card aptly reflects how I feel rolling into the last breaths of 2024. Continue reading Tarot Talk: Nine of Wands

By Katrina Rasbold

The 9 of Pentacles depicts a woman dressed in a luxurious golden robe adorned with floral motifs, standing in a lush garden. She is surrounded by nine pentacles embedded in the foliage, symbolizing material wealth and prosperity. Her hand rests lightly on a falcon, a creature associated with discipline, refinement, and control. In the background, a grand estate or vineyard reflects the fruits of her labor. Continue reading Tarot Talk: 9 of Pentacles

By Katrina Rasbold

Each week, “Tarot Talk” explores a card randomly drawn from the Rider-Smith-Waite deck to guide us in our energetic focus for the week. This week’s shuffle leads us to the court of the Queen of Cups. The Queen of Cups, one of the most evocative cards in Pamela Colman Smith’s classic Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot deck, is a luminous symbol of emotional depth, intuition, and compassion. Rooted in the watery realm of feelings and creativity, this card holds a profound message for those who encounter it in a reading. Let’s delve into its rich symbolism and explore its interpretations. Continue reading Tarot Talk: The Queen of Cups

By Katrina Rasbold

Each week, “Tarot Talk” explores a card randomly drawn from the Rider-Smith-Waite deck to guide us in our energetic focus for the week. This week’s shuffle leads us to the 9 of Wands card. The 9 of Wands is a card that resonates deeply with themes of resilience, persistence, and the battle-worn wisdom that comes from overcoming life’s challenges. Truly, after the past few months, aren’t many of us feeling this way? The 9 of Wands conveys a rich tapestry of symbolism and insight that can offer guidance in moments of struggle and reflection. Continue reading Tarot Talk: 9 of Wands

By Katrina Rasbold

Each week, “Tarot Talk” explores a card randomly drawn from the Rider-Smith-Waite deck to guide us in our energetic focus for the week. This week’s shuffle leads us to The Emperor card. As illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith for the Rider-Waite Tarot deck, this card is one of the most iconic representations of authority, structure, and stability in tarot symbolism. Its rich imagery provides a layered exploration of power, leadership, and the establishment of order, making it a cornerstone of the Major Arcana. Continue reading Tarot Talk: The Emperor

By Katrina Rasbold

The Four of Cups, illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith in the iconic Rider-Waite Tarot deck, is a card that beckons contemplation and introspection. Often regarded as a card of apathy, dissatisfaction, and introspection, the Four of Cups delves into the complex human emotions of discontent and stagnation. This image, rich with symbolism, holds a mirror to our moments of contemplation, asking us to look deeper into the causes of our disinterest and disengagement. Let’s explore the symbolism in Smith’s illustration and what it means for those who draw this card in a reading. Continue reading Tarot Talk: Four of Cups

By Katrina Rasbold

“Tarot Talk” is a once-a-week reading with a deep exploration of the card we pull. What are some aspects of the card (as per the original Pamela Colman Smith artwork) that add extra dimensions to the interpretation? How does that tell us what to focus on in the coming week? This week’s card is… Continue reading Tarot Talk: Eight of Cups

By Katrina Rasbold

The Pamela Colman Smith version of the 7 of Pentacles card evokes a sense of patience, reflection, and the fruits of labor. The classic interpretation marries up nicely to her imagery, but we can look deeper and see greater layers to this message.
Continue reading Tarot Talk: 7 of Pentacles