Understanding Tarot by Pam Richards
Note: The second edition of the book is due to be published on June 20th, 2025.
People have asked about the differences. "Do I need to buy the 2nd edition?" My reply is
No. The main edits within this 2nd version are factual changes and missed edits. With the first one, I started with the Universal Waite, which has a licence and I could not get permission to use more than 7 of the card images. I was then gifted the use of the images of one of the five remaining very first prints of the cards. So, as the colours differed, mainly colours, I had to rewrite the whole book. Most of the issues are from those edits being missed. There are a small handful, sometimes just a word or two, or a sentence. Plus the numbering of a couple of the spreads.
The other changes are added bits of symbolism.
You may only wish the both if you're a symbolism fan, or else the first edition is going to be fine.
An illustrated guide to the symbolism of the Rider Waite Smith Tarot deck, yet suitable for all Tarot lovers and students and those who wish to use Tarot for psychic development
Understanding Tarot is a large book, with over 400 pages, for those who are totally new to Tarot as well as those who are more experienced, for those who are interested in the imagery of the Rider Waite Smith deck, and for those who also wish to use the Tarot for Psychic development, as well as those who do not and who see Tarot purely as a system.
The book is illustrated with one of the five original Rose & Lillies Rider Waite Smith decks left in existence, which was printed in 1909, so the images are as Pamela Coleman Smith drew them as opposed to how many reprints and recolorings have altered them. The front and back covers represent The Sun card, with the back of the book mirroring the back of the Rose and Lilies deck itself.
The front part of the book deals with the 78 cards of the Tarot deck.
For Rider Waite Smith fans, as well as those who use RWS clone decks, the imagery of each card is examined in as much detail as I could manage given the size of the book. If you have ever seen the hut behind The Fool or questioned what the Queen of Cups ornate cup represents, what the colour coming from the spilled cups in the Five of Cups is, the details of The Empress's seat, or any of the other small details present within each and every card of this wonderful deck, you will find the answers within this book. Within this deck, each pen stroke and each colour has meaning, and here I have sought to give those explanations, which I hope will help those who, like myself, are drawn to the detail within this Tarot deck.
Each Rider Waite Smith card has its imagery described in detail, with each element, where possible, discussed. This is great for those interested in the symbolism of the Tarot & what the images themselves mean, yet, the book is suitable for anyone, even if they do not wish to buy or use the Rider Waite Smith tarot deck.
Next is an 'In a Nutshell' section: From this point onwards, with each card, you will find the book suitable for any budding, or experienced Tarot reader, whatever deck they love to use. This is a brief section, a sentence to help those new to the cards.
Upright and Reversed come next: Each card has not only the upright and reversed, or well and ill-defined, references of the cards; again, this is for any deck, but also for those new to Tarot keywords are placed in bold italics for easy reference.
After the cards, we cover in detail how to use your tarot deck: Which is excellent for those unsure of how to. 
- We look at how to prepare for your reading
- Court cards
- Significators
- Spreads. Several spreads are included also, from the Single Card to the Celtic Cross
- Shuffling
- A look at some superstitions surrounding the cards and much more
- There is a section for those who wish to use the Tarot for their psychic development: And methods for how to achieve that are given.
This book came about as when I started, I wished that I had a book that gave the details of not just the images of the RWS deck but was also inclusive of all of what else this book gives. I wish it to be a companion to those new to Tarot, and one which they can refer to for many years as their journey with the Tarot deepens.
Table of Contents
Price
UK Paperback: £21.99 EPub: £7.99 - EU Paperback: 25.95€ - US Paperback: $36.95
C Paperback: $45.95 - AU Paperback: $41.95 - NZ Paperback: $43.95
ISBN No: 9781398431485
Testimonials - Clients Kind Words
I gave Pam a barebones bag of ragtag information but my questions were clear. She came back with four cards that crystallized my situation perfectly. I now have the emotion I need to get this painful nightmare finished. Her advice was brutally kind and succinct. Exactly what I need and want. Thank you Pam! I will be back. May you have light in your world. I feel PEACE.
Adi
Reading Hi Pam.I have just read your reading and I believe it to be so accurate.I have spent many hours the last two days looking for a new job.I don't plan on jumping the boat in haste, but taking my time, and if the right one comes along seriously considering it. I feel much calmer now, so thank you from the bottom of my heart x
Sarah Venables
First, let me start off saying I first interacted with Pam via fb on her page Understanding Tarot, where I am slowly learning Tarot from her and Bob. She commented on my interpretation of a spread, which was fairly accurate, thanks in large part to the knowledge I had gathered from her page. Now, I paid for a reading from Pam and received it rather promptly not even 48 hours later. I chose to include tarot in my reading. She was very thorough in explaining the reading and what the cards represented in relation to my reading. The reading she gave resonated with me although it was not exactly what I was wanting to hear yet she gave me the truth in a very gentle way and also showed me how the cards gave me hope for achieving the answer I'm hoping for in the future which, to me, is definitely more helpful than simply telling one what they want to hear. I love learning from her and I think she may be my new reader!
Porsha
Brilliant as always. I have now had 3 readings with Pam over the past few years. I can honestly say that she is by far the best iv seen. So spot on with everything in all 3. You will not be disappointed at the level of accuracy! Totally brilliant. Thank you Pam again for my reading. x
Leah