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 ordered a book (Understanding Tarot) online, but it was taking too long to get here. Ends up Amazon has it for Kindle as well and it’s on sale right now. I bought the kindle addition and oh, my goodness! If you don’t have this book, you’ll want to get it. Every card is described in great detail and so much information about tarot. I can’t wait to dive into the book! Thank you Pam Richards for sharing your knowledge with everyone. I won’t need anymore tarot books or manuals now.
Sharon Lamb
I’d highly recommend. Thank You Pam Pam reading was not what I expected. I expected something very vague and general but she was very specific, she made things very clear and she told me the truth. She gave me insight to my situation and everything was true and everything made sense. I plan I getting more readings from Pam.
M
Hello Thank you, you really picked up on my pain and frustration over this situation. Sending much gratitude and love back your way.You are very kind.
Joanna
Pam‘s reading was extraordinary and has offered much guidance moving forward. I have been following the “push” Spirit for a couple years now, just trusting where it leads. There are so many elements at this point I thought I would get some guidance. What I loved most about the reading, was that Pam used my terminology. I wasn’t even sure how to phrase my question so I framed it with the metaphor of baking a cake. It was so helpful for her to provide the reading from that same perspective. Intuitively, she used many words common to my vocabulary, which really lit me up with excitement. Both her intuitive reading and the tarot layout were very accurate and validating my own intuition. the validation was great, but better was a little phrases that stood out for me that brought clarification and my next steps. I realized I couldn’t formulate a good question because I’ve been doing so much with the “pushes” that I really haven’t looked at how I felt. I’ve been following the excitement of the energy spirit has provided and now it is time for me to look at how I feel about my role in those plans! I highly recommend! XOX
Lisa Yesitis