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
Thank you Pam I really appreciate your words x
Randa
Thank you Pam for the wonderful reading. It took some time for me to realise to stop what I was doing and embark on my 1st life changing quest. I repeatedly went right round in circles attempting to fall into the same mistakes, the ones I wanted to avoid. Your help in helping me understand what I was doing is a God send. Your an Angel.
Elizabeth Black Hickey
It is truly a blessing in life to have bumped into Pam and her work in clairvoyance and tarot. Her readings are uncanny but so deep. It will leave you amazed. My mouth was agape while I read through my own reading. She is very real and comforting even in my dark shadows I was glad she was able to see them and point my in a great direction. She reminded me of my light. Pam is a treasure. If you’re reading this wondering worth, yes her readings are worth every penny!
Dia Saucedo
Pam has something very, very special indeed.
What makes her different is that she doesn’t just read the energies, the situation and people, but she places ‘who you are’ firmly at the centre. As such, you see the picture more holistically and, just as importantly, you understand how it is affecting/could affect your whole being. In my case this was a bit uncomfortable, but it literally cut through to the nub of things, and how it would be best for me (and me alone) to respond, rather than someone else in the same situation.
I also felt a genuine sense of loving kindness coming from Pam. Her guidance was always focused around what’s best for me.
I will be back, Pam, and I can’t thank you enough for the multi-faceted illumination on things. X
Violet
