Beyond the Images

 My journey into the symbolism of the Rider–Waite–Smith tarot

My journey into tarot began in my grandmother’s home in the countryside, where she would read the cards. Before we began, we would say a little prayer together, a simple ritual that has stayed with me over the years. Those moments were my first introduction to tarot, long before I could understand the depth of symbolism and meaning contained within the cards.

As time passed, what began as a childhood memory grew into a genuine fascination. I became increasingly curious about the images, the symbols, and the stories they seemed to tell. I wanted to understand not only what each card meant, but also why. Why were certain colours used? What was the significance of a particular gesture, an object, or a detail in the landscape? The more I looked, the more I realised that there was so much more to discover beyond the surface.

This curiosity led me to spend years studying the symbolism of the Rider–Waite–Smith tarot, exploring its imagery and gradually developing a deeper understanding of its visual language. I learned to pay attention to the smallest details, to observe how the different elements of a card relate to one another, and to appreciate how much meaning can be woven into a single image.

Over time, tarot became much more than something I had first encountered through my grandmother. It became a subject of ongoing study, reflection, and discovery. Even after years of exploring the cards, I continue to find new connections and perspectives within images I thought I already knew so well.

With Beyond the Images, I would like to share some of that journey: the symbolism I have studied, the details that have captured my attention, and the layers of meaning that make the Rider–Waite–Smith tarot such a fascinating world to explore.

Because sometimes, the deeper story of a card begins when we take a moment to look beyond what is immediately visible.

Pluto in Aquarius: Political Rebellion, Collective Power, and the Rebirth of Society — October 2026

  Pluto is the planet of destruction and rebirth, transformation, hidden power, and the dismantling of structures that can no longer remain as they are. Aquarius, on the other hand, represents the collective,

social movements, technology, freedom, equality, and the power of people coming together.

When we combine these two symbols, we get a powerful image of political and social transformation.

In October 2026, Pluto is already moving through Aquarius, and on October 15 it turned direct at approximately 3° Aquarius after its annual retrograde period. In astrological interpretation, this shift can symbolize a movement from internal reflection toward more visible confrontations with questions of power, control, and collective change. Source.

And when we look at the demonstrations taking place across Europe, the symbolism feels particularly relevant. In Italy and France, people have taken to the streets over issues including the cost of living, education, public services, political direction, and social inequality. In Serbia, a student-led anti-corruption movement that emerged after the deadly Novi Sad railway station collapse has developed into a broader challenge to the established political system. These movements have different histories and demands, but each raises questions about accountability, representation, and the relationship between citizens and those who govern them. [Sources: The Guardian, October 21, 2026; Reuters, October 24, 2026; Kurdistan24, October 23, 2026.] 

There is also a striking historical parallel. The previous Pluto-in-Aquarius period, generally dated to 1777–1798, overlapped with the French Revolution of 1789. That revolution challenged monarchy and inherited privilege and transformed the political imagination of Europe. For astrologers, this historical overlap provides a compelling symbol of the connection between collective upheaval and the transformation of established power.  The deeper message of Pluto in Aquarius is therefore not that a revolution is inevitable. It is that we can use this symbolism to examine a fundamental question of our time: who holds power, whose interests does it serve, and what happens when people demand to reclaim a voice in shaping their future? 

Pluto will stay in Aquarius until 2043–2044, so we’re looking at a long period of change. Over the coming years, we may see more questions around who holds power, how technology is changing our lives, and whether political institutions are really serving the people. From an astrological point of view, this is about the collective finding its voice, challenging old systems, and trying to build something different. Of course, change doesn’t always mean progress, and what comes next depends on what we do with it.