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.