New Directions in Tarot: Decoding the Tarot Illustrations of Pamela Colman Smith

A look at how Pamela Colman Smith's theatrical knowledge and experience came into play when she drew the iconic cards of the Rider-Waite-Smith deck.

The “secrets” in this book have been known all along, and they work in all who read Tarot on a subconscious level. This insightful book delves deeply into the images Pamela Colman Smith created for the Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot, and reminds us of what we may have known intuitively but had not been aware of on a conscious level. 

• A brand-new approach that focuses on how, in her images, Smith utilized a sense of direction, body movement, posture, gait, facial expression, and more

• Compares the Tarot Minors to technical elements of theater, including plot, conflict, elements of a play, thought/theme, dialogue, music, and actors’ positions on stage

• Provides powerful tools for interpreting the cards and discovering new meanings that the reader can make their own

• Includes thought-provoking exercises that guide the reader in the mastery of these new insights

The result is a fresh take on Tarot that brings new meanings to light and enables the reader to evaluate what the Tarot provides like never before.

Scott Martin began pursuing his fascination with Tarot after retiring from teaching theater arts on the high school and college levels over a period of 48 years. He is the author of an award-winning book on Tarot and has facilitated a number of Tarot workshops in various venues in and around the New York City area.