Our Lady of Tarot: Pamela Colman Smith

There is no better to launch our humble blog than in recognition of the contribution of (Corinne) Pamela (Mary) Colman Smith (1878- 1951). Her work with Arthur Waite basically created modern tarot as we know it.  That  generalisation, comes with a nod to the rich history of antique European decks (including, of course, the Sola Busca which she saw in reproduction before her own work began) and the other active decks of the Golden Dawn (private and or delayed).

Take a moment now to appreciate all over again the artistry of her work, the warmth of expression and of characterisation. Hers was a flurry of creativity inspired and lightly guided that took intuitive turns and included personal flourishes and jokes. A hundred years on it is too easy to see it as staid or tired, yet dozens of decks each year repeat her symbolism, her poses for the actors and her staging. For most of us, her images are the one we learn with, the ones that enticed us into the art.

For her huge impact the tarot we know and love, we acknowledge Pamela Colman Smith (Pixie) as a Titan of Tarot. It is a double pleasure to be able to do so on International Women’s Day because she was a suffragette and lived through women receiving the vote in England.

Read more about her in this stunning essay or in the excellent book “Secrets of the Waite-Smith Tarot: The True Story of the World’s Most Popular Tarot.” (2015) Marcus Katz and Tali Goodwin (Llewellyn Publications).