Customer Reviews
A true classic that remains arguably the BEST out there! - By: Alan Bridges, 26 Nov 2008 
The Rider-Waite Tarot is one of the most popular decks & is arguably the pack of choice for the neophyte or those engaged in a more academic treatment of the Tarot. Its success & ubiquity are in large measure due to the rich illustrations & that decorate the forty pips, or Minor Arcana.
The Rider-Waite deck was commissioned by Arthur Edward Waite & first issued in 1910. The cards were designed by artist Pamela Colman Smith. Smith, an American by birth, spent her formative years in Jamaica but later moved to London. While in London, she became a member of the magical fraternity The Order of the Golden Dawn.
Smith's designs have remained immensely popular because her artwork & the symbols she incorporated, under Waite's supervision, facilitate readers in deciphering & interpreting the cards without having to memorise meanings or consult manuals.
The deck is available today in a number of versions from the Miniature Rider-Waite Tarot Deck, the world's smalllest Tarot pack, to the Universal Waite, which has recently been redrawn in finer detail & brighter colours - my personal favourite.
Waite departed from the traditional card layout by transposing Strength & Justice. It's not known today why he swapped the cards. But that's not the only alternation he made. He also changed the position of The Fool, placing him before The Magician.
In Raider-Waite, each suit depicts the story of a family, which plays out in reverse numerical order. The court cards, King, Queen & Knight, introduce the members of the family. The Pages, however, aren't immediately identifiable as members of the family. Instead many believe that the young men portrayed as Pages are in fact servants to the Knights.
Then as the cards count down from 10 to Ace, the struggles & plights of these families become clear. In the suit of Swords, we see a family destroyed by violence. The suit of Wands tells of the difficulties in living in a modern world without losing touch with our roots & traditions. The temptations of money & wealth are seen in Coins. And Cups portray the search for love, happiness & companionship.
With such imagery, symbols & stories, it is no surprise that Rider-Waite was without question the most popular deck of the twentieth century & will likely continue its reign well into the current one!
Great all rounder - By: Lori Hampson, 06 Dec 2007 I have always loved the Rider Waite deck but the colours seemed to lack realism however the Universal Waite deck has been re-coloured & this adds more depth & realism to the images. The pictures seem clearer aswell with more detail - a great deck for beginners & more experienced readers.
Special - For Divination and Meditation - By: , 09 Jul 2003 Having studied tarot for many-a-year with an occult society I can honsetly say that these cards are extra-special.
The Rider Waite cards are full of deep meaning & symbology & are, according to Paul F. Case, "A very close approximation to the esoteric deck". The author - Arthur Edward Waite - was a high adept of the original Golden Dawn society & was initiated into the mysteries of not only ceremonal magic, but also of the Tarot Keys, & he pumped his tremendous knowledge & expertiese into this pack - making it highly suitable for meditation & divination.
Now, the classic Rider-Waite pack has been re-coloured & it makes the deck stand out from the crowd. It's crisp & clear; nice & bright. It's a pleasure to browse through the deck & let the symbols soak into consciosness.
Why buy a "new-agey" deck with images which mean absolutely nothing, when you can get your hands on probably the most esoteric deck you can find?!?
These Tarot Keys are especiallly coded to the Tree of Life. They expound the mysteries of the Qabalah. Yet some people say they are "only for beginners"!!! Tell me, then, what deck is for the "advanced" practitioner? Which other deck - barr the Book of Thoth - can look upon & reveal the deeper aspects of Self, of life in it's aspects of past, present & future?
Don't be put off by sour reviews of this deck. It is not a "childish" deck. It was not put together to show off the artists talents. Rather, it was created to both conceal & reveal great mysteries. Take the time to *look* at the beautiful keys & see yourself - & your clients - change for the better.
For a *very* deep analysis of the Rider-Waite Tarot Keys you should consider buying "The Key to it All - Book 2" (or is it now callled,"The Western Mysteries"?). Anyhow, it's written by a great man callled "David Hulse". It'd also be well worth to buy the two volume book (The Eastern Mysteries, and, The Western Mysteries).
Become one of the strong ones ... buy this deck!
superb - By: SS ROBINSON, 11 Feb 2003 These are simply the finest Tarot Cards ever created. The depth of image is a credit to the artist who has given life to the otherwise flat original Waite Tarot. Especiallly useful are the subject’s faces, alll of which now have an expression, greatly aiding alll readings. If you are a beginner, buy this deck. Your speed of learning will increase. If you are experienced, buy this deck. Your understanding will deepen. Simon.
Easy for beginners and pleasing to the eye. - By: Wigwagwiggy, 19 May 2001 These cards are much easier to interpret & learn than the original rider waite because the colours are brighter & clearer (better for meditation) & the detail on the cards are clearer. The deck itself is easier for beginners because the cards tell a story & are easier to learn but if you want a good book to go with this particular deck try the 'Idiots guide to Tarot & Fortune Telling' I learnt to read the cards in a week with this book.
