First issued in 1910, the Rider-Waite Tarot is almost certainly the most widely used tarot card deck in the world. There are 78 tarot cards, divided into the Major and Minor Arcanas, designed by Pamela Colman Smith in accordance with A. E Waite's instructions. An instructional booklet by A. E. Waite is included, explaining the tarot card meanings and how to use the cards for divination, with an introduction by Stuart R. Kaplan. (19990430)
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Book Description
The famous Rider-Waite Tarot card deck, complete with tarot reading instruction booklet (19990430)
From the Publisher
A.E. Waite was a celebrated writer on occult topics who first created his tarot pack in 1910, with cards designed by Pamela Colman according to his instructions. The 78-card deck is now almost certainly the most widely used in the world, and it remains as popular as ever. The Original Rider Waite Tarot Deck and the book The Key to the Tarot can also be purchased separately, and if you browse under "Tarot" you will find several other related Rider publications.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
75 of 76 people found the following review helpful
Format:Cards
I just bought a pack of these today and I love them already. Everyone must know about the Rider-Waite cards by now so I won't bore you with details of the pictures, you can see cards from this deck on Aecletic Tarot.com.
The cards themselves are laminated and therefore really glossy, thick and feel delightful to the touch. It also makes them quite slippery to shuffle sometimes. The cards are a nice size and fit in the hand comfortably.
A lot of people have criticised this edition of the Rider Waite collection citing mute brownes and sepia's and lacklustre nature of the pictures - for a time even I thought they were plain ugly, however, on a closer inspection, I really started to appreciate the beauty behind the images. Ok, so there are an infinite number of more aesthetically appealing decks available, and the artwork on these cards sometimes leaves something to be desired, however, I think if you give these cards a chance and take a really good look at them, you will start to find the charm and classic beauty behind them as I did. Even though I've only had them for one afternoon, just looking at each one, I already feel immensely connected to this particular deck. This is now the 6th deck in my collection but I can see it will prob be one of my trusted favourites.
Overall, I think the browns and sepias work well, they are easy on the eye, I don't feel that they are dull or muted but then again, art is a highly personal thing. The cards are easy for beginners to connect to - you can look at a card and immediately start to intuit what the meanings are and most books on the Tarot work with, or are immediately applicable to the Rider Waites.
The book that comes with it is an interesting read but not an essential and the cards really do seem to speak for themselves. Definitely one of my ultimate decks.
IF you prefer vibrant colours but want to stick with Rider Waite images, try the Radiant Rider-Waite (soon to be joining my collection) or if you want a midway between teh Originals and the Radiant, try the Universals which are excellent for meditation as well.
The cards themselves are laminated and therefore really glossy, thick and feel delightful to the touch. It also makes them quite slippery to shuffle sometimes. The cards are a nice size and fit in the hand comfortably.
A lot of people have criticised this edition of the Rider Waite collection citing mute brownes and sepia's and lacklustre nature of the pictures - for a time even I thought they were plain ugly, however, on a closer inspection, I really started to appreciate the beauty behind the images. Ok, so there are an infinite number of more aesthetically appealing decks available, and the artwork on these cards sometimes leaves something to be desired, however, I think if you give these cards a chance and take a really good look at them, you will start to find the charm and classic beauty behind them as I did. Even though I've only had them for one afternoon, just looking at each one, I already feel immensely connected to this particular deck. This is now the 6th deck in my collection but I can see it will prob be one of my trusted favourites.
Overall, I think the browns and sepias work well, they are easy on the eye, I don't feel that they are dull or muted but then again, art is a highly personal thing. The cards are easy for beginners to connect to - you can look at a card and immediately start to intuit what the meanings are and most books on the Tarot work with, or are immediately applicable to the Rider Waites.
The book that comes with it is an interesting read but not an essential and the cards really do seem to speak for themselves. Definitely one of my ultimate decks.
IF you prefer vibrant colours but want to stick with Rider Waite images, try the Radiant Rider-Waite (soon to be joining my collection) or if you want a midway between teh Originals and the Radiant, try the Universals which are excellent for meditation as well.
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
By Gaius Ares
Format:Paperback
This is a tarot deck for all. The definition of the western tarot canon, it stands out as being one of the first decks to have a different picture for every card, even the Minor Arcana's numbered cards. The pictures are rich in symbolism and allegory: some may be simple, but that basic imagery can be all the more disturbing.
Disturbing? I say disturbing because that is what I love most about this deck. It is not joyful. It is not lighthearted. It is always serious. The scenes are played out on barren landscapes; the small frame of view does not render an entire world to the imagination. One perceives nothingness, beyond the bare outlay of symbols and characters.
And so, that old chestnut, the colouring, is resolved. The muted sincerity is entirely appropriate to the subject matter. Furthermore, the reduced contrast inspires closer inspection of the cards, a more thoughtful consideration. This deck is quite simply the best for uncomplicated and yet deep tarot reading.
P.S. I should note here that I am not a mystic tarot user. To me, a rationalist and a skeptic (also an atheist), the tarot is a way of finding creative solutions to problems through the use of a random visual stimulus. It focuses your mind on a problem, and by attempting to perceive meaning in the cards, one finds a new way of looking at the problem.
Disturbing? I say disturbing because that is what I love most about this deck. It is not joyful. It is not lighthearted. It is always serious. The scenes are played out on barren landscapes; the small frame of view does not render an entire world to the imagination. One perceives nothingness, beyond the bare outlay of symbols and characters.
And so, that old chestnut, the colouring, is resolved. The muted sincerity is entirely appropriate to the subject matter. Furthermore, the reduced contrast inspires closer inspection of the cards, a more thoughtful consideration. This deck is quite simply the best for uncomplicated and yet deep tarot reading.
P.S. I should note here that I am not a mystic tarot user. To me, a rationalist and a skeptic (also an atheist), the tarot is a way of finding creative solutions to problems through the use of a random visual stimulus. It focuses your mind on a problem, and by attempting to perceive meaning in the cards, one finds a new way of looking at the problem.
39 of 42 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Cards|Amazon Verified Purchase
I have owned several Rider-Waite decks over the many years that I have been reading Tarot. Rider-Waite is definately my own preffered deck, mostly because of the colourful illustrations which are remeniscent of fairy-tale/dream imagery. They capture a sense of wonder and magic and mystery which is infectious! The minor arcana in this deck also feature illustrations which relate to their divinatory meanings - a great boon for divinatory work. HOWEVER, this particular edition is not the best that I have ever owned. My previous (lost - sob!) set had crystal clear colours - this deck is dark and mottled - looking like an 'old' deck, but the artwork cannot be clearly seen on this edition of the deck on every card - they are just so dark!! I miss being able to actually SEE the fine details on the wonderful artwork. Likewise, the major arana's names are printed in different colours on the different cards (some are lighter or darker shades of the same colour). I am happy with this deck for divination, but dissapointed with the print standard and colour definition - which borders on being APPALLING!! And I say that as someone who LOVES the Rider-Waite deck! I only hope that this inferior edition does not dissuade people from using this deck, which can be a wondeful and beautiful experience. Having said that, this is still an excellent value deck, and ideal for casual divination. But what on EARTH went wrong with the printing of this edition??
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good buy.
I'm just starting to learn the tarot and bought these as the reviews were all good,the cards are very nice made from good quality materials and the artworks quite nice to. Read more
Published 11 days ago by robert
1.0 out of 5 stars
Very bad quality
I was disappointed of this product, because quality very bad.The colors are very dark and paper quality very bad too.
Published 16 days ago by AUSRA PAVLIUKIENE
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent
I bought this deck to compliment the "Learning the Tarot: A Tarot book for beginners" and I have to say to do so very well. Read more
Published 23 days ago by Peter M. Dignam
5.0 out of 5 stars
Tarot
Lovely cards nice simple pictures brilliant for learning the tarot n what each card means a definite must for newbies interested in tarot
Published 1 month ago by Jansthrath
5.0 out of 5 stars
Learn to use these properly
The cards work, if you use them properly. Dont read all your friends. Just put them under your pillow and decide what you want to know in thought. Read more
Published 2 months ago by J. Malone
5.0 out of 5 stars
Absolutely brilliant
A wonderful deck of Pamela Colman Smith/A.E Waite tarot cards. Absolutely outstanding deck and beautifully illustrated, This is definately one of my favourite decks
Published 3 months ago by Rat67
4.0 out of 5 stars
Worth the WAIT
My New Tarot cards arrived this morning. Six weeks after the order was placed I can't understand why a relatively small order that was in stock, could take so long to be ordered,... Read more
Published 3 months ago by PC. Kent
5.0 out of 5 stars
Tarot Cards
Great pack of Tarot Cards. Each picture is very well designed and has beautiful colours. This pack contains an information sheet to help you on our way to reading the cards but I... Read more
Published 3 months ago by M. Flynn
5.0 out of 5 stars
Deck of cards and mini book.
I was very curious about this at first, as to whether it contains a deck of cards and a book. This pack does contain a deck and a mini book, and unlike the gilded tarot cards these... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Gondros
5.0 out of 5 stars
Original and best
Good quality cards with good illustrations. The guide to the meanings you get in with the cards can be viewed as a bit vague and limited, but buy a book and go from there. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Mrs Lynn Foster
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