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The Pictorial Key to the Tarot [Paperback]

Arthur Edward Waite
3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)

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Book Description

31 Dec 1975
This essential reference by the designer of the most widely known Tarot deck contains a detailed description of each card in the popular 78-card Rider-Waite deck. Rich in symbolism and detail, this handy guide also discusses regular and reversed meanings and features 78 black-and-white illustrations of the cards.
--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.


Product details

  • Paperback: 352 pages
  • Publisher: Red Wheel/Weiser (31 Dec 1975)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0877282188
  • ISBN-13: 978-0877282181
  • Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 2.2 x 17.8 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,215,856 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Product Description

About the Author

About the Author:

"Arthur Edward Waite (October 2, 1857 - May 19, 1942) was a scholarly mystic who wrote extensively on occult and esoteric matters, and was the co-creator of the Rider-Waite Tarot deck. As his biographer, R.A. Gilbert described him, "Waite's name has survived because he was the first to attempt a systematic study of the history of western occultism - viewed as a spiritual tradition rather than as aspects of proto-science or as the pathology of religion." Born in the United States, and raised in England, A.E. Waite joined the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn in 1891, became a Freemason in 1901, and entered the Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia in 1902. The Golden Dawn was torn by further internal feuding until Waite's departure in 1914; a year later he formed the Fellowship of the Rosy Cross, not to be confused with the Societas Rosicruciana. By that time there existed some half-dozen offshoots from the original Golden Dawn, and as a whole it never recovered." (Quote from wikipedia.org)

Inside This Book (Learn More)
First Sentence
THE pathology of the poet says that " the undevout astronomer is mad " ; the pathology of the very plain man says that genius is mad ; and between these extremes, which stand for ten thousand analogous excesses, the sovereign reason takes the part of a moderator and does what it can. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
25 of 25 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I bought this book alongside Rachel Pollacks excellent '78 degrees of Wisdom', which uses the Rider-Waite deck as it's primary reference.Don't be put off by the old-style language in A.E.Waites book, for if you persevere with it his words add so much extra insight into the meaning of the cards. Note also, it is wonderful being able to view the original black and white card images presented in the book.If you are keen on the Rider-Waite pack, it is essential, in my view, to own this book alongside any later references. I strongly advise you to buy it alongside Rachel Pollacks book, then alternate between each as you learn.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By Hannah
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Arthur Waite provides information for the widely known and original Tarot deck that he created.

"...the pictures are like doors which open into unexpected chambers, or like a turn in the open road with a wise prospect beyond" ~A.E Waite

The English is a little difficult to understand and he doesn't seem to give that much information on his deck, since there is a lot more information available published by other authors. But, he does give simple meaning for his cards in the upright and reversed positions and, as the name of the book suggests, a good explanation of each picture. He also offers a good overall view of what his deck is about, its development, possible origins and its true purpose. It also provides a full reference list to all the sources Arthur has used in his book, which would of excellent use for those wishing to study the Tarot's origins and development.

If you are a serious Tarot student, then it would be a good thing to have read this book and to have it on your shelf. And not just because Arthur is the creator of the original Tarot deck but because there is some information in this book, that is overlooked by today's authors on the subject.

ETA: I highly recommend the new Tarot student starts with 'Tarot Card Meanings: Fundamentals' and 'Tarot Card Meanings: Interpretations' - By Paul Foster Case. He tells you what A.E. Waite didn't!
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
2.0 out of 5 stars Images missing - beware Kindle version 19 July 2012
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
Despite reading the previous Kindle review which said there was a section missing from the ebook, I bought it anyway, hoping the problem had been resolved. I was disappointed to find that some of the images of the cards are missing too. Not good if you are studying the deck!

Otherwise it is a great way of getting used to the card designs and in some of the meanings. It is the classic Tarot primer and it is great it is available on kindle.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Great
The best book to further your knowledge of the tarot, I am a professional reader and this book has opened my eyes to learning more about the tarot, very impressed
Published 1 month ago by JB
4.0 out of 5 stars Pictorial Key to the Tarot
If you are looking for an obvious explanation for the tarot dont use this book, if you want a book which makes you think this is the book.
Published 3 months ago by claire stewart
3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting and aesthetically pleasing , but lacking clarity .
This book is widely regarded as a definitive work on Tarot , accompanying as it did the original designs for the 'Rider-Waite' Tarot. Read more
Published 9 months ago by John
1.0 out of 5 stars An entire chapter is missing. Beware.
This Kindle edition is missing an entire chapter of the
book, being
Part II: The Doctrine Behind the Veil,
Section 1: The Tarot and Secret Tradition. Read more
Published 13 months ago by John Somerville
4.0 out of 5 stars WAITE FOR IT!
Arthur Edward Waite was a famous figure in the British spiritual movement of the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Miss W. Merrymoon
5.0 out of 5 stars Great for an alternative approach
This book is good for looking at card readings. It helps you to get a bit more out of tarot.
Published on 15 Jun 2010 by Nadine Roberts
1.0 out of 5 stars the pictorial key to the tarot
Very poor if some one is learning the tarot cards . The meanings of the cards are not enough
to understand .
Published on 25 Nov 2009 by Mr. G. Crowther
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