|
Rider-Waite Tarot
The Rider-Waite Tarot is one of the most popular decks and is arguably the pack of choice for the neophyte or those engaged in a more academic treatment of the Tarot. Its success and ubiquity are in large measure due to the rich illustrations and that decorate the forty pips, or Minor Arcana.
The Rider-Waite deck was commissioned by Arthur Edward Waite and 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 and the symbols she incorporated, under Waite's supervision, facilitate readers in deciphering and 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 smallest Tarot pack, to the Universal Waite, which has recently been redrawn in finer detail and brighter colours - my personal favourite.
Waite departed from the traditional card layout by transposing Strength and 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 and 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 and 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 and traditions. The temptations of money and wealth are seen in Coins. And Cups portray the search for love, happiness and companionship.
With such imagery, symbols and stories, it is no surprise that Rider-Waite was without question the most popular deck of the twentieth century and will likely continue its reign well into the current one!
You can find more of my reviews at IntuitiveBridges.
PsychicBridges Rating: 
|
Life-changing |
|
Can't live without |
|
Put the kettle on and settle down |
|
Worth a quick flick |
|
Leave it on the shelf |
Universal Waite Tarot deck reproduced by permission of U.S. Games Systems, Inc., Stamford, CT 06902 USA. Copyright © 1990 by U.S. Games Systems, Inc. Further reproduction prohibited. The Universal-Waite Tarot Deck® is a registered trademark of U.S. Games Systems, Inc.
Top
|
