For beginners, our Basic Tarot Starter Kit and Premium Tarot Starter Kit both include Rider-Waite-style decks and are ideal for learning to read tarot.
Reconnect with the classic imagery that launched modern tarot with the Original Rider-Waite Tarot. This edition features the beautiful muted, Arts and Crafts-inspired palette of the 1909 deck and includes a Celtic Cross guide together with an updated edition of The Pictorial Key to the Tarot.
Features:
· Faithful reproduction of the 1909 Rider-Waite deck with subtle, muted colours.
· Traditional Tudor rose and lily card backs.
· Includes a Celtic Cross guide and The Pictorial Key to the Tarot, with a foreword by Liz Greene.
· An excellent choice for collectors, traditionalists and anyone who wants to experience the classic Rider-Waite imagery in its original style.
£20.00
In stock
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✅ 100% authentic decks, sourced directly from trusted trade publishers.
full description
The Original Rider Waite Tarot Deck is one of the most iconic and widely used tarot decks in the world. First published in 1909, it was created by Arthur Edward Waite and illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith, both members of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. This deck changed the landscape of tarot by becoming the first to fully illustrate all 78 cards, including the complete Minor Arcana.
Waite’s vision was to make the symbolism of the tarot more accessible. He chose Pamela Colman Smith for her artistic skill and understanding of spiritual symbolism. Inspired in part by the 15th-century Sola Busca Tarot, she completed the illustrations for the entire Rider Waite Tarot Deck in just six months.
Although the deck was initially overlooked, it was revived in the late 1960s by Stuart R. Kaplan, founder of U.S. Games Systems. It quickly gained popularity and has remained in print ever since. Today, it is considered the global standard for tarot reading and study.
This edition stays true to the original artwork and offers strong visual symbolism that supports intuitive and structured readings. The Rider Waite Tarot Deck is known for its clarity, making it a favourite among both beginners and experienced readers. Its enduring influence has shaped countless modern tarot decks, many of which use the same structure and imagery.
Each deck includes 78 cards and a small guidebook with basic card meanings and instructions for divination. Whether used for personal growth, study, or professional readings, the Rider Waite Tarot Deck is a reliable and essential addition to any tarot collection.
