Tarot Decks: Rider-waite

The Rider-Waite tarot deck is the most popular brand in use today in the English-speaking world. It is also known as Rider-Waite-Smith, Waite-Colman Smith or the Rider deck. It is intricately designed by artist Pamela Colman Smith under the instructions of Arthur Edward Waite. At that time, Waite was a known academic and a mystic. He was a member of the order of the Golden Dawn, an occult society.

The deck first came out in December 1909, published by Londons Rider Company. Each card holds a wealth of symbolism from the colors to the details to the background. It veers away from the Christian imagery of older decks. As such, characters like the Popess became the High Priestess. The symbols used were influenced by 19th century occultist and magician Eliphas Levi.

As tarot cards evolved more for divinatory readings, the Rider-Waite deck became a heavy influence on the later sets. Examples of those influenced by the Rider tarot deck include the Universal Waite tarot deck, Golden Tarot, the Nigel Jackson Tarot, the Golden Rider and the Aquarian tarot deck.

Rider-Waite tarot deck has both the Minor Arcana and the Major Arcana. The Major Arcana include: The Fool, The Magician, The Hight Priestess, The Empress, The Emperor, The Hierophant, The Lovers, The Chariot, Strength, The Hermit, Wheel of Fortune, Justice, The Hanged Man, Death, Temperance, The Devil, The Tower, The Star, The Moon, The Sun, Judgment and The World.

The suits of the Minor Arcana include: wands, pentacles, cups and swords. It has ace to ten as well as face cards such as Page, Knight, Queen and King.

This tarot deck is available in 4 sizes: miniature, pocket, regular and giant as well as in four languages: Spanish, German, French and English.

However, with the development of cartomancy decks (such as the Rider-Waite deck), The Fool becomes a young man standing on a precipice. He has a rose in one hand and a bundle of possessions in the other. He is sometimes accompanied by an animal, in most cases a dog. Other decks may show him as a jester or a bard, similar to the joker of playing cards.

He often represents a protagonist taking the Fools Journey. In a tarot reading session, The Fool might represent the person asking for the reading. He is sometimes said to symbolize the search for experience. He is innocent and possesses a childlike ability to stumble on the inner workings of the world. However, he can also be nave. His daydreams may make him miss real dangers or hidden perils (such as falling of a cliff).

The focus of this tarot card is on faith, hope and trust. If it appears upright, it can mean a fresh start or a new beginning. If the querent is faced with a difficult decision, having this card turn up during tarot reading may mean a positive outcome. The reversed fool is a warning against being impulsive or giving in to temptation and recklessness.