Rider Waite Tarot Cards are almost certainly the most commonly used tarot deck. The London publisher, Rider and Company, first published it in 1910, and it was designed Arthur Edward Waite, with the help of American artist Pamela Coleman-Smith.These days, Rider Waite Tarot Cards are the source of a wide variety of modern tarot decks. The tarot represents symbolic arrangements of universal ideas, which lie behind what is hidden in the human mind.
Waite was a member of an occult society of his time, the Order of the Golden Dawn, and he developed the cards, as a means by using symbols, to be in touch with esoteric principles.
Unfortunately not all people are drawn to the interpretations of Rider Waite Tarot Cards, finding them uncongenial, obscure and orientated towards too unambiguous spiritual path.
However I believe the tarot should be implied in its broader context, a series of illustrative portrayals of the typical human life journey. Our journey from birth to death, not only literally, but also the many cycles at various levels during life.
The tarot cards tell the story of the Fool who represents that unexpected urge, found in all of us, to start again, to leave behind the past, and voyage out into the unknown with only intuition and hope, to guide us. This may in deed be a foolish step, or show a newly acquired wisdom, and a willingness to let go of what has been outgrown.
Original Tarot Deck
The Rider Waite Tarot Cards decks reputation shows no sign of decline and is now available in four sizes, giant, regular, pocket and miniature. It is also found in four different languages. These included German, French, Spanish and English.
Although the cards were original publisher in London, and named after the publisher, the printing plates war destroyed in the Second World War. In 1971 US Games started publishing, and now hold all the patents and copyrights for their numerous versions of the name. Since then, Rider and Sons have arranged with U S Games, to publish their own edition.
If you are a collector this is something to look out for because there are variations in color and design, due to modern printing, which allows for a more refined and smoother texture. The original tarot deck has a brownish hue, and the colors are not as saturated. The pattern on the back is more decorative.
Learn online
The tarot deck contains seventy-eight picture cards, which have been used over the centuries and it is the best deck for the beginner. You will find that most novice books use this deck for illustrative purposes. These days more and more people are searching for hidden truths, and a way to harmonize inner and outer realities. This has led to many websites offering online courses so that you can learn to read the tarot with Rider Waite Tarot Cards. This is a powerful tool for personal growth, and to help you live your life more creatively.
It is easy to see that whether you are a collector, novice or seasoned tarot reader, one deck you will value is Rider Waite Tarot Cards.