Tarot Review # 3 The Rider Tarot Deck

As of 2006 US Games is the only company authorized to produce this deck. The most well known (arguably) of all tarot decks.

Painted by artist Pixie Smith under the direction of Arthur Edward Waite, some refer to it as the Rider-Waite-Smith or RWS deck in honor of Pixie.

This deck is the most suggested for beginning tarot readers for many reasons: first it has illustrated pips which allow a beginner to more easily grasp the meanings of the Minor Arcana. There is also a wealth of material available based on the RSW. It is a deck readily available nearly everywhere, and the price is reasonable.

In addition to the standard deck, there are sizes ranging from the giant to doll-house sized.

Another advantage; even if you don't enjoy it, once you learn the deck there are innumerable "clone" decks who use the basic meanings, with artwork that ranges to re-coloration of the original to dramatically different artwork with the same card meaning.

In turn, this deck was based on the Golden Dawn tradition, however elements were taken by Pixie from the Etillia Tarot (sp?) which was a deck from the 18th century with illustrated pips. Arthur Waite was Christian, and chose to incorporate many symbols from that religion in this deck - a usage that repels some tarotists.

The colors are simple, to allow for mass printing of the day.

Initially when I purchased this deck it was a replacement for my beloved Aquarian Deck. At the time I found it difficult to read with - the art and basic colors particularly bothered me. When I used it recently I found it easy to use - so practice does help.

This deck has a plaid back - the "Ur" decks have a flower and vine pattern on the back - over the years a number of designs have been used.

The feel of the deck is pleasant, flexible with a thin plastic coating that isn't "too much". This is a good deck to travel with - easily replaceable if something should occur.

Waite left the Golden Dawn in 1914 and formed his own group. He also wrote the Pictorial Key to the Tarot. While today there are an infinite number of sources available, for a time PKT was the only book available.
Pixie, actually Pamela Coleman Smith, died in 1951. Although she wrote and illustrated many books she remained and obscure and little-known artist.

The "Rider" deck was originally published by William Rider and Son of London in 1909. Former owner of US games, Stuart Kaplan, owns one of the "Ur: decks.

This is a must-have deck. I would definitely replace it if it strayed.

In print.
Recommended for beginners.