Smith’s illustrations, inspired by Waite’s guidance, brought a new depth of symbolic and narrative representation to the tarot, differentiating the Rider-Waite deck from its predecessors and contemporaries. The artistic execution of Waite’s vision was entrusted to Pamela Colman Smith, a fellow member of the Golden Dawn. Yet, the conception and creation of the deck were not solitary endeavors. The driving force behind this innovative deck was Arthur Edward Waite, an eminent scholar of occultism and a prominent member of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn – a secret society dedicated to the study and practice of the occult, metaphysics, and paranormal activities. It was at this juncture that the deck was published by the Rider Company in London.
The genesis of the Rider-Waite Tarot Deck can be traced back to the early 20th century, more specifically to the year 1909. Its influential status within the realm of tarot, divination, and esoteric studies cannot be understated. The Rider-Waite Tarot Deck, commonly known as the Rider-Waite-Smith, Rider Tarot, or simply the Waite-Smith deck, represents an essential benchmark in the history of Tarot cards. Where are the original Rider-Waite Tarot Deck?.
Unique features or details in the Rider-Waite Tarot Deck.Meanings of the Rider-Waite Tarot cards.
