In the world of tarot, some decks have become particularly popular among practitioners. You certainly know the Marseille Tarot, but do you know the Rider-Waite Tarot (or Rider-Waite-Smith)? Its ease of use, rich symbolism, and above all its creation by two members of a secret society have made this tarot the most popular in the world, and yes! I'll explain it all. And if you are interested in divination tarot, you can consult our tarot guide.
1. The origins of the Rider-Waite tarot
1.1. The creation of the tarot Rider-Waite-Smith
The Rider-Waite Tarot, also known as the Rider-Waite-Smith, was designed at the beginning of the 20th century. It was first published in 1909 by Rider & Company. The initiative for this innovative tarot deck is attributed to Arthur Edward Waite, a prominent occultist and scholar of his time, who wanted to create a tarot deck that was accessible and rich in esoteric symbolism. Waite wanted to reform the tarot cards by placing greater emphasis on their mystical and spiritual aspects, and by making each card more intuitive and understandable, even for beginners.
1.2. Arthur Edward Waite
Arthur Edward Waite was born in 1857 in Brooklyn, New York, and grew up in England after his father's death. Fascinated by occult mysteries from a young age, Waite became an influential member of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, an esoteric organization that played a crucial role in the revival of occultism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Waite was a prolific writer who published numerous works on occultism, magic, and esotericism. His vision for the tarot was to create a tool that synthesized complex esoteric teachings in a visual and accessible format. Waite oversaw the creation of the tarot deck, ensuring that each card embodied precise and powerful esoteric concepts.
1.3. Pamela Colman Smith
Pamela Colman Smith, often called "Pixie", was born in 1878 in London. She was a talented artist, trained at the Pratt Institute of Art in New York. In 1901, she joined the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, where she met Arthur Edward Waite. Her distinctive artistic style, characterized by clear lines and vibrant colors, brought a unique visual dimension to the Rider-Waite tarot. Unlike earlier tarot decks, in which the Minor Arcana were often illustrated simply with repetitive patterns, Smith created detailed, narrative scenes for each card, making them easier to interpret. Her work is widely recognized for making tarot more accessible and intuitive, contributing to its enduring popularity.
1.4. The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn (or Golden Dawn)
The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn (Golden Dawn) is a secret society founded in London in 1888, dedicated to the study and practice of occultism, metaphysics, and magical rituals. The order had a profound influence on the development of the Rider-Waite tarot. The teachings of the Golden Dawn incorporated various esoteric traditions, including Kabbalah, alchemy, astrology, and ceremonial magic.
As a prominent member of the Golden Dawn, Arthur Edward Waite incorporated many of the order's esoteric concepts into the tarot. For example, Kabbalistic symbols, astrological references, and alchemical allusions are omnipresent in the card illustrations. The Golden Dawn also influenced the structure and organization of the cards, reinforcing their use as a tool for meditation and spiritual development.
The collaboration between Waite and Smith, both members of the Golden Dawn, led to the creation of a tarot deck deeply rooted in the order's esoteric teachings while remaining accessible to the general public. The Rider-Waite tarot thus serves as a bridge between the complex mysticism of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and a visual interpretation that allows everyone to explore the mysteries of tarot in an intuitive and personal way.
2. The Publication of the Raider Waite Tarot
The Rider-Waite tarot was first published in 1909 by the British publishing company Rider & Company. This publication marked a significant departure from traditional tarot decks, mainly through its innovation in illustrating the Minor Arcana and its more accessible symbolic approach to the cards.
Upon its first publication, the Rider-Waite tarot received mixed reactions. The occultists and scholars of the time, familiar with esoteric symbols and mystical traditions, immediately recognized the depth and richness of the symbolism incorporated by Arthur Edward Waite and illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith. These experts particularly appreciated how each card, even among the Minor Arcana, told a clear and meaningful visual story, thereby facilitating intuitive interpretation.
However, the deck did not achieve immediate commercial success. At the time, interest in tarot was relatively limited to small esoteric circles, and the general public had not yet been widely exposed to these divinatory practices. Despite this, the Rider-Waite tarot began to gain recognition thanks to its innovative illustrations and growing accessibility. Arthur Edward Waite's guides and books on tarot, particularly The Pictorial Key to the Tarot, published in 1910, helped establish this deck as a serious reference for the study of tarot. Unlike many tarot guides that neglect the Minor Arcana, Waite pays particular attention to each card in the four suits (Wands, Cups, Swords, Pentacles). He explores the symbolic and practical aspects of each card, offering detailed interpretations and contexts for their use.
3. The Structure and Symbolism of the Rider-Waite Tarot
The most visible difference, as you will see below, is that Waite renumbered the Strength and Justice cards compared with traditional tarot decks. In the Rider-Waite-Smith tarot, Strength is card XI and Justice is card VIII, reversing the usual order. This change stems from the influence of the Golden Dawn, and it affects the interpretation of the cards in accordance with astrological and Kabbalistic principles.
3.1. The Major Arcana
The Major Arcana of the Rider-Waite tarot consists of 22 cards representing powerful and universal archetypes. These cards are often considered the most significant in the deck, each offering profound insight into the great lessons and themes of human life. The Major Arcana are numbered from 0 to 21, with each card featuring rich, symbolic imagery that aids in its understanding and interpretation.
| 0 | The Fool | A young man walks near a precipice, holding a white rose and a bundle over his shoulder. A small dog accompanies him. | New beginnings, adventure, naivety, freedom |
| I | The Magician | A man stands before a table bearing symbols of the four suits (wand, cup, sword, pentacle). He points one hand toward the sky and the other toward the earth | Action, manifestation, power, will |
| II | The High Priestess | A woman seated between two columns, holding a book. She wears a crown and is surrounded by religious symbols | Wisdom, intuition, mystery, hidden knowledge |
| III | The Empress | A crowned woman sits on a throne, surrounded by lush nature | Fertility, abundance, motherhood, nature |
| IV | The Emperor | A crowned man sits on a throne decorated with ram heads | Authority, structure, stability, control |
| V | The Hierophant | A man in religious robes sits between two columns, blessing two acolytes | Tradition, teaching, spirituality, morality |
| VI | The Lovers | A man and a woman stand beneath an angel, before a tree with a serpent | Love, union, choice, harmony |
| VII | The Chariot | A man drives a chariot pulled by two sphinxes, one black and one white | Victory, willpower, control, determination |
| VIII | Justice | A woman seated on a throne, holding scales and a sword | Justice, fairness, truth, law |
| IX | The Hermit | An old man carrying a lantern and a staff, walking alone | Introspection, wisdom, solitude, spiritual quest |
| X | The Wheel of Fortune | A wheel surrounded by mystical creatures, with esoteric symbols | Destiny, change, cycles, opportunities |
| XI | Strength | A woman caresses a lion, illustrating gentle mastery | Courage, patience, self-control, inner strength |
| XII | The Hanged Man | A man suspended by one foot, his hands behind his back, with a serene expression | Suspension, sacrifice, new perspective, letting go |
| XIII | Death | A skeleton in armor on horseback, crossing a landscape | Transformation, ending, renewal, radical change |
| XIV | Temperance | An angel mixes water between two cups, standing at the edge of a river | Balance, moderation, harmony, healing |
| XV | The Devil | A half-man, half-beast figure with two people chained at his feet. | Attachment, temptation, dependence, illusion |
| XVI | The Tower | A tower struck by lightning, with figures falling from it | Collapse, revelation, sudden change, chaos |
| XVII | The Star | A woman pours water into a river and onto the earth beneath a starry sky | Hope, inspiration, serenity, spiritual renewal |
| XVIII | The Moon | Two dogs howling at the moon, a crayfish emerging from the water, two towers in the background | Illusion, intuition, uncertainty, subconscious |
| XIX | The Sun | A joyful child rides a white horse beneath a radiant sun | Joy, success, clarity, vitality |
| XX | Judgment | Angels blowing trumpets, figures rising from their graves | Awakening, judgment, absolution, renewal |
| XXI | The World | A dancing figure surrounded by a laurel wreath, with symbols of the four evangelists in the corners | Accomplishment, integration, harmony, wholeness |
3.2. Minor Arcana
3.2.1. Wands (Fire element)
| Ace of Wands | New beginning, inspiration, creative energy, potential |
| Two of Wands | Planning, contemplation, decisions, vision |
| Three of Wands | Expansion, exploration, perspective, progress |
| Four of Wands | Celebration, harmony, home, success |
| Five of Wands | Conflict, competition, struggle, tension |
| Six of Wands | Victory, recognition, success, advancement |
| Seven of Wands | Defense, perseverance, challenge, courage |
| Eight of Wands | Rapid movement, progress, communication, travel |
| Nine of Wands | Resilience, determination, caution, endurance |
| Ten of Wands | Burden, responsibility, hard work, stress |
| Page of Wands | Enthusiasm, exploration, message, beginning |
| Knight of Wands | Energy, adventure, passion, impulsiveness |
| Queen of Wands | Independence, confidence, creativity, warmth |
| King of Wands | Leadership, vision, power, charisma |
3.2.2. Cups (Water element)
| Ace of Cups | New emotional beginning, love, compassion, opening of the heart |
| Two of Cups | Partnership, union, harmony, emotional connection |
| Three of Cups | Celebration, friendship, community, joy |
| Four of Cups | Discontent, reflection, missed opportunity, boredom |
| Five of Cups | Loss, regret, grief, focus on the past |
| Six of Cups | Nostalgia, memories, innocence, past |
| Seven of Cups | Illusions, choices, daydreaming, confusion |
| Eight of Cups | Abandonment, quest, introspection, search for meaning |
| Nine of Cups | Satisfaction, happiness, fulfillment, wish granted |
| Ten of Cups | Harmony, family happiness, lasting love, contentment |
| Page of Cups | Imagination, emotion, message, creativity |
| Knight of Cups | Romance, charm, proposal, emotional quest |
| Queen of Cups | Compassion, intuition, care, sensitivity |
| King of Cups | Emotional control, balance, wisdom, diplomacy |
3.2.3. Swords (Air element)
| Ace of Swords | Mental clarity, truth, new idea, justice |
| Two of Swords | Indecision, blockage, deadlock, compromise |
| Three of Swords | Pain, betrayal, sorrow, conflict |
| Four of Swords | Rest, recovery, contemplation, healing |
| Five of Swords | Conflict, defeat, betrayal, gain at any cost |
| Six of Swords | Transition, travel, departure, passage toward a better situation |
| Seven of Swords | Deception, cunning, strategy, escape |
| Eight of Swords | Restriction, powerlessness, trap, mental limitation |
| Nine of Swords | Anxiety, insomnia, worries, torment |
| Ten of Swords | Betrayal, collapse, painful ending, resolution |
| Page of Swords | Curiosity, vigilance, message, intellectual novelty |
| Knight of Swords | Rapid action, determination, impulsiveness, mission |
| Queen of Swords | Clarity, discernment, independence, truth |
| King of Swords | Intellectual authority, logic, objectivity, justice |
3.2.4. Pentacles (Earth element)
| Ace of Pentacles | New material beginning, financial opportunity, potential, prosperity |
| Two of Pentacles | Balance, adaptation, flexibility, priority management |
| Three of Pentacles | Collaboration, skill, achievement, recognition |
| Four of Pentacles | Possession, greed, security, attachment |
| Five of Pentacles | Scarcity, hardship, exclusion, material loss |
| Six of Pentacles | Generosity, help, sharing, balance of resources |
| Seven of Pentacles | Reflection, patience, evaluation, delayed reward |
| Eight of Pentacles | Hard work, learning, skill, improvement |
| Nine of Pentacles | Material success, independence, comfort, luxury |
| Ten of Pentacles | Inheritance, family wealth, stability, security |
| Page of Pentacles | New project, learning, opportunity, material potential |
| Knight of Pentacles | Reliability, hard work, perseverance, method |
| Queen of Pentacles | Food, security, practicality, generosity |
| King of Pentacles | Abundance, success, material authority, mastery |
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4. Why is the Rider-Waite tarot simpler than the Marseille Tarot?
4.1. The representation of the Arcana
Unlike many earlier tarot decks in which the Minor Arcana were represented relatively simply (for example, four wands for the Four of Wands), the Rider-Waite-Smith tarot presents detailed, narrative illustrations for every Minor Arcana card. These visual scenes tell a story or illustrate a situation, greatly facilitating intuitive interpretation of the cards, even for beginners.
4.2. The renumbering of Justice and Strength
Moreover, Arthur Edward Waite and Pamela Colman Smith designed the cards with accessible yet profound symbolism. The images are clear, evocative, and rich in easily interpretable symbols, making the Rider-Waite-Smith tarot more understandable for beginners while offering a wealth of meanings for experienced practitioners.
4.3. The use of Roman numerals
The Marseille Tarot and the Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot both use Roman numerals, but not in the same way. If you look closely at the former, the progression of the numerals reflects the initiatory journey and therefore growth, without resorting to subtraction for certain numbers.
For example, for the Emperor (4), the Marseille Tarot writes "IIII", while the Rider-Waite-Smith uses the classic "IV" form.
This is simply because the Rider-Waite-Smith does not use the numbers as an important or symbolic aspect of card interpretation.
4.4. Reformulating the names
More subtly, the names of the Arcana were slightly modified to be more "modern" and also to correspond better to the English language.
Following this logic, the Fool became the Fool, the Magician became the Magician, the High Priestess became the High Priestess, the Pope became the Hierophant, the Lover became the Lovers, the Nameless Arcana became Death, and the House of God became the Tower.
With this information, you will be able to determine whether the tarot you use is a Marseille tarot or a tarot Rider-Waite-Smith tarot.
You now know everything about the Rider-Waite-Smith and the reasons why it is the most widely used in the world, even ahead of the Marseille Tarot!
Par Olivier of Aeternum
Passionate about esoteric traditions and the history of the occult from the earliest civilizations to the 18th century, I share some articles on these topics. I am also co-creator of the online esoteric shop Aeternum.
