British occultist and author Arthur Edward Waite is one of the major figures in Anglo-Saxon esotericism. A member of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, he dedicated his life to the study of occult sciences, Kabbalah, Freemasonry, and alchemy. In 1909, he designed an innovative tarot deck, entrusting the illustration of the 78 cards to artist Pamela Colman Smith. This tarot, known as the Rider-Waite, became the global reference in tarot reading thanks to its clear and structured symbolic system.
Born in London, Pamela Colman Smith was an artist, illustrator, and storyteller with a unique style blending dreamlike imagery, symbolism, and expressiveness. Trained at the Pratt Institute in New York, she was involved in literary and occult circles, notably through her engagement with the Golden Dawn. In 1909, she created the 78 illustrations for the tarot deck conceived by A. E. Waite. This work revolutionized the history of tarot, as for the first time, each minor arcana was depicted with an illustrated scene. Long overlooked, she is now recognized as the visual soul of the Rider-Waite-Smith.
