Archive for March, 2011

There are usually two “tarot related” dilemmas that show up among those who would like to start using tarot cards as a personal tool for readings and divination. These questions can be formulated something along these lines:

Where to Buy Tarot Cards?

What Tarot Deck is Right For Me?

The first question is easy to answer in a straightforward manner – we can imagine no better place than the Amazon online store. Their quality products, customer service and speed of delivery are well known among the millions of their customers. That’s why, in addition to the amazing range of (tarot) products, people simply enjoy buying from Amazon.com.

Many years ago we actually made our first online purchase from their site. We have compared the prices and made up our mind for them. It was actually the same tarot deck we are going to recommend to your bellow. Furthermore it that was our very first purchase via the internet. After a while, we stopped buying our tarot decks offline altogether. In most of the cases we found them to be cheaper online.

The second question is more complicated, but still fairly easy to answer. If you are a beginner in tarot, and are looking for your first tarot deck – look no further. To spare you from reading the rest of the story, here is the straight answer:

The Rider-Waite Tarot Deck (Pocket edition)

Rider-Waite is very suitable for the beginners, also because the great majority of books, dedicated to this subject, use precisely this set of cards as showcase to explain the symbolism and meanings of the tarot.

Even if you are already experienced in Tarot, but the Rider-Waite Deck is not part of you tarot deck collection, it would be our first recommendation. We are certain that the most of the veteran readers would also recommend the same deck. We can say with good certainty that you too, after many years of practicing tarot, and participating in the tarot community, and after several dozens of different tested deck, would gladly get back to the Rider-Waite Tarot as your favorite.

Apart from the above, the Rider-Waite tarot is by far the most popular of all the decks used in the English-speaking countries. Almost in every other movie or TV show where the plot evolves around some divination or tarot reading, you will be able to see the familiar faces and scenes of this Tarot Deck. In the Latin world the Tarot de Marseille holds the top of the list of popular Tarot packs.

Product Specifications:

The dimensions of the cards of this deck are 4.9 x 2.9 x 1.2 inches. So it is a pocket edition. This means that they are just slightly smaller than the typical poker deck we are all familiar with. They are perfect for travel, and everyday use.

If you prefer to have larger cards you could purchase this deck instead. The tarot cards are larger, measuring 6 x 5.2 x 1.4 inches, and they make more sense, for instance, if you plan to use these tarot cards in fortune telling seances.

Who invented this Deck?

Arthur Edward Waite is the co-creator of this popular tarot set of cards, first published at the beginning of the 20th century. He was a mystic and scollar deeply involved in numerous branches of Western esotericism, such as Kabbalah, alchemy, and divination. He is nowadays also well known for his book – Pictorial Key to the Tarot – a guide into tarot reading. You can read a nice review of this book here. The illustrations of the cards of this deck were done by Pamela Colman Smith under the instructions of A. E. Waite.

The Symbolism of This Deck

So, how can we explain the magic and the appeal this deck carries within, and what is our rationale behind our top choice?

Now, we are aware that there are different people with different affinities, backgrounds, cultures and different spiritual aspirations. But we all share the very same collective unconsciousness. That means that we all share the same archetypal images, spiritual symbols and signs – and most of them can be recognized in the Tarot Deck of Rider and Waite.

Some people would say that this deck is mostly Christian in its symbolism, via its Hebrew (Kabbalistic) signs. We do not quite agree with this statement and we believe the symbolic representations inscribed there are indeed universal and suit the most general audience possible.

This deck has passed the test of time and has proven over and over again its value. Not only that – it has almost reached the level where we can say – yes the Rider Waite deck is an archetype of tarot itself.

What can I expect to get?

When purchasing tarot cards many people expect to get a tool of divination. And, that’s true. With little practice and a couple of lessons about tarot spreads and how to work with them you will be able to do precisely that. But we believe tarot is more than readings and divination. It is above all a tool to help in your journey of self discovery. If used properly, the tarot’s symbolism will help you investigate the depths of your own psychic, your own inner self.

What other decks can I explore?

There’s certainly nothing wrong if you decide to look for other decks as well. The Egyptian tarot, Nefertari’s Tarots, or The Halloween Tarot, for example, are good if you like exploring into some completely different regions of time and space. The Universal Tarot of Marseille is another first-class and popular tarot deck. However, all these different decks might not have enough of the magical appeal and symbolic depth of the Waite’s deck, and should be recommended only as second, or third set of tarot cards.

What others are saying?

Here are some observations of people who actually bought this tarot set from Amazon.com:

• The images are clear and colorful – this is my most used Tarot.
• The Rider-Waite pocket tarot deck to be the perfect cards for me.
• Good quality pictures.
• The cards arrived several days earlier than stated. I am totally and completely satisfied with product and shipping.
• I have 4 kind of tarot card this is my very best one!
• This is the classic tarot which students of Golden Dawn teachings enjoy using.
• Well knowing, good tarot for every day use and prediction.
• Waite’s deck is perfect for beginners and experienced readers.
• It offers enough to start learning tarot, but also it has deep and complex symbolic meanings for those who want to dig deep.

What should I expect to pay?

This tarot deck is really very affordable. The Rider Waite tarot deck is for sale on numerous online stores, but you shouldn’t be paying more than $20 or $30 for this set, depending on the actual size. The cheapest we have found it was on Amazon.com, and you can check the current price of this deck on their website.

Where can I read more reviews about these cards?

The best place for reviews is to look for people who actually use the product. Click on the following link to read about their observations on amazon.com.