Radiant Wise Spirit Tarot mini - Rider-Waite-Smith in pocket format
Few tarots are as recognisable as the Rider-Waite-Smith. This mini edition brings all 78 cards down to 50 x 83 mm, without white borders, with intensified colours that make the symbolism stand out immediately.
It is a compact version of the Radiant Wise Spirit Tarot, which in turn recoloured the classic illustrations by Pamela Colman Smith. What you get is a deck that is as accessible as the original but easier to carry.
What you see on the cards
The images are the same as in the original Rider-Waite-Smith deck from 1909. But where the classic version is often printed with faded pastels or yellowed vintage tones, the colours here are brighter and sharper. Blue is truly blue, yellow jumps out, red has strength.
Because there is no white border around the image, the illustration fills the entire card. That makes it easier to see patterns when you lay several cards next to each other. The glossy finish intensifies the colours even further.
How this deck compares to other Rider-Waite editions
This is not a new system. All cards follow the standard RWS structure and symbolism. That means you can use any guidebook, online article or course about Rider-Waite to work with this deck.
The difference lies mainly in the format and the colouring. Many people find this deck clearer and more direct than the classic Rider-Waite, without the essence changing.
Practical for travel: the format fits in an inside pocket, a small bag or even a phone case. Draw one card and keep it with you all day.
About Pamela Colman Smith and Arthur Edward Waite
Pamela Colman Smith drew all 78 cards in 1909 on commission from Arthur Edward Waite, a British mystic and member of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. Waite determined the symbolism, Smith translated it into images.
Her work was groundbreaking because she was the first to give all the Minor Arcana full scenes instead of just rows of wands, cups, swords or pentacles. That made the cards intuitively readable, even for beginners.
Specifications
- Number of cards: 78
- Card size: 50 x 83 mm
- Finish: Glossy cardstock, borderless
- Publisher: Lo Scarabeo
- Language: English
- Packaging: Cardboard box
Questions we often get
Do the details remain visible at such a small size?
Yes. The sharp printing and borderless design ensure that the symbolism remains clearly legible. The colours also help: the contrast makes you see details faster than in a classic vintage edition.
Does it come with a guidebook?
A small English-language guidebook with basic information is included. For extensive explanations you can use any Rider-Waite-Smith guide, as the cards are identical to the original system.