A.E. Waite Tarot Pocket English - the classic RWS in a handy format
The Rider-Waite-Smith tarot is the reference deck most modern tarot decks build on. This pocket version brings the original drawings by Pamela Colman Smith in a format that fits easily in your bag.
The deck contains 78 cards: 22 major arcana and 56 minor arcana. All cards show the familiar symbolism that Arthur Edward Waite designed and Pamela Colman Smith worked out in 1909. The colours are brighter than in the historical edition, but the composition remains identical.
Why this deck is still the foundation
The strength of the Rider-Waite-Smith lies in its concrete visual language. Every card tells a story you can read without a guidebook. The Three of Swords shows three swords through a heart. The Ten of Wands shows a figure carrying ten wands.
That direct visual system makes this deck so accessible. Many other tarot decks refer to the Rider-Waite-Smith in their guidebook because the imagery has become universal.
This pocket format measures 70 x 120 mm. That is smaller than standard tarot cards, which makes them easier to shuffle for smaller hands. The cardstock is sturdy enough for daily use.
Who this deck works for
This is a beginner deck. The English guidebook contains brief meanings for each card and a few basic spreads. Enough to get started, compact enough to keep with the cards.
The format also makes this deck suitable as a second copy for those who already know the RWS. Handy to take along, less vulnerable than a large edition.
Start with the major arcana if you have never used tarot before. Draw one card each day, lay it in front of you and describe what you see before looking up the meaning.
About Arthur Edward Waite and Pamela Colman Smith
Arthur Edward Waite was a member of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and designed a tarot system in 1909 that was meant to make esoteric symbolism accessible. He wrote 'The Pictorial Key to the Tarot', the book that still forms the basis for many tarot interpretations.
Pamela Colman Smith drew the cards. She was the first to provide all 78 cards with illustrations featuring human figures and narrative scenes. Before that time, the minor arcana usually showed only the number of symbols, without a story. Her work determined how we have looked at tarot ever since.
Specifications
- Number of cards: 78
- Card size: 70 x 120 mm (pocket)
- Card language: English (titles on the major arcana)
- Guidebook language: English
- Material: Sturdy cardstock
- Publisher: AGM-Urania
- Design: Arthur Edward Waite (concept), Pamela Colman Smith (illustrations)
Questions we often get
Is this deck suitable if you have never used tarot before?
Yes. The imagery is clear enough to start with no prior knowledge. The guidebook explains the basics and contains meanings for each card.
How does this deck differ from other Rider-Waite-Smith editions?
The format is smaller (70 x 120 mm instead of standard size) and the colours are brighter than in historical reproductions. The symbolism and composition are identical to the original.
