Tarot of A.E. Waite (Premium Edition, Deluxe, Spanish)

Tarot of A.E. Waite (Premium Edition, Deluxe, Spanish) - the 1909 original in deluxe edition

Most people who learn tarot start with this deck. Or return to it later. The Rider-Waite is the standard against which all other tarot cards are measured.

This Deluxe edition from Naipes Heraclio Fournier follows the very first printing from 1909. That means the original colours, the original card back and the original size. No modern adjustments, no polished finishes. What you get is the deck as Pamela Colman Smith drew it and Arthur Edward Waite intended it.

What makes this deck different

This edition goes beyond a standard reproduction. The cardstock is heavier than the basic versions and feels less slick. The printing is matte, which makes the colours feel less harsh.

The cards measure 70 x 120 mm, the classic tarot size. Not too large, not too small. The deck shuffles well and the cards sit comfortably in the hand. The storage box is solid and keeps the cards together without excess space.

The guidebook runs to 96 pages and is written by Rachel Pollack and Johannes Fiebig. Both authors know this deck inside out. The text is in Spanish, but the cards themselves are clear enough to work with even if you do not speak the language.

The imagery of Pamela Colman Smith

Pamela Colman Smith was the first to give all 78 cards in the tarot deck a story. Before her, only the 22 major arcana had real images. The minor arcana were little more than rows of wands, cups, swords and pentacles.

Her strength lies in directness. You see immediately what is happening: a figure walking away with five swords, a man engraving eight pentacles, three women toasting with cups. The images give you a starting point, even if you have no idea yet what the traditional meaning is.

The colours are muted, almost pastel tones. Yellow, blue, green and red dominate, but nowhere garish. That suits the thoughtful atmosphere of the deck.

Draw one card each morning and look at the image first before looking up the meaning. Often the picture already tells you exactly what you need to know that day.

Who this deck works for

This is the entry deck par excellence. All tarot books and courses refer to the Rider-Waite. The numbering, the naming, the symbolism: this is the frame of reference.

But even for advanced readers this deck remains relevant. Precisely because it is so clear, you see details in every reading that you missed before. The images are simple enough to read quickly, but rich enough to contain layers.

About Pamela Colman Smith, Arthur Edward Waite and the authors

Pamela Colman Smith drew all 78 cards in 1909, commissioned by Arthur Edward Waite. Waite determined the symbolism, Smith brought it to life. Her work was undervalued at the time, but without her drawings this deck would never have become so influential.

Rachel Pollack wrote groundbreaking books on tarot and brought the cards closer to modern psychology and feminist reading. Johannes Fiebig has worked with tarot for decades and has published dozens of books on symbolism and depth interpretation.

Specifications

• Number of cards: 78
• Card size: 70 x 120 mm
• Card language: Spanish
• Guidebook: 96 pages, Spanish
• Guidebook authors: Rachel Pollack, Johannes Fiebig
• Illustrator: Pamela Colman Smith
• Concept: Arthur Edward Waite
• Publisher: Naipes Heraclio Fournier
• Material: Heavy cardstock with matte finish
• Packaging: Solid storage box
• Edition: Premium Deluxe edition based on the original 1909 printing

Questions we often get

What is the difference between this Deluxe edition and other Rider-Waite decks?
This edition follows the original colours and card design of the first 1909 printing. The cardstock is thicker and the printing is more matte than in standard versions. The images feel calmer as a result.

Can I use this deck if I do not speak Spanish?
Yes. The images are universal and the numbering is identical to other Rider-Waite decks. Any tarot book in another language also works with this deck. The Spanish guidebook is a bonus, not a requirement.