Tarot of A.E. Waite Standard Blue - the reference deck since 1909
Nearly every modern tarot book refers to these cards. The Rider-Waite is no longer special, it has become the standard. This edition with the bright blue back is the version that generations of tarot readers recognise.
The deck was designed by Arthur Edward Waite and drawn by Pamela Colman Smith, both members of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. Waite wanted a deck that made mystical traditions accessible. Smith executed that with a drawing style that looks simple but is full of symbolism.
What makes this deck different
The revolution was in the Minor Arcana. Before 1909, pip cards mostly showed patterns: six swords, eight cups, ten pentacles. Smith drew complete scenes. A figure walking away with five swords. Someone walking through the rain with a bowed head, five cups on the ground.
That makes the cards readable without a guidebook. You look at the image and understand what is happening. That is why this deck works so well for beginners, and experienced readers keep using it.
What the cards look like
The colours are bright and flat. No shadows, no perspective as you see in modern illustrations. The lines are crisp, the planes filled with primary colours: yellow, red, blue, green.
The back is light blue with a geometric pattern in white. The cardstock is sturdy enough to last, with a slight gloss that makes shuffling smooth. The format is standard: 70 x 120 mm.
Draw one card every morning and place it in front of you while you drink your coffee. At the end of the day, notice how the symbolism returned.
Who this deck works for
This deck is designed for learning. Nearly all tarot books and courses use these images as reference. When you open a book and it says 'the Fool', they mean this Fool. That makes the learning process much faster.
It is also practical for daily use. The cards are sturdy, the format is not too large, and the images are directly readable. No interpretation needed to see what is going on.
About Arthur Edward Waite and Pamela Colman Smith
Arthur Edward Waite was an occultist, writer and member of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. He wanted a tarot deck that made esoteric traditions accessible to a wider audience, without losing depth.
Pamela Colman Smith was an illustrator and artist. Her drawing style was simple and narrative, influenced by her work for the theatre. She received little recognition during her lifetime, but her images are now the most recognisable in the tarot world.
Specifications
- Number of cards: 78 (22 Major Arcana, 56 Minor Arcana)
- Card dimensions: 70 x 120 mm
- Guidebook language: English
- Author: Arthur Edward Waite
- Illustrator: Pamela Colman Smith
- Guidebook author: Stuart R. Kaplan
- Publisher: U.S. Games Systems, Inc.
- Card back: Bright blue back with geometric pattern
- Packaging: Sturdy storage box
- Material: Sturdy cardstock with slight gloss
Questions we often get
What is the difference between this edition and other Rider-Waite editions?
This edition has the classic colour rendering and the bright blue back. It is the version most recognised and considered the standard by generations of tarot readers. There are now hundreds of variants, but this remains the original.
Are the cards sturdy enough for daily use?
Yes. The cardstock is sturdy and has a slight gloss that makes shuffling smooth. With daily use, the cards maintain their quality well.
