Universal Waite Tarot Deck - the Rider-Waite system with soft recolouring
The Rider-Waite system is the foundation of nearly every modern tarot deck. This version takes the original drawings by Pamela Colman Smith and recolours them with soft, warm tones. The symbolism stays identical, but the effect on the eye changes.
Mary Hanson-Roberts carried out the recolouring using coloured pencils instead of the bold primary colours from 1909. This gives the cards more depth and calm. Details that sometimes get lost in strong contrasts on the original become more visible here.
What you see on the cards
All 78 cards follow the Rider-Waite structure. The Major Arcana, the court cards, the numbered cards: every image is recognisable to anyone who has worked with this system before.
The colours are muted but warm. Where the original has sharp yellow skies and bright red robes, Hanson-Roberts chooses apricot, soft pink, off-white and subdued blue tones. The images become more accessible without losing their strength.
The cardstock is sturdy and smooth, which shuffles well. The size is 70 x 120 mm, standard for tarot cards.
Who this deck is designed for
This deck is often recommended to beginners because the images are clear and the colours do not overwhelm. The guidebook is in English, as are the cards themselves. All standard tarot books about the Rider-Waite system are directly usable.
Many people use this deck for daily readings or for consultations where a calm atmosphere matters. The soft colours also make it suitable for meditation.
Draw one card in the morning and let it sit for a moment without looking up the meaning straight away. The colours and atmosphere of this deck often give an initial intuitive impression.
About Mary Hanson-Roberts
Mary Hanson-Roberts is an American tarot illustrator best known for her soft, fairytale-like style. She designed the Hanson-Roberts Tarot among others and worked on several reissues of classic decks. For the Universal Waite she adapted the original drawings by Pamela Colman Smith without changing the composition.
Specifications
- Number of cards: 78
- Card size: 70 x 120 mm
- Material: sturdy cardstock with smooth finish
- Card language: English
- Guidebook language: English
- Publisher: U.S. Games Systems Inc.
- System: Rider-Waite
Questions we often get
What is the difference from the original Rider-Waite deck?
The drawings and symbolism are identical. The only difference lies in the colours: the Universal Waite uses soft, warm tones instead of the bold primary colours from the original 1909 edition.
Can I use this deck with tarot books about Rider-Waite?
Yes. The images are exactly the same as in the original, so any book about the Rider-Waite system works directly.