Product Description: Set includes the 78-Card Universal Waite Tarot Deck, The Pictorial Key to the Tarot by Arthur Edward Waite, and spread sheet. 340 pp.Ill.(pb).
The best alternative to the original! I have around 65 decks and among all the complete RWS clones out there, this is my favourite. I was always put off by the orginal colouring and thick lines, ugly!
When I came across this and delicate, exquisite and sumptious re-colouring by Hanson-Roberts I was very delighted! I love her way of drawing and use of colour(among my other favourites are her signature deck and the Whimsical) technique. The details just pop out and sing their message. It's astounding how simple colour changes and line restructuring can totally change your experience with a deck you formerly couldn't work with.
So many books use the RWS for study and illustration, and it's been a treasure having this gorgeous deck to take out and follow along. As an alternative to the basic or original versions, this comes the most highly recommended by me!
a great deck, there are better books for beginners It took me several trials to find the "right" Rider-Waite/Pamela Colman Smith deck. The first I tried was the basic Rider Waite Tarot deck, which has clear imagery but a little bit of a "3-color" comic book look to it. The second I purchased was the "original" Rider tarot, which I gather is a facsimile reproduction of what the deck used to look like when it was originally produced - the artwork is more detailed but the colors are a bit washed out; however it comes in a nice box set with a pocket sized copy of Waite's originial Key to the Tarot.
This deck, the "Universal Waite" deck, is my personal favorite of the three. The original illustrations by Pamela Colman Smith have been retouched and recolored, so it is not the deck for "purists" but the colors are brighter and the details clearer than either of the other editions I have. This deck is available sold separately from the book; the book included in the book and deck set is the same text found in the "Original Rider" deck box set, and seemed like an unnecessary inclusion with the deck. A beginner will be better served by other books on tarot, and an expert probably already has a copy of this book. The set did include a fold-out paper "mat" describing the celtic cross spread which was rather nice and possibly useful to a beginner but overall I found myself wishing I'd just bought the deck by itself.
This is the deck featured on the cover design of "Tarot for Beginners" by Joan Bunning.
Go with you gut. After I purchased these cards, I read the reviews and all the bad things about them being thick and sticking together and not being comfortable, but when I got mine yesterday I immediately fell in love with them. I think that they're quite beautiful and for a beginner are a wonderful starter deck. Once you shuffle them a couple of times and get them nice and mixed there is no problem with cards sticking and it's nice to know that they're a nice durable, trusty deck. In fact, I started using them right away, and they came out on the head with answers. Mind you my friend wasn't too happy with the outcome, and how now his feelings were exposed to me, but that's his own issue, and he even agreed that they hit the nail on the nose with the problems he was having in his psuedo "relationship". Alas, if you feel like you want the cards, don't let negative reviews stop you from getting them, go with your gut, I adore mine.
Striking re-coloring of the traditional Rider Waite This beautiful redrawing/coloring by Mary Hanson-Roberts of this most traditional deck is complete with a depth of color that many other versions of the same are lacking. If what you are seeking is a softer alternative to the bold colors and heavy black outlines of the "traditional" Rider deck, you've found it.
Interpreting this deck is like resting on a soft pillow. This is my original working deck, and is still my second working deck, after the Robin Wood. It's an excellent place for beginners to start. There's no wondering why the images created by Pamela Colman Smith are singularly the most popular in the world. These images are timeless and are traditionally known as being easy to read, as well as providing depth and insight for the more advanced.
This deck is pencil-colored with delicate, soft lines drawn around the faces and figures, and soothing rich colors within the cards. The backings are a fully reversible gold and indigo star field. The Fool in this deck is absolutely gorgeous with his gentle yellow sky and snuggly robe. The High Priestess is absolutely beautiful. You'll want to date the Magician.
I am reviewing the deck alone, as I don't have the book that now comes with it. I found this deck to be excellent when coupled with "Learning the Tarot" by Joan Bunning, which uses the Universal Waite for illustrations. This book gives a solid grounding in how to read Tarot, and along with this deck, you will be well on your way!
Universal waite tarot Beautiful cards brilliant colours. The only reason I did not give 5 stars was the accompaning book was not informative enough for me.
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