You can see the inspirations from Aleister Crowley and Arthur Edward Waite, but I'm happy to report that this isn't a clone of either deck. You can definitely tell Godfrey Dowson made up his own interpretations of the workings of the Golden Dawn. This easily reached the top three favorites of mine that I use on a daily basis.
The art, in my opinion, is pretty awful, but I'm more about practicality than beauty when it comes to tarot: there's a million beautiful decks out there but they're all Waite clones so they don't mean anything. Rarely does anyone create a deck from scratch and sell that, rarer still it's beautiful. These cards are easy for me to read and interpret. They give off a pleasant energy, like a dear old friend you've known your whole life. This deck feels reliable and kind.
I would recommend this to anyone who wants to get into tarot, although this might be a bit more advanced for some. You do need to study the Golden Dawn, or at the very least get familiar with alchemical elements, astrology, and the kabbalah, even at a cursory understanding (not that I'm saying it's easy, lol, as it is a secret order, but there's plenty of resources out there that touch on such teachings. Lon Milo DuQuette would be an easier place to start). This deck doesn't hold your hand as much as Waite's version does, as the pips don't include humans, but the actions of the hands in each give you a good starting point. I like the court cards, as each king, knight, princess and queen are surrounded by symbolism that makes it way easier to understand than Waite's version, which is sick with "man sitting on throne" syndrome, with not much indication of who he or she is.
As for the physical aspect to this deck, I love how smooth they are. Incredibly easy to shuffle. And just the right size for my small hands. Cards pop out with ease.
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From the brand
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The Premier Tarot Publisher Since 1968
U.S. Games Systems, Inc. publishes the original and only authorized edition of the Rider-Waite Tarot Deck. Other popular, certified award-winning tarot decks published by U.S. Games Systems include: Crowley Thoth, Universal Waite, Ethereal Visions Illuminated Tarot, Hermetic, Aquarian, Crow, Goddess, Morgan-Greer, Golden Tarot, and Spiritsong Tarot. We also offer oracle, affirmation and inspirational gifts.
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In 1909, artist Pamela Colman Smith’s involvement with the Order of the Golden Dawn led to a commission to create a 78-card tarot deck that was the first to include full pictorial scenes for the Minor Arcana. Pamela’s mystical influences are evident throughout the art.
The Rider Tarot Deck, also known as the Waite Tarot, Rider-Waite Tarot, and Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot, are registered trademarks of U.S. Games Systems, Inc.
From the Publisher
Hermetic Tarot Deck
U.S. Games Systems has proudly reissued the Hermetic Tarot deck in recognition of its historical and artistic importance. The details and symbols in each card reveal many of the esoteric workings of the Secret Order of the Golden Dawn, which flourished around the turn of the century.
Godfrey Dowson’s subtle black and white designs emphasize the Golden Dawn’s astrological attributes with further sephirotic, angelic, geomantic, numerical, and kabbalistic elements. All 78 cards feature an exquisite level of detail that highlights the powerful symbolism.
The 70-page instruction booklet includes an introduction by Stuart R. Kaplan and card meaning written by Godfrey Dowson and Stuart R. Kaplan. The booklet also gives instructions for the classic ten-card Celtic Cross layout and presents a chart of the elemental and astrological symbols, and a diagram of the ten spheres and 22 Hebrew Letters of the of the 22 Paths of the Tree of Life.
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Best Deck Ever, but not for beginners, so I included information in case you ARE a beginner.
This is one of the most exciting “package day” moments in my life! I have waited two years to purchase this deck, being that I was a beginner and this deck is NOT FOR BEGINNERS. Two of the cards has a different name than the Rider-Waite deck- the world card is the universe, the strength card is fortitude, and... there’s not a page of each suit, but a princess instead. Several of the cards have the same names but an added word, such as the Judgement card, it’s the LAST judgement. The fool card is the FOOLISH MAN. The tower card is the BLASTED tower. The names of the cards being different, other than possibly the Princesses and the Fortitude, shouldn’t affect your ability to read the cards. The cards do have one thing to help with knowing which sign the card represents, which I thought was helpful. The sign’s symbol will be on the card. In the left hand corner of the major arcana cards, you’ll see a designated letter of the Hebrew alphabet. There’s so much symbolism in this deck, which gives a more in-depth, accurate reading. Speaking of ease in this deck, the booklet is PACKED FULL OF IMPORTANT INFORMATION that will help you understand the cards. I was surprised to find this valuable information. I am at the beginning of the booklet, but I already learned so much. The Tree of Life diagram is on page 70 though, not page 72. The booklet only has 70 pages. That was one of two misprints I have already found, but trust me, you can overlook that. I am just starting page 17, the major arcana cards, so once I am done with this booklet, I’ll be sure to update my review. Not only does the booklet teach you how to use this deck, it also teaches you how to read tarot PERIOD. Pages 64-69 show you how to do a Celtic Cross spread. This is a must have deck to add to your collection. You will not regret it! Oh, and my deck was wrapped with clear wrap, like a deck of playing cards, and inside the deck, the actual cards and booklet were wrapped too, giving them plenty of protection. I am actually going to do a reading before I finish the booklet, because I’m too excited not to, lol, and when I gathered the cards to shuffle, I remembered to mention that each of the cards has a description at the bottom. I mentioned the Hebrew letter on each of the major arcana cards, but notice the elements on the tops of the court cards. The suits of the minor arcana shows symbols for the planet and sign for each of the cards. You’ll see what I’m referring to in the three cards in the photo that’s one before the last. 1.) In the LOVERS CARD, notice the symbol to the left (top), the Hebrew letter V(there’s 22 in the diagram of the Tree of Life on page 70). The letter you’d have to look up to match the word in the diagram, unless it’s later mentioned. UPDATE: I SCREENSHOT THE PHOTO I FOUND ON PINTEREST THAT INCLUDES THE HEBREW LETTERS. The right side has the number of the card. You’ll see that this card has the Gemini symbol under the serpent’s mouth. Refer to the first page for symbols. There’s other symbols you’ll find in reference books, which I plan to purchase. At the bottom of the card, the description says CHILDREN OF THE BOICE DEVINE. 2.) The KNIGHT OF PENTACLES card has two symbols at the top. You probably already know those stand for elements- fire and earth. In the middle of the card, the first symbol looks like Leo, but it’s North Node and the second one is Virgo, which is interesting. You’ll see that the description says LORD OF THE WILD AND FERTILE LAND. 3.) the TEN OF WANDS card has no symbols at the top, because it’s a card in the suits of the minor arcana. The symbol below that area, in the middle, means SATURN. I do not know what the words on either side say/mean. The symbol straight below Saturn, close to the bottom of the card, is Sagittarius, my moon sign. The description says LORD OF OPPRESSION. I HAVE NOTICED THE SYMBOL,ON ALL OF THE CARDS, THAT RESEMBLES THE SATURN SYMBOL, BUT NOT CAME ACROSS THE SYMBOL ANYWHERE YET, TO SAY WHAT IT IS OR MEANS...YET. I WILL CONTINUE TO UDDATE MY REVIEW TO HELP THOSE WANTING TO PURCHASE THE DECK, AND ONES THAT NEED HELP UNDERSTANDING THEIR DECK. Plus, it helps me learn as I study to depict the information for this review. The Major Arcana Cards, if you can’t read the numbers in Roman numerals:0 The Foolish Man1 The Magician2 The High Priestess3 The Empress4 The Emperor5 The Hierophant6 The Lovers7 The Chariot8 Fortitude9 The Hermit10 The Wheel of Fortune11 Justice12 The Hanged Man13 Death14 Temperance15 The Devil16 The Blasted Tower17 The Star18 The Moon19 The Sun20 The Last Judgement21 The Universe
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on November 18, 2023
Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2024
Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2020
The cards do have one thing to help with knowing which sign the card represents, which I thought was helpful. The sign’s symbol will be on the card. In the left hand corner of the major arcana cards, you’ll see a designated letter of the Hebrew alphabet. There’s so much symbolism in this deck, which gives a more in-depth, accurate reading. Speaking of ease in this deck, the booklet is PACKED FULL OF IMPORTANT INFORMATION that will help you understand the cards. I was surprised to find this valuable information. I am at the beginning of the booklet, but I already learned so much. The Tree of Life diagram is on page 70 though, not page 72. The booklet only has 70 pages. That was one of two misprints I have already found, but trust me, you can overlook that. I am just starting page 17, the major arcana cards, so once I am done with this booklet, I’ll be sure to update my review. Not only does the booklet teach you how to use this deck, it also teaches you how to read tarot PERIOD. Pages 64-69 show you how to do a Celtic Cross spread. This is a must have deck to add to your collection. You will not regret it! Oh, and my deck was wrapped with clear wrap, like a deck of playing cards, and inside the deck, the actual cards and booklet were wrapped too, giving them plenty of protection.
I am actually going to do a reading before I finish the booklet, because I’m too excited not to, lol, and when I gathered the cards to shuffle, I remembered to mention that each of the cards has a description at the bottom. I mentioned the Hebrew letter on each of the major arcana cards, but notice the elements on the tops of the court cards. The suits of the minor arcana shows symbols for the planet and sign for each of the cards. You’ll see what I’m referring to in the three cards in the photo that’s one before the last.
1.) In the LOVERS CARD, notice the symbol to the left (top), the Hebrew letter V(there’s 22 in the diagram of the Tree of Life on page 70). The letter you’d have to look up to match the word in the diagram, unless it’s later mentioned. UPDATE: I SCREENSHOT THE PHOTO I FOUND ON PINTEREST THAT INCLUDES THE HEBREW LETTERS. The right side has the number of the card. You’ll see that this card has the Gemini symbol under the serpent’s mouth. Refer to the first page for symbols. There’s other symbols you’ll find in reference books, which I plan to purchase. At the bottom of the card, the description says CHILDREN OF THE BOICE DEVINE.
2.) The KNIGHT OF PENTACLES card has two symbols at the top. You probably already know those stand for elements- fire and earth. In the middle of the card, the first symbol looks like Leo, but it’s North Node and the second one is Virgo, which is interesting. You’ll see that the description says LORD OF THE WILD AND FERTILE LAND.
3.) the TEN OF WANDS card has no symbols at the top, because it’s a card in the suits of the minor arcana. The symbol below that area, in the middle, means SATURN. I do not know what the words on either side say/mean. The symbol straight below Saturn, close to the bottom of the card, is Sagittarius, my moon sign. The description says LORD OF OPPRESSION.
I HAVE NOTICED THE SYMBOL,ON ALL OF THE CARDS, THAT RESEMBLES THE SATURN SYMBOL, BUT NOT CAME ACROSS THE SYMBOL ANYWHERE YET, TO SAY WHAT IT IS OR MEANS...YET. I WILL CONTINUE TO UDDATE MY REVIEW TO HELP THOSE WANTING TO PURCHASE THE DECK, AND ONES THAT NEED HELP UNDERSTANDING THEIR DECK. Plus, it helps me learn as I study to depict the information for this review.
The Major Arcana Cards, if you can’t read the numbers in Roman numerals:
0 The Foolish Man
1 The Magician
2 The High Priestess
3 The Empress
4 The Emperor
5 The Hierophant
6 The Lovers
7 The Chariot
8 Fortitude
9 The Hermit
10 The Wheel of Fortune
11 Justice
12 The Hanged Man
13 Death
14 Temperance
15 The Devil
16 The Blasted Tower
17 The Star
18 The Moon
19 The Sun
20 The Last Judgement
21 The Universe
Best Deck Ever, but not for beginners, so I included information in case you ARE a beginner.
Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2020
This is one of the most exciting “package day” moments in my life! I have waited two years to purchase this deck, being that I was a beginner and this deck is NOT FOR BEGINNERS. Two of the cards has a different name than the Rider-Waite deck- the world card is the universe, the strength card is fortitude, and... there’s not a page of each suit, but a princess instead. Several of the cards have the same names but an added word, such as the Judgement card, it’s the LAST judgement. The fool card is the FOOLISH MAN. The tower card is the BLASTED tower. The names of the cards being different, other than possibly the Princesses and the Fortitude, shouldn’t affect your ability to read the cards.Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2020
The cards do have one thing to help with knowing which sign the card represents, which I thought was helpful. The sign’s symbol will be on the card. In the left hand corner of the major arcana cards, you’ll see a designated letter of the Hebrew alphabet. There’s so much symbolism in this deck, which gives a more in-depth, accurate reading. Speaking of ease in this deck, the booklet is PACKED FULL OF IMPORTANT INFORMATION that will help you understand the cards. I was surprised to find this valuable information. I am at the beginning of the booklet, but I already learned so much. The Tree of Life diagram is on page 70 though, not page 72. The booklet only has 70 pages. That was one of two misprints I have already found, but trust me, you can overlook that. I am just starting page 17, the major arcana cards, so once I am done with this booklet, I’ll be sure to update my review. Not only does the booklet teach you how to use this deck, it also teaches you how to read tarot PERIOD. Pages 64-69 show you how to do a Celtic Cross spread. This is a must have deck to add to your collection. You will not regret it! Oh, and my deck was wrapped with clear wrap, like a deck of playing cards, and inside the deck, the actual cards and booklet were wrapped too, giving them plenty of protection.
I am actually going to do a reading before I finish the booklet, because I’m too excited not to, lol, and when I gathered the cards to shuffle, I remembered to mention that each of the cards has a description at the bottom. I mentioned the Hebrew letter on each of the major arcana cards, but notice the elements on the tops of the court cards. The suits of the minor arcana shows symbols for the planet and sign for each of the cards. You’ll see what I’m referring to in the three cards in the photo that’s one before the last.
1.) In the LOVERS CARD, notice the symbol to the left (top), the Hebrew letter V(there’s 22 in the diagram of the Tree of Life on page 70). The letter you’d have to look up to match the word in the diagram, unless it’s later mentioned. UPDATE: I SCREENSHOT THE PHOTO I FOUND ON PINTEREST THAT INCLUDES THE HEBREW LETTERS. The right side has the number of the card. You’ll see that this card has the Gemini symbol under the serpent’s mouth. Refer to the first page for symbols. There’s other symbols you’ll find in reference books, which I plan to purchase. At the bottom of the card, the description says CHILDREN OF THE BOICE DEVINE.
2.) The KNIGHT OF PENTACLES card has two symbols at the top. You probably already know those stand for elements- fire and earth. In the middle of the card, the first symbol looks like Leo, but it’s North Node and the second one is Virgo, which is interesting. You’ll see that the description says LORD OF THE WILD AND FERTILE LAND.
3.) the TEN OF WANDS card has no symbols at the top, because it’s a card in the suits of the minor arcana. The symbol below that area, in the middle, means SATURN. I do not know what the words on either side say/mean. The symbol straight below Saturn, close to the bottom of the card, is Sagittarius, my moon sign. The description says LORD OF OPPRESSION.
I HAVE NOTICED THE SYMBOL,ON ALL OF THE CARDS, THAT RESEMBLES THE SATURN SYMBOL, BUT NOT CAME ACROSS THE SYMBOL ANYWHERE YET, TO SAY WHAT IT IS OR MEANS...YET. I WILL CONTINUE TO UDDATE MY REVIEW TO HELP THOSE WANTING TO PURCHASE THE DECK, AND ONES THAT NEED HELP UNDERSTANDING THEIR DECK. Plus, it helps me learn as I study to depict the information for this review.
The Major Arcana Cards, if you can’t read the numbers in Roman numerals:
0 The Foolish Man
1 The Magician
2 The High Priestess
3 The Empress
4 The Emperor
5 The Hierophant
6 The Lovers
7 The Chariot
8 Fortitude
9 The Hermit
10 The Wheel of Fortune
11 Justice
12 The Hanged Man
13 Death
14 Temperance
15 The Devil
16 The Blasted Tower
17 The Star
18 The Moon
19 The Sun
20 The Last Judgement
21 The Universe
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2020
Top reviews from other countries
Sixtwo Gutierritos
Excelente calidad
Reviewed in Mexico on February 22, 2024
Sixtwo Gutierritos
Reviewed in Mexico on February 22, 2024
Images in this review
Random Buyer
Excellent for studying the Kabbalah and Hermeticism
Reviewed in India on November 26, 2023
Random Buyer
Reviewed in India on November 26, 2023
The deck is complete with astrological references, Hebrew letters, Elements and rich Symbolism. Recommended to beginners who want to delve into magick. Modern Magick by Donald Michael Kraig is the recommended book that goes along with this, especially for beginners in the Occult Sciences.
Images in this review
Davide C.
Ottimo Mazzo
Reviewed in Italy on October 19, 2023
Davide C.
Reviewed in Italy on October 19, 2023
Images in this review
