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Universal Waite(r) Tarot Deck/Book Set [With Book]

Hanson-Roberts, Mary
Reader rating
4.6
(1 reviews) 95 sold
In stock

Stock reported in the catalog; fulfillment is confirmed with your request.

📚 ABOUT THE BOOK

Experience the classic Rider-Waite-Smith enhanced with luminous, meditative colors.

This essential set revitalizes the iconic Rider-Waite-Smith tarot, featuring Mary Hanson-Roberts' exquisite re-coloring of Pamela Colman Smith's original artwork. The refreshed palette brings forth previously subtle details and enriches the symbolism, offering enhanced clarity for both novices and seasoned practitioners. Paired with Arthur Edward Waite's seminal 'Pictorial Key to the Tarot,' a spread sheet, and a 78-card deck, this collection provides a comprehensive foundation for engaging with the profound wisdom of the tarot, equally suited for contemplative study and insightful divination.

Key themes
Visual Clarity & Detail Accessibility for All Meditation & Divination
Historical context

This set belongs to the enduring Rider-Waite-Smith tradition of tarot divination, a cornerstone of Western esotericism established in the early twentieth century. It represents a contemporary revival of these classic symbols through modern artistic interpretation.

Difficulty
● Easy
Fans will love it
Pamela Colman Smith · Arthur Edward Waite · Rachel Pollack's 'Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom' · Dion Fortune's 'The Mystical Qabalah'
🃏 Tarot & Divination
Fun fact
This Universal Waite set is a stellar offering, beautifully marrying tradition with a fresh, accessible aesthetic. Hanson-Roberts' re-coloring genuinely clarifies Smith's art, making it an excellent entry point for new students without alienating seasoned readers. While some purists might prefer the original's bolder hues, most will appreciate the enhanced readability and meditative quality. It firmly secures its place as a top recommendation for anyone seeking a classic deck with a gentle, inviting presentation.

📝 Description: Universal Waite(r) Tarot Deck/Book Set [With Book]

The iconic drawings of Pamela Colman Smith have been beautifully re-colored by artist Mary Hanson-Roberts. The original meanings and rich symbolism of the Rider-Waite artwork come though with greater clarity and fresh, new details. The enhanced imagery make the Universal Waite Tarot deck more accessible to newcomers and more appealing to seasoned tarot readers. Hanson-Roberts' serene colors also make the Universal Waite deck as perfect for meditation as it is for divination. This deck/book set includes a 78-card Universal Waite Tarot deck, a spread sheet, and the Pictorial Key to the Tarot, by Arthur Edward Waite. Book contents include: The Veil and its Symbols; The Doctrine Behind the Veil; The Outer Method of the Oracles, The Greater Arcana and their Divinatory Meanings, and The Art of Tarot Divination. Others decks with artwork by Mary Hanson-Roberts include: Hanson-Roberts Tarot and Whimsical Tarot. Also see: Universal Waite Tarot Deck, Universal Waite Tarot -- Premier Edition, Universal Waite Pocket Tarot, Tiny Universal Waite Tarot, Quick and Easy Tarot, Quick and Easy Tarot -- Premier Edition, and Tiny Tarot Key Chain.

💎 Expert review

💎
Esoterica Books editorial team
Occult literature desk
This set revitalizes the iconic Rider-Waite-Smith tarot with exquisite re-coloring that enhances symbolism. It is perfect for novices and experienced readers alike who value clarity and meditative depth in their practice. However, collectors seeking the original, muted aesthetic of the early twentieth century or those interested in purely historical reproductions may find the modern palette distracting. It does not suit purists resistant to artistic alteration of canonical imagery. For those open to a refreshed visual experience that aids interpretation without altering core meanings, this is an excellent, comprehensive tool for divination and study.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

This collection is ideal for those seeking a clearer, more vibrant entry into the world of tarot. Whether you are a novice eager to understand the profound wisdom of the cards or a seasoned practitioner looking for enhanced clarity in your readings, this set offers exactly that. Mary Hanson-Roberts’ luminous re-coloring brings subtle details to life, making the symbolism richer and more accessible. Paired with Waite’s seminal 'Pictorial Key,' it provides a comprehensive foundation for both contemplative study and insightful divination, ensuring that every reader can engage deeply with these timeless images.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —
⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5
★★★★
If you're embarking on your tarot journey, or an experienced reader seeking a refreshed perspective on a classic, this set offers clarity and depth. It's perfect for those who value both traditional symbolism and an aesthetically pleasing, meditative experience with their cards.

Reader rating

4.6
Based on 1 reviews
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Esoterica Books editorial team

This set revitalizes the iconic Rider-Waite-Smith tarot with exquisite re-coloring that enhances symbolism. It is perfect for novices and experienced readers alike who value clarity and meditative depth in their practice. However, collectors seeking the original, muted aesthetic of the early twentieth century or those interested in purely historical reproductions may find the modern palette distracting. It does not suit purists resistant to artistic alteration of canonical imagery. For those open to a refreshed visual experience that aids interpretation without altering core meanings, this is an excellent, comprehensive tool for divination and study.

❓ Frequently asked questions

The Universal Waite features the identical line art by Pamela Colman Smith, but with a distinct, softened re-coloring by Mary Hanson-Roberts, enhancing detail and creating a more serene aesthetic compared to the bolder, original palette.
This comprehensive set includes a full 78-card Universal Waite Tarot deck, a helpful spread sheet for layouts, and Arthur Edward Waite's complete 'Pictorial Key to the Tarot' guidebook to aid your understanding and interpretation.

📖 Who should read this

If you're embarking on your tarot journey, or an experienced reader seeking a refreshed perspective on a classic, this set offers clarity and depth. It's perfect for those who value both traditional symbolism and an aesthetically pleasing, meditative experience with their cards.

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Visual Clarity & Detail

Mary Hanson-Roberts' masterful re-coloring breathes new life into Pamela Colman Smith's foundational artwork. Subtle details and expressive nuances, previously obscured, emerge with striking clarity, inviting deeper engagement with each card's narrative and archetypal energy. This artistic enhancement significantly enriches the visual language for all practitioners.

Accessibility for All

The refined aesthetic and enhanced visual details make this set remarkably welcoming for newcomers to tarot. The gentle, clear imagery acts as an intuitive guide, simplifying the learning process without sacrificing depth. Simultaneously, seasoned readers will appreciate the fresh perspective it offers on familiar symbols, sparking new insights into their practice.

Meditation & Divination

Beyond its utility for interpretive readings, the serene palette chosen by Hanson-Roberts transforms this deck into an ideal tool for quiet contemplation. The soft hues foster a meditative state, allowing the symbolism to resonate on a deeper, spiritual level, complementing its traditional use as a powerful divinatory instrument for guidance and foresight.

💬 Quotes from the book

“The true Tarot is symbolism; it speaks a language which is all its own, and it is in the interpretation of that language that its secrets are unveiled.”

“The Greater Arcana represent the grand cycles of experience and spiritual evolution, mirroring the journey of the soul through life's pivotal moments.”

📜 Historical context

The Universal Waite builds upon the foundational Rider-Waite-Smith deck, a cornerstone of modern tarot since its 1909 creation. By preserving Pamela Colman Smith’s original line art while introducing a new coloring scheme, this edition offers a revitalized take on a century-old tradition. It bridges the past and present, making historical symbolism more vibrant for contemporary audiences.

📚 Glossary

Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) Tarot
Major Arcana
Divination

📔 Questions to reflect on

  1. How do the re-colored details in these cards shift or deepen your initial intuitive interpretations of familiar symbols?
  2. Choose a card that particularly resonates with the 'serene colors' mentioned. How does this aesthetic quality enhance its meditative potential for you?
  3. After reading Waite's 'The Veil and its Symbols,' how does your perception of tarot as a symbolic language evolve?

🏛 Books from this publisher U.S. Games Systems, Inc.

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