What Do You Like About the Rider-Waite?

Sell me on it! Okay, I must admit I never really cared for it, I mean I like it but it has never really spoke to me intuitively, in fact, I feel locked up reading it. Surely I can't be the only one??


I recently acquired a wonderful 1972 Rider & Co Fitzroy Square, London blue box Rider-Waite. The colors are brilliant and card stock is sturdy even so...




I want to read with it, I truly do... I fondle the cards lovingly, and then I go to read with it and nothing..... well not much of nothing. My readings are bookish and stifled. I want to squeeze more out of the card but I don't seem to get much.



Half the problem is the symbolism, I would like a symbolism study buddy if anyone here is well versed in it or would like to study it too. I have so many questions for instance, why are the boots in the 7 of pentacles different colors and what, if anything does this mean?



Anyone else here want to study the symbolism of the RWS pack?

I have a question. Do you mean just the "original" RW deck or all decks inspired by its symbolism? I ask because a gigantic number of decks (probably the majority) are derived from RW in some fashion. If the "original" RW deck doesn't work for you, find one that has a thematic variation which does speak to you. You can find anything from steampunk to goth fantasy that uses RW symbolism as its core.

As for the symbolism of various decks, symbolic meanings are very cultural and personal. You can, however, start by investigating the general symbolic systems often used in Tarot. There are a lot of them, and they are a handful to wrestle with on their own. Color symbolism. Elemental symbolism. Astrological symbolism. Quabbalah symbolism. Mythological symbolism (which can be drawn from anything from Greek mythology to Christianity).

If you don't want all that work, one thing you can do is just spend time meditating on each of the cards. You can probably find better outlines for how to do this elsewhere online or in a book. One thing I find useful is to first start with a very objective and neutral description of what is going on in the card, and THEN start thinking about it's emotional resonance or deeper symbolic meanings. For example, for your avatar picture, the objective bit would be "a person, probably a young man, has a bird on his left hand" and a more symbolic exploration would go "there's lots of yellow in this card, and that plus the bird makes me think about the Air Element, travel, and communication."

Originally Posted by Nutmeg

Sell me on it! Okay, I must admit I never really cared for it, I mean I like it but it has never really spoke to me intuitively, in fact, I feel locked up reading it. Surely I can't be the only one??


I recently acquired a wonderful 1972 Rider & Co Fitzroy Square, London blue box Rider-Waite. The colors are brilliant and card stock is sturdy even so...




I want to read with it, I truly do... I fondle the cards lovingly, and then I go to read with it and nothing..... well not much of nothing. My readings are bookish and stifled. I want to squeeze more out of the card but I don't seem to get much.



Half the problem is the symbolism, I would like a symbolism study buddy if anyone here is well versed in it or would like to study it too. I have so many questions for instance, why are the boots in the 7 of pentacles different colors and what, if anything does this mean?



Anyone else here want to study the symbolism of the RWS pack?

Perhaps Quint is right--the original RW has a lot of Christian overtones--maybe it would be best to find a Deck whose symbolism speaks more directly to your beliefs.

While I agree that the majority of Decks are based on the RW--"The Dragon Tarot" suits my basic personality better than say--"The Halloween Tarot" (for instance).

Happy Shopping!!!

Peace and Love on the path of your choice...

Blessed be...

I adore these cards and I've decided I'm going to continue to work with them.

If anyone is fluent in the symbolism of this pack, I'm still interested in a study partner.


For instance, the falcon that the lady is holding in the 9 of pentacles (my avatar) represents a disciplined mind and conscious control of aggressive or hunting impulses. I do know some, but not all. I just seen something new in the death card today as well.


Thanks for your replies!

Originally Posted by Nutmeg

I adore these cards and I've decided I'm going to continue to work with them.

If anyone is fluent in the symbolism of this pack, I'm still interested in a study partner.


For instance, the falcon that the lady is holding in the 9 of pentacles (my avatar) represents a disciplined mind and conscious control of aggressive or hunting impulses. I do know some, but not all. I just seen something new in the death card today as well.


Thanks for your replies!

Tell me what you saw and share your impression of the Death Card (in general).

Peace and Love on your path to sharing with a nosey friend...

Blessed be...

I see the death card as a liberation from the old to the new, a transformation, leaving behind out modded ideas, behaviors, beliefs etc

In symbols the horseman's flag with the mystic rose and others roses signifying the mystic path . The figures in the card each each wear the crosses of initiation. The horseman moves left to right from unconscious to consciousness. The sun shines promising a new day as the horseman awakens.

What is next to the horses right foot? something yellow and circular. There is what looks like a sailboat in the background I suppose also representing the transition of the unconscious to the conscious. There are the trees, does anyone know what kind of trees they are?

I could go on.....but I'll stop here

Originally Posted by Nutmeg

I see the death card as a liberation from the old to the new, a transformation, leaving behind out modded ideas, behaviors, beliefs etc

In symbols the horseman's flag with the mystic rose and others roses signifying the mystic path . The figures in the card each each wear the crosses of initiation. The horseman moves left to right from unconscious to consciousness. The sun shines promising a new day as the horseman awakens.

What is next to the horses right foot? something yellow and circular. There is what looks like a sailboat in the background I suppose also representing the transition of the unconscious to the conscious. There are the trees, does anyone know what kind of trees they are?

I could go on.....but I'll stop here

Thanks for sharing your impressions. I think you are doing just fine w/ the R-W.

I believe you really have a Gift for it--so keep studing and practicing. You might be interested in a book I recommend quite often by P. Scott Hollander entitled, "Tarot for Beginners".

Peace and Love on your path to discovering the Mysteries...

Blessed be...

Any deck that speaks to you will do.

The Rider Waite deck is pretty popular and probably the most iconic. I use it because to me it feels like the only deck I'd respect fully. Most other decks feel kind of like cheap imitations to me. I'm sure there's great decks out there that work for people. Great, keep using them. I'll stick to Ye Old Faithful.

So I have this respect for the cards and the images always draw me in more than those of any other deck I've seen. Before I had my own deck I already had one of the cards: Judgment.
I found it in a friend's bedroom one day and he said I could keep it. I stared at that image for many years before I went and got my own deck. You could say the presence of that card and it's energy ruined me for other decks forever

I don't think I could help you study the symbolism. Your first impression of a card is usually how it's meant for you. I feel you draw a card exactly when you need to see that card because of the reaction it triggers in you. I only read for myself every once in a while because I'm not very confident about doing readings for others but I've never pulled a card that didn't make sense at that particular time.

I love my radiant RW deck, I enjoy the colors & the simple way of it. I love seeing cups in an actual card, or swords in that section.....Obviously I like the simple, but I am NOT a reader for others, I was taught with this deck, so maybe that explains it. I have bought so many other decks. Sure they are beautiful, but I just can't seem to read them for myself.......huge sigh. So I give them away. I am now NOT buying any cards My eyes also give me major problems due to RP (eye disease) so I need simple & bright for my own spirit.