Spanish Rider-Waite Tarot

The Spanish Rider-Waite Tarot is the classic 78-card Rider-Waite-Smith deck in a Spanish-language edition, with Spanish card titles and an accompanying guidebook. It carries the same fully illustrated Major and Minor Arcana that Pamela Colman Smith created in 1909 under Arthur Edward Waite's direction — an innovation that made every card, not just the Major Arcana, tell its own visual story. A natural pick for Spanish-speaking readers who want the definitive, most-studied tarot deck in the world.

Quick facts

Type	Tarot deck
Cards	78 (22 Major Arcana, 56 Minor Arcana)
Creator/Artist	Pamela Colman Smith, directed by Arthur Edward Waite
System/Tradition	Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS)
Publisher	U.S. Games Systems
Language	Spanish
Guidebook included	Yes, Spanish-language instruction booklet
Best for	Spanish-speaking beginners and experienced readers alike

About this deck

In 1909, Pamela Colman Smith gave every card in the deck — not just the 22 Major Arcana — its own fully illustrated scene, a departure from earlier tarot decks that used simple repeated suit symbols for the Minor Arcana. That single decision made intuitive reading possible for newcomers and became the template nearly every tarot deck published since has followed. This Spanish-language edition preserves Smith's original artwork and symbolism exactly, translating only the titles and companion booklet so Spanish-speaking readers can study the deck in their own language. If you'd like to compare it with the English original, see our Rider-Waite Tarot Deck, or browse the wider tarot and oracle decks collection for other systems, including the Spanish Crowley Thoth Tarot for a more esoteric alternative.

How to use it

Shuffle the deck and pull one card each day, reading the scene first in your own words before turning to the booklet's interpretation. Because every card is a full illustration, first impressions often align closely with the traditional meanings. From there, move on to a three-card past/present/future spread, and eventually larger layouts like the Celtic Cross as the 78 cards become familiar. A journal to track your daily draws can help meanings stick.

Care & storage

Store the deck in its box or a fabric pouch, away from moisture and direct sunlight, to keep the cards in good condition over time. Many readers like to cleanse a new deck before its first use — through incense smoke, moonlight, or a deliberate shuffle while setting an intention — though this is a matter of personal tradition rather than a strict requirement.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Spanish Rider-Waite Tarot?
It is the classic 78-card Rider-Waite-Smith tarot deck in a Spanish-language edition, with Spanish card titles and a companion guidebook, used for divination, reflection, and study.

Is this deck good for beginners?
Yes. It keeps the fully illustrated Rider-Waite-Smith artwork that makes intuitive reading approachable, and it's the deck most Spanish-language tarot books and courses reference.

How many cards are in the deck?
78 cards total: 22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana.

What language is this edition in?
Spanish, including the card titles and instruction booklet. An English edition of the same deck is also available.

Does it come with a guidebook?
Yes, it includes a Spanish-language instruction booklet covering card meanings and how to begin reading.

How should I cleanse or store my tarot deck?
Keep the deck in its box away from moisture and sunlight. Many readers cleanse a new deck with incense, moonlight, or an intentional shuffle, though this is personal preference rather than a rule.