The Rider-Waite Tarot Deck is the original 78-card tarot deck that set the template nearly every modern tarot deck still follows. Illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith under the direction of Arthur Edward Waite in 1909, it gives every card — Major and Minor Arcana alike — its own fully illustrated scene, including Smith's original hand-drawn titles. If you want the definitive, most-studied deck in tarot history, this is it.
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) — the original edition |
| Publisher |
U.S. Games Systems |
| Language |
English |
| Guidebook included |
Yes, companion instruction booklet |
| Best for |
Beginners and experienced readers who want the definitive original deck |
About this deck
Before 1909, most tarot decks illustrated the Minor Arcana with simple repeated suit symbols — three cups, six swords, and so on — leaving readers to memorize meanings with little visual support. Smith changed that by painting a complete narrative scene on every single card, an innovation that made intuitive reading possible for the first time and became the standard nearly every deck published since has followed, including brighter modern takes like the Radiant Rider-Waite Tarot Deck. If you read or teach in Spanish, we also carry a Spanish-language edition of this same classic deck. Browse the wider tarot and oracle decks collection to compare systems side by side.
How to use it
New readers usually start with a single daily card: shuffle, draw, and describe the scene in your own words before consulting the booklet. Because the imagery is so literal, your first instinct is often close to the traditional meaning. From there, a three-card spread for past, present, and future is a natural next step, and larger spreads like the Celtic Cross become approachable once the 78 cards feel familiar. A sample booklet is available to preview before you dive in. Our intuition & spirituality collection has complementary tools for reflection.
Care & storage
Store the deck in its box or a dedicated pouch, away from moisture and direct sunlight, to keep the card stock and print crisp over years of use. Many readers choose to cleanse a deck before its first reading — a pass through incense smoke, a night resting under the moon, or simply a slow, intentional shuffle are all common personal traditions rather than requirements.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Rider-Waite Tarot Deck?
It is the original 78-card tarot deck illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith in 1909, used for divination, self-reflection, and study, and considered the foundation of modern tarot.
Is this deck good for beginners?
Yes. Its fully illustrated Minor Arcana makes intuitive reading easier to learn than decks with plain, repeated suit symbols, and it's the deck most tarot books and guides reference.
How many cards are in the deck?
78 cards total: 22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana.
What language is this edition in?
English. A Spanish-language edition of the same deck is also available.
Does it come with a guidebook?
Yes, it includes a companion instruction booklet, and a sample booklet is also available to preview online.
How should I cleanse or store my tarot deck?
Keep it in its box away from moisture and sunlight. Many readers cleanse a new deck with incense smoke, moonlight, or an intentional shuffle, though this is personal preference rather than a requirement.
