Customer Reviews
The 'comfy slippers' deck - By: Tarot Scribe, 15 Nov 2008 
Why is this deck a classic? It's not so much that THIS version IS a classic - the colours are certainly a bit dull, but I feel that this does lend this particular Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) version a certain charm of it's own.
This deck is my 'comfy slippers' deck because it was the first deck that I learned to read with, & I always slip back to using it - just like a pair of comfy old slippers! Why did I learn with this deck? Because the RWS deck (regardless of colouring issues) has classic symbolism & imagery that has spawned a host of clone decks. So, if you understand the RWS, you will be able to safely step into many other new decks with confidence.
I would also suggest that most training groups (unless designed to run with a specific deck) favour the RWS as their training deck, for this very reason.
The basics: 78-card deck with accompanying Little White Book (LWB). As with any other deck, don't depend on the LWB for your sole repertoire of interpretations.
Back is blue/white grid type pattern that lends itself to reversals.
Traditional 22 Majors, with Strength is VIII, Justice is XI. The elements associated with the Minor Arcana are Wands/Fire; Swords/Air; Cups/Water; Pentacles/Earth. These are the standard formats that *most* subsequent Tarot decks follow.
It's a fully illustrated pip deck -in other words, there are pictures on EVERY card, not just the 22 Major Arcana. Having pix on all the cards makes it easy to build up your interpretations.
Again, these are reasons why the RWS decks continue to be so popular.
My advice is that if you don't like the muted colours, pick another deck. Whatever version, be confident that choosing a Rider Waite Smith deck is a first rate beginner's option & it will never let you down.
A classic, but you wonder why. - By: D. Beaver, 21 Apr 2008 
I've used this deck on & off for over 20 years & I still have an awkward relationship with it. I actually like the rather simple & dated art work & I want to connect with it, but there are so many faults & irritating images that I can't.
The problems:
The court cards are variablein the ease of interpretation.
The Wheel of Fortune has too much occult imagery
I don't agree with transposing Justice & Strength
It's too much influenced by the Order of the Golden Dawn - who tried to link too many systems together; a futile exercise which distorted the tarot to fit their ideas.
The little white book that comes with it is very poor.
Readings with this deck are often too vague & often just completely wrong; I find it hard to concentrate my intuitive faculties using it!
This deck influenced so many modern decksin the minor arcana, but has been surpassed. Sharman-Casselli, Morgan-Greer, Sheridan-Douglas, to name a few are much better. However, the best of all is the new Druidic Tarot which - despite the changes to some names - is superb & I cannot fault.
I dont believe in divination but still great - By: Alexander Lewis, 04 Apr 2008 i bought my tarot cards not for 'divination' but because they can be a useful psychological tool to help you reflect & found the cards interesting & (at the risk of insulting those who claimed on other reports it worked) fun. The acompanying book was naff so i boughtThe Tarot Bible: The Definitive Guide to the Cards & Spreads (Godsfield Bible) (Paperback) which really catered for my lack of beliefin the otherworldly crap - a great buy even if you're not on LSD
The definitive tarot deck 10/10 - By: Dreamcatcher, 04 Feb 2008 There never has been & there never will be a deck as good as this! I feel that the artist channelled these & they contain all the magic & answers you will ever need to learn tarot. I always teach people using these cards. love them or hate them they are the definitive tarot.I also use the Morgan Greer & if you are into numerology the Thoth is for you BUT there is only one Rider & it has been around so long for a very good reason, it is special!I taught Jane Goldman the tarotin her series Jane Goldman investigates & she got it straight away. I also use themin my dvd Tarot made easy.
Timeless classic - By: Lilly Penhaligon, 14 Jun 2007 I just bought a pack of these today & I love them already. Everyone must know about the Rider-Waite cards by now so I won't bore you with details of the pictures, you can see cards from this deck on Aecletic Tarot.com.
The cards themselves are laminated & therefore really glossy, thick & feel delightful to the touch. It also makes them quite slippery to shuffle sometimes. The cards are a nice size & fitin the hand comfortably.
A lot of people have criticised this edition of the Rider Waite collection citing mute brownes & sepia's & lacklustre nature of the pictures - for a time even I thought they were plain ugly, however, on a closer inspection, I really started to appreciate the beauty behind the images. Ok, so there are an infinite number of more aesthetically appealing decks available, & the artwork on these cards sometimes leaves something to be desired, however, I think if you give these cards a chance & take a really good look at them, you will start to find the charm & classic beauty behind them as I did. Even though I've only had them for one afternoon, just looking at each one, I already feel immensely connected to this particular deck. This is now the 6th deckin my collection but I can see it will prob be one of my trusted favourites.
Overall, I think the browns & sepias work well, they are easy on the eye, I don't feel that they are dull or muted but then again, art is a highly personal thing. The cards are easy for beginners to connect to - you can look at a card & immediately start to intuit what the meanings are & most books on the Tarot work with, or are immediately applicable to the Rider Waites.
The book that comes with it is an interesting read but not an essential & the cards really do seem to speak for themselves. Definitely one of my ultimate decks.
IF you prefer vibrant colours but want to stick with Rider Waite images, try the Radiant Rider-Waite (soon to be joining my collection) or if you want a midway between teh Originals & the Radiant, try the Universals which are excellent for meditation as well.
