Internationally recognised art and literary critic, writer and cultural producer. Published in ELLE, Glamour, Esquire and Cosmopolitan; member of the Union of Writers.
Tarot cards are everywhere these days. From Instagram influencers to celebrities, from fashion brands to wellness apps, the ancient practice of divination has become a mainstream phenomenon. But what is the story behind the most popular and recognizable tarot deck in the world, the Waite-Smith tarot?
The Waite-Smith tarot, also known as the Rider-Waite-Smith tarot, was created in 1909 by two members of a secretive and influential occult group, the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. The group, founded in 1888, was dedicated to the study and practice of esoteric disciplines such as astrology, alchemy, Kabbalah, and magic. Among its members were some of the most prominent figures of the time, such as poet William Butler Yeats, novelist Bram Stoker, and magician Aleister Crowley.
The creators of the Waite-Smith tarot were Arthur Edward Waite, a poet and mystic, and Pamela Colman Smith, an artist and illustrator. Waite was the leader of a splinter faction of the Golden Dawn, and Smith was one of his loyal followers. They shared a common interest in spiritualism, symbolism, and psychic phenomena, and decided to collaborate on a new tarot deck that would reflect their vision and knowledge.
Waite was the conceptual designer of the deck, while Smith was the artistic executor. Waite provided Smith with sketches and descriptions of the cards, and Smith translated them into vivid and expressive illustrations. The deck was published in 1910 by Rider & Company, a London-based publisher of occult books. The deck consisted of 78 cards, divided into two sections: the Major Arcana, which depict 22 archetypal images and themes, such as The Fool, The Magician, The Lovers, and The World; and the Minor Arcana, which depict 56 scenes of everyday life, divided into four suits: Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles.
The Waite-Smith tarot was revolutionary in several ways. First, it was the first deck to illustrate all the cards of the Minor Arcana, not just the court cards and the aces. Previous decks, such as the Tarot de Marseille, which dates back to the 15th century, only had symbols and numbers on the Minor Arcana cards, leaving them open to interpretation. The Waite-Smith tarot, on the other hand, gave each card a specific and detailed meaning, making them easier to read and understand.
Second, the Waite-Smith tarot was the first deck to incorporate elements from various esoteric traditions, such as Kabbalah, astrology, alchemy, and Christian mysticism. Waite was well-versed in these fields, and he infused the cards with hidden symbols and references that added layers of depth and complexity to the deck. For example, the card of The Magician features a lemniscate, or an infinity symbol, above his head, representing his mastery of the eternal forces of nature. The card of The Wheel of Fortune features four figures in the corners, representing the four fixed signs of the zodiac: Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius. The card of The Moon features two pillars, representing the pillars of Solomon’s Temple, which are also associated with the Kabbalistic Tree of Life.
Third, the Waite-Smith tarot was the first deck to showcase the artistic talent and vision of a woman, Pamela Colman Smith. Smith was a remarkable and versatile artist, who worked in various mediums and styles, such as painting, drawing, collage, and theater. She was influenced by the Art Nouveau movement, as well as by the folk art and mythology of her native Jamaica, where she spent part of her childhood. She also had a gift for synesthesia, or the ability to perceive sounds as colors, which gave her a unique and intuitive approach to art. Smith’s illustrations for the Waite-Smith tarot are rich in color, emotion, and symbolism, and they capture the essence and spirit of each card. Smith’s contribution to the deck was largely overlooked and underappreciated for decades, until the 1990s, when her name was finally added to the title of the deck, and her role as a co-creator was acknowledged and celebrated.
The Waite-Smith tarot has become the most influential and widely used tarot deck in the world, inspiring countless variations and adaptations over the years. The deck has also become a cultural icon, appearing in movies, books, music, and art. The deck has also been embraced by a new generation of tarot enthusiasts, who use it as a tool for self-discovery, guidance, and empowerment. The deck’s popularity reflects its timeless appeal and relevance, as well as its ability to speak to the universal human condition.
The Waite-Smith tarot is more than just a deck of cards. It is a masterpiece of art and occultism, a legacy of a secret society and an artist, and a portal to the unknown country.
