Rider-Waite Tarot: everything you need to know to start playing

If you're interested in the world of Tarot, you've probably heard of the Rider-Waite Tarot, one of the most well-known and popular Tarot decks of all time. But do you know what makes these cards unique?

In this content, we explain exactly what the Rider-Waite Tarot is and how to play it. Follow along!

What is the Rider-Waite tarot?

The Rider-Waite Tarot was created around 1910 by Arthur Edward Waite, a famous mystic who studied and wrote extensively on esoteric world subjects, such as occultism, alchemy, symbolism, and spirituality.

Besides the Tarot, another important work by Waite is the book "The key to the Tarot". Additionally, he was a member of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, a secret society dedicated to the study of magical and esoteric arts.

The name Rider-Waite, given to the Tarot, refers to the publisher William Rider, who worked with Waite. However, the deck can also be known as the Waite-Smith Tarot; Rider-Waite-Smith or by the acronym RWS, regarding Pamela Colman Smith, who developed the deck's illustrations.

What is the Rider-Waite Tarot like?

Like the Marseille Tarot, the Rider-Waite Tarot has 78 cards. The significant difference lies in the symbolism present in the cards. Arthur Waite believed that this representation was the key to the true Tarot — so much so that his deck contains illustrations and symbols on all the cards, unlike the Marseille, which only features illustrations on the major arcana.

Another difference in the Rider-Waite Tarot is the swap of the major arcana 8 - Justice and 11 - Strength, widely known by various decks. For Waite, the Justice card represents truth being a point of balance. Therefore, he believes that the Justice card should be in the central position of the 22 major arcana (the 11th). Thus, Strength moves to the 8th position and Justice to the 11th.

Want to understand better? We have an article that explains exactly what the differences are between the Marseille Tarot and the Rider-Waite Tarot.

How to play Rider-Waite Tarot?

There are no secrets to playing with the Rider-Waite deck. The deck consists of 78 cards divided into Major Arcana (22 cards) and Minor Arcana (56 cards).

The Major Arcana represent the deeper aspects, associated with major events and transformations of human experience, while the Minor Arcana deal with every day and practical life issues. When played together, one complements the other.

The main meanings of the cards are the same in any deck. To play, you need to understand that the major arcana tell the journey of The Fool, who seeks to experience each stage of his life experience. The minor arcana, from Ace to 10, although they also tell a journey, bring in each suit a reference to a particular field of life. In addition, there is the court, where each member brings their meaning and power.

4 tips for reading the Rider-Waite Tarot more assertively

• Know how to ask the Tarot - it should be as objective as possible;
• Choose a Tarot spread method - 3 cards, life mandala, Celtic cross, etc.;
• Invest in the knowledge of the main meanings of each arcana;
• Observe the details and symbolism of the Rider-Waite Tarot cards. Feel what the illustration conveys to you!

How to play the Rider-Waite Tarot?

To play, follow these steps:

1. Shuffle the cards: start by shuffling all 78 cards;
2. Card layout: arrange the cards according to the reading method you have chosen;
3. Interpretation: analyze each card according to its position and overall context. Narrate a story. The answer is linked to the question you asked;
4. Intuition and knowledge: in addition to the main meanings, trust your intuition and knowledge to obtain more in-depth answers.

The main meanings of the Rider-Waite Tarot cards

Meaning of the Major Arcana in the Rider-Waite Tarot

The Fool: freedom, spontaneity, adventure, instability.

The Magician: initiative, skill, power, manifestation.

The High Priestess: intuition, mystery, inner wisdom, partnerships.

The Empress: fertility, abundance, nourishment, communication.

The Emperor: authority, structure, stability, personal power.

The Hierophant: tradition, teaching, spirituality, recognition.

The Lovers: choices, relationships, harmony, doubts.

The Chariot: direction, control, movement, projection, goals.

Justice: balance, responsibility, impartiality, competence.

The Hermit: reflection, solitude, inner search, studies, fatigue.

Wheel of Fortune: change, destiny, cycles, emotional instability.

Strength: courage, mastery, compassion, intelligence, demands, criticism.

The Hanged Man: sacrifice, perspective, surrender, seeing from another angle.

Death: transformation, renewal, end of cycles, external change.

Temperance: balance, harmony, moderation, comfort zone.

The Devil: temptation, materialism, illusion, confusion, passion, spiritual power.

The Tower: abrupt change, revelation, collapse, restructuring, breakdowns.

The Star: hope, inspiration, healing, new beginnings, illusions.

The Moon: intuition, heightened spirituality, hidden, self-knowledge.

The Sun: joy, vitality, success, healing.

Judgement: evaluation, rebirth, awakening, consideration.

The World: fulfillment, integration, conclusion, completeness.

Meaning of the Minor Arcana in the Rider-Waite Tarot

Meaning of the suits in the Rider-Waite Tarot

Clubs: power, energy, spirituality, work - fire element

Hearts: emotion, love, relationships - water element

Spades: mentality, challenges, decisions - air element

Diamonds: materiality, prosperity, security - earth element

Meaning of the numbers in the Rider-Waite Tarot

Ace: beginning, potential, power of the suit.

2: balance, harmony.

3: growth.

4: moment of pause.

5: negative stage, losses.

6: positive stage, victories.

7: what needs to be done.

8: movement, generate dynamism.

9: responsibility.

10: fullness, final achievement of the journey.

Meaning of the court figures in the Rider-Waite Tarot

Page: learning - what came to learn.

Knight: movement - what seeks.

Queen: intuition - who she is (became).

King: authority - what he has (achieved).

So, did you like learning more about the Rider-Waite Tarot? At Astrolink, we have a complete Tarot session, where you can read more about the minor arcana, major arcana, and even consult the Tarot online.