View Full Version : I'm going to be flamed: information on various RWS decks
I've only been on this site a couple days, but I'm sure this question has been asked numerous times in the past - I just can't seem to find it when I search the forum.
I'd like to buy my first set of Tarot cards, and would like a Rider-Waite deck, or a very well designed derivative.
I'm wondering what Rider-Waite deck would be best. I like the look of the Original RW, and the Universal RW looks very nice as well.
What are your opinions.
If you can give me the link to a thread that addresses this question, I would be very thankful - I'm terrible at searching forums.
Thanks,
Feitiço
the search tab is in the menu bar:
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As to RWS decks most beginners seem to do well with the regular RWS or Universal Waite.
Mac22
rcb30872
17-04-2008, 16:52
I have (or more to the point I did until it came to an untimely end - don't ask!) the Radiant Rider-Waite, I really liked it.
http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/
spend some time looking at these 900+ decks
Welcome to AT
If you are starting out and aren't doing so because you saw the deck of your dreams and it screamed at you - go for the original RWS. You may as well start with the real McCoy and then branch out when you know what it is that you like and don't like about it.
There is of course the Marseille, but you don't mention any interest in that, so....
You can see pictures of the various RWS clones at this page.
http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/rider-waite-clones.shtml
And the backs at this page (backs are important to me, and the standard RWS has damn ugly backs IMO)
http://home.comcast.net/~vilex/Cardbacks.html
For a first set, I'd suggest either the Rider Waite, Original Rider Waite, Universal Waite or Radiant Rider Waite. The differences between them probably aren't a big deal at a beginning or practical level, so just pick the deck that is most visually appealing to you I reckon. That is after all, why so many variations were created, for people's different tastes.
I started with the Universal and was very happy with it. I later got the regular RWS and the Original RWS and go through phases with each of them. I have a couple others too for comparison, but when I want to read with one, its a random decision based on my artwork preference of the day. :)
I agree with similia. I am guessing, from your other posts, that the history of the deck and its permutations are not of tha much interest.
Of decks currently available I would suggest either the widely available 'yellow box' USGames Rider Waite or the Radiant or Universal (by Hanson-Roberts) which are the same but more attractively coloured.
I personally favour the Radiant.
The Rider Tarot Deck
US Games Systems Inc
0-913866-13-X
Universal Waite
US Games Systems Inc
0-88079-496-8
Radiant Rider-Waite Tarot
US Games Systems Inc
1-57281-413-6
Incidentally, I realize you were being humorous but we do not allow flaming here. It is a moderated Forum.
My first deck was Radiant Rider Waite. It just seemed to me I could see the pictures easier with the more vibrant color.
Thank you for the suggestions.
mac22, I have used the search feature, but did not manage to find a thread that answered my questions. I'm sorry for not making that clear.
AJ, I think I've spent a good couple hours perusing the lovely deck database offered by Aeclectic, but it is difficult to know what a deck will actually look and feel like from looking at a picture. I'd like the opinions of people who have held the decks in question in their hands. I have found a couple posts that brought up a few concerns regarding the various RWS decks. Someone claimed that the Radiant was too orangey in colour, and I've also read that the Universal's colours are not bright enough.
Alta, It isn't that the history of the deck isn't of interest to me, I'm just more concerned at this juncture with the general quality of the deck in terms of its use for beginners and general aesthetic charm.
I'm sorry about joking in the title; I'll use more pertinent subject headings next time.
I have choosen the Halloween tarot as my RWS-clone beginner deck.
To me, it was better in real than in scans.
I agree, the Radient is too orange, the Universal is too cutey-fied and the colors suck.
Stick with the basic. The USG RWS will stand up to a ton of use and abuse. It is the best card stock and lamination that you’ll get, and the illustrations are pretty true to the original.
I’ll warn you away from the deck marketed as the ‘Original Rider Waite Tarot’, it’s a nasty green tint that does not reflect what an original Waite-Smith deck looks like. Not even close.
Mind you – only an opinion…
Welcome Feitico :D
Its a lot of fun to search around in the 'Deck' Forum where there are pictures of the RW deck(s) ... you can at least get a feel for what the differences are.
You may find you really so prefer one over all the rest.
and as Alta said - we wont Flame you ... we are much too nice for that!! :P
.. but, we may sautee you in a white wine sauce :P :laugh: ...
Have fun searching for your new deck!
COLOR helps me connect....I like the radiant - but it's too pretty for me. That's why my favorite RWS deck is the ALBANO-WAITE. Very true to form, but vivid (some might say garish....but I truly love this deck!).
and as Alta said - we wont Flame you ... we are much too nice for that!!
.. but, we may sautee you in a white wine sauce ...
And then feed you some "special" brownies })
I like Radiant or anything that has visual interest. Colors also help me to connect. But the yellow box RW is a nice choice as well.
and welcome :D
Baroli
I like orange.
fyreflye
18-04-2008, 07:59
Get the standard RWS because color symbolism is important in this deck and the gussied up editions (except for the Albano-Waite) screw up the color. There's plenty of good material available to teach you the meanings of the cards but you need the original colors to get to the deeper significance of the symbolism.
But wait for the requisite time/number of posts to qualify you to use the Trading Forum and then post a request to buy an older U S Games printing. The newer printings have plasticized the cards into slippery-slidey monsters. Try to find a deck in good condition with one of the New York City addresses for the publisher and you'll get one with the right surface texture. It shouldn't cost you more than a new deck would.
"The 1971 version is as close to the "original" pack as one can easily get. Accept no substitutes." And so, I'd suggest you get THAT version.
...This quote was taken from 'Holly's Rider-Waite Site' (http://home.comcast.net/~vilex/USGames.html) , and i have to agree with her.
Thanks for the advice everyone.
I went to my friendly local occult shop, and bought myself the yellow box edition of the RW. Having opened it and briefly examined the cards, I find them quite lovely. My mother owns the Tarot de Marseilles, so I played with it some when I was a child. I find Coleman's illustrations less garish and more pleasing, while retaining a certain mystical austerity that seems to reinforce the symbolically charged images.
I'm very happy with my new deck, and can't wait to start learning about it.
I think Foster Case called the Tarot a spiritual textbook in the form of 78 cards - and I find that the RW reads quite well.
Skydancer
18-04-2008, 22:40
Congratulations!!
I like the analogy of the Tarot as being a book with 78 pages, and you can arrange the pages in any order you want! You get a different story each time!!
Welcome to AT! (and secretly wondering how long it will take you to get a second deck ...) })
*S*
...and a third, and a fourth, and a fifth............................................. .. ;-))
...and a third, and a fourth, and a fifth............................................. .. ;-))
:|
But the 78 page book is good - there is a book about that somewhere.....
:|
But the 78 page book is good - there is a book about that somewhere.....
Are you referring to Rachel Pollack's 78 Degrees of Wisdom? Or is it something else....
wytchwood
20-04-2008, 03:30
Some ideas of RWS type decks.... aside from the regular RWS and the Universal, Radiant, Original, Golden and Albano versions, there's also the Morgan Greer (my favourite), the Hanson Roberts, Sharman-Caselli, New Palladini, and if you like quirky, there's the Ator and the International Icon, both of which are superb. There are loads of others, but obviously it comes down to taste. You may want to take a look at this page:
http://www.lelandra.com/rwsclones/tarotrwsclosest.htm
and this:
http://www.advancenet.net/jscole/tarotrwsclone.htm
and this:
http://www.lelandra.com/rwsclones/tarotrwspcsline.htm
and if that doesn't confuse you enough..... lol
Zoe xx
Miss Divine
20-04-2008, 04:22
If had a US games RW version (yellow box), but ditched it the same week.
I couldn't deal with the hideous plaid backs. Well I couldn't deal with the hideous fronts even.
I got the Radiant and Universal Waite for study purposes. Not my favorites but much much better than the yellow boxed IMO.
I like the bright colors from the Radiant but don't like the people's faces much, and the overly done lamination.
The Universal has nice lamination, but the colors look washed out.
My friend has the Universal Waite too, but her's looks a bit brighter than mine.
I actually even like hers. So I think I just got a deck from a batch where they were running out of inkt LOL.
Are you referring to Rachel Pollack's 78 Degrees of Wisdom? Or is it something else....
No - that goes into every card, but doesn't suggest they form a book. I thought it might have been Huson's Devil's Picture Book, but haven't had time to look...
wytchwood
23-04-2008, 07:00
If had a US games RW version (yellow box), but ditched it the same week.
I couldn't deal with the hideous plaid backs. Well I couldn't deal with the hideous fronts even.
I got the Radiant and Universal Waite for study purposes. Not my favorites but much much better than the yellow boxed IMO.
I like the bright colors from the Radiant but don't like the people's faces much, and the overly done lamination.
The Universal has nice lamination, but the colors look washed out.
My friend has the Universal Waite too, but her's looks a bit brighter than mine.
I actually even like hers. So I think I just got a deck from a batch where they were running out of inkt LOL.
I agree with pretty much that whole post, my experiences were pretty similar, but I love the RWS 'format' so I have kept searching fro a nicer version. I love the Morgan Greer, it follows pretty faithfully where the RWS leads, but I'm also gonna give the Albano a try. :)
Zoe xx
Lavandula
30-04-2008, 22:14
The Universal Waite has my vote here. It's been good for learning as the colours are not as garish and distracting as some of the other RWS versions (IMHO). The card backs are about the nicest too.
I recently got to flick through the Diamond Tarot. For those who haven't seen it - it's the RWS with big wide decorative borders. Very interesting take.
You might want to try the new Alchemical. It's got great imagery, and the organization is very similar to the RWS.
Okay, not exactly the same, but it's a good-looking deck.
You might want to try the new Alchemical. It's got great imagery, and the organization is very similar to the RWS.
Okay, not exactly the same, but it's a good-looking
deck.
While I REALLY like the Alchemical Renewed deck its symbology vastly different than the RWS. Not everyone can slog thru the Alchemical symbols set to make sense of the deeper meaning(s) of the deck.
Mac22
claire falconer
09-05-2008, 10:16
Hi Feitico,
From the look of your avatar, you like primary colors. If so, you might want to check out the Albano-Waite deck. The colors are - to some - a bit much. I find that this deck really rocks. Its use of primary colors is powerful. People who use this deck swear by it. You can also do a search by entering Albano Waite and see some other users responses to it.
The pocket sized Universal Waite has brighter colors than the Regular sized deck. At some point USG must have changed publishers and the deck got the washed out look.