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This is my second tarot deck used, the first being the Druidcraft deck (Carr-Gohm). In this review, I’ll be making comparisons between the two as these are what I have learned/ am still learning from.*To Beginners, symbolism is a large facet of reading and understanding, as well as making your own connections between cards in any given spread. You may benefit from taking a bit of time to understand which meanings and representations are commonly associated with popular symbols/ images.To someone genuinely interested in learning to read tarot cards, this deck is a great place to begin understanding the secrets of the tarot and the symbolism associated with the various suits and numbers. The simplified imagery helps to create focus on the symbolism present in each scene depicted, compared to art styles present on cards in other sets such as the aforementioned Carr-Gohm Druidcraft deck. The elaborate art styles can be pleasing to the eye, but can also be a distraction from the conveyed message. For this reason, I believe the simplicity of the images is excellent for individuals with a genuine curiosity of the art of tarot.As for convenient understandings of the card meanings this tarot deck had a small booklet included. Carrying on the theme of the cards, simplistic design was implemented to give you the information you need to make your interpretations. Though not quite as well organized and presented as the DC tarot deck booklet, the information you need is present at your fingertips after a bit of navigating. Being a man of considerate proportions, flipping through the tiny pages to locate the meanings associated with each card was a little inconvenient. Aside from the presentation, the information you’re looking for is all present in this book.The definitions and associations vary between these two decks of cards despite sharing common themes (suits, numbers, major and minor arcana). A personal viewpoint on the obvious differences lay within the art style and the level of personal connection involved. The Rider-Waite deck seems to hold symbolism more directly related to life events and the trials involved whereas the Carr-Gohm deck seems to relate to a more emotionally connected side of self, such as themes of relationships, love, and personal development. This being said the Druidcraft deck was designed with influences of Wicca, Paganism and nature.I would recommend this deck to people with a genuine interest in learning about the cards as something that is more than a “game” to play with your friends. To the individuals who cast shade on the design of the cards, keep in mind they were originally released in 1909. These are reproductions of originals which is something that is truly only going to be appreciated by individuals who are enthused by these types of things. There are plenty of spin off decks out there based around this collection of art. For this reason, I don’t believe it’s a fair judgment call to say these cards are in any way “bad” based on the simplistic approach to art.I thoroughly enjoy these cards, even down to the simplicity of the symbolism. Reading and understanding the Tarot is a process involving a flexible mind open to interpretation, meaning it’s not comparable to reading a magazine or cooking instructions for your dinner. For this point, I would strongly recommend this deck to someone looking for a hands on way to learn with minimal visual distractions involved. The cards are roughly 2 3/4″ x 4 3/4″, with the complete deck at about 1 1/4″ so they are relatively small compared to the Druidcraft deck. Ideal for small handed individuals, not so much for the visually impaired. I believe there is a “giant” edition with larger cards and imagery for the large handed and/or poor sighted individuals.Hopefully this was helpful to any potential plans for those hoping to acquire this deck or get started into doing your own readings/ spreads. I’m also not a fan of the expired mustard yellow that seems to dominate the majority of these cards, however that is something to be taken in stride with the art style and the time period these were originally produced in!The book is very informative but not completely necessary, theres a ton of videos and resources online. If you want to save a few dollars, just get the cards.Highly recommended. The guidebook is pretty small & basic but the card stock quality feels great.I bought these when I started getting into tarot. I like that they come with a book. Only con is the book is so smallBeautiful cards. I love the colors and vintage feel. However, they are printed on thin stock, thinner than their regular cards. I shuffled them a few times, and they already permanently bent. I cannot use these as my primary cards; rather, I will keep as an artifact.Perhaps I have been spoiled because I’ve had my RWS deck since the early 80s and they are perfect in every way – clear, colour perfect and smooth to the touch. I purchased these for public use at an exhibition I am attending, as I didn’t want to use MY cards. However, I am absolutely disgusted with the quality of this ‘authorised edition’ and I’m pretty sure that if Pamela Coleman Smith saw what a terrible job this manufacturer has made of her beautiful illustrations she would be turning in her grave. The colours are so badly reproduced, the black outlines are blurred like they were scanned from postage sizes images and the glossy finish is distracting and unnecessary. I’ve sent them back and I am actually truly upset by this because I have had a close connection to the Tarot for most of my life and these are insulting to the RWS legacy.I have added images of three of the cards (it would be too much to add all the deck). These images show the bad quality of the cards on the right compared to my original deck. Colour and little details are very important in the reading and symbology of the Tarot and the colours are wrong and the images lack detail. The second image of Justice is so bad that you cannot see the wonderful detail of her robes, and the element symbol on her crown. The High Priestess wears blue to symbolise reflection and using ones intuition, however this card looks like a minty green, so your study, intuition or readings of these cards will not be correct.Anyone giving these cards more than one star, has clearly missed out on the perfection and illustrative genius of the original deck, and that is a huge shame. :(As the proud owner of a vintage "blue box" deck of the classic Rider-Waite tarot, I was aware that the quality had deteriorated in later editions and the colours are now brighter. However, I decided to invest in some nonetheless so I can use them for readings and protect my old deck from further wear and tear.Despite my low expectations, I must say I was SHOCKED by the poor quality of these cards, which are marketed as "the original and only authorised edition..." They don't actually look like properly-printed cards at all, but dodgy scans run off on glossy photo paper using a cheap printer. Everything is tinted bright yellow and the figures look as though they have been spray-tanned by a ham-fisted schoolgirl on her first day on work placement at a cut-price beauty salon. The Magician has such rosy red cheeks it looks as though he is wearing war-paint and the Empress has a severely sunburnt neck.Not only are the colours abominable, but the lines have lost all subtlety and definition and details are lost from the images. The scans are so pixellated, it is obvious even to my failing eyesight. I am not a fan of the high gloss, which makes the cards look cheesy. Added to which, each card is blemished by a copyright notice.Sasha Graham's "Complete Book of the Rider-Waite Smith Tarot" (which incidentally features high quality colour reproductions of five cards on the cover) praises Stuart Kaplan, the founder of U.S. Games Systems, alongside Pamela "Pixie" Colman Smith and A.E. Waite as one of three people responsible for the Rider-Waite deck's phenomenal success. For Mr. Kaplan, we are told, "everything begins and ends with Pamela's art". That's as maybe, but one can't help wondering whether U.S. Games' travesty of the deck really is a fitting tribute to Pixie's beautiful and meaning-packed illustrations.I would advise anyone who truly wishes to appreciate the Rider-Waite tarot to do some careful research before opting for the "authorised edition".Terrible quality, 'plasticy' feel to them. I am a professional tarot reader and purchased these as my other RW cards are becoming a little frayed around the edges after considerable use over the years. I'm very disappointed. The quality of the pictures on the cards is very poor.The best out there but not perfect.When I started learning tarot, I found out that these cards are supposed to be the bestExpected to be very well printed and the depictions are supposed to be well explained.While of many cards that I read about and saw, these are still markedly betterPrinting, however, is not perfect. Still better than the rest.The booklet with it provides most of the explanations and can be easily used as reference.The good part is that major Arcana cards are printed very well and therefore the beginning of learning is smooth and easy.So net net, you won't get any cards better than these in India. Good to learn and use.This is my first Tarot card deck. I have previously used an oracle deck prior to this. Despite some of the more scathing reviews I urge you not to be put off. The quality of the cards in my hands feels wonderful. They're a decent size and very easy to shuffle. The artwork itself, as far a I'm concerned, is lovely and clear to see when doing a reading.I know all decks are different in their characteristics and behaviour but I find my particular deck to be very positive and encouraging whilst telling me what it is that I need to know. I'm finding that it also plays nicely with my oracle cards and can add extra clarity, depth and advice where required.Please don't take some of the reviews for this deck too personally. This is my first deck and I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything at all. In my opinion, go for it! This is a quality deck. Thanks for reading :)
