Ace Wands Rating!Rider-Waite^TM, the original 1971 North American card edition should more properly be known as Smith-Waite or Waite-Smith to give credit to the creators. As difficult as it is to appraise a venerable and traditional deck in use by, perhaps millions, Wise Tarot^TM still evaluates this deck as an ACE of WANDS because of the ultimate archetypal power of this nearly 100 year old deck. Ultimately, all other decks reviewed here will be relative to this deck, the market leader with a commanding 8.8% market share. Both novice and professional can still take a lot away from this splendid deck embued with tradition, the power of accepted archetypal imagery and Pamela Colman Smith's wonderful underrated art.

• Author/Creator: Pamela Colman Smith and Arthur Edward Waite
  
• Publisher: Us Games Systems Inc; Cards edition (January 1, 1971)
• ISBN-10: 091386613X
• ISBN-13: 9780913866139
• Product Dimensions: 4.8 x 2.9 x 1.2 inches

 

 Originality — Pamela Colman Smith was one of the first artists in history to illustrate the "pips" for easier interpretation. Her interpretations ultimately were an innovation which today, seems common. Yet she must be considered the reigning queen of originality. This was her innovation. It is clear from her correspondence with co-creator A.E. Waite that he focused almost exclusively on the major arcanum. The minor arcana illustrated pips is the innovation which made this deck, the most popular tarot deck of all time by market share and usage.

Artwork — Unfairly, in this reviewer's opinion, Pamela Colman Smith (Pixie) was variously described as simple, cartoony or unemotional. In fact, her artwork was none of these things. Even her style was metaphorical. Deceptively simple, yet she cleverly created the "actors against a backdrop" style so often copied since. Her skills as a stage designer clearly influenced her here. You can almost see the edge of the stage, where the main character is standing and the "drop down" backdrop. It's a clever, lovely, and original style that makes this deck utterly charming. Other decks, perhaps "prettier" or "subtler" or "more realistic" certainly convey similar archetypes and "Waite-Smith" symbolism but this deck has the ability to convey the imagery with timeless appeal. Nearly 100 years old, the illustrations look charming and nostalgic, yet at the same time "in style." Long after other decks have vanished, Pamela Smith's deck will continue strong, and for goo reason.

Symbolism — Smith and Waite embued their deck with archetypes that have their own appeal and power. Some users object to the overly "Christian" theme of the decks, yet all of these Christian themes were borrowed from various other relgions, including pagan faiths. In fact, the symbols are universal, angels and all, as visual archetypes that resonate in Jungian way with our psyche. Themed decks, targeted at niche audiences, might take these universal themes and "paganize" them or "ceremonialize" them, but ultimately, they're part of the same tradition of symbols. The cross was borrowed from pagans who existed long before Christ. Angels were almost always borrowed from classical godforms. Smith's extensive use of universal flower symbols go back even further, tuning into colors universally recognized by nearly every culture. In some ways, the Smith-Waite decks are the most inclusive and universal. Certainly, the symbolism is the easiest to comprehend by anyone of any faith or belief system. This is their ultimate appeal.

Ease-of-Use

Perhaps because the Waite-Smith variants are universally recommended for students of the tarot, there can be no doubt that this is one of the easiest to use decks of all time. The illustrated pips and universal archetypes, regardless of faith system, make intuitive readings fairly precise. The vast majority of "teaching books" use Smith-Waite forms.

Overall

Despite artistic criticisms from modern users, the Smith-Waite variants remain the most used, loved and collected decks of all time. For good reason. 

Wise Tarot Ratings

Generally, "major arcana" card ratings trump Aces. Aces are the most likely overall best ratings, with slightly different "personalities" between the suites. Twos are typically very good, threes good, fours are fair and fives dissapointing.

World — The Ultimate Synthesis, a perfect rating!
Magician — The Ultimate rating for magickal applications!
Fool — The Ultimate rating for new seekers: bravely combines ease-of-use with artistry