The Pictorial Key to the Tarot

By Arthur Edward Waite

Book Overview

A new edition of A.E. Waite's classic The Pictorial Key to the Tarot that explores tarot's radical political potential and its usefulness for the left.

A.E. Waite's The Pictoral Key to the Tarot has been a mainstay among tarot reference guides for more than a century.

As an acclaimed occultist and scholar of the Kabbalah, Waite collaborated with artist Pamela Colman Smith to create what has become possibly the world's most famous tarot deck. The pictoral key offers a rich introduction to the history and symbology of the modern tarot in addition to providing a detailed explanation of the 78 cards found in the original Smith-Waite deck. Readers will enjoy an in-depth exploration of the tarot's secrets while gaining insight to the conventional meanings and reversed readings associated with each card.

Repeater's re-release of this classic text contains a forward by Sereptie (Craig Laubach), creator of The Philosopher's Tarot, celebrating the importance of the tarot to artists, activists, and others seeking to transform a world fraught with material and psychic oppressions. This expanded edition also includes an appendix featuring a quick reference guide to common keywords and interpretations.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1915672759
• ISBN13: 9781915672759
• Release Date: February 2025
• Publisher: Repeater
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.1" x 7.7"

Customer Reviews

The Pictorial Key to the Tarot

This is the book written by one of the creators of the most iconic and well-known Tarot deck, A.E. Waite. He breaks down the history of the Tarot, the symbolism in each card, how it all connects to Kabbalah/Qabalah, and the key words and various meanings for each card. I would argue that for anyone who wants to learn the art of Tarot reading and enhance their knowledge on the subject, look no further than this book!

Great addition to my growing tarot collection.

Happy to have this in my growing little tarot collection but to be very honest, it was a tough read sometimes. It might be fine to flip through for help with meanings, but I read all the ready parts and had a hard time of it. I'm not going to lower the star ratings because of the way my brain is wired.

A good place to start

This book is my first exsperince with tarot. It is helping me learn quite well.It gives great difanitions of the cards & thare reversed means.

Essential, but leaving me yearning for more

Having delved into modern tarot explanations, it was a blessing for me to come across this jewel from the creator himself. The reading was long, and long, and long, and boring. Only because I am the type of person that can run for 3 hours on a treadmill, did I find it also entertaining. The bottom line is though, who better to learn from then the creator of something. Waite explains and demystifies a lot; the main point, "Physician, heal thyself" Go with what comes to you.A must for anyone striving to be a diviner of the Waite deck.