Customer Reviews

Radiant Rider-Waite Tarot Deck

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I just received my copy of this deck, and so far I really enjoy it. I've been reading tarot for nearly 8 years now, beginning with the Rider-Waite deck. I've always appreciated the symbolism of "the old standby" deck, and the drawings were nicely done, but the flat coloring was a little hard on the eyes. It was fine on symbolic levels, but the harsh colors left something to be desired.

I'm very happy with this rendition. From what I can tell, every bit of the standard symbolism is in place, and the new coloring job is wonderful. While not photo-realistic by any stretch (nor should it be, in my opinion), the images now have shading, depth, and subtlety to the palette. This makes reading the cards a more enjoyable experience overall.

Also, the back of the cards is nice in an understated sort of way: small yellow stars on a navy background. This is much better than my original Waite deck, with a rather horrible blue and black pinstripe-plaid motif against a white background. It looked rather akin to a really bad tablecloth at an Italian restaurant. The new star field, if a bit new-age-trendy, is much easier on the eyes. Its subtlety insures that the face-down deck won't distract from the spread you're reading.

From a readability standpoint, it's roughly the same as standard Waite, since all of the symbolism is identical. For experienced readers, you'll feel right at home. Newcomers will pick it up in no time, though I'd advise getting a second book to teach you the standard meanings until you get on your feet. The accompanying book isn't bad, but is a quick-and-dirty version and hardly exhaustive.

The 5-star review is basing this deck on what it's supposed to be: a rendition of a classic. As such, it serves its purpose admirably. However, the Waite deck is not my favorite set of symbolism, and thus would get a 4-star rating in a general review. You could do a lot worse (trust me, I have).

One last note: Like other reviewers, I did notice an odd smell to the cards. Working in the print industry (as a designer), I was able to identify it. The smell isn't just residual odor from the manufacturing process or the wrapping; it's the cardstock coating itself, the stuff that makes the cards shiny and durable. Also, my deck arrived when the outdoor temperature was about 90 degrees, and the cards were slightly sticky due to the coating. Not nearly enough to damage the cards, it just felt like some of them were vacuum-sealed to each others, and gave a little resistance the very first time I shuffled. After that, it was perfectly fine. If the aroma distracts, just let it air out. You may want to try laying all of the cards out, flat, for a few days, rather than keeping them in their box, pressed against each other so the coating can never air out properly. To me, this isn't a big enough gripe to detract from the deck at all.

Overall, a good buy. If you have the Rider-Waite deck and are perfectly satisfied, you could safely pass this by. But if you're looking for a good rendition of the classic with a bit more "life" to the cards, whether you're new to tarot or looking to branch out, I haven't seen a better version.

I have always loved the Rider Waite Tarot; it was my first tarot deck that I have ever owned. But the colors of the original where always so boring. Then Came the Universal Waite that had nice colors, but they just seemed so soft to me. Then finally the Radiant Rider Waite comes along, with the classic images that we all know and love, and finally you see things in a whole new way. Much Brighter, and yes you can say a little more Radiant. This deck will be around for a long time.

I love it and use it frequently. The deck is standard Tarot size, same size as the Universal and regular Rider Waite. The Back of the cards is a very nice Night Sky Blue filled with yellow stars. The colors of the images are not really radiant, in the harsh sense of the word, but more vibrant. If you look close, you can tell that the original images have been retouched, as many facial features have a slight difference. The deck shuffles well, a little slippery, and the corners are smooth. The card stock is flexible, but made to last; this deck will last many usages.

There is one minor setback. The smell of the cards, at times is to over whelming. I have tried everything to get that factory smell out of them. I have spoken to a few others who own the deck and they have the same problem. Hopefully after many usages this weird aroma will leave.

But beside that the deck is really good, it is defiantly my favorite of all the Rider Waite Clones. I recommend it to all beginners and advanced tarot readers or collectors. Nice deck for those who are just starting out. The images on this deck are familiar and comforting. Plus almost all books dealing with learning Tarot use Pamela Smith's images. So this deck would make a great gift for yourself or for your loved ones.

Although, I am just in the beginning stages of Tarot reading, I have already used the cards to experience some revealing dynamics about my own life path and personality. I used the concept of "The Trinity."-Past, Present, and Future. The Tarot cards are for all those people that are under what I call "Evolutionary Pressure." This is an inner longing or urging if you will, to know oneself in a deeper way that cannot be fully captured by popular culture. If you are sincere about using the cards, you will get an answer from them and they will resonate with your truth!

In response to what the previous reviewer mentioned, I didn't notice any smell at all when I opened my deck. What I did notice though was the bright beautiful colors. The colors seem to elicit a strong reaction in me. I have also noticed that the images themselves seem to "speak" more than some of the other so called "new" decks. There has to be a reason why this deck is the most copied in existence. This deck and Crowley's Thoth deck compliment each other so well that I can't imagine needing much more than this.

All you need to get started really is the Radiant Rider-Waite desk and the book "Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom" and you will be well on your way to learning the nuances of the Tarot.

I've owned about 3 Rider-Waite decks and more than a few Rider-Waite clones and this one is the best that I have come across. The colors are clear and bold, but not garish. With the other decks, the colors were either too soft as in the Universal Waite or just so ugly and flat like in the Original Rider that I would look at them and never really "see" them. There was just no connection for me there.

That is, until the Radiant. These cards are much clearer and more vibrant than the others. The drawing themselves are the same (mostly?), but the colors make them look like an entirely different deck. They called my attention to details that I had only barely noticed before and in most cases not at all. Instead of the sun behind the angel in Temperance, there is a crown. This adds an aspect of the divine to the path, as if saying that the way to Divinity is through balance. The 9 of Wands is another great one. You can see the trepidation and fear, or depending on how you look at it, the "bring it" look on his face. The hand in the Ace of Pentacles looks much more human in this version, echoing that its we humans that deal with money and not ghostly, otherworldly figures.

In short, I love this deck. And if you have always liked the Rider-Waite drawings but the colors weren't working for you, then give it a try and you might love it too!

Bright Blessings.

I got the Rider Waite and the Universal version. that was my fav cause it looked better to the eyes. I was not sure if I should buy the Radiant version cause I got 2 RW decks why would i need another? But I said to myself I am going to buy it, to see what it looks like, cause I love to see new versions of the RW deck. I must say the Radiant RW is amazing! The colors are bold and clear its refreashing. I am happy I bought it, If you are starting on Tarot Buy The Radiant or Universal versions they are the best.

i love the cards, the color, even the "new book" smell--but i was terribly disappointed with the changes they made to the high priestess' face. she looks nothing like the original, mystical, youthful priestess. she looks angry, tired, lined, hard, and old, and very unhappy. that threw me off and made me doubt the entire deck--i wondered if i was imagining negative energy or what. i use the priestess as my significator whenever i do a reading for myself, and her face made me not want to even touch the cards. i also have the original priestess tattooed on my arm, so i could be a little biased.

Why? Why?
Why was this deck made with a, "One-Way" back design?
You can tell what direction the is facing by studding the back of the card. Tarot card back need to by symmetrical.

FAR superior to the Universal Waite or the "regular" RWS deck. Colors are BEAUTIFUL, VIBRANT and ENGAGING. If you're going to buy a traditional deck, THIS IS IT, look no further!!

I'm new at this, and decided to try a standard deck of Tarot cards. I really liked this deck, the pictures were coloful and clear, and the cards were covered with thin shiny plasticky layer, so they are very durable. All together, nice deck, much larger than regular cards, and feels nice in a hand.

The long awaited Radiant Rider-Waite Tarot once again illuminates the illustrations of Pamela Colman Smith. The most popular Tarot deck in history, Smith's illustrations receive excellent embellishment in this splendid edition, a version which will be welcomed by Tarot readers and collectors for years to come.