Universal Waite Deck
The serene Universal Waite Tarot deck is a soothing, eye-appealing complement to the traditional Rider-Waite deck, with beautiful drawings of Pamela Colman Smith recolored by Mary Hanson-Roberts. Learn More
![Universal Waite](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/decks/deck-image/universal-waite.jpg)
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Universal Waite Tarot Deck
Major Arcana
![The Fool Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/0.jpg)
The Fool
![The Magician Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/1.jpg)
The Magician
![The High Priestess Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/2.jpg)
The High Priestess
![The Empress Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/3.jpg)
The Empress
![The Emperor Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/4.jpg)
The Emperor
![The Hierophant Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/5.jpg)
The Hierophant
![The Lovers Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/6.jpg)
The Lovers
![The Chariot Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/7.jpg)
The Chariot
![Strength Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/8.jpg)
Strength
![The Hermit Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/9.jpg)
The Hermit
![Wheel of Fortune Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/10.jpg)
Wheel of Fortune
![Justice Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/11.jpg)
Justice
![The Hanged Man Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/12.jpg)
The Hanged Man
![Death Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/13.jpg)
Death
![Temperance Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/14.jpg)
Temperance
![The Devil Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/15.jpg)
The Devil
![The Tower Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/16.jpg)
The Tower
![The Star Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/17.jpg)
The Star
![The Moon Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/18.jpg)
The Moon
![The Sun Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/19.jpg)
The Sun
![Judgement Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/20.jpg)
Judgement
![The World Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/21.jpg)
The World
The Wands
![Ace of Wands Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/22.jpg)
Ace of Wands
![Two of Wands Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/23.jpg)
Two of Wands
![Three of Wands Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/24.jpg)
Three of Wands
![Four of Wands Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/25.jpg)
Four of Wands
![Five of Wands Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/26.jpg)
Five of Wands
![Six of Wands Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/27.jpg)
Six of Wands
![Seven of Wands Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/28.jpg)
Seven of Wands
![Eight of Wands Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/29.jpg)
Eight of Wands
![Nine of Wands Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/30.jpg)
Nine of Wands
![Ten of Wands Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/31.jpg)
Ten of Wands
![Page of Wands Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/32.jpg)
Page of Wands
![Knight of Wands Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/33.jpg)
Knight of Wands
![Queen of Wands Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/34.jpg)
Queen of Wands
![King of Wands Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/35.jpg)
King of Wands
The Cups
![Ace of Cups Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/36.jpg)
Ace of Cups
![Two of Cups Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/37.jpg)
Two of Cups
![Three of Cups Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/38.jpg)
Three of Cups
![Four of Cups Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/39.jpg)
Four of Cups
![Five of Cups Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/40.jpg)
Five of Cups
![Six of Cups Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/41.jpg)
Six of Cups
![Seven of Cups Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/42.jpg)
Seven of Cups
![Eight of Cups Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/43.jpg)
Eight of Cups
![Nine of Cups Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/44.jpg)
Nine of Cups
![Ten of Cups Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/45.jpg)
Ten of Cups
![Page of Cups Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/46.jpg)
Page of Cups
![Knight of Cups Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/47.jpg)
Knight of Cups
![Queen of Cups Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/48.jpg)
Queen of Cups
![King of Cups Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/49.jpg)
King of Cups
The Swords
![Ace of Swords Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/50.jpg)
Ace of Swords
![Two of Swords Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/51.jpg)
Two of Swords
![Three of Swords Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/52.jpg)
Three of Swords
![Four of Swords Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/53.jpg)
Four of Swords
![Five of Swords Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/54.jpg)
Five of Swords
![Six of Swords Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/55.jpg)
Six of Swords
![Seven of Swords Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/56.jpg)
Seven of Swords
![Eight of Swords Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/57.jpg)
Eight of Swords
![Nine of Swords Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/58.jpg)
Nine of Swords
![Ten of Swords Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/59.jpg)
Ten of Swords
![Page of Swords Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/60.jpg)
Page of Swords
![Knight of Swords Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/61.jpg)
Knight of Swords
![Queen of Swords Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/62.jpg)
Queen of Swords
![King of Swords Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/63.jpg)
King of Swords
The Coins
![Ace of Coins Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/64.jpg)
Ace of Coins
![Two of Coins Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/65.jpg)
Two of Coins
![Three of Coins Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/66.jpg)
Three of Coins
![Four of Coins Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/67.jpg)
Four of Coins
![Five of Coins Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/68.jpg)
Five of Coins
![Six of Coins Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/69.jpg)
Six of Coins
![Seven of Coins Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/70.jpg)
Seven of Coins
![Eight of Coins Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/71.jpg)
Eight of Coins
![Nine of Coins Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/72.jpg)
Nine of Coins
![Ten of Coins Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/73.jpg)
Ten of Coins
![Page of Coins Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/74.jpg)
Page of Coins
![Knight of Coins Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/75.jpg)
Knight of Coins
![Queen of Coins Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/76.jpg)
Queen of Coins
![King of Coins Tarot card in Universal Waite deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/universal-waite/mid_size/77.jpg)
King of Coins
About the Universal Waite Deck
Dr. Arthur Edward Waite (1857–1942) was a genuine scholar of occultism whose published works include The Holy Kabbalah and The Key to the Tarot first issued in England in 1910. Waite utilized symbolism as the key to the Tarot pack. In The Key to the Tarot he writes: “The true Tarot is symbolism; it speaks no other language and offers no other signs.” What are the Tarot cards about which Waite so skillfully writes? What is the message of each card and when and where did these fascinating cardboard symbols first originate?
In the year 1369 playing cards are not mentioned in a decree issued by Charles VI of France against various forms of gambling; however, 28 years later, the Prevot of Paris, in an ordinance dated January 22, 1397, forbids working people from playing tennis, ball, cards, or ninepins excepting only on holidays. It is generally accepted that playing cards emerged in Europe in the latter half of the fourteenth century, probably first in Italy as a complete 78-card deck—or some inventive genius subsequently combined the common 56 cards known as the Minor Arcana with the 22 esoteric and emblematic Tarot cards known as the Major Arcana to form the 78-card pack.
During the fifteenth century Tarot cards were generally drawn or hand painted for the princely houses of Northern Italy and France. Subsequently, the card packs became more numerous because they were reproduced by techniques using woodcuts, stencils and copper engraving. By the sixteenth century a modified Tarot pack called the Tarot of Marseilles gained popularity.
Today, there is currently a phenomenal interest in Tarot fortune-telling cards. The serious investigator seeks to employ the cards as a means of placing the past into more meaningful perspective, understanding the present, and revealing the alternatives that exist in the future. Those less acquainted with Tarot cards are content to use them as a game and to indulge in readings at parties or in small private groups. From the collector’s standpoint, Tarot cards are both colorful and interesting.
Tarot decks are currently sought by teenagers, students, homemakers, businessmen, professional people, collectors—indeed, persons from all walks of life. Newspapers, magazines, radio, and television frequently comment on the Tarot vogue. Teenagers enjoy Tarot parties. Adults attend Tarot luncheons, charitable benefits, and Tarot picnics at which card readings are performed. Hollywood has even indulged in the growing trend with “popular” Tarot readers being present at parties to service the well-known guests.
One of the fascinating aspects about Tarot cards is their personal effect upon the individual who uses them. Waite successfully presents a new dimension to their meaning in The Key to the Tarot. Any Tarot reader, be they a serious scholar or a person dabbling in the occult, will benefit from Waite’s insight and keen perception.