Imagine the Rider-Waite with artwork in the style of the Hanson-Roberts deck. The Universal Waite Tarot is quite a pretty version (or clone) of the Rider-Waite, with more appealing, softer artwork.
This is my favorite tarot deck. As an old traditionalist, I've
used Rider-Waite style decks for many years to do all of my private
and professional readings. There are many wonderful clones of
this style on the market today. Personally though, I've always
p Pamela Coleman-Smith's original drawings. I've always
felt drawn by the symbolism of her marvelous artwork, though
I've often wished for less harsh or stark coloring. In the Universal Waite Tarot, I've found happiness.
The soothing, pastel coloring, done so beautifully by Mary Hanson-Roberts, brings out all of
the delicate intricacies of Lady Pamela's famous drawings. Each
card now seems ready to step out and guide you along Tarot's
path of wisdom. The facial features and their expressions are
more readily decipherable now, showing the sorrow, pain, joy,
happiness, greed, wisdom, resignation and anticipation of each
figure.
Each esoteric symbol on every card can be seen and better
understood. Subtle nuances, such as the patient, waiting gaze
of the Hermit as he watches for others seeking knowledge; the
healthy stalks of grain growing before the Empress and the fresh
green and gold in her starry, Earth Mother crown; the despair
on the faces of the Tower's victims; the weary, but still resolute
face on the IX of Wands; the pensive wariness of the IV of Cups;
all of these and more now leap out at the reader.
These now
clearer features, a direct result of the new colorings, are major
improvements for me and I believe they will be especially useful
to beginners. The new, delicate shadings, compared to the original
starker colorings, encourage and demand focusing now and should
greatly improve readings at any level of experience (it certainly
has for me).
These cards now come alive for my clients and me.
Congratulations and profound thanks to Mary Hansen-Roberts and
U.S. Games, Inc. for investing an old friend with new, and vibrant,
energy.
