The Pictorial Key to the Tarot

Arthur Edward Waite (1857-1942) was an occultist born in the United States, and raised in England. His interest in matters of divination and occultism made him join the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn in 1891. Waite was a prolific author with many of his works being well received in academic circles. He wrote occult texts on subjects including divination, esotericism, Rosicrucianism, Freemasonry, black and ceremonial magic, Kabbalism and alchemy; he also translated and reissued several important mystical and alchemical works. His works on the Holy Grail, influenced by his friendship with Arthur Machen, were particularly notable. Waite is best known as the co-creator of the popular and widely used Rider-Waite Tarot deck and author of its companion volume, the Pictorial Key to the Tarot, a guide to Tarot reading. This was notable for being one of the first decks to illustrate all 78 cards fully, as opposed to the 22 major arcana. The deck was first published in 1910.