Giant Rider-Waite Tarot Deck: Complete 78-Card Deck Download Free (EPUB, PDF)

                
              
Giant Rider-Waite Tarot Deck: Complete 78-Card Deck Download Free (EPUB, PDF)
Giant-sized version of the world's most popular tarot deck!
Cards: 78 pages
Publisher: U.S. Games Systems Inc. (October 1, 1995)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0880794747
ISBN-13: 978-0880794749
Product Dimensions:  1.2 x 4.2 x 7.2 inches
Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review:  4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (136 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #30,388 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)   #44 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > New Age & Spirituality > Divination > Tarot   #256 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Occult & Paranormal
Why am I continually surprised that people who write reviews don't know how to write reviews? You'd think I'd be used to it by now, *sigh*From 1998 to 2007 not one stinking review here gives the actual size of the cards! which is what makes this particular deck so special.So, here it is-- SIZE OF CARDS:3 3/4 INCHES WIDE by 6 1/2 INCHES TALL, or,approximately 9 1/2 CENTIMETERS WIDE by 16 1/2 CENTIMETERS TALL.The Outer Box the cards come in is: 4 INCHES WIDE by 7 INCHES TALL, or 10 CENTIMETERS WIDE by 17 1/2 CENTIMETERS TALL.See? it wasn't so hard to give this vital information after all.As for the reviewer who stated, "very basic, typical 'cookie cutter tarot'", all I can say is:HUH? You must be joking.The Rider-Waite, now called the Rider-Waite-Smith, or RWS for short, in respect for artist Pamela Coleman Smith, (Rider was the Publisher; Waite was Arthur Edward Waite the Designer of the deck; and Pamela, the artist, who brought Waite's vision to life), is not a typical cookie-cutter tarot. It is, rather, 'THE MOLD' for all the other cookie-cutter tarots out there.First published in 1909, the vast, VAST majority of tarot on the market today is a clone of the Rider-Waite-Smith. This, of course, does not include all the Marseilles- or Thoth-type decks out there.Yes, there are more beautifully-artistic RWS-clones. But in all my Collecting, I have yet to find even one other that incorporates all the symbology in the RWS. Indeed, many, MANY tarot artists don't even read tarot; they've just taken the theme and applied their artistry. Their artwork is stunning, no doubt, but they miss so much of the symbology in the RWS, assuming that it's just 'prettiness' or 'artistic license' on the part of Pamela Coleman Smith. And nothing could be further from the truth. There is not one single element in the RWS that does not have a symbological meaning; from the number of flowers on a character's tunic to whether or not a belt is knotted or just wrapped around.No, the RWS is not a 'cookie-cutter' tarot. It is 'THE COOKIE' itself. Hence, why everyone copies it, and fails miserably in their execution.This GIANT-sized RWS is a perfect start for beginning students of tarot as all the symbological details are easily seen. It is also perfect, as others have said, for meditation and for teaching purposes.There are many tarot-readers now who call themselves 'intuitive readers'. They pull cards from any deck and say what they see, or what happens to pop into their head. This is all well and good, I guess. But for the serious student who desires to understand 'WHY' they see what they see or what pops into their head, you cannot get any better than the RWS. It's all there, nothing is missing. One can wade into deep water with the RWS and, years later, will find themselves going deeper still.
Rider-Waite is the Tarot standard. Combine it with the sheer size of these jumbo cards and you get a higher impact reading. Holding and placing these cards becomes an act that is larger than life. I've found that clients touching these larger cards are more likely to say they feel a special sensation. If the table isn't big enough use the floor. In fact, for nervous first-time clients it's a great ice-breaker.
_I finally broke down and treated myself to this giant Rider-Waite tarot deck. I own multiple decks of the standard size and the miniature deck, but I always wanted this larger example of contemplation. I don't use them for reading, but they are perfect for contemplation of the symbolism._I only use the Rider-Waite deck for a very good reason. Arthur Waite saw that there had been considerable "drift" in the symbolism of the cards over the years. He took it upon himself as one of the preeminent scholars of the occult of modern times to rectify and restore the deepest archetypical meaning to the deck (including the colors.) After all, that is the meaning of the cards- it is also how they work. These are instruments that resonate with the highest archetypes in the realm of the Forms. This is also why they require contemplation- you have to internalize the deepest traditional meanings. You have to "feel" the cards through deep inner focus on what you have both read and lived. If the cards mean nothing to you, or if you are ignorant of the old meanings, then they simply won't "work." You have to establish a connection- "As above, so below." Skeptics will laugh at this, because to them these are simply pieces of card stock with no "mechanism" to them. The mechanism is in the underlying structure and currents of the cosmos._On a mundane note, these cards will last for decades with respectful use. I've even cleaned mine with alcohol and Windex without doing damage to the surface (I had a fool apply scotch tape to one of my decks once...)
I'm completely new to tarot reading, and I always thought that the giant Rider-Waite deck was the standard size. When I realized the standard deck wasn't as big as I thought they were, I went with the giant size. I'm so happy I did.They're absolutely beautiful. I honestly don't put much faith into divination; I just like using them to have a different perspective on my day. It's so relaxing to do a reading and have some quiet time to myself. The colors are so bright and the drawing style is very classic and emotive.They're tricky to shuffle. I shuffle them vertically. It's still a bit difficult, but it gets the job done.The biggest problem I have with these cards is they're cheaply made in China. They're printed on basic cardstock. They're not coated or laminated or anything. I can already tell they're going to be very susceptible to scratches and grime. For $17 they should be of much, much higher quality. Also, the geniuses at US Games put the copyright info right on the card. If it was that necessary, they could've hid it in the back. Why does it need to be right next to the art? It makes the experience feel so novel and cheap. I highly doubt Waite and Smith would appreciate that.Other than that, I'm in love with these cards and they're going to get a lot of use. Don't listen to people who say they're not good for readings; they're fantastic for readings! You might just have to do it on the floor. :)
If you find the artwork of the Rider-Waite Tarot Deck simple yet artistic, then buy this deck. Size does matters when it comes to artwork.But for those who are thinking of using it to read fortunes for customers, you will find this deck rather "clumsy"; get the normal size deck instead.
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