This is a classic book of tarot. It was an interest read for the background for all the cards. I really enjoyed reading a different perspective. I received this as an ARC from NetGalley.

DNF. I love tarot & was excited to read more about it. But I couldn’t even get through the preface. I didn’t understand most of what it was talking about. CIt reads like a doctorate thesis or someone who really wants to impress everyone with they’re high-brow words & concepts. Sorry, not for me. #ThePictorialKeytotheTarot. #NetGalley

The Pictorial Key to the Tarot by A.E. Waite is always going to be a⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️read for me.

I’ve owned a copy of this classic for quite some time, so I was thrilled to be approved for an ARC of the newly revised edition. While the core content remains unchanged, this edition includes a newly added preface, which adds a nice touch of context and reverence to Waite’s original work.

Whether you're just beginning your tarot journey or you're a seasoned reader, The Pictorial Key to the Tarot is an essential reference to have on your shelf. A.E. Waite’s insights into the symbolism, structure, and deeper meanings of the cards make this a timeless guide that you’ll find yourself returning to again and again.

It's not just a book—it's a foundational tool for anyone serious about tarot, and I'm so glad to have this updated edition as part of my collection.

Thank you NetGalley and Repeater Books for gifting me an e-ARC of the book in exchange for my honest review.

This is essentially the blow up version of the little white book you find in the box with your first tarot deck. While I appreciate having it in a larger format that is easier to reference I was sort of hoping for more depth of information or illustrations or something. I think I might just not be quite the right audience.

🦇🦇🦇🦇 4-Bat Review for NetGalley: The Pictorial Key to the Tarot by A.E. Waite

As a lifelong tarot reader and practitioner of witchcraft, I always find myself circling back to the roots — and The Pictorial Key to the Tarot is the very foundation stone. This book doesn’t just explain the Rider-Waite deck — it honors it. With rich historical context, symbolic breakdowns, and spread examples, it serves as both a guide and a grimoire for readers at any level.

Even after years of practice, I found myself re-inspired. Foundational texts like this rekindle the original flame and remind us of the timeless beauty in the basics. It’s not just about the meanings — it’s about the magic beneath them.

Perfect for beginners and a refreshing return for the seasoned witch.

#ThePictorialKeytotheTarot #NetGalley #TarotBooks #OccultReads #WitchReads #RiderWaite #ClassicTarot #TarotWisdom #SpiritualReading

I didn't enjoy this. I usually love books about tarot to find out more about the cards and their history but I found this book to be ultimately boring. It reads like a dissertation piece with unnecessary complex language. I would not recommend this book.

Interestingly enough, I didn't get an impression that this book is a pictorial guide to anything. It is quite in-depth, which is great for more academically minded readers, although it could be somewhat off-putting for absolute beginners. The pictures are few and far between, unfortunately. I do appreciate the absolute treasure trove of information given about each card, but as someone who is completely uninitiated I'd prefer to have more pictures and a simpler introduction.

This book is not for me, and I do not want to publish my review publicly (outside Netgalley).

The language/prose used in these writings was so incredibly convoluted and unnecessarily complex as to make it unreadable - in my opinion. I really tried, but I just couldn’t get through it. Digging through the language to clarify the message and meanings for each card is way too much work.

Though I do very much appreciate the opportunity to try.

Waite's "The Pictorial Key To The Tarot" is a fairly dense, wordy accompaniment text to the Smith-Waite tarot deck. The text has been republished with a new foreword that (also somewhat wordily) notes on the recent rise in cultural references and public intrigue around tarot.
I'm pleased to see the foreword giving Pamela Colman Smith her flowers for her iconic illustrations-- as it noted, she was often uncredited in the early years after the deck and text were published.
Waite often writes in the first person throughout the book, and speaks of his own personal interpretations of symbols and imagery, which I found quite interesting and unexpected, reading for the first time.
This isn't necessarily a book I'd sit down to read cover-to-cover, but more of a coffee table book that would be nice to flip through or use as a reference during tarot readings with friends.

Thank you to NetGalley and Repeater Books for the ARC.

While I would use a more modern book as a reference for understanding and studying tarot more often, I do appreciate being able to have access to A.E. Waite’s classic edition. The forward is updated but the text remains the classic Waite interpretation of tarot card meanings.

This is just a great resource for working with the tarot. I have the original and I'm glad it's being spruced up, so I can have a good copy on Kindle, but there's nothing new here outside of the perfectly nice foreword. This is a classic and with all classics, it speaks of its time. Do I agree with all the interpretations? No, I've moved past a lot of it, but I had forgotten how packed with insight this book is. It is more focused on the Majors, with the Minor Arcana being discussed in not as great a detail, but the Minors are often treated that way. Is it quick reading? Is it fun? No, it is not, but it's informative. And informative once upon a time seemed to mean dry and serious. So keep that in mind, but know that there are gems here. I particularly liked (almost) everyone's favorite, The High Priestess. Waite's work truly echoes over the decades, and you can see his influence in pretty much every tarot book since, no matter when it was published.

A great reference for tarot practitioners, as well as amateur tarot enthusiasts. A great addition to any library's non-fiction collection, particularly in communities where alternative beliefs are common.

really useful for beginners like me who are interested in learning how to read the art on tarot to gain transferable skills, and also very useful for thinking of making your own tarot!

my only criticism is that it can be a little wall-of-text like at moments

Very engaging and interesting read. Complete guide to understanding what the tarot is. Will be recommending to library collection and patrons.

A must read for anyone interested in Tarot. The author’s insight is interesting and I enjoyed the additional content edition.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher & author for this eARC in exchange for an honest reivew.

I am still fairly new in my tarot practice and have found this super helpful in building to my knowledge base and understanding what is going on within the cards without just memorizing key words.

Good for reference but not the best Tarot book out there unfortunately- quite dry and at points too many information thrown at the reader

A recent forward but pretty much the same of previous releases of the book. The cover is pretty nice. Good if wanting a recent edition of it.

Sehr hilfreich für Anfänger! Verständlich und einfach erklärt. Ich habe viel gelernt, sowohl über das Nutzen des Tarots, als auch über die Geschichte. Es gibt auch Bilder drin, die helfen.
Vielen Dank an Netgalley.de für dieses Buch!

This book is an excellent scholarly resource, but please do not pick this up as your very first guide to interpreting a tarot reading.

Waite's (as in THE Rider Waite deck) book dives into the meaning behind tarot and its history, mixing serious study with mystical vibes. It is a product of its time and can be tough to get through, but it gives deep insights into the Smith-Waite deck, showing how tarot can help with spiritual and personal growth.

Waite carefully breaks down outdated beliefs about divination, explaining the cards as a symbolic system that goes way beyond predicting the future. The book also places tarot in a larger context of thought and mysticism, making it a good resource for anyone serious about tarot, whether they're practitioners or scholars.

Thank you to Repeater Books and NetGalley for providing an eARC at no cost and with no obligation for me to review.