Arthur Edward Waite was a well-known person in the tarot and esoteric communities. He was instrumental in establishing the Golden Dawn, a covert organization devoted to studying occultism and mystical traditions. Waite, a scholar and prolific writer born in 1857 made significant contributions to studying the occult that continue to influence contemporary Western esotericism.
When Waite joined the Golden Dawn in the late 19th century, he was a member together with renowned individuals, including Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers and Aleister Crowley. The Golden Dawn functioned as a meeting place for anyone interested in researching these topics in a structured and organized way. It was devoted to studying many mystical and esoteric traditions, including alchemy, hermeticism, and the Kabbalah.
Waite developed a strong interest in tarot during his time in the Golden Dawn, and as a result, he went on to produce the Rider Waite Tarot Deck, one of the most well-known and popular tarot decks in history. The 78 cards in this deck, first released in 1909, each had a complex artwork meant to convey a symbolic or spiritual message.
The Rider Waite Tarot Deck swiftly rose to prominence as one of the most extensively used tarot decks worldwide, and tarot readers and enthusiasts continue to use it today. The deck includes well-known cards like the High Priestess, Magician, and Fool; each intended to convey a particular message and provide insight into the querent’s life and possible routes.
Waite was a prolific writer and scholar in addition to his work with the Golden Dawn and his contributions to tarot study. The Holy Kabbalah, The Book of Ceremonial Magic, and The Occult Sciences are only a few books he wrote on esotericism and mysticism. His work has significantly influenced contemporary Western esotericism, and academics and practitioners continue to research and value his contributions to the discipline.
Finally, Arthur Edward Waite had a significant role in the growth of Western esotericism. His contributions to studying tarot and other mystical traditions are being felt today. His work as a writer and scholar has widely influenced our understanding of the occult and esotericism. His engagement with the Golden Dawn and the development of the Rider Waite Tarot Deck has had a lasting impact on the world of tarot.
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