The Hermetica

SHELF I · 1909

The Waite–Smith Deck

The seventy-eight images Pamela Colman Smith drew in 1909 — the deck that redrew the tarot for the modern eye. The Majors, as single plates, each carrying her name.

The Fool — from the 1909 Waite–Smith deck, Pamela Colman Smith, for A. E. Waite, 1909

1909

The Fool

The figure numbered zero, stepping off into the open road.

Major · 0Major Arcana · Key 0
The Magician — from the 1909 Waite–Smith deck, Pamela Colman Smith, for A. E. Waite, 1909

1909

The Magician

As above, so below — made into a single gesture.

Major · IMajor Arcana · Key 1
The High Priestess — from the 1909 Waite–Smith deck, Pamela Colman Smith, for A. E. Waite, 1909

1909

The High Priestess

The card of what is known but left unspoken.

Major · IIMajor Arcana · Key 2
The Empress — from the 1909 Waite–Smith deck, Pamela Colman Smith, for A. E. Waite, 1909

1909

The Empress

The garden at its fullest — the card of growing things.

Major · IIIMajor Arcana · Key 3
The Emperor — from the 1909 Waite–Smith deck, Pamela Colman Smith, for A. E. Waite, 1909

1909

The Emperor

Settled authority, in bare rock and rule.

Major · IVMajor Arcana · Key 4
The Hierophant — from the 1909 Waite–Smith deck, Pamela Colman Smith, for A. E. Waite, 1909

1909

The Hierophant

The keeper of received tradition, between two pillars.

Major · VMajor Arcana · Key 5
The Lovers — from the 1909 Waite–Smith deck, Pamela Colman Smith, for A. E. Waite, 1909

1909

The Lovers

Two paths meeting beneath a great winged figure.

Major · VIMajor Arcana · Key 6
The Chariot — from the 1909 Waite–Smith deck, Pamela Colman Smith, for A. E. Waite, 1909

1909

The Chariot

Forward motion held in balance by two sphinxes.

Major · VIIMajor Arcana · Key 7
Strength — from the 1909 Waite–Smith deck, Pamela Colman Smith, for A. E. Waite, 1909

1909

Strength

Not force but composure — a lion quieted by a calm hand.

Major · VIIIMajor Arcana · Key 8
The Hermit — from the 1909 Waite–Smith deck, Pamela Colman Smith, for A. E. Waite, 1909

1909

The Hermit

A single lantern carried on a darkened height.

Major · IXMajor Arcana · Key 9
Wheel of Fortune — from the 1909 Waite–Smith deck, Pamela Colman Smith, for A. E. Waite, 1909

1909

Wheel of Fortune

Rise and fall, drawn as one turning wheel.

Major · XMajor Arcana · Key 10
Justice — from the 1909 Waite–Smith deck, Pamela Colman Smith, for A. E. Waite, 1909

1909

Justice

The weighing and the cut, made whole.

Major · XIMajor Arcana · Key 11
The Hanged Man — from the 1909 Waite–Smith deck, Pamela Colman Smith, for A. E. Waite, 1909

1909

The Hanged Man

The world seen from a deliberately inverted place.

Major · XIIMajor Arcana · Key 12
Death — from the 1909 Waite–Smith deck, Pamela Colman Smith, for A. E. Waite, 1909

1909

Death

Ending and passage, drawn as a dawn between towers.

Major · XIIIMajor Arcana · Key 13
Temperance — from the 1909 Waite–Smith deck, Pamela Colman Smith, for A. E. Waite, 1909

1909

Temperance

Measured flow — the patient blending that names the card.

Major · XIVMajor Arcana · Key 14
The Devil — from the 1909 Waite–Smith deck, Pamela Colman Smith, for A. E. Waite, 1909

1909

The Devil

The Lovers again, now loosely chained.

Major · XVMajor Arcana · Key 15
The Tower — from the 1909 Waite–Smith deck, Pamela Colman Smith, for A. E. Waite, 1909

1909

The Tower

The built thing struck down in an instant.

Major · XVIMajor Arcana · Key 16
The Star — from the 1909 Waite–Smith deck, Pamela Colman Smith, for A. E. Waite, 1909

1909

The Star

A kneeling figure pouring water beneath a great star.

Major · XVIIMajor Arcana · Key 17
The Moon — from the 1909 Waite–Smith deck, Pamela Colman Smith, for A. E. Waite, 1909

1909

The Moon

The road that runs on past what the eye can settle.

Major · XVIIIMajor Arcana · Key 18
The Sun — from the 1909 Waite–Smith deck, Pamela Colman Smith, for A. E. Waite, 1909

1909

The Sun

Daylight and the uncovered — the deck's plainest joy.

Major · XIXMajor Arcana · Key 19
Judgement — from the 1909 Waite–Smith deck, Pamela Colman Smith, for A. E. Waite, 1909

1909

Judgement

The trumpet call and the rising answer.

Major · XXMajor Arcana · Key 20
The World — from the 1909 Waite–Smith deck, Pamela Colman Smith, for A. E. Waite, 1909

1909

The World

The circle closed — the sequence arriving home.

Major · XXIMajor Arcana · Key 21