The Pictorial Key to the Tarot (eBook)

Arthur Edward Waite (1857–1942) was a scholarly mystic and esoteric writer known for his numerous contributions to the fields of occultism, Freemasonry, and tarot. Born in the United States but raised in England, Waite became a prolific author and translator, heavily influenced by the mystical and ceremonial traditions of the Western esotericism. A member of various esoteric societies, including the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, Waite's approach to these subjects was both analytical and comprehensive, often seeking to synthesize and clarify complex esoteric ideas. One of his most enduring works is 'The Pictorial Key to the Tarot' (1910), wherein he provides an extensive analysis of the Tarot symbolism and offers interpretations for the 78 Tarot cards, thus establishing a foundation for much of modern Tarot scholarship. His literary style, characterized by a meticulous and somewhat arcane vocabulary, aimed to pierce the veil of esoteric knowledge and render its arcane wisdom accessible to the dedicated student. Waite's influence is still evident today in the fields of Tarot and magical traditions, as his works continue to attract readers drawn to the metaphysical and the mystical.