Arthur Edward Waite (2 October 1857 – 19 May 1942) was a British poet and scholarly mystic who wrote extensively on occult and esoteric matters. He is best known as the co-creator of the Rider–Waite tarot deck, also referred to as the Rider–Waite–Smith or Waite–Smith deck1. His work delved into the spiritual traditions of Western occultism, viewing them as more than mere aspects of protoscience or religious pathology1. Let’s explore more about this intriguing figure:
Early Life and Education: Arthur Edward Waite was born in Brooklyn, New York, to unmarried parents. After his father’s death at sea, his widowed mother returned to England, where he was raised. He received education at a small private school in North London and later spent two terms at St. Charles’ College. Waite’s conversion to Catholicism and the loss of his sister in 1874 led him into psychical research and the study of esotericism1.
Career and Contributions:
Golden Dawn: Waite joined the Outer Order of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn in January 1891. His introduction came through E.W. Berridge1.
Freemason and Scholar: Waite was a Freemason and a member of the SRIA (Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia) and the Golden Dawn. He spent most of his life in or near London, connected to various publishing houses and editing a magazine called The Unknown World1.
Tarot Deck: His most enduring legacy is the Rider–Waite tarot deck, which he co-created with artist Pamela Colman Smith. This deck, known for its rich symbolism and intuitive imagery, has become one of the most widely used tarot decks worldwide1.
Arthur Edward Waite’s name endures because of his pioneering efforts in systematically studying the history of Western occultism as a spiritual tradition.