The classic Rider-Waite Major Arcana is one of the most influential collections in Western tarot. Created by artist Pamela Colman Smith under the direction of occultist A. E. Waite, the deck was first published in 1909. Its 22 Major Arcana cards portray symbolic figures and scenes representing significant stages of human experience. Cards explore themes including transformation, intuition, creation, upheaval, hope, and renewal. Smith’s distinctive illustrations combine Christian, mystical, astrological, and medieval imagery, making the cards accessible while retaining layers of symbolism. The Rider-Waite deck established visual conventions that continue to shape modern tarot. Today, its Major Arcana remains a classic tool amongst practitioners of the mystic art.