Michele Knight-Waite is a renowned, award-winning astrologer and psychic. Once voted “Britain’s most popular psychic”, she is a media personality, best-selling author and regular astrology columnist for various magazines. Today, you can also find her on Instagram and YouTube, where her generosity of spirit shines through.
I love that she put her many talents into creating a modern tarot deck based on RWS that combines photo collage art, cameos from some of our favorite historical figures, and the familiar Pamela Coleman The portrait of Pamela Colman Smith blends into one. High Priestess Card.
There are noteworthy graphic design elements here that I really like. Somehow it’s both borderless and bordered, with the full composition extending all the way to the edges, but with the classic tarot white edge as the card title. Also see, for example, how the Pentacles “spill” beyond the borders in Seven of Pentacles.
The deck has a gilded edge and overall production values that give it an “indie” vibe. I really like the clamshell case it comes with.
The deck features a selection of historical figures, “magical figures who empowered us” who “paved the way to our freedom—dazzling souls who changed the world,” Knight-Waite writes. WEB Du Bois is the Priest, Aida Overton Walker is the Chariot, Maria Montez is the Angel of Temperance, Mata Hari is the Star, Bessie Smith is the Moon, and so on.
I personally like the appearance of Anna May Wong on the Hermit card. The back of the hardcover guide has biographies of all the historical figures in the deck, as well as tidbits of astrological information for each character.
While I’ve seen many decks featuring photo collages of famous characters, this may be the first time I’ve seen a creator take the time to research and emphasize each character’s biographical background.
This guide is great. Not only does it demonstrate a strong mastery of classics, classic card meanings, and RWS interpretations, but it also goes a step further to find ways to make it even more relevant and relevant to the present. This deck and book are great for tarot beginners.
Oh, and it also doubles as a workbook with lined space to write in with this deck on your first read. This way you can test drive the spreads shared by experienced professional tarot reader Knight-Waite.
Here you can see how this deck provides three options for Key VI: Lovers.
Another aspect I like about this deck is the variety, but more specifically, what it does no Feel forced. Sometimes it can feel unnatural, like the deck creator has a superficial and clinical approach to diversity considerations, but not here. I love the artistry and sensitivity that Knight-Waite brings to the table.
I loved learning that diversity is actually one of the top priorities. Knight-Waite wrote:
I wanted to do this project because, while I have the deepest respect for the Rider-Waite-Smith and other original tarot decks, I’m also really frustrated by their lack of variety. . . . [T]They disrespect different sexual orientations and gender expressions and are often white-centered. I thought Pamela would subscribe to a more inclusive vision, which is why I set out to create this deck and bring her vision into a new, more inclusive era.
The colors on this deck are beautiful, with just the right amount of saturation, richness, and balance. (Oops, sorry, the blurry photo above is my fault, not the card’s. The actual print on the card is very clear and sharp.)
Interesting personal confusion: Before thinking more about it, my first impression of The King of Swords was that it must be a portrait of Aleister Crowley. And then I immediately thought, no, wait, this isn’t right. So I checked the travel guide: it was Oscar Wilde, born on October 16, 1865, with the sun sign of Libra; Aleister Crowley was born on October 12, 1785, with the sun sign of Libra. Of course, both of them are a bit eccentric. A bit of a weird personal mess, huh?
As for the deck’s namesake, interestingly enough, Michele Knight married her now-wife Cathy Waite at the start of the pandemic in 2020, which coincided with Completion of this deck. So the Knight’s deck became the Knight-Waite deck. (Psst…scroll back: you’ll find the Magician, Queen, and Creator depicted on the Death card.)
Not only is there an extensive, lengthy hardcover guide that tarot beginners and experienced readers alike will love, there’s also a quick-reference white booklet (LWB) tucked into the card case. Therefore, as a complete set, the Knight-Waite Tarot Set would make a great gift for a new card reader or deck collector.
Federal Trade Commission Disclosure: I received this deck from the publisher for prospective review in accordance with Code of Federal Regulations Part 255, Chapter 16, Guidelines Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Everything I say here is sincere and accurately reflects my opinion of the deck.