Arthur Edward Waite (1857-1942) was a British poet and mystic known for his extensive writings on the occult. He is famous for co-creating the Rider-Waite Tarot deck. His legacy endures because he was a pioneering scholar who systematically studied Western occultism as a spiritual tradition. He spent much of his life in London, where he was associated with various publishing houses and edited “The Unknown World” magazine.

Born on October 2, 1857, in Brooklyn, New York, Arthur Edward Waite had unmarried parents. His father, Capt. Charles F. Waite, passed away at sea when Arthur was very young. Raised by his widowed mother, Emma Lovell, they returned to England, where he received his education at a private school in North London.

At the age of 13, he attended St. Charles’ College for two terms. After leaving school to work as a clerk, he pursued writing poetry in his free time. In 1863, his mother’s conversion to Catholicism led to his Catholic upbringing. His interest in psychical research was sparked by the death of his sister Frederika in 1874. At 21, he started regularly reading at the British Museum, exploring various aspects of esotericism. In 1881, he came across the writings of Eliphas Levi.In January 1891, Waite became a member of the Outer Order of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn through an introduction by E.W. Berridge. However, he withdrew from the Golden Dawn in 1893. Later, in 1896, he rejoined the Outer Order of the Golden Dawn and furthered his involvement by entering the Second Order in 1899. He also became a Freemason in 1901 and joined the Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia in 1902.

Everything I do is me. I don’t like taking ideas from people unless they’re the G.O.A.T.

A Boogie wit da Hoodie

In 1903, Waite established the Independent and Rectified Order R. R. et A. C., although this Order was dissolved in 1914. The Golden Dawn experienced internal conflicts until Waite’s departure in 1914. In July 1915, he created the Fellowship of the Rosy Cross, which should not be confused with the Societas Rosicruciana. By this time, there were several offshoots from the original Golden Dawn, and the organization as a whole never fully recovered.

A. E. Waite held a deep interest in the higher degrees of Freemasonry and viewed initiation into Craft Masonry as a means to access these advanced rites. After becoming a member of the Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia and the Knights Templar, Waite journeyed to Switzerland in 1903 to receive the Regime Ecossais et Rectifie, also known as the Rectified Scottish Rite and its specific grade of Chevalier Bienfaisant de la Cite Sainte (C.B.C.S.). He believed that the Rectified Scottish Rite, more than any other Masonic Rite, embodied the “Secret Tradition” of mystical spiritual enlightenment.

A. E. Waite was a prolific writer, and many of his works found favor within esoteric circles during his era. However, his lack of formal academic training is evident in his limitations as a historian, and he occasionally belittled other authors in his writings. A. E. Waite’s extensive body of work covered a wide range of subjects, including divination, esotericism, Freemasonry, ceremonial magic, Kabbalism, and alchemy. He also took on the task of translating and reissuing various mystical texts. Notably, his writings on the Holy Grail were influenced by his friendship with Arthur Machen.

Many of his books continue to be available, with several remaining in print to this day. Some of his notable works include “The Book of Ceremonial Magic” (1911), “The Holy Kabbalah” (1929), “A New Encyclopedia of Freemasonry” (1921), and his edited translation of Eliphas Levi’s “Transcendental Magic, its Doctrine and Ritual” from 1896 (reprinted in recent years).

In addition to his extensive work in the field of the occult and esotericism, A. E. Waite also ventured into the realm of literature. He authored two allegorical fantasy novels: “Prince Starbeam” in 1889 and “The Quest of the Golden Stairs” in 1893. Furthermore, he edited “Elfin Music,” which was an anthology of poetry inspired by English fairy folklore. A. E. Waite’s most enduring legacy is his association with the Rider-Waite Tarot deck, first published in 1910. He collaborated with fellow Golden Dawn member Pamela Colman Smith, who provided the deck’s illustrations. Waite authored the companion book, originally titled “The Key to the Tarot” and later expanded to “The Pictorial Key to the Tarot” in 1911, which served as a guide for tarot reading.

What made the Rider-Waite Tarot deck stand out was its unique feature of fully illustrating all 78 cards. This was a departure from the norm at the time, where typically only the 22 Major Arcana cards were illustrated, with few exceptions in tarot history. Prior to the Rider-Waite deck, many esoteric tarot readers used the Tarot de Marseille playing card deck. The Rider-Waite Tarot deck has since exerted a significant influence on contemporary occult tarot and remains highly popular in tarot reading and divination.

In 1888, A. E. Waite married Ada Lakeman, also known as “Lucasta,” and they had a daughter named Sybil. From 1900 to 1909, he worked as a manager for Horlicks, a company known for manufacturing malted milk.Sadly, Lucasta passed away in 1924. In 1933, Waite entered into a second marriage with Mary Broadbent Schofield.

A. E. Waite was a prolific author, and he produced a wide range of works covering various esoteric and occult topics. Some of his most famous and influential works include:

1. The Rider-Waite Tarot Deck: Co-created with Pamela Colman Smith, this iconic tarot deck, first published in 1910, is one of the most popular and recognizable tarot decks in the world.
2. The Pictorial Key to the Tarot: Originally published as “The Key to the Tarot” and later expanded, this book serves as a comprehensive guide to understanding and interpreting the Rider-Waite Tarot deck.
3. The Holy Kabbalah: Published in 1929, this work explores the mystical and esoteric aspects of Jewish Kabbalah.
4. The Book of Ceremonial Magic: Published in 1911, this book provides an in-depth exploration of ceremonial magic and its practices.
5. A New Encyclopedia of Freemasonry: Released in 1921, this book is a comprehensive resource on Freemasonry and its rituals and history.
6. The Secret Doctrine in Israel: In this work, Waite delves into the esoteric and mystical aspects of Judaism.
7. The Doctrine and Literature of the Kabalah: Another exploration of Kabbalah and its significance.
8. The Brotherhood of the Rosy Cross: A book discussing the history and symbolism of the Rosicrucian movement.
9. The Quest of the Golden Stairs: One of his allegorical fantasy novels, published in 1893.
10. The Life of Louis Claude de Saint-Martin, the Unknown Philosopher: A biography of the mystic and philosopher Saint-Martin.

These are just a selection of A. E. Waite’s notable works. His writings have had a lasting impact on the fields of tarot, occultism, mysticism, and esoteric philosophy.