If you are looking to deepen your understanding of tarot symbolism, history, and interpretation, some of the absolute foundational texts on the subject are now entirely free to read. These books, along with other essential historical texts, have entered the public domain.
Public Domain Tarot Books
Pictorial Key to the Tarot by A. E. Waite (1911)
A brilliant starter book and the definitive guide keyed directly to the iconic Rider-Waite-Smith deck.
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The Tarot: A Key to the Wisdom of the Ages by Paul Foster Case (1947)
Widely considered Case's magnum opus, this text serves as an exceptional study on the esoteric meanings of numbers, the construction of the keys, and their connection to the Qabalah.
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Oracle of the Tarot by Paul Foster Case (1933)
Keyed to the Knapp-Hall Tarot, this work offers structured, clear
insights into foundational tarot divination and layout mechanics.
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Book T by MacGregor Mathers and Harriet Felkin (1888)
Although not keyed to the Rider-Waite-Smith deck and perhaps unreasonably dense reading material for a novice practitioner, Book T provides an excellent introductory foundation into the Golden Dawn system of tarot interpretation.
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A Closing Thought on What to Read First
While Arthur Edward Waite’s text is the historical baseline for modern cards, his writing famously dances around the deeper mysteries without fully uncovering them – a deliberate choice by an author bound by the Golden Dawn oaths. If you want a text that truly does the job of unpacking the system rather than hiding it, I highly recommend prioritizing the works by Paul Foster Case. He strips away the performative obscurity and offers the analytical, deep-dive clarity that serious students of tarot aesthetics and philosophy actually need.
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