As mentioned in the deck stork thread, this is a different deck than the Nigel Jackson Tarot. This deck is batons=fire, swords=air, so it’s easier for me to work with than the other. I’m still that much GD!
The biggest draw for me is the artwork. It’s quirky but enjoyable. It has what I call “vignette” style minors, that is, there are the requisite number of suit signs in the background with a smaller illustration set over them. In this deck the vignettes are an almond (mandorla) shape. The court cards, not including the knights, are named as in the Paris pattern (also called portrait officiel) of playing cards. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French-su ... is_pattern.
It’s an interesting deck because, while it doesn’t have an overarching system, it IS very esoteric. It includes symbols and imagery from alchemy, cabala, biblical mysticism, courtly love, rosicrucianism, martinism, Jacob Boehme, Swedenborg, William Blake, and others. (I encountered many of these in the historical study, Solomon’s Secret Arts: The Occult in the Age of Enlightenment by Paul Kleber Monod, 2013.)
I feel like the guidebook could be more user-friendly, with fewer invented words, less convoluted sentences, and more direct references. Especially the last. Since the deck concept is a conglomeration of many different esoteric ideas, it would be helpful to point out more specifically where the ideas come from. One thing that bugs me in any esoteric writings is treating biblical references as mysterious and unknowable. The primary source in translation (with myriad translations to choose from!) is as close as my bookshelf or computer! There’s no need to keep your readers in the dark about your references to the woman clothed in the sun, the lamb that was slain, or Melchizedek. I also have some gender issues with the book, but obviously they come from the sources the author is following, and all Western civilization, really. How come NO male person, god, or allegorical figure is called “virgin,” even the ones that are? Because sexual status is not the most important characteristic of males, but it is for females. I find the author thoughtlessly repeating “the virgin Whoever” over and over is a little tone deaf to modern tarotists.
Ok, rants over! I just want to say that I am in awe (and not-so-secretly jealous) of tarot scholar-artists. It’s just not fair that people can be SO knowledgeable and SUCH great artists at the same time! But it IS very lucky for all of us regular tarotists!
Time for a good shuffle and the interview!
Most important characteristic: Ace of Swords
The ideas are the most important part of the deck. It’s a new, fresh idea. And something to work on (bees). The victory of ideas over imagery. I wonder if there are bees because of their sting, like Frodo’s sword Sting. They can cause pain, but the sweetness is worth the risk. See, the deck is talking to me very plainly already!
Strength: The World
The deck’s strength is that it has a little bit of everything! And it’s a complete thing of its kind. It has its own organization and regularity (the new Jerusalem), but it’s also full of life (the anima mundi, the lamb, and the four creatures) and prediction of the world ahead (the book of the seven seals). Read all about it in the book of Revelation!
Weakness: 2 of Swords
Anytime there’s 2, there’s the sun and the moon. Which doesn’t convey much information other than 2ness, and probably gender. This is like the Ace. The complete emphasis on ideas over everything, combining and dividing them, can be a weakness for someone trying to be more intuitive.
What can I learn? Ace of Cups
I will learn to love the deck! And the suggestiveness of all the symbols. They are a spur to intuition and flow.
How do I learn it? 8 of Batons
Quickly! This card is an example of overt RWS concepts in the deck, which is helpful because familiar, I’m thinking maybe something else would have been more interesting. Although they are cute bunnies. My keyword for the card is plan of action, so I can learn to love the deck by planning to use it. Which I’m doing!
Outcome of our work together: 6 of Cups
Which will have a very good outcome! Instead of a virgin here (!), we have a wildwoman of the woods who has tamed the unicorn. Because it knows she is of nature just like it is. Nature provides food and water and beauty for both animals and humans. We would do well to share our joy in that among and between us all. I will indeed learn to love the deck and will want to use it to help others and as a way to connect with nature.
Wow, lots of symbols and imagery to work with. And I did! And such a positive reading, too! I look forward to using it more.
Oh, a scheduling note: I’ll be away from home and computer over the holiday weekend, Thursday through Monday. I’ll try to do some readings ahead of Thursday, and then catch up on the end of the week and the beginning of next week on Tuesday. So stay tuned. I’m not giving up on deck of the week. (Not yet. We’ll see what happens when it’s back to the office time. . . ) See you tomorrow with more Rose Tarot!