The Rose Tarot by Nigel Jackson is published by Llewellyn Publishing and was released in June last year (2021). I’m currently researching the history of ancient Christianity and Astrology so anything that ties in with either (or both) subjects tends to grab my attention. The Rose Tarot is rooted in the Western Esoteric tradition so definitely ties in with both. I can’t remember where I first spotted this deck but I know it ended up in my virtual shopping basket only minutes later. And that’s with me thinking I was done with buying any more decks (oh, foolish notion!).
Video Flip-through of the Rose Tarot
Check out the video flip-through to music below, showing all 78 cards. The cathedral in the background is the cathedral closest to where I live, Durham Cathedral, home of the shrine of St Cuthbert.
Description
The Rose Tarot deck and book set comes in a sturdy cardboard box with a magnetic flip-top lid. The cards do not come with a separate box but are nestled in a cardboard container. There is a ribbon to facilitate lifting the cards out of the container.
The Guidebook
The 230-page guidebook provides card meanings and two deck-specific spreads are included. Sadly, the guidebook does not reveal as many esoteric secrets as I hoped it would for each of the cards (I’m being greedy, I know!), especially not for the Minors. However, there is a glossary at the back of the book, an intriguing separate chapter titled Intersigns of the Rose and a reading list. I guess I’ll have to do my own research which I don’t really mind to be fair. Bonus points for giving Hyperborea a mention in the glossary. I get fed up when people harp on about Atlantis and Lemuria but skip out Hyperborea.
There is substantial information about each of the Majors in the guidebook. Sadly, the Minors only get half a page each. Each of the cards is shown in full colour. The guidebook is really quite beautiful.
The Cards
As for the card imagery, I’m not usually a fan of decks with a lot of white space but I love the vesica piscis centrepiece on the Minor Arcana cards. They draw the eye and the white space actually helps me focus better.
The regular 78 cards are included in this deck and they a printed on sturdy, glossy cardstock. The card quality is top-notch. The cards stick slightly when first looking through them but after that, they handle and shuffle beautifully.
The Suit names:
- Batons (Wands)
- Cups
- Swords
- Coins (Pentacles)
The deck follows the Marseille Tarot structure with Justice as VIII and Strength as XI. The card titles are traditional with the exception of Knaves for Pages and Magus for The Magician.
Rose Tarot Deck Interview
Describe yourself in three words or less. 4 of Swords
RT: Meditative, contemplative, peaceful
2. How would your best friend describe you in three words or less? Knight of Coins
RT: Patient and reliable
3. What gift do you bring? The Magus
RT: All the tools you need to expand your knowledge of Western Esotericism are here in one form or another.
4. What do you expect in return? Knave of Swords
RT: Do your research and follow up on any questions that pop up while you are doing your daily draw.
Me: As I suspected then!
RT: Yep.
5. How can you help me serve? 5 of Batons
RT: I can act as a daily sparring partner so you don’t get lazy in your research. I will help you strengthen your knowledge little by little, day by day. There will be no spoon-feeding here and you will be required to do a lot of footwork yourself but I’ll be here to nudge you!
Me: Sounds ideal, really. I do appreciate it!
6. Is there anything else you would like to tell me about yourself? 6 of Batons
RT: Stick with me and that laurel wreath will be yours!
Me: Awesome! I feel like I’m starting a new chapter on my Tarot journey and I’m really looking forward to it!
