the Nigel Jackson deck

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 27 Jan 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

oceanpoetry	27 Jan 2003
I just received my newest deck from Amazon, "the Nigel Jackson" deck...wow! it is amazing! I had looked through at some of the cards online, but the deck is even nicer that what it how appears on the computer. I really like the illustrations for the pip cards, I like how there is some similiarity with RW deck but enough differences to make it unique. I can see how the fire/swords and air/wands have been switched from the traditional RW but I don't think it will make it difficult to adapt to. I really recommend this deck for anyone interested in the medieval/renaissance period. it is official, I have become a tarot-holic :D

Kirali	28 Jan 2003
yay Oceanpoetry! (love the name btw) I'm glad you decided to be a tarotholic and chose the Nigel Jackson tarot as your gateway into this wonderful tarotholism! I love the deck too and don't mind the air/fire switch. Have a wonderful time with your deck. :)

Minos	28 Jan 2003
I got the deck for Christmas from my girlfriend. At first I rolled my eyes because I thought it'd be all new-agey (I'm something of a Thoth-fundamentalist, if you couldn't tell), but there is a *lot* of thought that went into it. I still haven't reconciled myself to the wands/swords switch yet (ever tried to build a fire with swords?) but I definitely have a lot of respect for the deck. And it's pretty. ;-)

felicityk	28 Jan 2003
This is one of my favorite decks. I like Nigel Jackson's artwork and also have his Celtic Oracle and Witches Runes (my only non-Tarot decks). I've always preferred the swords=fire, wands=air attribution myself; one of my other favorite decks, Matt Myers' Art Nouveau Tarot, also uses this system. Felicity

Keslynn	28 Jan 2003
Congrats, oceanpoetry! I'm so glad you're a tarotholic and that you love the Nigel Jackson. I got mine a few months ago and was vastly impressed. A lot of the cards convey meaning in the smallest detail... things I never noticed in RWS (for the cards that are clone-ish). Take for example, the Two of Wands. The way the man is standing with his had ever so slightly off the wall in front of him screams "decision" at me! In other decks I've struggled to understand this card, but the NJ cleared that right up. I've also noticed that I can put myself into these cards easier. I have trouble meditating, but I do often imagine what it's like to be the person in the card to try to figure out what they're thinking. For some reason, it's a lot easier with this deck. Hope you continue to enjoy, but don't let that stop you from getting more. ;) Kes

oceanpoetry	30 Jan 2003
Kirali thanks for the welcome! I have found that I like the association of swords with fire and air with wands. I think of fire-tempered steel as an image for the swords. It is the energy of transformation. The wands to me seem light and more magical, airy. So to me, I find I even somewhat prefer the connection. The more common association of swords-air and wands-fire come from the Rider-Waite and the teachings of the Golden Dawn. I think ultimately either one works. Personally, I am glad Nigel Jackson chose to use this variation from the Rider-Waite. This is my fifth deck, I also have the Voyager, the Universal Rider-Waite, the Old English, and the Diamond Tarot...so I feel like this nicely rounds out my collection for now. There are still decks on my wish list, of course! :) but I want to work with and learn from these for now. What I find with the various decks, is that each deck speaks with a different voice. I like being able to choose a particular deck depending upon what mood I am in and what kind query I am after. If I am reading for friends, it is also nice to be able to choose a deck that best works for that particular querent. Keslyn I agree! this deck has given me some new insights. For me it is the two of swords. In the URW, two swords looks like a pretty hopeless situation. :| In the NJ deck, however, the two of swords expresses the "friendship in adversity" and "equilibrium restored" ideas that I just don't see at all in URW. All in all, the images are easy to read. It is a wonderful deck to work with! :)

felicityk	30 Jan 2003
Quote: I think of fire-tempered steel as an image for the swords. It is the energy of transformation. The wands to me seem light and more magical, airy. I agree. I also think about the fact that the blade, like the flame, can both create and destroy. A wand is something you wave in the air, and it is cut from a tree branch, which reaches to the sky. JMHO. :) Felicity

oceanpoetry	05 Feb 2003
Exactly, felicityk! The associations of fire-wands and air-swords were originally presented in the first Rider-Waite deck. Now that I have been working with the NJ deck, fire-swords and air-wands seems like a much more natural connection. The deck set also comes with a book that provides some interesting layouts - I particularly like the "Key of Hermes" spread. I haven't yet tried the "Pythagorian" method, but it looks intriguing!

oceanpoetry	16 Feb 2003
The NJ is my favorite deck right now to work with for my general readings :) It is wonderful! The only thing I have found is that I don't like the Moon card. "The Moon" portrayed on the card is strange-looking ...I suppose it is the artists interpretation of fears/nightmares of the unconscious. I am a Cancer so I am sensitive of the energy of the moon. For me, the Moon usually plays out as "trusting my intuition". I would like to know some other perspectives on the "The Moon" card of the NJ deck - so perhaps I can develop an appreciation for it a little more.

Minos	16 Feb 2003
Quote: Originally posted by oceanpoetry Exactly, felicityk! The associations of fire-wands and air-swords were originally presented in the first Rider-Waite deck. It goes back at least as far as the Golden Dawn, maybe to the earlier French occultists, too. The air-wands fire-swords association comes from Dion Fortune. The Nigel Jackson deck is clearly influenced by her thinking, and would be a very good selection for anyone wanting to work with Fortune's writings (e.g. The Mystical Qabalah, etc.).

Kirali	18 Feb 2003
Quote: Originally posted by oceanpoetry The only thing I have found is that I don't like the Moon card. "The Moon" portrayed on the card is strange-looking ...I suppose it is the artists interpretation of fears/nightmares of the unconscious. I am a Cancer so I am sensitive of the energy of the moon. For me, the Moon usually plays out as "trusting my intuition". I would like to know some other perspectives on the "The Moon" card of the NJ deck - so perhaps I can develop an appreciation for it a little more. I see The NJ's Moon card as wild, unrestrained emotions/feelings. Very primal, untouched by the overanalyzing human nature type thingie. I hope that helped. I usually get that card when I'm feeling "moody". :)

The the Nigel Jackson deck thread was originally posted on 27 Jan 2003 in the Tarot Decks board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Tarot Decks, or read more archived threads.