Customer Reviews

Guide to the Rumi Tarot

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Nigel Jackson's new Rumi Tarot contains 78 beautiful cards and with an over 300 page accompanying book. As a significant contemporary esotericist and esoteric artist, Nigel is ideally suited to create a deck that combines the spiritual Sufi wisdom of Rumi with the spiritual system of the Tarot.

This is not, like many contemporary Tarot decks, full of photo-shopped images. Each card was individually painted in the exacting tempera technique. The images are incredible! Nigel has really captured the Persian/Moghul miniature style though staying within the overall scheme of the standard Rider-Waite deck.

Each card is paired with a specific quote from Rumi and its spiritual import as well as divinatory significance is fully elucidated in the voluminous accompanying book.

I really can't say too much about the stunning visual images of the Rumi Tarot. Clearly a must have for Tarot collectors, but also a true manifestation of the Tarot as spiritual wisdom visually encapsulated.

Bearing in mind the historical Mamluk cards and the tarot's possible Sufic connections, Nigel Jackson has aptly turned his talents to produce what really amounts to a lyrical Sufi deck that would undoubtedly have delighted the heart of Idries Shah.

Not one of your average fortune-telling decks, Jackson's exquisitely designed Rumi tarot cards strongly bring to mind Turkish and Persian painted miniatures of the sixteenth century. Even if some might be deterred by the challenging but highly satisfying text of the book that accompanies the deck, the cards themselves "speak" volumes to the contemplative, making customary written divinatory interpretations hardly necessary. This is a tarot that will be treasured by those that value fine art, and Llewellyn Publications is to be congratulated for venturing into such sophisticated territory.

EDIT: I posted this review to The Tarot Channel where I'm an Editor, and Nigel Jackson--creator/artist of the Rumi Tarot deck and book--posted this in the comment section (and he did it at another Tarot Forum, as well):

'All of a sudden a great ass sticks its head out of the stable and braying like an old crone says "this work is poor"... Mevlana Djalal-Al-Din Rumi (Mathnavi III 4227)

So, dear Amazonians, you may want to keep Nigel Jackson's vitriol and attitude in mind when considering if you want *his* version of Rumi (which is not really the mystic poetry many of us revere and love). END EDIT

"The prophetic light blazes timelessly at the heart of Sufi way, for Sufism transcends all the outward forms of religion--it pervades them as their eternal essence and yet preexisted them all. Sufism is the subtlest and deepest core of universal truth, the purity of the all-pervading and traceless gnosis." - From the Rumi Tarot companion book

I pre-ordered the Rumi Tarot from Amazon.com with great anticipation, especially since I've used Rumi's poetry for contemplation for several years. As I began to read the well-researched and detailed 294-page companion book, my heart sank. The first 31 pages are a dry, meticulous discourse on Sufi theology--including the liberal use of dozens of unfamiliar Arabic names and terms. In fact, I think Sufi Tarot would be a better name for this box set. (Incidentally, Sufism is the mystical arm of Islam).

After slogging through, I concluded that those 31 pages were, in my opinion, unnecessary. I became encouraged when I got to the section on the seven chakras, but the information was unorganized, out of vertical order (either up or down, 1-7 or 7-1, would have been fine), and, in two cases, the chakra title/number wasn't even mentioned. Despite being quite familiar with chakra teachings and theory, I couldn't make heads or tails of two of the chakras, even after considerable re-reading and examination!

And to give you an idea of how the first 31 pages read, here's an example of a chakra description. (Incidentally, I can't figure out which chakra it's referring to since the Third Eye and Crown Chakras were discussed elsewhere):

"The Alam-i-Mithal or Alam-I-Khayal is the world of images, or imaginal world, the mystical `isthmus of similtudes' that exists between the sensorial and unseen realms is also known as Hurqalya, the `earth of the emerald cities' Jabalqa and Jabarsa, the `cities at the end of the earth', the `earth of visions' or `intermediate Orient'. This is the sphere of imagination wherein, according to the seventeenth-century Islamic mystic Muhsin Fayz Kashani, `spirits are embodied and bodies are spiritualized'..."

That said, the explanations and insights for the individual cards of the Rumi Tarot are more accessible, appealing, and spiritually illuminating--as are the upright and reversed meanings provided by Mr. Jackson.

Uncharacteristic of Llewellyn decks, the card stock is incredibly flimsy and low quality. After only taking out the Rumi Tarot cards a few times to scrutinize and scan, the corners began wrinkle, flake, and--in some cases--actually bend upward, exposing white card stock beneath.

Had I saw card samples online beforehand, I would have definitely reconsidered buying it, especially since the ornate borders, background, and quotes from Rumi's Mathnavi hog most of the card, especially the Minor Arcana. In fact, the central imagery of the Minor Arcana measures (approximately) a mere 1 ½ x 1 inch!

It's obvious that Mr. Jackson has taken great care with his intricate paintings, and the Majors and court cards are lovely. However, as I said, the double borders, moss green background, and quote banner overshadow the painstaking artwork, especially with the Minors.

Featuring a simple, delicate, reversible symbol on the backing, the cards of the Rumi Tarot measure 4 ½ x 2 ¾ inches with a matte finish. The box set comes with the companion book, white cardboard box for storage and a black organdy pouch.

Personally, I don't feel that the Rumi Tarot makes for a good divination deck (and certainly not as a beginner's deck!), but it would make a wonderful contemplation tool for those inspired and nurtured by Sufi mysticism. Mr. Jackson brings an innovative perspective on the cards, as well as an exhaustive treatise of Sufi theology.

(To see 16 images from this deck, visit the Reviews--Decks section at JanetBoyer.com)

-- Janet Boyer, author of The Back in Time Tarot Book

Lovely deck for those who love beautiful art and the Rumi traditions and stories. It is truly a lovely deck, not only because of the artwork, but also the care in creating a quality deck made from good stock!
Each card has quotes from Rumi writings as wel as beautiful artwork depicting all suits. I've done a few readings and found it nice to work with!

This is a masterful deck, beautifully rendered in the traditional tempura technique. Some of the hand painted images are exquisite. I'm particularly partial to the Death and the Hanged Man cards.

True to the tradition, Nigel Jackson has kept the symbolism of the lesser Arcana; the Staves, Cups, Coins and Swords. The Aces are excellent, top-notch craftsmanship, rhythmical in their arabesques and elegant forms. Each card of the minor Arcana has the suitable suit and number associated, as the early Tarot decks depicted. Nigel has added in a small picture that aids with memorizing their meanings, adapted from the more modern forms. Some are superb. I particularly like the 10 of coins, the 3 of coins, the 7 of staves, the 10 of cups, the 2 of cups, and the 10 of swords, but there are many more examples.

Each backdrop is lovingly drawn with rhythmic stylized lines, the waters curl and foam, running like flame. There is more symbolism contained in them than space here to relate. But know a lifetime of research and direct experience informs each card.

A quote from the Sufi Saint Rumi adorns each card and informs the image with resonant meaning. Rumi was a love poet, divinely intoxicated with the inspiration that unites all things. His voice sings with this enchantment, and echoes in Nigel Jackson's images.

This is a great deck for its mystical symbolism and the language of the Soul!

To the book. The accompanying book is worth the price of the whole set. It is chock full of Gnostic wisdom. Nigel Jackson is an initiate into some of the foremost Gnostic mysteries, a walker along that golden thread that leads out of the labyrinth. Detailed research into the Sufi tradition, and initiation into particular currents, has enabled him to subtly relay profound truths. Those secrets that can only be given to those who already possess them. There are many great quotes to be drawn from the book, reflected on, and marveled at. Nigel Jackson uses Rumi as the coat of his wisdom, much like Rumi used Islam as the clothing of his Sufi way. The result is a powerful synthesis and presentation of ideas that will, in deepest meditation, reveal powerful secrets about the nature of being, one's place in the cosmos, and the knowledge of the Holy things.

If you are an experienced Tarot user, this deck is an excellent addition to any collection. It you are a novice, this is a great place to start. But, while providing a strong tool for divination, this deck excels as a contemplative aid to meditation. Indeed, many of the images Nigel Jackson has drawn can be traced to esoteric sources. I own a number of decks - a traditionalist, I own Jean-Claude Flornoy's resotration of the Jean Noblet deck. For readings, I have used Nigel Jackson's Medieval Enchantment Deck for years (I find it strikingly accurate). But it is a rare delight I take in the Rumi Tarot. I strongly recommend this deck!