Queering the Tarot

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Second issue. The descriptions of the minor Arcana cards are lumped together in pairs and three somes. This doesn't clarify the cards, it muddies the interpretation and seems lazy when we are talking about queer perspectives on Tarot. I think adding a spin of Queerness to each card as it's own section of interpretation would have been better. I’m Theresa Reed (aka, The Tarot Lady). I’ve been a full-time tarot reader for 30+ years — which, in my industry, makes me pretty badass. The High Priestess is all about feeling our truth, and there are few, if any, things more awakening than sex. When examining specifically-gendered cards like The Emperor/Empress, Magician/High Priestess, and kings and queens of the court cards, Snow’s approach is to examine the experience over the portrayed gender to get at its truth. The Empress represents anyone, regardless of gender, who is nurturing, artistic, in tune with nature, for example.

I wish the card interpretations felt more three-dimensional. Rather than discussing how archetypal symbols can relate to common queer experiences, it felt more like defining the cards as a sign of a particular common queer experience. To me, there’s a major difference between a symbol and a sign. A sign directs our attention toward something very specific that requires no further interpretation. Symbols involve in-depth interpretations that are semi-universal, or threaded through various associations and schemas.

Yes other books already do a section per card but this book I felt needed to BECAUSE it is meant for Queer audiences. We want to see how each card can be Queer on its own and then put it all together ourselves. By pairing them and putting them in threes it waters down how much Queer interpretation you can get out of each card. It's telling us a Queer story that may not fit with our Queer lives. I think going card by card would have done that better and be more fleshed out than what we are given. When we allow a loosening of meaning, truth can shine through. Personal transformation can then enter. Queers know well that there is more than one way to tell the truth. Living the Tarot Don't feel obligated to read this book just because of what it promises--queer representation. It does not deliver. I wanted to enjoy this book so bad. I give it 3 stars because it’s the first tarot book I’m aware of to be written with a queer lens, and that is so valuable in and of itself. I’ll start with the criticisms first then end on a high note. Even if the intention was to define a list of queer signs each card could represent, the list felt weak. Where’s all the rich queer history references?

CW/TW: bullying, school bullies, body horror (the Grinch eats glass and a plate and a raw onion), mania & manipulative public proposals. this book is so great! so much good information for tarot readers of all levels, with really deep and thoughtful alternate/expanded readings for queer querents. highly recommend regardless of how a reader identifies, as it's just good to have multiple perspectives on the cards. Also, for a book about rejecting gender norms, there is a lot of discomfort around masculine energy. To explain the issue in a microcosm, Snow describes the Empress card as representative of mothering energy but encourages us to think of a mother as something beyond gender. A mother can be found in men, and doesn't necessarily have to include womanhood- but in the very same section condemns the Emperor card as a card that "bullies you into submission." also this book: talks exclusively in allosexual terms, ignores the idea that you might be sex repulsed or sex neutralI am struggling with this review. I think the subject matter is extremely important. I applaud the author for so much love, devotion and research. This book has given me so, so much more to consider in terms of interpreting the cards, especially in regards to giving readings to folks in the queer community. It's definitely not a book for beginners, and novices may still find it a bit overwhelming. I consider myself an advanced novice, and there is a lot to take in. A re-release of the iconic 2020 Christmas episode. We delve into the chaotic gay Christmas classic with my darling sister Emily, scholar of all things Whoville. Christine Baranski if you're out there... I love you. When we choose to queer tarot, to insist on the queerness inherent in tarot as a tool, we find ourselves in the cards. Queerness and the Cards Pamela Colman Smith's queerness and gender nonconformity flesh out this concept of tarot. We see the androgynous Fool, the genderless/all-gendered angels, we see ourselves.

I also can't help but mention that the artwork chosen for this book feels tone-deaf to it's subject matter. The Justice card, for example, features a police officer. The Lovers card is of a thin feminine woman with a fit masculine man (Yes queer relationships can look like that, but we're not exactly starved for that imagery and the book missed a huge opportunity in offering something else.) Our conversation also included discussing interpretations for marginalized folk, gender, pronouns, advice for straight tarot readers who read for an LGBTQQIP2SA+ client, and more. Cassandra is a bright light blazing trails in tarot. You are going to learn a lot in this episode and I think her book belongs on every tarot reader’s shelf!The most common keywords for the Six are progress, victory and triumph. When I hear the words victory and triumph though, I don't just think of the success or win that comes with them. These words bring battle, rough terrain, and hard-fought success to my mind, and that's important to note for this card. This isn't just a good thing happening--it's something you've fought long and hard for finally turning in your favor. It's triumph over adversity, specifically." What’s your favorite book on tarot? Is there a book that was formative in your tarot reading journey? Let us know in the comments!