🃏 Tarot & Divination −52%

Queer Tarot: An Inclusive Deck and Guidebook [With Book(s)]

✍️ Molesso, Ashley
Reader Score
4.6
(1 review)
$28.00 $59.00 Save $31.00 (52%)
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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A tarot deck and guide celebrating queer identity by artists Ash and Chess.

Ashley Molesso and Chess Needham present a tarot set that reimagines traditional symbolism through a queer lens. Their company, Ash + Chess, is known for bold retro designs. This 176-page guidebook accompanies the illustrated cards. The work reflects their mission to support LGBTQ+ visibility. It stands apart from conventional decks by prioritizing inclusive identity. The physical dimensions and weight make it a substantial yet portable item. Readers looking for diverse mystical resources will find this set relevant.

Key Themes
LGBTQ+ identity queer tarot symbolism retro color palettes
Literary Context

Published in 2022 by RP Studio, this work emerges from the Ash + Chess studio in Upstate New York. The creators gained traction after their 2017 debut at the National Stationery Show. Their art reaches global markets in North America and Europe.

Difficulty
● Easy
Recommended For Fans Of
Labyrinthos Tarot · The Wild Unknown · Gilded Glory Tarot
🃏
Tarot & Divination
🏛 RP Studio 📅 2022 📖 176 pages 🌐 en ISBN: 9780762474882
Fun Fact
This vibrant deck is a landmark achievement, offering a beautifully designed and thoughtfully inclusive entry point into tarot for the LGBTQ+ community and its allies. Its strength lies in its celebratory art and affirming interpretations, which genuinely fill a long-standing void. Those seeking a strictly traditional Rider-Waite clone might find its contemporary flair too divergent, but for anyone desiring a tool for self-discovery that truly reflects the diversity of human experience, this is an essential addition to any collection.

📝 Description: Queer Tarot: An Inclusive Deck and Guidebook [With Book(s)]

This set presents a vibrant illustrated tarot deck and accompanying guidebook that centers LGBTQ+ experiences. The creators, Ashley Molesso and Chess Needham, operate the stationery company Ash + Chess from Upstate New York. Their work utilizes bold, retro color palettes to uplift the queer community through greeting cards, art prints, and other merchandise. The physical book measures 6.35 centimeters in height, 16.51 centimeters in length, and 13.72 centimeters in width, weighing 0.75 kilograms. It contains 176 pages and was published by RP Studio on April 19, 2022. The ISBN is 9780762474882. The authors have established a significant retail presence since debuting at the National Stationery Show in May 2017. Their art appears in over 700 retailers across the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia. This publication continues their mission to create inclusive visual narratives. The guidebook explains the deck’s imagery while the cards themselves offer a modern perspective on traditional tarot symbolism. The work is suitable for readers seeking representation in mystical practices. It may not appeal to those who prefer classical, non-inclusive interpretations of tarot history. Ash + Chess have collaborated with various entities since their business began. Their approach combines artistic expression with community support. The book serves as a resource for those interested in contemporary occult design. The specific inclusion of queer perspectives distinguishes this deck from standard offerings. The physical format allows for easy handling during readings or study.

💎 Expert review

“
💎
Esoterica Books editorial team
Occult literature desk
While this deck excels in its mission to celebrate queer identity through Ash and Chess’s distinctive artistic lens, it may not suit readers seeking traditional, classic tarot interpretations or those indifferent to LGBTQ+ themes. The guidebook’s focus on affirmation might feel too specific for generalist occultists accustomed to standard Rider-Waite-Smith symbolism without modern reinterpretations. However, for its target audience, the emotional depth and visual vibrancy are unmatched. It is a specialized tool rather than a universal one, best appreciated by those who value representation in their spiritual toolkit over historical continuity.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers seeking a spiritually affirming and visually vibrant tarot experience will find deep resonance in this deck. It is particularly valuable for queer and trans individuals who wish to see their identities reflected authentically in spiritual practices, offering a safe space for self-discovery. Those new to tarot may appreciate the accessible guidebook that demystifies interpretations while celebrating diverse life experiences. The set serves as both a beautiful art object and a practical tool for daily reflection, making it ideal for anyone desiring a more inclusive approach to divination that honors the full spectrum of human identity.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —
⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5
★★★★★
This deck is an essential addition for LGBTQ+ individuals seeking a mirror for their spiritual journey, and for allies embracing broader perspectives. If you value inclusive representation and vibrant artistry, this set invites profound personal connection and growth.

Reader rating

4.6
Based on 1 reviews
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Esoterica Books editorial team

While this deck excels in its mission to celebrate queer identity through Ash and Chess’s distinctive artistic lens, it may not suit readers seeking traditional, classic tarot interpretations or those indifferent to LGBTQ+ themes. The guidebook’s focus on affirmation might feel too specific for generalist occultists accustomed to standard Rider-Waite-Smith symbolism without modern reinterpretations. However, for its target audience, the emotional depth and visual vibrancy are unmatched. It is a specialized tool rather than a universal one, best appreciated by those who value representation in their spiritual toolkit over historical continuity.

❓ Frequently asked questions

Absolutely. The accompanying guidebook is designed to be accessible, offering clear interpretations that will gently introduce beginners to the archetypes and symbolism, while also providing fresh insights for experienced readers.
Through its deliberately inclusive artwork and thoughtful card interpretations, Queer Tarot ensures that queer experiences, relationships, and identities are not just acknowledged but celebrated as central to the human spiritual narrative, offering resonant reflections for the community.

📖 Who should read this

This deck is an essential addition for LGBTQ+ individuals seeking a mirror for their spiritual journey, and for allies embracing broader perspectives. If you value inclusive representation and vibrant artistry, this set invites profound personal connection and growth.

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Affirming Queer Identity

This deck boldly centers LGBTQ+ experiences, moving beyond traditional gender and relationship norms to present archetypes that resonate with diverse identities. It redefines universal human themes through a queer lens, offering a powerful tool for self-acceptance and spiritual validation within the community.

Modern Tarot Interpretation

While respecting the foundational structures of tarot, this set introduces contemporary interpretations that speak directly to modern life and diverse relationship dynamics. It encourages a flexible, intuitive approach to meaning, allowing readers to connect with the cards in ways that feel authentic and personally relevant.

Dynamic Visual Storytelling

The distinctive, vibrant illustrations by Ash + Chess are a hallmark of this deck, bringing a fresh aesthetic to the tarot tradition. Each card is a miniature work of art, employing bold colors and expressive designs that enhance intuitive understanding and make the journey through the Major and Minor Arcana truly captivating.

📜 Historical context

Queer Tarot stands as a significant contemporary contribution to the ever-evolving landscape of divination. It builds upon the rich tradition of tarot by consciously expanding its symbolic language beyond historically heteronormative frameworks, reflecting a broader cultural shift towards inclusivity in spiritual practices. This deck joins a growing movement of creators adapting ancient wisdom for modern, diverse audiences.

📚 Glossary

Tarot
LGBTQ+
Inclusivity

📔 Questions to reflect on

  1. Which card in this deck most powerfully reflects an aspect of your identity you are currently exploring or celebrating? How does it make you feel?
  2. Consider a challenge you face. How might the imagery or meaning of a particular card from Queer Tarot offer a new, affirming perspective on it?
  3. How does this deck's inclusive approach encourage you to rethink or deepen your understanding of traditional tarot archetypes?

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