TLDR: representation matters, “traditional” as a concept in tarot is BS, and performative diversity is awkward.
I’m Italian & Chinese. In the past, I struggled with my identity; though I grew up culturally Italian, speaking the language, and was raised in Italy by an Italian mother, not everyone considered me Italian. I was told I “didn’t look like it.” My eyes were “too slanted.” Naturally, it gave me quite a complex! I resented my Asian heritage. I felt like it was an obstacle to popularity, recognition, and even romance. I did everything I could to prove my “whiteness.” Thankfully, I’ve processed a lot since my younger years and have come to love, honor, and appreciate all parts of my identity.
It got me thinking about the decks I’ve been exploring recently. As I’ve continued to process and explore my identity, I’ve come to enjoy decks that some may deem “non-traditional”, often with funky colors, people of color, animals, and fantastical humanlike beings. The more I’ve used these decks, the more I’ve felt a little…misplaced when using more popular decks or ones from ye olden days.
(To be clear, I LOVE vintage decks and beautiful decks, even if they aren’t diverse. My collection has many TdMs, vintage Waite-Smiths, and European decks. A pretty deck is a pretty deck, even if they are very conventional!)
Tarot reading is storytelling. We aren’t always the main characters, but we look to the cards to find our place in life. The images, symbols, and narratives all contribute to contextualizing ourselves in the cards. As people, we generally gravitate to who and with what we can relate, and frequently, that’s anthropomorphic. So, what happens when I don’t see myself anywhere in the cards?
The readings still feel like a story, but they don’t sound like my story.
What is it about these decks I love that don’t default to whiteness, “tradition”, and heteronormativity? What is it about a woman as a King, a fox as a Knight, or a person of color as the Emperor? Why is it that I’m drawn to cards that depict Justice as sinister, the Devil as auspicious, or the Hierophant as a friendly young person? Why do I like it when a creator puts a different spin on the suits and their names?
Because it challenges the idea of a default. And while I may not always find people that “look like me”, I can relate to the subversive nature and spirit of the deck, because simply existing and embracing myself as a queer mixed person of color is subversive and powerful.
I’ve seen, sometimes in the community, folks complain about decks that change the (Waite-Smith’s) order of the cards, add a few more majors, change the (Waite-Smith’s) meaning of the card, rename the (Waite-Smith’s) suits or names, or don’t conform to the (Waite-Smith’s) gender norms for the court cards. I get it. It can throw us off. We like what we like, and there’s nothing inherently wrong with that.
The issue here is that the Waite-Smith has become the default and is now seen as “traditional tarot”.
Which, historically speaking, is total bull.
Tarot has existed in different forms, with different meanings, card names, and even some with additional cards beyond the 78 we know today! While there are characteristics of tarot that help us identify what constitutes a tarot deck, the criteria are broader than is commonly understood.
I’ve observed a course correction regarding available decks. Sometimes, it’s well executed, and other times, it appears performative. I don’t think the solution to “making tarot more diverse” is as easy as adding people of color, people with disabilities, or showing two queer people dating. Don’t get me wrong, that is very important. As I said, we find ourselves in the cards. But, this isn’t a report card. You can’t tick a few boxes on a checklist and tout something as diverse. Sorry, y’all.
What I think is very impactful is supporting decks that deviate from so-called “tradition”, especially if they are created by people who are underrepresented.
Tradition is valuable and important.
Yet, it isn’t the be all end all.
Don’t let “tradition” stifle voices.
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Decks featured include Blood Moon Tarot, Lubanko Tarot, Oak, Ash & Thorn Tarot, Moon Baby Tarot, Botan Tarot, Metanoia Marseille, and Spirit Keeper’s Tarot.