Welcome to June, all you magical beings. The month of June holds so many wonderful things for me: birthdays, a wedding anniversary, the official start of summer, a service anniversary for my day job, and of course, Pride Month. Amidst it all, there are flags of every wonderful color, reminding us that there are many ways of being that exist outside of a binary world.

For me, Pride has always been a time of empowerment. When I first became comfortable with my sexuality in my 20s, I thought I would simply sit on the sidelines and watch the parade go by—thinking perhaps one day I’d be out there marching with a work or social group. I couldn’t have been more wrong.

You see, even though it was Idaho (yes, I lived there for a time), a friend of mine was one of the major organizers of the Pride event in Boise. And when you’re friends with one of the organizing powerhouses, you don’t exactly stay in the shadows for long. Even though it was a small Pride, I ended up singing on the outdoor stage in the park—and yes, even doing Tarot readings as one of the vendors. I think that may have been the first time I read cards publicly.

And now here I am, almost 25 years later, celebrating another incredible Pride Month in the Sunshine State. Despite all the political turmoil and legislation, Pride is still a time for joy and celebration. And for those of you wanting to queer your practice a bit, here are a few recommendations I have:

Books

Let’s start with my favorite items: books. This Gemini just loves the written word, the spoken word, speaking the written word, and writing down the spoken word… I love words, okay.

Here are a few books I have on my shelf in the spirit of Pride:

Let’s start strong with Cassandra Snow’s groundbreaking title Queering the Tarot. I’ve owned this book for several years now and am finally, finally dedicating the time to read it thoroughly. Before, it was more of a quick read before a sequin inevitably rolled by and distracted me… what can I say, I like shiny things.

Back to the book—Snow offers a thoughtful approach to queering Tarot practice while also acknowledging the stigma that can be attached to certain cards for members of the LGBTQIA+ community. For those who are not under the Rainbow umbrella, I still strongly recommend this book as a way to better understand LGBTQIA+ clients, especially the ways certain archetypes—like the Hierophant or the Emperor—can carry layered or even painful associations depending on lived experience.

Queer Magic by Tomas Prower is a multicultural exploration of deities and spiritual figures who have been patrons and protectors of LGBTQIA+ communities. Prower doesn’t stop at ancient mythology; he also includes major living religious traditions, including Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, and Islam. His writing reflects a well-researched, almost anthropological care in how each culture is approached. He also explores how queer people can meaningfully connect with these deities in personal spiritual practice. This book is ideal for anyone curious about the queer threads that exist within religious and mythological traditions. For me, it became a beautiful way to reframe and heal my relationship with many spiritual systems—past and present—as we continue working toward a more inclusive world.

Of course, I have to include my own book here as well. While Read Like a Queen: Real-Life Insights to SLAY Your Tarot Practice may not center overtly queer themes, it is deeply informed by my lived experience as a gay man and drag performer. It also includes the voices and stories of other LGBTQIA+ writers who have shared their own “Major Arcana moments” of transformation and becoming—all with the aim of helping you glamorize and embody your Tarot practice.

Other books for an LGBTQIA+ Tarot bookshelf include:

• 78 Acts of Liberation by Lane Smith

• Radical Tarot by Charlie Claire Burgess

• Tarot in Other Words by Cassandra Snow

Decks

Now on to the cards themselves. Here are a few of my recommendations I've actually used...

I originally saw this deck on the shelves of many bookstores and New Age shops but never felt the urge to purchase it. It wasn’t until 2021 that a mentor friend found and gifted me a copy. Let me tell you… I had been missing out immensely.

Drawing on the Rider–Waite–Smith system, the creators of Queer Tarot give the tradition a much-needed inclusive facelift. And I don’t just mean ensuring diverse representation in terms of race, but also across gender expression, body types, and lived experience. In fact, every person (and animal) represented in the deck was modeled after someone the creators intentionally brought in for that purpose. Queer Tarot succeeds in bringing visibility and inclusion in a way many decks still fall short.

Continuing in the spirit of vibrancy and whimsy, The Rainbow Tarot brings exactly that to the table. The artwork has a boldness to it without feeling overwhelming or chaotic. Familiar Rider–Waite–Smith archetypes are given a modern, psychedelic glow-up, with So Lazo’s imagery pairing beautifully with Cyree Jarelle Johnson’s writing.

What really sets this deck apart is the guidebook. Each card entry begins with a question designed to activate reflection and curiosity about how the card shows up in your life—something I personally love when pulling cards for myself or others. It turns each draw into a moment of active inquiry rather than passive interpretation.

Now for a uniquely fun Oracle deck: The Drag Queen Oracle. This deck is a celebration of the many art forms that fall under the umbrella of drag. It showcases a wide spectrum of expression—from female and male illusion to more avant-garde and monstrous interpretations.

What makes this deck especially fun is how it incorporates the language and lexicon of drag and ballroom culture. You might find yourself feeling “10s across the board,” or recognizing moments when life has been “reading” you for filth. It’s playful, affirming, and deeply rooted in queer cultural expression.

Other decks to consider:

• Queer Lenormand Oracle by Marianne Andrade

• Pride Tarot: A Collaborative Deck

Happy Pride to all of you. Stay safe, stay vigilant, and watch out for each other.
— Stella B.