Queering the Tarot

By: Cassandra Snow, Beth Maiden - Foreword

Narrated by: Leslie Howard

Tarot is best used as a tool for self-discovery, healing, growth, empowerment, and liberation. Tarot archetypes provide the reader with a window into present circumstances and future potential. But what if that window only opened up on a world that was white, European, and heterosexual? The interpretations of the tarot that have been passed down through tradition presuppose a commonality and normalcy among humanity. At the root of card meanings are archetypes that we accept without questioning. But at what point do archetypes become stereotypes?

Tarot has the power to serve a greater population, with the right keys to unlock the tarot's deeper meanings. In Queering the Tarot, Cassandra Snow deconstructs the meanings of the 78 cards explaining the ways in which each card might be interpreted against the norm. Queering the Tarot explores themes of sexuality, coming out, gender and gender-queering, sources of oppression and empowerment, and many other topics especially familiar to not-straight folks. Cassandra's identity-based approach speaks directly to those whose identity is either up in the air or consuming the forefront of their consciousness. It also speaks to those struggling with mental illness or the effects of trauma, all seekers looking for personal affirmation that who they are is okay.

©2019 Cassandra Snow (P)2019 Tantor

Most accessible description of tarot meanings I’ve found

I found Cassandra Snow’s take on the Tarot to be really accessible, and the narrator made it an even easier listen. I really appreciated the inclusive, gender-bending lens; often in the past I have felt I couldn’t connect with the cards, but I think Cassandra shows here how the cards can—or should be able to—speak to anyone.

This book has become my main reference for the tarot as I learn the cards. Cassandra Snow gets down to the atomic level of the meanings, and that helps me see the patterns and links between them much more clearly than ever before.

absolutely wonderful resource for beginner queers

I'm a newly out & new to tarot person & this was greatly informative!

Don't waste your time

When I read the title and the synopsis I expected a queer reading of the tarot. But anyone who has been reading the cards for more than 5 minutes will figure out fast enough that this is not very good tarot interpretation and every LGBT+ person will understand the level of simplification the author employs in her interpretation. This is not queering the tarot. For me, queering the tarot would be placing it in the context of alternative methods of knowing and within the context of queer theory, not coming up with "brilliant" ideas like The Hermit = asexual. This is not queering the tarot, this is misunderstanding the tarot.
The only part that I really find interesting - but this has been written and talked about for decades now - is providing a way of reading court cards without relying on gender binaries. As I said - this is nothing new but it is important. It's certainly not worth buying the book for.

biased author, don't bother

the author straight admits to hating the hierophant card-- it's a piece of card stock lady, simmer down and be objective. all her other musings are also superficial. this feels like a cash grab for the Queer & Tarot niches than someone who is helping us understand