Was Tarot Always Inclusive?
By Lady Celeste
Most people forget that the tarot, like all other tools was created by humans. If looked at critically, humans have always had their own biases and traditional beliefs. The purpose of tarot has always been the same, to promote self-reflection, empowerment and growth through different ideas.
However, more than these ideas of adaptability, intuitive ability and awareness of the emotional self, we are influenced by the concepts the cards hold.
An Evolved Tool
In modern times, the tarot has led the movement in promoting trust in one’s intuitive self and yet this is not its first activism. In the 1970s, tarot was also influenced by the Goddess Movement; which focused on understanding, exploring and worshipping the idea of femininity. This movement plus second-wave feminism led to the making of the Motherpeace tarot, inspired by myth and literature from different continents.
Many decks have moved on to creating more lessons with transformed concepts and hierarchies rather than the usual stereotypes.
A Space To Be Authentic & Inclusive
The Women of Science Tarot Deck created by MIT not only educates us about famous women scientists but has meanings associated with the principles of science allowing it to inform and a learning experience. The Ancestral Path Tarot by Julie Cuccia-Watts finds commonalities in beliefs and experiences from different cultures.
It is important to understand how art here holds history to be more inclusive of different realities. The racial diversity present in modern cards is more evolved for example The Modern Witch Tarot includes facial features of different ancestries or even tarot decks that focus simply on a culture’s own symbolism can be found.
For gender and sexuality representation now we can find decks that are diverse and are not traditionally understood in the heteronormative Rider Waite deck way. Queer couples, disabled and plus-sized bodies are now also more common allowing for inclusivity to become part of this spiritual practice. To have representation is an important part of the acceptance and evolution of spirituality itself.
