Decolonized Tarot: A New Deck for the Global Majority

The Decolonized Tarot is a significant project designed to celebrate the Filipino-American Diaspora, providing a unique tarot experience that connects readers to their ancestors and cultural heritage. The deck's core mission is to offer a spiritual tool that is free from the influence of White Supremacy, allowing for a more authentic and culturally resonant form of divination. This initiative, spearheaded by illustrator Cathleen Abalos, successfully raised $56,461 from 614 backers on Kickstarter in 2021, indicating strong community support for its vision.

Each deck measures 2.75 by 4.25 inches and features a high-quality finish with gold gilt edging, suitable for regular tarot readings. It comes with a non-illustrated mini pamphlet guide to help users become acquainted with the cards. For a more in-depth experience, an optional illustrated guidebook is available. This full-color, perfect hardbound book, approximately 7x9 inches and 200 pages long, contains card descriptions by Maritess Zurbano, advice on readings, and stories detailing the inspiration behind each illustration from artist Cathleen Abalos. The comprehensive guidebook is designed to enrich the reading experience by providing cultural context and deeper insights into the artwork.

The project also extended to digital offerings, including an animated e-book that brings the card illustrations to life with full animations. This digital companion includes card meanings, instructions, and special tarot card spreads by Maritess Zurbano. The various components of the Decolonized Tarot — from the physical deck and guidebooks to digital resources — aim to create a holistic and immersive experience for the global majority, fostering a connection to Filipino-American heritage through the practice of tarot.

This deck is ideal for individuals of Filipino-American descent seeking a tarot deck that reflects their cultural heritage and ancestral connections. It also appeals to readers interested in decolonizing their spiritual practice and those who prioritize diverse representation in their divination tools. Collectors of unique, culturally specific decks and those who appreciate narrative-driven, expressive artwork will find this deck particularly compelling.

Cathleen Abalos is an illustrator and visual development artist based in Los Angeles, with extensive experience in children's books, animation, and comic books. Her work on the Decolonized Tarot stems from a desire to create a deck that honors the Filipino-American Diaspora, allowing individuals to connect with their ancestors without relying on Eurocentric frameworks. The project reflects her commitment to cultural representation and providing tools for spiritual practice that resonate deeply with the global majority.