THE NEXT WORLD TAROT

The NEXT WORLD TAROT is a 78-card deck created by artist Cristy C. Road, designed as a "post-apocalyptic reclamation of magic." It reinterprets traditional tarot through the lens of smashing systematic oppression, owning personal truths, and reconnecting with one's body after trauma. The deck is a visual narrative of both the "battle cry and the reconnection" for outcasts and their "criminalized identities," aiming to provide a spiritual tool that reflects the stories and experiences of queer and Latinx communities.

Road's intention was to create a deck where readers could see themselves and their struggles reflected, offering a system of divination that is both consistent in its core principles and relative to the individual's journey. The artwork, a blend of various traditional art mediums, features electric queer characters triumphing over societal challenges, embodying themes of resilience, healing, and self-discovery. The project, which began in 2011, evolved from a personal journey of reconnecting with cultural and spiritual roots into a comprehensive tarot deck.

Initially funded through Kickstarter in 2015, the campaign successfully raised over $29,000 from 523 backers to fund the completion of the remaining cards and the first print run of 500 decks. The creator expressed hopes for multiple editions, additions, and revisions, emphasizing the deck's role as a living, evolving tool for self-empowerment and community connection.

This deck is ideal for queer, Latinx, and other marginalized readers seeking a tarot system that authentically reflects their experiences and struggles with systemic oppression. It appeals to those interested in punk rock aesthetics, zine culture, and art that challenges societal norms. Readers who value decks with strong narrative themes of healing from trauma, self-reclamation, and community accountability will find this deck particularly resonant. It is suitable for both experienced tarot readers looking for a politically and socially conscious deck and beginners drawn to its unique, empowering message.

Cristy C. Road, a queer Cubana artist and author, began her journey with The NEXT WORLD TAROT in 2007 after leaving Miami. Initially struggling to reconcile her punk rock activism with her Latinx spiritual roots, she was inspired by Michelle Tea during a Sister Spit tour to create her own tarot deck. This project evolved from a personal quest for healing from trauma and reconnecting with her ancestry into a complex series of drawings. Road, known for her zines and graphic novels, dedicated years to this project, using a variety of traditional art mediums to bring her vision of a post-apocalyptic, inclusive tarot to life.