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It’s a festive day here in my region so my plans are basically celebrating and being happy and proud of the sunny place of the world I’m lucky to live in. And because of this joy and sunny-ness (ha!), today’s chosen deck is the ELAK Tarot, created by Linnea Frank. It is one of the most unique decks I have seen, and as you can see, it goes really well with my mood!

The 78 cards feature watercolour and ink illustrations that strike a perfect combination of rich symbols and unity. Linnea adds: “Balancing between kitsch and simplicity, this is a rich and colourful deck, filled with mystical symbolism and queer characters”. The design is super interesting: it is done in such a way that each card looks like a piece or a close-up of a bigger illustration. This allows for a really interesting creative process by which you can almost complete that potential full image. The fact that there are no borders framing the images really adds to this sensation.

The illustrations are super colourful, and there’s a predominance of orange and blue hues. I feel it’s very summery and cheery, but also quite contemplative. Though you can appreciate a variety of characters (let’s pause for a bit to admire the diverse skin colours), it’s not possible to see them entirely - it’s always just a part of them (I love it when it’s hands). But there are also other elements besides people, like fruits, lots of leaves, flowers, clours, stars, suit symbols, and animals. A lot of the traditional symbols are present, like the Hermit’s lamp ot the Devil’s chains.

Majors feature their roman numeral as well as their names, whereas the minors only contain their number (from 2 to 10), or their name (aces and court cards) - in white. The backs are non-reversible and they feature the suit symbols against a white circle in an orange background. The cards do not come with a box or booklet, but I’ve already found a nice place to keep them safe!

The ELAK Tarot is a vibrant, unusual and upbeat deck that brings sunshine to any meditation session or reading. While apparently simple in design, this deck is thoughtful and full of aspects to explore (even beyond the actual limits of the illustration) because of its up close approach. Linnea has managed to bring together tradition and innovation, so be sure to check this deck out, as well as other design goodies at her store!

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Finally, the ELAK Tarot deck is here! Individual watercolour and ink illustration feature on each of the 78 cards, making it a unique and personal deck. Balancing between kitsch and simplicity, this is a rich and colourful deck, filled with mystical symbolism and queer characters alike. The ELAK Tarot is based on the classic Rider Waite deck and follows the same structure. 1st edition. Measures 70x140mm. Cards are plastic coated and printed on Heretic 305um Black Cored Playing Card Board. For interpretations and guidance in the practice of Tarot, we recommend e.g. The Little Red Tarot.  Illustration and design by Linnea Frank.

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Favourite couple.. 

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Mickalene Thomas, An Imitation of Love, Brawlin’ Spitfire Two (2007, detail).

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Ingrid Pollard - From the series Pastoral Interlude (1987)

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From the series Self Evident by Ingrid Pollard

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Lesbians are nothing like straight people. 

Butch lesbians are nothing like straight men. 

Femme lesbians are nothing like straight women. 

Butches do not dress like or emulate straight men.

Femmes do not dress like or emulate straight women. 

Butch lesbians do not have male privilege or the male gaze. 

Femme lesbians do not have straight privilege from being able to “pass” as straight. 

Butch/Femme couples are not heteronormative. 

Butches and Femmes dress like no one but themselves. Their presentation has nothing to do with straight people. 

Butches and Femmes are both oppressed as lesbians. Neither has systemic privilege over the other. 

Butches and Femmes are both inherently radical in refusing to adhere to heteronormativity.

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Lubaina Himid

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Mona Hatoum

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by Lubaina Himid

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Rasheed Araeen

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Ida Rentoul Outhwaite

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Elsa Beskow

‘Dronning Vannlilje’ - Queen Water Lily

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Kunzang Choden is the first Bhutanese woman to have published a book in English, making it a significant achievement in South Asian literature. The Circle of Karma is described by critics as ‘one of the best books written by a Bhutanese author’. Set in the 1950’s period of imperially regulated modernisation in Bhutan, the novel follows young Tsomo who is unable to convince her father to educate her alongside her brothers. She comes to the conclusion that being born a woman must be punishment for bad karma from previous lives. Through her writing, Choden seeks to elucidate the injustices, misogyny and sexual abuse faced by Bhutanese women.