Hello! My name is Lauren (she/her) and I am a Filipino queer who started reading tarot in January 2021. Despite having a young practice, I’m very passionate (and pretty obsessed) about using tarot for self-knowledge and empowerment. This website is a space for me to share my ideas and my evolving understanding of the cards through the Unlearn the Tarot series. I will also share some deck reviews, original tarot spreads, and some of my most meaningful personal readings.
I believe that the tarot is a potent tool for understanding present-day energies, so you can transform your life and create the future you want. I also take a queer approach to reading tarot and rarely use the cards’ traditional meanings – more on that below.
Separately, I created a queer women’s tarot circle in Singapore, where I currently live. We have a Whatsapp group and meet every month for new moon rituals, discussions about queering the tarot, and more general taroty things. Contact me if you’d like to be a part of this. All female-identifying queer, trans, non-binary folk, and trans men are welcome!
Outside of tarot, I like to swim, do chill outdoorsy things with my partner, and play classical guitar. I also work full time as a Content and Customer Experience Strategist, which means I can only update this website when I have the time and headspace for it. Follow me on Instagram to be the first to know about fresh content!
Tarot from a queer perspective
I highlight my queerness because it informs my entire approach to tarot. My objective is to go beyond the traditional meanings and genders presented by the archetypes, and create readings that are relevant for queer and non-binary folks.
Besides acknowledging the vast spectrum of LGBTQIA experiences in my interpretations, and using inclusive or gender neutral tarot decks, I also throw out the notion of “male” and “female” qualities in my understanding of the archetypes. For example, the concept of “nurturing” in The Empress applies to men as much as it does to women, and the idea of “fertility” can also mean being a prolific creative.
I also avoid thinking in binaries. I believe that there are no “positive” or “negative” cards, and that all of them carry a powerful lesson we need at the moment.
My understanding of what it means to queer the tarot is still a huge work in progress, so expect frequent changes to this section. Similarly, I am also learning what it means to decolonize the tarot, so watch out for my thoughts around that!
Why “tarot tita”?
Besides being a cute play on words, “tita” means Filipino auntie, which is an archetype that I want to own and subvert. This probably deserves an entire essay, but my initial thoughts around this archetype has to do with breaking its shadow side.
One becomes a “tita” when you become a literal aunt, or when you have reached a certain age and have adapted more tita-like behaviors, such as staying in instead of partying. I remember shuddering at the thought of being a “tita” in my late 20s because like most cis women, I internalized too many messages about how my social value is tied to my looks and therefore my youth. I’m in my mid-30s now, with a much deeper appreciation of the wisdom that comes with age, which is worth more to me than youthful appearances. By embracing the tita, I embrace aging and everything that comes with it.
If we go to describe the “negative” tita stereotype, we are likely to conjure the image of a deeply heterosexual, nosy, gossipy auntie, who asks tactless questions about your personal life and makes unwelcome remarks about your body. This stereotype is what I’d like to subvert as a queer woman. The world needs more gay, middle-aged titas who respect boundaries and embody what we do love about our aunties: their warmth, impeccable taste, wisdom, and love.
Closed for public readings
I don’t offer readings to strangers, except on very rare occasions. If you are about to get a reading from me, do take a minute to read my ethics and guidelines.