Just in time for Pride Month, the first LGBTQIA+ themed tarot deck in the Philippines empowers people to find their own rainbow.
The Rainbow Seekers Tarot is a 78-card tarot deck developed by Henson Wongaiham, a certified tarot master and advertising professional from Manila.
"With the launch of the Rainbow Seekers Tarot, I hope that it can spark conversations and provide representation and visibility for the LGBTQIA+ community," Henson says on Instagram.
According to Henson, the project started out as a simple rainbow-themed deck which then evolved into a more purposeful set of cards.
“Creating an LGBTQIA+ themed tarot deck was never part of my plan,” he says. “It was an unexpected, yet seemingly divine development which I boldly decided to pursue.”
Henson strongly feels that the development of this project can provide guidance, depth, and relevance to one's life, especially to those who are finding their own rainbows, the way he is constantly seeking his.
With the colorful cards, Henson captures the different aspects of being in the LGBTQIA+ community, with cards designed to evoke the feeling of lightness, darkness, to being naughty.
“This isn’t just a record of my life. This is a testament of the LGBTQIA+ people—our triumphs, adversities, and our quest to love and be loved, ” he says.
"In its own little way, I hope that this deck paves the way for inclusivity, understanding, and genuine acceptance in the Philippines so that in this lifetime, we are able to attain the change that we need."
There are no set rules in using the deck. The Rainbow Seekers Tarot can be used for divination, meditation, self-reflection, or even for fun. The deck also comes with a bonus When Oracle: Rainbow Edition, a mini-deck collaboration with Ledz Lim.
In the spirit of pride, the launching of the Rainbow Seekers Tarot has also become a community effort with Henson partnering with Chakras.ph, Eclectic Femina PH, Marikit MNL Candle Co., and House of Mystics to come up with special sets with crystals, spell jar, candle and bracelet –all rainbow themed!
All proceeds will help fund organizations and their efforts for the LGBTQIA+ community.