Review: The Lubanko Tarot

Any time that I read the word queer in anything, I immediately pay attention. Call me basic, but this has allowed me to discover so many surprises that I will keep using this method. One of those jewels is the deck that I want to rave about today: The Lubanko Tarot, by E. Lubanko. Thanks to the publisher for the copy to review!

• Publication Date: October 8, 2025.
• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications.
• Page Count: 244 pages.
• Card Count: 80 cards.
• Dimensions: 5.06 x 2.19 x 6.09 inches.

Explore the Surreal, the Intense, the Queer, and the Divine

Lubanko invites you to dive into the many facets of life through a mythical, sensuous, colorful, and unapologetic lens. This deck and its full-color guidebook are inspired by but also diverge from the Rider-Waite-Smith system, creating a collection of archetypes with greater dimension and relatability for modern readers.

Each of the 80 cards―including three versions of the Lovers card―is packed with decadent meaning to meditate on, helping you decipher your personal metaphor and mythos. These cards encourage you to ask deep questions―to seek the truth in all its light and darkness. As you journey through the deck, you will discover the diversity of life on earth and the divinity of transcending our expected forms.

Printed with sustainably sourced paper and ink.

Includes 80 cards; a 244-page, color guidebook; and a card altar.

These cards are so colorful that it is amazing they still portray some darkness in them. There is a beautiful Gothic charm in all of them that makes them pieces of art unto themselves, which makes The Lubanko Tarot also suitable for meditation and journaling sessions. While reading with them, I discovered additional details by simply looking at the cards without considering their meaning from the book.

Another good quality is the material. They are a comfortable size to work with, neither too stiff nor too flexible, allowing for a comfortable shuffling. As someone who prays and visualizes during the shuffling, this is an excellent point because it allows me to work in a way that suits me. The matte border of the cards was also a favorable point that E. Lubanko thought about, as it highlights the vivid colors of the art.

Obviously, the artwork is front and central here, and while the diversity is out of this world, and the inclusion works in most of the cards, there was one notable exception. I wasn't entirely convinced by the three variants of The Lovers. One looked as if they were a straight couple, the other one looked like a lesbian couple, but the other one was confusing to look at.

In general lines, The Lubanko Tarot is a deck that can ease you into shadow work if you are new to it. E. Lubanko provides a mystical experience in each of the cards. She allows you to explore different perspectives with striking imagery that transports you to a fantasy world. A colorful addition to anyone's practice, this deck doesn't shy away from the darker aspects of readings, making it a complete tool.

Kinky regards, K!

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