What’s up, swimmers?! Happy Full Moon in Aquarius!
What a pitch perfect day to be bringing you this incredible conversation I had with Lane Smith, the author of 78 Acts of Liberation, which officially comes out tomorrow, but can be pre-ordered (super helpful to writers!) right this very second.
Believe me when I say that this book is everything—it’s tarot, it’s politics, it’s theory, it’s history, it’s action, it’s community, and much, much more. And while there are many books out there on the tarot, I believe that Lane’s book adds new and vital calls to action for anyone with looking to use their spiritual faith, knowledge and skills in their workings towards freedom and dignity for all.
I mean, just look at my beautiful copy!!! Don’t you want your own?
Lane Smith is a transmasculine nonbinary writer with over 20 years of experience as an activist, organizer, and Tarot reader. They have been involved in struggles against war, the death penalty, attacks on LGBT rights and body autonomy for marginalized genders and birthing people, police violence, and apartheid. They have worked as a social worker in prisons, and in the field of harm reduction with people who are at risk for HIV/AIDS. With a professional Master’s degree in Social Work and an academic Master’s degree in Humanities and Social Thought, Lane expresses their ideas in clear, nonacademic language in the interest of putting social justice values into practice. Lane is the editor of the Tarot & Politics zine, and a member of Solidarity Tarot where they live in Baltimore City, Maryland.
In 78 Acts of Liberation, Lane affirms that while the cards in the tarot offer seventy-eight invitations for change in our inner life, we are also invited to read each card with an eye toward the collective―how we can contribute to liberation in the world.
This will come as a shock to no one, but I really dig the way the cards are organized numerologically so that each number corresponds to a type of action, from Ones as Acts of Initiation to Tens as Acts of Generation. Then, each Major Arcana card is illustrated with an example from a social movement―from the Indigenous Water Protectors to #MeToo―that illuminates how we can put the power of these timeless archetypes into action today. And every Minor Arcana card is linked to a practical and actionable term to know or skill to practice.
Lane has been a colleague and a friend for years now, and I have so much respect for the work they do, and the generosity of spirit with which they invite others into activism. I firmly believe that this book belongs on every witch’s shelf, but don’t just take it from me—
78 Acts of Liberation, and this episode of swimming in the soup, explores:
Identifying our core values, and how we can put them into love in action
How we can be socially engaged, whatever our life circumstance―whether it’s through what we teach our children or through collective action and protest
How to sustain ourselves over time and through challenge
The intersections of spirituality and collective action, and how leftists and witches can harness these opportunities
The importance of building (tarot) communities that are resilient, employ conflict/resolution skills, and are rooted in trust
As Smith explains, “Truth alone will not set us free. We have to act on it.” This book—and this conversation—offers inspiration for action that can feel joyful, hopeful, freeing, and empowering.
A friendly reminder—
This Saturday, August 24th will round out The Road Trip workshop series with What If I Hate My Life Path?, a 2-hour, virtual workshop that will tackle the pitfalls of each Life Path, digging into just what kinds of trials and tribulations could show up on your drive, how to stay steady behind the wheel, and even how to change course if necessary.
If you’d like to take the whole trip, it’s just $111 for the replays of What Are the Rules of the Road? and Where the F*ck Am I?, plus the live workshop this weekend. Simply respond to this email and I’ll get you all set up!
And if you’re looking for support, clarity and guidance this month, my books are open for 1-on-1 numerology readings and tarot readings on Moonlight!
78 Acts of Liberation with Lane Smith