Loteria Remedios Oracle

A beautifully-illustrated 54-card oracle deck that reimagines the iconic game of Loteria by using the traditional symbols for divination, reflection, and healing.

La Rosa. La Muerte. El Nopal. These are just a few of the 54 iconic symbols that appear in the beloved card game Loteria, also known as Mexican Bingo. Since reaching modern-day Mexico in 1779, the deck has seen many artful incarnations, and across Latinx cultures, it has served the multilayered purpose of practicing the Spanish language, bringing loved ones together, and of course, trying our luck.

But Loteria Remedios enters the cards into the canon of cartomancy- it uses the traditional symbols for divination, reflection, and self-healing. Here author Xelena Gonzalez, a member of the Tap Pillar Coahuiltecan Nation, is continuing the work of her great-grandmother, a curandera sought-after and highly respected for her abilities. Through beautiful illustrations and lyrical written remedios, La Sirena (The Mermaid) becomes an invitation to view your own magic and beauty. La Bandera (The Flag) suggests the need to wave your flag high, so that you may discover who is ready to join your cause. And the much-loved La Luna (The Moon) encourage you to look within, and understand that night will always find its morning, that the tide always changes.

Author Biography

Xelena Gonzalez practices the healing arts through writing and movement. She is a storyteller, dancer, and visiting author who centers self-love in her multi-disciplinary workshops for all ages. Her picture books include the multiple award-winning ALL AROUND US (Cinco Puntos Press, 2017), the recently-released WHERE WONDER GROWS (Lee & Low, 2022), and the forthcoming title REMEMBERING (Simon & Schuster, 2023). Xelena’s storytelling skills were honed as a public librarian in her hometown of Yanaguana/San Antonio and in Guangzhou, China, where she served as head librarian for an international school. Through her author visits, she has introduced a method of “tai chi storytelling” to more than 100 schools, museums, and libraries around the globe.

Jose Sotelo Yamasaki is a San Antonio based painter, screenprinter, and illustrator. He has garnered a national following as the owner and operator of El Fin, an exclusive online gallery showcasing the vibrant artwork that has made San Antonio a cultural mecca. His work is heavily influenced by Mesoamerican design, Mexican folk art, and Japanese Zen art. In this way, Jose’s creations pay homage to his mixed ancestries.