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78 Acts of Liberation: Tarot to Transform Our World
A guide to reading Tarot as a spark for community engagement and social change
“A beacon of insight and action.” —Nyasha Williams, author of Black Tarot and I Affirm Me
The cards in the Tarot deck offer seventy-eight invitations for change, not only in our inner life, but beyond. Lane Smith invites us to read each card with an eye toward the collective—how we can contribute to liberation in the world.
Smith shares, “Behind every story about Tarot—and about the world—are power relationships which are often invisible.” 78 Acts of Liberation examines the structure, history, and components of Tarot through the lens of power, helping us better understand power dynamics in our life and in society.
After a brief history that highlights often-ignored aspects of Tarot’s past, Smith guides us through each card with reflections about clarifying our values and putting them into action. 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. Every individual card offers questions for personal reflection and social consideration. 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. Every Minor Arcana card is linked to a practical and actionable term to know or skill to practice. 78 Acts of Liberation helps us
• What our core values are, and how we can put them into 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
As Smith explains, “Truth alone will not set us free. We have to act on it.” This guide offers inspiration for action—action that can feel joyful, hopeful, freeing, and empowering.
“A beacon of insight and action.” —Nyasha Williams, author of Black Tarot and I Affirm Me
The cards in the Tarot deck offer seventy-eight invitations for change, not only in our inner life, but beyond. Lane Smith invites us to read each card with an eye toward the collective—how we can contribute to liberation in the world.
Smith shares, “Behind every story about Tarot—and about the world—are power relationships which are often invisible.” 78 Acts of Liberation examines the structure, history, and components of Tarot through the lens of power, helping us better understand power dynamics in our life and in society.
After a brief history that highlights often-ignored aspects of Tarot’s past, Smith guides us through each card with reflections about clarifying our values and putting them into action. 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. Every individual card offers questions for personal reflection and social consideration. 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. Every Minor Arcana card is linked to a practical and actionable term to know or skill to practice. 78 Acts of Liberation helps us
• What our core values are, and how we can put them into 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
As Smith explains, “Truth alone will not set us free. We have to act on it.” This guide offers inspiration for action—action that can feel joyful, hopeful, freeing, and empowering.
Kindle Edition
Published August 20, 2024
32 people are currently reading
175 people want to read
About the author
Lane Smith
1 book2 followersLane 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.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 21, 2024
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
When I first learned that author Lane Smith was writing this book, I was stoked; their "Tarot & Politics" posts on Instagram were thought-provoking and always gave me something new to think about in my relationship with the tarot. I knew the book was going to be amazing, and I was not disappointed.
Smith is an engaging writer, and even though the material is sometimes challenging on a personal level (which is its intent), the way it is presented makes me, as the reader, want to lean in and learn. The first part of the book deals with the history of tarot and the structure of the deck. I was tempted to skip over it to get to the "good stuff" in Part 2; even though I'm not a tarot scholar by any means, I read extensively and I felt fairly knowledgeable about tarot's history. I'm glad I didn't give in to that impulse, though, because it turns out I maybe didn't know quite as much as I thought! I found new perspectives and information I was previously unfamiliar with here, so I encourage you to read through Part 1, even if you feel like you already know it all.
The real meat of this book comes in Part 2, dealing with the cards themselves. I love how the author breaks things down numerologically, grouping related cards - it gives an entirely new way of understanding them in relation to each other, and also when doing a reading. I love the examples/stories chosen to illustrate the author's understanding of the cards, as they provide a tangible example for relating the cards to our lives. It's a title that belongs on the shelf of every tarot reader. I have already ordered a physical copy, and I'm looking forward to going back through it with page flags and a highlighter, as this is a book I see myself referring back to again and again.
When I first learned that author Lane Smith was writing this book, I was stoked; their "Tarot & Politics" posts on Instagram were thought-provoking and always gave me something new to think about in my relationship with the tarot. I knew the book was going to be amazing, and I was not disappointed.
Smith is an engaging writer, and even though the material is sometimes challenging on a personal level (which is its intent), the way it is presented makes me, as the reader, want to lean in and learn. The first part of the book deals with the history of tarot and the structure of the deck. I was tempted to skip over it to get to the "good stuff" in Part 2; even though I'm not a tarot scholar by any means, I read extensively and I felt fairly knowledgeable about tarot's history. I'm glad I didn't give in to that impulse, though, because it turns out I maybe didn't know quite as much as I thought! I found new perspectives and information I was previously unfamiliar with here, so I encourage you to read through Part 1, even if you feel like you already know it all.
The real meat of this book comes in Part 2, dealing with the cards themselves. I love how the author breaks things down numerologically, grouping related cards - it gives an entirely new way of understanding them in relation to each other, and also when doing a reading. I love the examples/stories chosen to illustrate the author's understanding of the cards, as they provide a tangible example for relating the cards to our lives. It's a title that belongs on the shelf of every tarot reader. I have already ordered a physical copy, and I'm looking forward to going back through it with page flags and a highlighter, as this is a book I see myself referring back to again and again.
February 2, 2025
I love the addition of community-centred perspectives.
July 28, 2024
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.
Lane Smith’s “78 Acts of Liberation” is a beacon of insight and action, inviting readers to explore Tarot as a catalyst for community engagement and social change. Through seventy-eight cards, Smith illuminates not only our inner lives but also the collective power we hold to transform the world.
Smith delves into the often invisible power relationships behind Tarot and the world. By examining Tarot through the lens of power, readers gain a deeper understanding of power dynamics in their own lives and society.
The book organizes the cards numerologically, linking each number to a specific type of action. From Acts of Initiation (Ones) to Acts of Generation (Tens), Smith encourages us to clarify our values and put them into action.
Major Arcana cards are illustrated with examples from social movements, demonstrating how timeless archetypes can inspire action today. Minor Arcana cards are linked to practical terms and skills for personal reflection and social consideration.
“78 Acts of Liberation” is a potent, smart, and ridiculously readable guide. Smith’s exploration of truth and action resonates deeply. Whether clarifying our core values, engaging socially, or sustaining ourselves over time, this book offers inspiration for joyful, freeing, and empowering action.
For those seeking to harness the power of Tarot beyond individual readings, this book is a must-read. Let truth propel us into transformative action—one card at a time.
Remember, sometimes the cards we hold can change the world. 🌟🃏
Lane Smith’s “78 Acts of Liberation” is a beacon of insight and action, inviting readers to explore Tarot as a catalyst for community engagement and social change. Through seventy-eight cards, Smith illuminates not only our inner lives but also the collective power we hold to transform the world.
Smith delves into the often invisible power relationships behind Tarot and the world. By examining Tarot through the lens of power, readers gain a deeper understanding of power dynamics in their own lives and society.
The book organizes the cards numerologically, linking each number to a specific type of action. From Acts of Initiation (Ones) to Acts of Generation (Tens), Smith encourages us to clarify our values and put them into action.
Major Arcana cards are illustrated with examples from social movements, demonstrating how timeless archetypes can inspire action today. Minor Arcana cards are linked to practical terms and skills for personal reflection and social consideration.
“78 Acts of Liberation” is a potent, smart, and ridiculously readable guide. Smith’s exploration of truth and action resonates deeply. Whether clarifying our core values, engaging socially, or sustaining ourselves over time, this book offers inspiration for joyful, freeing, and empowering action.
For those seeking to harness the power of Tarot beyond individual readings, this book is a must-read. Let truth propel us into transformative action—one card at a time.
Remember, sometimes the cards we hold can change the world. 🌟🃏
February 1, 2025
This book is more than a tarot book. This is more than a book on political radicalism. This is a book that seamlessly blends the two together in a way that moves tarot forward. Smith starts with a brief overview of tarot’s history, the parts that had been white-washed away. Then moves through each of the cards to link them back to that history as well as provoke thinking on how tarot can support social justice.
This book is extremely thought provoking. I’m an avid reader, and routinely pick up new tarot books, but haven’t come across one like this before. I especially like that the cards are arranged in numerical order, with accompanying majors that are the number or reduce to the number. Then sharing historical, important and often neglected, events that relate to those cards. There’s so much good information in this book that I am still working through!
The overarching message of the book, spread through each and every card, is one of hope. A hope that we as a collective are moving forward towards true inclusiveness by supporting one another and the causes we hold close to our hearts. The reminder that my activism doesn’t necessarily look like yours was one I really needed to hear as well. This is a must read for anyone who reads tarot, but also for anyone who is part of the spiritual community and wants to integrate more into their practices.
This book is extremely thought provoking. I’m an avid reader, and routinely pick up new tarot books, but haven’t come across one like this before. I especially like that the cards are arranged in numerical order, with accompanying majors that are the number or reduce to the number. Then sharing historical, important and often neglected, events that relate to those cards. There’s so much good information in this book that I am still working through!
The overarching message of the book, spread through each and every card, is one of hope. A hope that we as a collective are moving forward towards true inclusiveness by supporting one another and the causes we hold close to our hearts. The reminder that my activism doesn’t necessarily look like yours was one I really needed to hear as well. This is a must read for anyone who reads tarot, but also for anyone who is part of the spiritual community and wants to integrate more into their practices.
January 30, 2025
My official rating is a 4.5 because I LOVED THIS BOOK.
I knew nothing about tarot before reading this book. It was sent to me as an ARC almost a year ago and I unfortunately didn't have the capacity to pick it up until earlier this month.
I'm genuinely so glad I waited because I was able to really sit with a TONNE of new information and also sit with some challenging questions, thoughts, and truths. Lane Smith did a really wonderful job at explaining the basics of tarot at the start of the book, but where I had the most fun and learned the most was in their breakdown of the cards.
I can't give it a 5/5 because I don't think I'd recommend this book to everyone, but if you're interested in using a tool like tarot in your activism and advocacy work, I highly recommend this book.
(Also, I get to interview them next week and ask ALLLLLL the questions and I am just so excited!)
I knew nothing about tarot before reading this book. It was sent to me as an ARC almost a year ago and I unfortunately didn't have the capacity to pick it up until earlier this month.
I'm genuinely so glad I waited because I was able to really sit with a TONNE of new information and also sit with some challenging questions, thoughts, and truths. Lane Smith did a really wonderful job at explaining the basics of tarot at the start of the book, but where I had the most fun and learned the most was in their breakdown of the cards.
I can't give it a 5/5 because I don't think I'd recommend this book to everyone, but if you're interested in using a tool like tarot in your activism and advocacy work, I highly recommend this book.
(Also, I get to interview them next week and ask ALLLLLL the questions and I am just so excited!)
July 31, 2025
I picked up this book because I was curious about how it interprets tarot cards in the context of social movements - but I got more than that. It completely rearranges the tarot, while keeping traditional symbols and numbers, into a non-linear, community-based, Justice-centered system. It also, apart from of the examples of activism, has very deep, interesting things to say about the possible menanings of each card. And I loved the examples. I learned a lot about social movements - and also the many different facets of activism, from allyship through communication to sustainability. I loved it that instead of taking cards one by one, it highlighted relationships between Majors and Minors of the same numbers, and their references to activist work as a whole.
I'm a little sad the court cards didn't get more attention.
I'm a little sad the court cards didn't get more attention.
June 6, 2024
Quick impressions: Overall I liked the book, but I did not really like it. The strength really lies in the second part after they present their Tarot structure in Part One then get to the card entries. I found the practical elements more useful. For the whole book there are some parts that I liked more than others, but this is still a useful resource overall.
Having said that, I can see how this book may be useful and appeal to some of our activist students here who may also read Tarot and do cartomancy. This is a book that I would order for our library, especially if a patron requests it. This book can also be good for those who do the work who also want to expand their vision for Tarot.
(Detailed review on my blog soon. Read now via Netgalley.)
Having said that, I can see how this book may be useful and appeal to some of our activist students here who may also read Tarot and do cartomancy. This is a book that I would order for our library, especially if a patron requests it. This book can also be good for those who do the work who also want to expand their vision for Tarot.
(Detailed review on my blog soon. Read now via Netgalley.)
February 2, 2025
Looking for something deeper and original to add a new dimension to your next Tarot Reading that will open up the scope of your reading beyond yourself? Are you intrigued by how you can reframe your reading to something larger than yourself? Did you ever even think that the Tarot deck could be used in this way or are you like I was, left thinking of the Tarot deck as way of plumbing the depths of just your own ones psyche and motivations. If this is sow thing hat intrigues you, as it did me, than check out this highly original and unique Social Justice based guide to the Tarot for the 21st Century.
Beautifully written, insightful, and inspiring Lane Smith has written a book that will leave you thinking and mediating on the Big Questions that we must face in our time.
Beautifully written, insightful, and inspiring Lane Smith has written a book that will leave you thinking and mediating on the Big Questions that we must face in our time.
July 14, 2025
78 ACTS OF LIBERATION - TAROT TO TRANSFORM OUR WORLD ✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽✊🏼✊🏻 by Lane Smith. This was an interesting read into social justice work and tarot can tie-into motivation, inspiration, intentions, and strategy behind movements. The 78-card deck is laid out in a spherical format rather than linear which I thought was very interesting and each of the major arcana tied to a major movement. It’s a very interesting dive into the history of tarot and its importance to Roma culture and how we can use it today to transform our focus and direction with the hard work of action for our increasingly scary political times. Highly recommend if you are a witch that needs inspiration in rising up ✨
February 1, 2025
An interesting take on reading tarot in a grander scheme of life and societal change. A good book for readers who want to explore a different tpye of reading, and understand the cards in a different manner. Overall, a good book. * I recevied an ARC of this book fron NetGalley and this is my voluntary and honest review.
September 15, 2025
Really so so good. Not only is it a completely novel and necessary take on the tarot, but I learned so many things about reading tarot in general from this book. It will definitely go on my shelf to reread later.
January 19, 2025
4.5
I'm new to tarot, but this book is really on track with how I like to move in the world. Was very happy to hear a chat with Lane and Cult Mother (Hannah Graves) that inspired me to get the book.
I'm new to tarot, but this book is really on track with how I like to move in the world. Was very happy to hear a chat with Lane and Cult Mother (Hannah Graves) that inspired me to get the book.
March 12, 2025
Super insightful. Super compassionate.
October 31, 2025
4.25
Very interesting. A good change in perspective.
Very interesting. A good change in perspective.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews