In the world of tarot, innovation often comes with a touch of reverence for tradition. But what happens when you mix timeless archetypes with audacious creativity and a NSFW sense of humor? The Dick Pic Tarot Deck is a project that merges the art of tarot with the playful irreverence of drag, queer identity, and the resilience of its creator.
As a fan of drag queens, I was thrilled to chat with Seattle’s beloved Aquata Dujour. Her eureka moment came during her Bachelorina Party, where a playful party game blossomed into a full-fledged creative endeavor. The rest, as they say, is history.
- What inspired you to create a Tarot deck centered around such a bold and playful concept?
The idea for this concept emerged while planning my Bachelorina Party. I created an Exes Trivia Game that included a round of matching exes to dick pic categories. After the dust had settled from my wedding, I was looking for a new project to work on and came back to these categories. There was something there. I wanted to see if I could expand the dick pic categories to encompass the journey of the Major Arcana in Tarot. Initially, I only planned on illustrating the Major Arcana, but after seeing how much joy the project brought me, my husband urged me on to finish the entire Tarot Deck, and I am so thankful he did.
- How did you balance humor and meaningful symbolism in the design of the deck?
When designing the deck, I always started with the meaning of the card, and then through many long walks, my husband and I would flesh out the dick-based metaphor to relate to the meaning and intention of the cards. Obviously, humor ensued!
- Can you elaborate on the creative process of designing 257 unique D’s? Which part of the process was most fun, and which was most challenging?
Where a lot of mainstream media highlights specific types of bodies, it was very important to me to celebrate all D’s and all bodies in designing 257 unique dicks! I reflected back on my decades of exploration of D’s and really tried to show the full range, so that people could see their exes, their current lovers, and the man who sent them a dick pic last Saturday in the cards. Before I became The Original Dick Witch, I ascribed myself the title of “Dick Connoisseur” (I even made myself a sash of this title). Dicks, like Tarot Cards, come with a variety of energies, and this project was all about pairing those energies with the right moods and positions for the cards. Once you accept what a D has for you and no longer are there to judge, then the world is your oyster!
The most fun part of the process was really the joy the project brought me. I loved the problem-solving of defining the metaphor and the concept. Dicks were all that was on my mind for two years, which was nothing new, but the playfulness and the creativity of how the 8’s will interact with the Tarot meanings and structure really brought the core tenants of my life together. Tarot, Sex, and Art all intersected in a way that I’d never pursued before.
The most challenging part of the process was needing to take a break. Halfway through illustrating the Minor Arcana, my husband and I experienced a hate crime, which really rocked me to my core, and, for a moment, I felt silenced. I couldn’t draw, and it was difficult to begin again and return to the project.
- You’ve mentioned that the deck draws from traditional Tarot meanings. How did you ensure that your unique approach still aligns with tarot’s deep-rooted archetypes and structure?
I have been reading Tarot cards for 24 years now. This deck is a reflection of my relationship with the Tarot structure, its meanings, and metaphors I’ve ascribed to the cards. The nature of the deck is inherently silly and, due to this, it was incredibly important to me to ensure that the deck had a strong foundation in the Rider-Waite System.
- Your drag persona, Aquata Dujour, played a big role in this project. How does Aquata influence your creativity and artistic vision?
Honestly, Aquata liberates me! Stepping out into the world as The Original Dick Witch gives me confidence that my everyday self couldn’t have. She emboldens me artistically to be my full self. She is also very disarming and has been able to convince people of the fantasy! I love nothing more than dressing up as Aquata and going to my local bar and giving readings with the Dick Pic Tarot Deck.
- How did the hate crime you experienced impact the creative process for the deck? How did you channel that pain into your art?
Immediately after the hate crime, I struggled to draw and it took me some time to heal, but on the other side I know that this project brings me joy. This Tarot deck allows me to live authentically. Aquata Dujour was born in this pain and helped me to channel my emotions into the darker cards of the Tarot. A lot of the Urinals (the Swords equivalent) were illustrated by harnessing this pain. Although this deck is playful, the cards encompass the whole spectrum of life and the two years that I spent illustrating.
I recently mailed one of my decks to a survivor of an LGBTQ+ terrorist attack in the US, and it reminded me that while my dream is to create Dick Pic Tarot Decks, there are also forces in this world that would seek to stop me. And in this moment, I get to shine my most authentic light into communities that have dealt with that same hate on a more regular basis.
- What role does resilience and pride play in your work as both a drag queen and an artist?
Aquata Dujour was born out of resistance to the hate we endured and out of celebration of the parts of ourselves that others choose to inflict fear and violence over.
The queer community is currently under attack in the United States. Not that it’s never not been, but in ways that living communities have not seen previously. My ability to practice my art is enshrined in the founding documents of the United States of America. and while those rights are being taken away in parts of this country and being threatened to be taken away nationally, I feel it is my duty to show up on behalf of my community and to exercise these rights while I can. Aquata brings joy in really tumultuous time. The importance of this cannot be understated.
- Your Kickstarter campaign was a resounding success! What do you think resonated most with your backers?
To be completely honest, this was a pipe dream for me! I was very prepared for the Kickstarter to go badly and for that to be that. But after seeing how the campaign went, and how this idea connected me to a community of like-minded individuals (here I am being interviewed by someone thousands of miles away!), it really gave me the confidence to double down on my dreams and my art. And I am forever grateful for everyone who saw my dreams and supported them.
- What advice would you give to other creators planning to launch a Kickstarter for an unconventional project?
Just do it! I have the privilege of having an amazing support system that inspired and urged me on, but now is the time to create. No matter what is going on, we will always have our ideas!
- What kind of reactions have you received from the tarot and LGBTQ+ communities about the deck?
The deck is really one-of-a-kind! I have had such a positive reaction to the launch, and Seattle has been an amazing incubator for my ideas. When performing readings at bars, I am often times a persons’ first Tarot reading, and other times a Tarot devotee’s first Dick Pic Tarot Reading. The cards and The Original Dick Witch are very approachable, and everyone loves them for different reasons!
- What’s your favorite card in the deck and why?
I like the Six of Public for the art. Historically, The Devil card (The Home & Body Tour in the deck) has been my favorite Tarot Card. (I know!) And I am most proud of the Nine of Outdoors. I think it perfectly encapsulates the deck in both tarot, art, dongs, and playfulness!
- Now that the campaign has been done? What’s next for you?
There’s always something cooking! I currently have 350 decks to sell and have recently been crowned Queen of the Seas for the Imperial Sovereign Court for the Olympic and Rainier Empire! This title is predominantly fundraising and community building, and I am actually using the deck this upcoming weekend to fund-raise and bring our community together. I am so thankful for this project, and it came to me at the most wonderful time! And now my community needs me and I am committing my energy to them.
- What legacy do you hope the Tarot Deck with Big D Energy will leave within the tarot and LGBTQ+ communities?
May it be a beacon. My husband comes from a small town and an abusive family, and we think of him in creating this bright light that the Tarot Deck is! We hope this deck shines into communities that could not foster this art project and prove to them that somewhere out there is a space and community that sees them, accepts them, and will fight for them!
- Lastly, as a drag race fan, I just have to ask this – who is your favourite drag race queen and when will we see you on drag race?
Jinkx Monsoon is a hometown hero for me. I would be remiss not to mention her right of the bat! My other favorite would have to be Hannah Conda from the Down Under and UK Vs. The World franchises. She is hilarious and has unbeatable vision and execution.
For me, I love Drag Race, but I also know it’s far away for me at the moment.
To get your own copy of the Dick Pic Tarot Deck, visit Aquata’s Etsy page. Follow her on Instagram for readings, updates, and details on her upcoming performances.
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