A beautifully-illustrated 54-card oracle deck that reimagines the iconic game of Lotería 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 Lotería, 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 Lotería Remedios enters the cards into the canon of cartomancy: it uses the traditional symbols for divination, reflection, and self-healing. Here author Xelena González, a member of the Tap Pilam 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.
Xelena González practices the healing arts through creative writing and movement, centering self-love in her multi-disciplinary workshops for all ages. She manifested the oracle deck and guidebook Lotería Remedios plus several award-winning picture books, including Of the Sun, Remembering, Where Wonder Grows, and All Around Us. Her writing for young adults appears in the anthologies Onward: 16 Climate Fiction Short Stories to Inspire Hope and How to Get Home in the Dark: Poems on Mental Health and Healing. Her forthcoming title is The Smallest Thing (Lee & Low, 2027). Xelena was the Spring 2026 Artist-in-Residence at the International Folk Culture Center, where she explored embodied storytelling for joy and healing. xelena.space
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. josesoteloart.com
