Queer Mystical Tarot Series
“Queer Mystical Tarot” latest series by gay photographer.
“The true Tarot is symbolism; it speaks no other language and offers no other signs.”
―
Dmitriy Gushchin has long been fascinated by Tarot cards and esoteric philosophy, seeing them as symbolic maps of human experience and spiritual transformation. Yet the persistent lack of LGBTQ+ representation in modern media inspired him to create the project “Queer Myth Renaissance.” At its core, this work seeks to reclaim myth and archetype through a queer lens, offering imagery that affirms identities too often excluded from mainstream narratives.
A central element of the project is the creation of Queer Tarot images—visual reinterpretations of traditional Tarot that embody queer sexuality, love, and liberation. These works challenge the heteronormative frameworks that dominate cultural storytelling, while opening space for new mythologies that speak directly to LGBTQ+ lives.
Dmitriy’s dream is a world where queer sexuality is regarded as ordinary and natural, rather than sensationalized or treated as a shocking subject. Through the language of myth and the symbolism of Tarot, “Queer Myth Renaissance” envisions a future where queer identity is woven seamlessly into the fabric of collective imagination—recognized not as an exception, but as an essential part of human experience.
Although many of the images created by Boston-based gay photo artist Dmitriy Gushchin have been banned by Instagram and other social platforms under the label of “containing nudity,” Dmitriy sees this as part of a broader pattern of anti-LGBTQ censorship. What began as his visionary series “Obscure Dream Liberation” has unexpectedly turned into the “Instagram Nightmare”—a struggle against the silencing of queer artistic expression in digital spaces.
Currently, Dmitriy’s Instagram account is “shadow blocked,” appearing private to non-subscribers and limiting the visibility of his work. This suppression highlights the urgent need to defend LGBTQ+ rights and freedom of expression. Art should never be censored simply for its honesty, vulnerability, or celebration of queer identity.
By subscribing and following accounts like Dmitriy’s, you stand in solidarity with queer artists who refuse to be erased. He is not alone—this is a collective fight, and every voice matters. Together, we can resist censorship and affirm the power of queer creativity.
You can read more in the article linked below.
You can check the article by clicking the link: https://www.advocate.com/business/instagram-shadowbanning-lgbtq-content . Please support your favorited gay photographer and LGBTQ photo artist community by expressing your opinion to Instagram and other anti-gay social networks. Your opinion hopefully can make the difference!
The Fool (Queer Mystical Tarot Series)
Dmitriy Gushchin, photographer In this vibrant reimagining of The Fool, the figure stands at the edge of a luminous cliff, bathed in a surreal sunrise that blurs the boundaries between dream and destiny. Dressed in ethereal mesh, white gloves, and towering platform boots, they embody queer freedom in its purest expression—bold, playful, unguarded, and wonderfully untamed. A simple bundle on a stick, echoing the classic Tarot symbol, marks the beginning of an intentional journey—traveling light while embracing possibility. The white rose evokes innocence and clarity of spirit, while the glowing egg behind them suggests cosmic rebirth and the magic of beginnings. Mystical energies swirl through the scene: a glowing spirit-butterfly drifts through the air, and at their feet scampers a small golden creature—an abstract, fantastical representation of the dog. Just as in the classic card, the dog serves as protector and warning, alerting the traveler to unseen dangers while encouraging them onward. Here, it becomes a shimmering guardian spirit—reminding the Fool that even in radical vulnerability, they are never journeying alone. This Fool is not naïve but brave: a portrait of queer becoming, celebrating the courage it takes to step into the unknown while trusting one’s own unfolding.
The Empress (Queer Mystical Tarot)
Dmitriy Gushchin, photographer. In this lush reimagining of the Empress archetype, queer femininity flourishes as an expression of abundance, sensuality, and creative sovereignty. Seated before a cascading waterfall and enveloped in glowing greenery, the central figure radiates both serenity and command—an embodiment of nature’s vitality in human form. The golden shape above their head manifests as a luminous crown, symbolizing divine authority rooted not in hierarchy but in nurturing power and self-defined identity. Vibrant red gloves and thigh-high boots pulse with passion and agency, while ethereal elements—a glowing dragonfly, a softly lit flower—hover and shimmer like emissaries from the mystical realm. The landscape itself becomes an extension of the Empress’s energy: fertile, enchanted, alive. This work reframes the Empress as a celebration of queer embodiment, one that merges earthly beauty with spiritual presence. Here, creation is not limited to tradition—it is expansive, fluid, and deeply personal.
The Emperor (Queer Mystical Tarot)
Dmitriy Gushchin, photographer. In this reimagining of the traditional Tarot archetype, the Emperor becomes a figure of fluid authority—one who commands power not through rigidity but through self-possession and self-creation. Seated on a throne formed from fantastical ram-like guardians, the central figure embodies a distinctly queer sovereignty that blends strength, sensuality, and visionary imagination. The glowing golden form above their head materializes as a radiant crown, symbolizing both inherited power and self-earned ascendance. Neon weapons, hovering sigils, and scattered mechanical relics introduce the presence of technology and magic, merging ancient symbolism with futuristic myth. Set against a surreal, otherworldly landscape, the figure stands as a protector of queer realms—an emperor whose dominion is defined not by domination, but by clarity of identity, courage of embodiment, and the audacity to occupy space without apology. This piece expands the Tarot’s language of authority into a broader, gender-inclusive mythology, inviting viewers to reconsider what true power looks like in a queer, mystical universe.
High Priestess (Queer Mystical Tarot Series)
Dmitriy Gushchin, photographer. In this lush, nocturnal vision, The High Priestess sits gracefully on a glowing crescent moon, embodying the quiet power of intuition, mystery, and inner knowing. Their flowing dress, white gloves, and radiant boots merge softness with strength, presenting a figure who moves fluidly between masculine and feminine energies—an embodiment of queer spiritual duality. In one hand, the High Priestess holds an apple pierced by a dagger—a charged symbol evoking forbidden knowledge, temptation, sacrifice, and truth unveiled. In the other hand rests a calm, luminous owl, a timeless emblem of wisdom and the ability to see beyond illusion, reinforcing the Priestess’s role as guardian of hidden realms. Behind them, two mirrored figures stand watch on shadowy industrial staircases, each holding an orb of shimmering, esoteric light. They represent the dual gateways of knowledge—the thresholds between conscious and subconscious realms—and echo the traditional pillars associated with the High Priestess archetype. The industrial setting, with its rusted beams and labyrinthine structure, contrasts sharply with the figure’s serenity, suggesting that divine intuition can thrive even in the harshest, most unexpected spaces. Mystical shapes drift through the air: floating orbs, shimmering energies, and the faint bloom of spectral roses. The scene becomes both dreamlike and cinematic, a queer reimagining of sacred knowledge that transcends the boundaries of tradition. This High Priestess invites viewers to trust their inner vision, embrace ambiguity, and honor the magical wisdom that lives within queer experience—where truth is discovered through intuition, and where mystery itself becomes a source of empowerment.
The Chariot (Qweer Mystical Tarot series)
Dmitriy Gushchin, photographer "The Chariot" is a part of Major arcana.
Hanged Man (Queer Mystical Tarot Series)
Dmitriy Gushchin, photographer "Hanged Man" is a part of Major arcana.
The Magus (Queer Mystical Tarot Series)
Dmitriy Gushchin, photographer "The Magus" is a part of Major arcana.
The Sun (Queer Mystical Tarot Series)
Dmitriy Gushchin, photographer "The Sun" is a part of Major arcana.
The Hierophant (Queer Mystical Tarot Series)
Boston based photographer Dmitriy Gushchin has a great interest in Tarot cards and esoteric philosophy which reflects in this work "Hierophant"
Three of Swords
Boston based photographer Dmitriy Gushchin has a great interest in Tarot cards and esoteric philosophy which reflects in this work "Three of Swords".
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