SAN ANTONIO – The age-old Mexican game of Lotería is getting a thoughtful twist with the launch of the Lotería Remedios oracle cards set, created by author Xelena González and illustrator Jose Sotelo Yamasaki. Local San Antonio figures have been transformed into iconic card characters, as reported by the San Antonio Report. The set, which seeks to infuse traditional gameplay with a touch of spiritual guidance, is set to go global through publishers Penguin Random House.
Roma Villavicencio takes on the role of La Dama, while Julio Lopez, the bandleader of Los De Esta Noche, serenades as El Músico, and artist Kat Cadena is depicted as La Chalupa, hinting at the richness found in her work. Beyond the pastime, the new set aims to offer healing advice rooted in the practice of curanderas, healers within González's lineage. According to the San Antonio Report, Sotelo has reimagined the traditional imagery to resonate with contemporary issues, such as alcohol dependency and environmental concerns.
The vibrant array of 54 cards and the thought-provoking writings are set to debut Saturday, during an exhibition at the Spirit Waters Edibility in cooperation with the American Indians in Texas at the Spanish Colonial Missions, on East Commerce Street. González and Sotelo will grace the free event, which will feature lotería games, remedios readings, and a chance for attendees to showcase their most creative lotería-themed costumes.
"I believe strongly in the medicine that we're putting out there," González told the San Antonio Report. The cards are designed to spur self-reflection and inner healing, playing a pivotal role beyond mere entertainment. Alongside the cards, González has scribed a booklet guiding users through a unique reading method known as the Cross Roads Spread, which accentuates one's journey at life's intersections.
In addition to the launch, both González and Sotelo intend to present the Lotería Remedios set once more at the Novel Ideas Art Book Fair at The Contemporary at Blue Star, slated for early August. For those looking to secure their set, priced at $24.99, availability extends beyond the event to The Twig Book Shop and Penguin Random House's online storefront.
