HoliGay Gift Guide 2023

The holiday season is giving many of us a moment to reflect and connect with loved ones. As we take comfort in traditions, we remember all communities do not share in that privilege. I cannot ignore the injustices happening now, like the crises happening in Gaza, Sudan, Congo, Yemen, and other places. If you wish to help, consider donating to reputable organizations supporting human rights like Doctors Without Borders, the World Food Program, and the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund. You can also check out some non-monetary ways you can get involved in supporting the work of If Not Now and National Students For Justice In Palestine.

Gift-giving, however small, can also spark joy and help support small businesses that are helping to create another vision of a more equitable and inclusive world. In that spirit, I want to share my list of creative gifts for artists and witches under $100, predominantly from small businesses owned bypass LGBTQ+, women, and people of color.

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The suggestions span artisan goods for various interests and budgets. I aimed for makers offering quick shipping during this busier time of year.

I'll wrap up by spotlighting some community-nominated businesses. My goal is highlighting diverse creatives while encouraging more conscientious consumption. I hope somewhere within this list you find inspiration, whether through action, advocacy or gift-giving gentleness.

Top 15 Gifts Under $100

1. Chani Nicholas’ 2024 Astro Planner is filled with 291 pages of rituals, reflections, exercises, astro cheat sheets, planetary movements, and daily and monthly calendars that allow you to map out your year, track your intention for the day, and make the most of the current astrology. Plus, each 8.75" x 6.25" planner includes a customizable birth chart, 100+ astro stickers, and a free month of premium content in the CHANI app for new users. Here’s to an abundant 2024. $54.99 (affiliate link)

2. The Evanesced [Tarot Deck] by Kenyatta A.C. Hinkle & Olomidara Yaya is inspired by The Evanesced Series, an expansive body of work channeled by Kenyatta A.C. Hinkle a.k.a. Olomidara Yaya. Through 100+ drawings and paintings that Hinkle/Yaya calls un-portraits and a suit of site-specific performances, she/they are creating a body of work that interrogates the erasure of Black womxn historically and presently. This deck and its creation stand in solidarity with various intersections of what it means to be femme, especially Black and femme, and is in conversation with the #SayHerName movement. All un-portraits featured in the deck are from The Evanesced: The Untouchables (2020) commissioned for the traveling exhibition The Black Index, curated by Bridget R. Cooks. $65

3. Radical Tarot By Charlie Claire Burgess is a dynamic re-envisioning of the tarot, including tarot card imagery, that describes how the tarot is queer, that the archetypes are alive, and that tarot doesn’t tell the future; it creates it.

Radical Tarot meets the tarot in a space of evolution, deconstruction, and creation, using the historical and common meanings of the cards as a launchpad for digging into limiting beliefs and societal conditioning and unlocking the personal truths beneath. $19.99

4. Crystalpedia By Athena Perrakis, PhD With dazzling photography, this book is not only a reference guide but also an oracle to guide your journey, whatever your goal is. Simply set an intention, ask a question, and then flip through the pages until your intuition tells you to stop. You’ll meet the stone you are being guided to discover. $26.99

5. The Green Gold Ancestral Plant Spirit Oracle by Botanica Cimarron is a 68 card deck and guidebook connecting you with diasporic contemporary guidance rooted within the ancient wisdom of our oldest ancestors on earth — plants! 

The reverence of nature as our original family is the heart of indigenous traditions. But this experience of connection can be hard to access in the modern world without the right tools. With Green Gold as your guide, enter an enchanting portal for accessing divine knowledge that can unlock your timeless memories ripe with creative solutions for transforming your reality.  $48

6. Wild Medicine By Shelby Bundy and Kate Belew is a gorgeously illustrated herbal from the witchy experts at Tamed Wild, this handy guidebook introduces readers to the most common and powerful healing herbs and the wisdom gained over centuries of use. Ideal for green witches and budding herbalists! Inspired by Tamed Wild’s best-selling herb decks, this handbook covers more than 60 magickal herbs–a must-have for anyone interested in the power of herbal healing. A lovely hand-painted watercolor introduces each herb, offering an artist’s look at the identifying characteristics. $21

7. Spellbound Sky’s Sage & Soil Scented Ritual Candle Burn this candle to get back to Earth, feeling rooted, revitalized and purified. Inspired by the protective and grounding powers of Smoky Quartz, this earthy metallic beauty was created to clear your space of bad vibes and evoke the feeling of being deeply connected to your Root Chakra. Use this candle by itself or with other candles to ground the energy of your ritual work. The warm and earthy scent brings you back to nature, infused with Desert Sage, Oakmoss and Cactus Flower…topped with Sacred Dirt, Smoky Mica and Bronzed Gold flakes. Burn as needed to get grounded and realigned with the healing powers of Mother Earth! $20

8. The Liberation Tarot Deck is a collection of 79 tarot cards and accompanying guidebook, created over the course of four years by more than thirty artists and writers living in the US, Canada, France, Brazil, Palestine, and Mexico (including me!). The booklet includes an introduction from deck organizer Elicia Epstein, insightful essays by adrienne maree brown and lawrence barriner II, and beautifully crafted card descriptions from poet emet ezell. $50

9. Stelle* Scopa Deck of Cards by artist Maria Moltenia is original deck of playing/divination cards- inspired by Italian Scopa & Tarot cards- charmed by celestial + terrestrial iconography. “Stelle Scopa- The Deck” includes 61 Card Deck in a silver bag. $40

10. Grandes Maestros del Arte Wixárika: Acervo Negrín is a gorgeous book jointly published by the Secretary of Culture for the State of Jalisco, Mexico and the Wixárika Research Center in honor of the Year of Indigenous Languages and to celebrate the exhibit Grandes Maestros del Arte Wixárika: Acervo Negrín at the Museo Cabañas in Guadalajara (June 21, 2019 - January 12, 2020). This is a tri-lingual publication - Spanish, English and Wixárika. Sales support the Wixárika Research Center. $75

11. Le Nouveau Belline by Anne Horel is a luminous 52 card reproduction of the original Le Tarot Belline originally created in 1863. Anne is a digital witch and a pioneer in social media and GIF art in France and globally. This deck is truly a magical work of art and reflects Anne’s deep relationship with the esoteric, divination, and visual & digital spells. The deck is in French and the art is universal. $40

12. The Ignota Diary 2023 is a beautifully designed diary and week-to-view planner is filled with historically significant magical and sacred dates from around the world. Drawn from events such as the Buddha’s birthday, esoteric festivals and artistic and occult history, the diary touches on the lives of characters such as Ursula K. Le Guin, Ithell Colquhoun, Zora Neale Hurston, Carl Jung, Simone Weil, Leonora Carrington, Maya Deren, Aleister Crowley, George Bataille, Timothy Leary, Hilma af Klint, Saint Hildegard of Bingen, William Blake, W.B. Yeats and Octavia Butler.  $22

13. Trans Hirstory in 99 Objects is a compelling exploration of trans art, activism, and resistance. Spanning over four centuries, this volume brings together a wide-ranging selection of artworks and artifacts that highlight the under-recognized histories of trans and gender-nonconforming communities. Through the contributions of artists, writers, poets, activists, and scholars, this title reflects on historical erasure and imagines trans futures. An expansive array of objects chart not a patriarchal history but a gender-neutral, trans-centric hirstory. The first publication of its kind, this survey celebrates trans forebearers, highlights struggles and triumphs, and reflects on the legacies of trans creative expression.

Contributions by Kate Bornstein, Ria Brodell, Vaginal Davis, Leah DeVun, Mo B. Dick, Zackary Drucker, David Getsy, Martine Gutierrez, Andrea Jenkins, Jade Guarano Kuriki-Olivo (Puppies Puppies), Thomas (T.) Jean Lax, Abram J. Lewis, Miguel A. López, Amos Mac, Cyle Metzger, Deborah A. Miranda, Morgan M Page, SA Smythe, C. Riley Snorton, Dean Spade, Sandy Stone, Jeannine Tang, Michelle Tea, McKenzie Wark, and many others probe new horizons where institutional critique and trans culture meet. This book is copublished by the Museum of Trans Hirstory & Art (MOTHA), a conceptual art project of artist Chris E. Vargas that is forever “under construction” by design to allow continual transformation.

14. In New Moon Magic, Missing Witches authors Risa Dickens and Amy Torok offer Witchy practices to change your life and reshape the world, without falling prey to the commercialization that belies the true heart—and power—of magic.

Witchcraft is praxis: how we do what we believe, and how we make those beliefs manifest. New Moon Magic is an offering to all witches, honoring the Craft’s roots in centuries of empowerment, survival, and resistance—despite capitalism’s attempts to co-opt and dilute its practice. $19.95

15. Turning Terrestrial Tides Tarot Deck. We’re in turbulent times. The US is experiencing its first Pluto Return, and Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto are all set to move into new zodiac signs in the near future.

The astrology suggests that we’re collectively standing on the precipice of a major shift here on Earth. So, how do we use this astrological energy of change to our advantage? The 78 tarot archetypes invite us to self-reflect and entertain curiosity around designing our future within our larger communities. During these times of intense transformation, tarot can act as both a mirror and an anchor for personal empowerment, reminding us that we write our tomorrow. This DIY quality is reflected in the Turning Terrestrial Tides Tarot artwork. The travel-friendly, poker-sized deck was created in the approachable cut-and-paste collage style of 90s zines and includes the astrological linkages to each tarot archetype as well as words to reflect on, both on the cards and within the included mini guidebook. $40

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Honorable Mentions

Dream Job Spell Analog VR by yours truly published by Stories To Change The World. There are just a few of these limited edition artworks left. They contain a word and visual art spell created to invoke expansive and infinite potential when it comes to dreaming your dream job into existence. As an added bonus, Anne Horel (mentioned above), has also released a limited edition Analog VR set titled Macro Vitae. $36

Goddex Sugar Scrub from Ever’s Apothecary. The Goddex is Sacred Fluidity, Versatility, Enthusiasm, Adaptability, and Unconventionality. It's about honoring all sides of our nature and embracing our natural non-conforming energies. Our Goddex Sugar Scrub is crafted with ingredients to work into any beauty ritual. Formulated with our favorite exfoliating agent, Oatmeal, to soak up excess oil and help hydrate dry skin from seasonal climates; Safflower Oil infused with Butterfly Pea Flower Powder is packed with antioxidants and aids in rebuilding elasticity to reduce redness from external irritants visibly; Unrefined Shea Butter rich in vitamins A, E, and F, to heal and promote skin circulation while softening and toning. Dressed with Whole Oats and Blue Cornflower, this scrub vibrates to awaken your psychic awareness, heal intuitive blocks, and connect to our queer ancestors to liberate inner wisdom.

Eden Sky | Labradorite by Siren of The Sea. An enchanting, sunset-colored Labradorite with peach orange hues & blue/green undertones. This spectacular & rare piece was combined with an elegant design using sterling silver. Labradorite exudes magical energies associated with intuition, protection & transformation. $98

Community Nominated Businesses

Theyfriend Candles is a queer, nonbinary, trans witch-crafting candle venture. All candles are crafted by hand and enchanted by Kirkean (Circe-based) Witch Rune Rainwater (they/them). Theyfriend seeks to be in a non-extractive relationship with all crafting materials; our candles are made with sustainable materials: beeswax & hemp wicks. They never use synthetic dyes or oils, instead crafting our candles with food-grade sustainable dyes like pomegranate powder. Their packaging is eco-friendly: boxes are reusable and biodegradable, and candles are wrapped in heavy paper that can be reused for any purpose (they highly encourage you to use the wrapping paper for sigils, petitions, and other witch work!).

Eagle Screen Printing is a queer run print shop based in NE Minneapolis that creates t-shirts, tote bags, prints, and more.

PublicParts creates hand made designer dildos using body safe platinum silicone.

Paige Emery’s Blue Garden Apothecary provides plant remedies intentionally made to aid the body, mind, and spirit in transformative and difficult times between a dying world and a new world we want to exist.

Good Mexican Girl has the best vegan empanadas and baked goods with gluten free and non-vegan options as well. Based in the Los Angeles area they are able to ship nationally and also offer free delivery to certain zip codes in LA.

Kaitlyn Graña Mother of Mystics is an East Los Angeles-based Espiritista, trance medium, expert occultist, and doula of radical spiritual awakenings.

DYEShemportraits based in Hollywood, California makes crystal jewelry, clothes, candles n soaps as well as has a journal PDF download.

Chosen by the People: Celebrate Pride 2023 with LGBTQIA+ Small Businesses Nominated by the Community

In our quest to uplift and support LGBTQIA+ small businesses, we reached out to our amazing Instagram followers for their recommendations. This is an opportunity to embrace the true spirit of Pride by shopping small and directly supporting businesses owned by LGBTQIA+ individuals. Together, let's move beyond the rainbow-washing efforts of larger corporations and instead celebrate the authentic voices and stories behind these businesses. As an LGBTQIA+ small business owner myself, I, Edgar, believe in the power of building networks of resiliency with others. So, please join the conversation by commenting below and sharing more businesses you would like to highlight. Together, let's make a difference and celebrate Pride 2023 with these remarkable entrepreneurs.

Without further ado, here are queer, trans, and gender-expansive small businesses chosen by you:

Milk Thistle Apothecary and Gallery - Discover the enchanting world of Milk Thistle, an apothecary, gallery, and community workshop space located just outside Joshua Tree National Park in Yucca Valley, California. Step into the realm of tarot readings available by appointment or as drop-ins from Friday to Sunday, and let the cards illuminate your path. Immerse yourself in the Hi-Desert Zine Zone Library, a captivating collection of zines from local artists and creators. Embracing creativity and collaboration, Milk Thistle plans to host regular workshops, events, and pop-ups featuring talented creators near and far. If you're interested in hosting a workshop or showcasing your creations, don't hesitate to reach out to them!

STEM Handmade Soap - Born out of a simple science experiment in the basement of Dave and Steve's Lakewood, Ohio home, has blossomed into a thriving venture. With Steve's background in biochemistry and 18 months of extensive research and feedback, they crafted the perfect bar of all-natural soap. The positive response from customers led to the expansion of their product line, as additional all-natural skincare solutions were developed and added to their website. As demand grew, STEM Handmade Soap relocated to a dedicated small building in Lakewood, Ohio, where every product is meticulously handmade from start to finish. Their skincare products are scented with essential oils, providing an aromatherapy experience, and formulated with natural, skin-loving ingredients that are both beneficial for your skin and environmentally friendly. Each ingredient is thoughtfully chosen for its specific purpose of helping your skin reach its full potential and maintain its radiance. STEM Handmade Soap believes that caring about what you put on your body is just as important as what you put in it.

https://www.trialanderror.art/

Trial and Error Art - by the talented artist Naima Lowe, a creative force based in Tulsa, OK. Naima is the mastermind behind the brand. Trial and Error is more than just a project—it's an experiment in connecting Naima's artwork directly with consumers. Taking risks and embracing the concept of failing better, Trial and Error embodies the spirit of artistic exploration. Prints, scarves, and stickers are expertly crafted at Flash Flood Print Studios in Tulsa, while other items are sourced through print-on-demand services from suppliers worldwide. Naima Lowe is not only a prolific artist but also a Black queer disabled writer, whose work draws from improvisational and collaborative strategies rooted in the alchemic survival practices of Black cultural production. With an impressive array of accolades, exhibitions, and artist residency fellowships under her belt, Naima continues to push boundaries and challenge norms through her transgressive and radical traditions of Black utterance. Embracing improvisation as a liberatory praxis, her performances, texts, and videos explore themes of love, desire, and personal narratives, infusing them with ritual, music, and the ethos of inclusivity and community care. Step into the world of Trial and Error Art and experience the vibrant expressions of Naima Lowe's creative journey.

Cosmic Cousins - Discover the transformative and intuitive practices of Jeff Hinshaw (he/they), a seasoned practitioner with over a decade of experience in tarot, astrology, and somatic healing. Grounded in reverence for the elements, nature, the Earth, and Spirit, Jeff's unique expertise in ritual, tarot, and astrology guides individuals on profound journeys of self-exploration, transformation, and healing. As the host of the enlightening podcast Cosmic Cousins, Jeff facilitates a deeper connection to the Moon and the current astrological transits, offering valuable insights on each New and Full Moon. Jeff's Brooklyn Fools: Tarot Journey, a 22-week ritual gathering through the Major Arcana of the tarot, has earned acclaim as a "radical tarot school" by National Geographic, fostering a vibrant Tarot Community since 2014. Passionate about upgrading archetypes for collective intention, Jeff has embarked on community projects like Zodiac Queens and authored the book Aries, published through Sterling Publishing House.

https://msteabotanica.com/elixirs/hedge-tonic

Ms. Tea Botanica - Discover the inspiring work of Ms Tea Botanica, a bioregional herbalist, medicine maker, and visual creative dedicated to supporting people of all genders and levels of access to care. Operating within an anti-oppression, liberationist framework, Ms Tea Botanica offers a safe and non-judgmental space, free from hierarchies of health/illness. Their practice encompasses various aspects of healing, addressing physical and energetic patterns such as sleep, digestion, musculoskeletal pain, anxiety, respiratory care, grief, trauma, sexual violence, and intergenerational harm. With an apothecary of handcrafted and ethically sourced herbs, including a medicinal herb garden and native plant stewardship, Ms Tea Botanica fosters regenerative and reciprocal relationships with the magic of both the human and more-than-human worlds. Grounded in humility and accountability, Ms Tea Botanica actively dismantles oppressive systems and works towards collective liberation. Through sliding scale consults, redistribution of resources, community care, and solidarity projects, they strive to repair injustice and build resilient communities. With a deep commitment to ethical sourcing, cultural and spiritual respect, and dismantling colonial frameworks, Ms Tea Botanica is a beacon of inclusivity and healing in the health and wellness space.

All She Wrote Books - an intersectional, inclusive feminist and queer bookstore that is dedicated to supporting, celebrating, and amplifying underrepresented voices. With a thoughtfully curated selection of books spanning across all genres, All She Wrote Books is a haven for book lovers seeking diverse narratives and perspectives. By shopping with them, you not only indulge in the joy of reading but also contribute to a space that fosters inclusivity, representation, and social change. Join the movement and support this inspiring bookstore as they continue to champion marginalized voices and create a more equitable literary landscape.

Brujita Skincare - Indulge in the enchanting world of Brujita Skincare, a Latina LA-based brand that proudly celebrates the unique souls that the conventional beauty industry often overlooks. With a commitment to sustainability, Brujita Skincare sources the majority of its ingredients from the vibrant city of Mexico, crafting a range of exquisite products including organic and unrefined masks, cleansers, hand care, healing balms, and lip balms. Discover your perfect skincare match by taking the captivating Brujitas Skin Quiz, tailored to your individual needs.

http://spellboundsky.com/bio

Spellbound Sky - Mark Phillips and Martin Anguiano have manifested their destiny by creating a captivating space brimming with love, magic, and boundless positive energy. Former fashion designers turned spiritual entrepreneurs, their shared fascination with the metaphysical led them to embrace crystals as their ultimate obsession. In 2011, Spellbound Sky emerged as a haven to share their profound love for crystals and the mystical realms, while staying true to their modern and free-spirited vision. Year after year, Mark and Martin inspire and empower their community, providing the wisdom and tools necessary to unlock unlimited potential and transform dreams into reality. Prepare to be spellbound by the wonders of Spellbound Sky, where the sky truly is the limit in your spiritual journey.

Otherwild - a queer-identified woman-owned store, design studio, and event space that centers ethics at the heart of its business. Established in 2012 within a diverse community of artists and designers, Otherwild is dedicated to showcasing thoughtfully crafted goods made with care by individuals. With a focus on beautiful and well-designed products, they also offer refillable bulk home cleaning and personal care items, as well as lo/no-waste reusables under the name Otherwild General. Their passion for the handmade extends to their own line of apparel and home goods, produced independently and collaboratively. With an unwavering commitment to an ethically-sourced supply chain, Otherwild strives to cultivate a counter-cultural approach to exploitative consumer capitalism. They provide sustained support to their staff, vendors, and suppliers, and actively contribute to grassroots activist and social justice organizations through their Anotherwild Fund.

Wolfe Video - For over three decades, Wolfe Video has been passionately serving audiences as the largest exclusive distributor of LGBT films. With a commitment to showcasing these stories to the widest possible viewership, Wolfe engages through film festivals, theatrical and non-theatrical releases, broadcast, DVD, and digital platforms. Their extensive catalog includes not only their own Wolfe label films, available on DVD and digital but also thousands of other LGBT titles. As a pioneering force in the industry, Wolfe continues to make a difference inside and outside of the entertainment business, offering a diverse selection of movies that resonate with audiences worldwide.

The Phluid Project - At The Phluid Project, they are more than just a fashion brand. They are a movement. Founded in 2018, they dissolve the artificial boundaries of gender, skin color, and status. They believe in embracing their true selves and breaking down societal barriers. With a focus on community, activism, and education, they celebrate inclusivity and value every individual, regardless of body, size, ability, race, gender, faith, or nationality. Their completely gender-free fashion reflects their mission to empower and amplify underrepresented voices. Through partnerships and collaborations, they expand their reach and shape a more inclusive future for all. Join them on this empowering journey of self-expression and celebrate your authentic self with their diverse collections of gender-free clothing and accessories.

https://www.theyfriendcandles.com/shop-1/p/palm-g4gbp

Theyfriend Candles - Theyfriend Candles is a queer, nonbinary, and trans-owned candle venture that combines witchcraft and sustainability. Each candle is handcrafted and enchanted by Rune Rainwater, a Kirkean witch and Tarot reader. Theyfriend prioritizes a non-extractive relationship with crafting materials, using sustainable ingredients like beeswax and hemp wicks. Synthetic dyes and oils are replaced with food-grade sustainable dyes, and eco-friendly packaging is encouraged for reuse in witch work. Following astrology and astroherbology, they offer astroherbalist candles aligned with specific planetary influences. Empowered with Kirkean spell work, these candles are designed to assist with spells, blessings, and more. As a one-witch show, Rune pours their energy and expertise into every candle, fostering an accessible and non-exploitative approach. Embracing pleasure-based Kirkean Witchcraft, Theyfriend Candles invites you to enhance your own witchy power with their enchanting creations.

Chef Joya - Adjoa Courtney, known as "Chef Joya," is a culinary mastermind who transforms ordinary recipes into extraordinary culinary creations. Raised vegan since childhood, Joya drew inspiration from her grandmother's kitchen in Milwaukee, WI, and sought out authentic recipes from elders in her community. With a passion for plant-based cuisine, she began hosting dinner parties that left guests in awe and soon gained popularity through vlogs and cooking lessons on Instagram. Joya's specialty lies in "veganizing" traditional dishes, bringing flavors from diverse cultural backgrounds to her repertoire. As a personal chef, she shares her expertise with other chefs, bridging the gap between vegan and non-vegan culinary experiences. Chef Joya's vibrant and unique approach to food has earned her recognition as one of the top vegan culinary artists in the United States. Whether through her travels, restaurant collaborations, or online platforms, she continues to captivate hearts and taste buds with her delicious and magical meals.

Automic Gold - Al Sandimirova, an Indigenous, queer, Trans, non-binary refugee, is the visionary Founder and Jewelry Designer behind Automic Gold. After immigrating to the U.S. in 2009, they embarked on a journey in metal smithing and jewelry design, driven by a desire to challenge the industry's narrow standards. Feeling that jewelry often neglected inclusivity, Sandimirova established Automic Gold as a brand that celebrates diversity in all its forms. Their commitment to accessibility is reflected in the brand's offerings, catering to all genders, skin tones, and sizes. In a deliberate move towards authenticity, Sandimirova selects models who embody these values and refrain from retouching their photos. With Automic Gold, they have created a platform where everyone's voice is heard and represented, empowering individuals to embrace their unique identities.

NOTO Botanics - NOTO Botanics emerged from a transformative journey of self-reflection and a desire for authentic representation. After a soul-searching trip to Thailand, the founder, a fashion and celebrity makeup artist, envisioned creating a line that celebrated the spectrum of identities often overlooked in the clean beauty industry. Launching NOTO in their own kitchen, they poured their decade+ of expert experience into developing a multi-use, gender-inclusive, and clean cosmetic line. NOTO's products are formulated with simple yet high-performing ingredients, promising transformative results with regular use. Embracing the power of self-expression, NOTO champions individuality and fosters a creative and mindful community. With a commitment to representation, customer satisfaction, clean ingredients, and giving back, NOTO Botanics embodies a holistic approach to beauty that is both vegan and cruelty-free.