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Oracle Cards 101

A Beginner’s Guide

You might think Tarot are the only type of magical cards.  But that’s not the case!  There are other types of decks that provide their users with magical experiences.  Another kind of deck include Oracle Cards.  Who knows?!  You may find yourself drawn to them and want to try them out.  So let’s have some fun exploring and learning!

Table of Contents

    What are Oracle Cards?

    At first glance, Oracle Cards look similar to Tarot cards since each card has a picture with a specific meaning.  The purpose is to provide the practitioners a tool for personal insight and growth, inspiration, clarity, coaching and a perspective on a topic, inspiration, and can be used for divination.  They are also more modern than Tarot and their artists are free to create any theme, rules, and meanings they want behind the cards.  There are no specific rules, structure, or guidelines for artists.  There are many types of Oracle decks, including themes involving fairies, goddesses, angels, guides, witches, fractals, and more.  One of the first decks, the Lenormand Deck has 36 cards, but nowadays they can have a huge range between 10–100+ cards. While they typically have around 36–64 cards, they can be any number of cards as the artist sees fit.  Instead of having suits or elements, the cards are numbered so they can be referenced in a guidebook.  In fact, many (if not most) Oracle Cards have meanings printed directly on the card.  Typically, Oracle Card meanings are more generalized, broad, or show a “bigger picture” than a very detailed Tarot card.  Another interesting aspect is that most Oracle Decks are positive in nature, such as giving the user encouragement, hope, and positive wisdom messages. 

    Now that we have an overall idea about Oracle Cards, let’s go ahead and compare them to Tarot Cards!

    Oracle Cards vs. Tarot Cards

    Tarot is more traditional and follows a strict structure and set of rules.  No matter what kind of Tarot Deck you own, more often than not they are similar in carrying a common set of themes, meanings, messages, and hold a Major Arcana and Minor Arcana of Suits of whatever kind.  That’s because most decks are derived from the original, traditional Rider-Waite Deck.  As we discussed earlier, Oracle Cards are modern, carry a much more free-flowing form at the artist’s digression, and are not based on a traditional, original deck.  Also, a Tarot Deck typically carries around 78 cards.  Oracle cards have a wide range of any number of cards, which is up to the artist.  If you view it as a book, every Tarot Card is a page from the book.  Oracle Cards are more like a chapter of the book or individual books.  In other words, Tarot Cards are typically more detailed for a specific situation.  Oracle Cards are broader and more vast in their meanings, which makes them a great tool for general insight and inner contemplation since you would have to learn of the specific details on your own or with another divination tool.  This is one reason why Oracle Cards are sometimes referred to as Wisdom Cards while Tarot Cards are more Divination Cards.  Below, I made a quick chart for your convenience that compares the main differences between these two types of decks:

    Which is Better: Oracle or Tarot Decks?

    Neither is necessarily better than the other.  They are simply different.  You can use whichever deck you love to use!  However, I find that Oracle Cards tend to be easier to learn in comparison to Tarot Decks.  That’s because there tends to be a lot more cards in Tarot Decks and each has a very complex, detailed meaning behind every card, which Oracle Decks aren’t typically designed as such.  As a result, it can take a long time and a lot of practice to become proficient in Tarot. But I start my students with a classic Tarot Deck because I want to start off traditionally and learn that first before moving on to Oracle Decks.  Ultimately, it’s up to you!  If you are a beginner and nervous about diving head-first into Tarot, then I may recommend finding an Oracle Deck that “speaks to you” so you can be introduced to Card Readings at an easier, simpler pace that may not be too overwhelming.

    Should I Use an Oracle or Tarot Deck?

    I recommend using whatever deck of any kind that connects with you!  I wouldn’t overthink it too much, just go with whatever feels right.  Use your gut feeling and intuition when choosing a deck.  Both Tarot and Oracle Decks are beneficial and fun.  Some enjoy the specifics behind Tarot Decks while others enjoy the more free-flowing style of Oracle Decks.  It just boils down to personal preference.  

    Can I Use Both Oracle and Tarot Decks?

    Short Answer: Yes!  My students own both Tarot and Oracle Decks.  If you have a question in mind, you can pick whichever type of Deck you think would best guide you to the answer.  You can use Tarot Decks and Oracle Decks separately or even at the same time!   There are many ways you can do so:

    • At the start of your Tarot Reading, draw a card from your Oracle Deck to:
      • understand the overall feeling or general theme that is influencing the situation,
      • get a feel of the surrounding energy of this Reading, or
      • keep an eye out for a Tarot Card that matches the Oracle Card’s theme, for it’s important and the Tarot Card can provide further details.
    • At the end of your Tarot Reading, draw a card from your Oracle Deck to:
      • understand the Tarot Cards’ underlying theme,
      • give further recommendations, guidance, or advice, or
      • receive a final message for a sense of closure of the Reading.

    As of today, it’s actually pretty common for professional Readers to add Oracle Decks to their collections and even to their Tarot Reading sessions to bring an amplified spotlight to important themes/messages and to validate the Reading’s answers.  So don’t be shy and give it a try!

    Recommended Oracle Decks

    There are tons of Oracle Decks out there!  If you’re interested in trying Oracle Decks, see if any of these call out to you so you can give it a go!  Below are some Oracle Decks that my Students use or what were recommended by professional Readers who use Oracle Decks:

    • Elle Qui Oracle by Arwen Lynch & Melanie Delon (https://amzn.to/3IfuYgS)
      • features 44 magnificent female warriors and women of great compassion and wisdom
      • 44 cards and 80-page guidebook.
    • Sacred Rebels Oracle: Guidance for Living a Unique & Authentic Life by Alana Fairchild (https://amzn.to/3KSFe0d)
      • filled with striking imagery and beautiful heartfelt guidance to support you
      • 44 cards and 180-page guidebook
    • Moonology by Yasmin Boland & Nyx Rowan (https://amzn.to/3MVyikI)
      • uses the moon’s powers featuring all its phases with flexible interpretations/meanings
      • 44 cards with 119-page guidebook
    • The Spirit Animal Oracle by Colette Baron-Reid (https://amzn.to/37tTbmF)
      • conversations with Spirit based on the archetypal energies of living beings
      • 68 cards with 204-page guidebook
    • The Starseed Oracle by Rebecca Campbell & Danielle Noel (https://amzn.to/3KU05Al)
      • activate your cosmic energy and awaken the whispers of your soul through the lost lands, energy portals and ancient sites
      • 53 cards with 137-page guidebook

    Oracle Spreads

    Below are some Oracle Card Spreads that you can try out if you’re interested!  Normally, I find easy, simple Spreads that have few cards to be the most effective and accurate for Readings.  But, of course, feel free to experiment and try whichever you want!

    3-Card Spreads

    • (1) Past, (2) Present, (3) Future
    • (1) What is in motion now?, (2) What are some hidden, underlying influences here?, (3) What do I need to do now to stay on or change to the correct course to remain in alignment with my highest good?
    • (1) What do I need to know now about my situation for my highest good?, (2) What is my next task to stay in alignment with my highest intentions?, (3) Where could this evolve if I stay on my path?
    • 3-Card Full Moon Spread (to be done as close to this time as possible): (1) What’s falling away and what do I need to forgive?, (2) What’s the illuminated Full Moon showing me?, (3) What comes next?

    7-Card New Moon Spread

    1. survival, work, money, tangible assets
    2. intimate relationships, friendships, family dynamics, inner-circle
    3. your self-worth, personal power, how you show yourself to the world
    4. healing past patterns, deeper connections to life, support for overall happiness and well-being
    5. communication, owning your voice, being heard, how you verbally present yourself to others
    6. imagination, creativity, vision
    7. intuition, spirituality, relationship to a Higher Power

    Advice for Successful Readings

    • Choose a deck that “speaks to you” with your gut feeling/intuition, rather than what you simply think you want.
    • Take your time to learn the deck by going through each card and meditating on its image and meaning.
    • Build a strong connection with your deck for using only this deck until you feel comfortable and confident with it.
    • Practice Readings with this deck for yourself first before doing Readings for others.
    • Try new or different Spreads with your deck!
    • Keep a journal to take notes on Spreads, Readings, card meanings, and (optional) accuracy.

    So are you interested in trying out Oracle Cards?  If you’re already experienced with Oracle Cards, why do you like using them?  If you’re experienced with both Tarot and Oracle Decks, which do you prefer and why?  Which Oracle Decks do you own? Maybe Oracle Decks is your calling and you have a natural gift for conducting Readings with them!  You won’t know until you try, right?  Thank you, my dear friends, for reading this post and I look forward to learning and sharing more with you in the near future!

    “To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream, not only plan, but also believe.”

    – Anatole France

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