Your Complete Guide to Oracle Cards (What They Are and How to Use Them)

Oracle Cards: Are you a tarot reader? Maybe a spiritual dabbler? Or perhaps you stumbled upon a pretty deck of cards one day without knowing what it is and what it’s used for. One way or another, you’ve likely encountered the words oracle cards before. Now you want to know what they’re all about. And, more importantly, how they’re different from tarot cards.

Oracle cards are a self-reflection, introspection, guidance, insight, and divination tool. Unlike tarot, oracle decks don’t stick to a certain number of cards or set meanings. They take on a life of their own through their unique themes. And they provide you with an open channel for your intuition.

This complete guide contains everything you need to know about oracle cards – what they are, how to use them, and how to weave them into your tarot practice. If you want to try Oracle cards, don’t forget to wait until the end to see our list of favorite Oracle decks!

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What Are Oracle Cards?

Oracle cards are a tool for reflection, introspection, and guidance. They come in oracle decks of all shapes, sizes, and subject matter. No two oracle decks are exactly alike due to the freedom of expression they allow.

Most oracle decks have an underlying theme throughout the deck, whether love, astrology, pastel colors, cryptids, fairies, or flowers.

Though oracle cards are usually lumped in with tarot cards in metaphysical shops, bookstores, and online, they are different. Many readers use tarot and oracle cards in their readings to give more detail and offer different perspectives on a question.

Oracle cards are simple, presenting only a word, animal, or image to allow your intuition to lead the way.

Oracle Cards vs. Tarot Cards

The main difference between tarot and oracle cards is how the decks are structured.

Most tarot decks comprise 78 cards divided into major and minor arcana. Tarot decks also contain four suits and a handful of court cards. The tarot cards have prescribed meanings that are the same throughout every traditional tarot deck. No matter what liberties are taken in their creation, all tarot decks follow these basic rules.

Oracle card decks have no rules, making them a total free-for-all.

There isn’t a certain number of cards that have to go into an Oracle card deck. You will see decks with as few as 18 cards, while others have over 80. The cards’ meanings vary, from self-care advice and love messages to yes or no answers and shadow work prompts.

Oracle cards don’t require a lot of study like tarot cards. They encourage you to use your intuition more than anything.

That being said, most Oracle decks come with a guidebook to give you insight into the intended meaning of each card. Because of the significant differences between decks, each has energy and speaks its language. Every new deck you obtain will take some getting used to.

Are Oracle Cards Good for Beginners?

You could argue that oracle cards are better suited for beginners than tarot cards. Their lack of a traditional structure and the fact they are open to individual interpretation make them a fantastic way for beginners to break into the world of reading the cards.

Oracle cards are more accessible than tarot cards for some people to connect to. They aren’t strict on structure or meaning. They tend to be easier to talk to and question.

However, oracle cards can still get overwhelming for any reader. The sheer number of decks makes choosing a personally helpful deck difficult. Look for an oracle deck that’s not too specific about its guidance so you can use it in all stages of your spiritual journey.

How to Use Oracle Cards

Oracle cards are used in a lot of the same ways as tarot cards. They aren’t as adept at digging into the deep questions of the future or filling a complete Celtic Cross spread like tarot. Oracle cards shine their brightest when they are used to learn more about yourself and grow into higher versions of yourself.

Here are a few ways to use your Oracle cards for insight and guidance.

One Card Daily Draw

You will often see one card daily draws recommended for tarot cards, but drawing an oracle card can be just as helpful in your day-to-day life, if not more so.

Sit with your deck. Bring into your mind what you would like the focus of your pull to be for today. There are no limits to the questions you can ask your Oracle deck. Perhaps you are curious about what energies you will encounter throughout the day. You may want to know what energy will help you overcome the day’s challenges. Or maybe you want to ask how you can make the most of your day.

Shuffle the deck and draw the card that calls to you the most. Give yourself time to sit with it to truly absorb what it means and how it applies to your day. Come back to it at the end of the day and connect it to what you experienced to give it a deeper personal meaning.

Meditation

An oracle card is a great starting point for meditation if you’re unsure what to focus on. Ask your favorite oracle deck what energy, word, or image you need to sit with now. Then see what comes out.

Meditation doesn’t always need direction, but some people find it easier to reach a deep meditative state if they have something to focus on. Whether it’s a part of yourself that needs your attention, a manifestation you wish to bring into your life, or a calming illustration, you can keep it in your mind’s eye while you meditate.

This will also help you form a deeper bond with your oracle deck. You will start to find meaning for each card through your meditation that is personal to your journey.

Inner Work

Oracle cards excel as a tool for inner work of all kinds.

If you are hesitant to delve into the world of shadow work or inner child work, take your oracle decks with you as a constant companion. Pulling a card to discover what feelings you are suppressing, what aspects of your shadow need to be addressed, or how your inner child feels can make the process easier.

These parts of your spiritual journey are often the most difficult. Oracle and tarot cards can be excellent aids. But always remember that getting help to work through heavier subjects is okay.

Journaling

Keeping a daily journal is an excellent practice for your health.

But what are you even supposed to write about?

Journaling is incredibly personal, but that doesn’t mean you always have the space to fill pages of notebooks with your thoughts. If you’re looking for journal prompts to give you a little nudge, oracle cards are a great place to start.

Simply shuffle or look through the cards until you are drawn to pull one out. Use that card’s theme, imagery, keyword, or definition to drive your journal entry for the day. You may find yourself getting something down on paper you have never considered.

Tap Into Your Intuition

Oracle cards tend to be very open in their interpretation. Any time you do an Oracle reading, you may find the exact card starts to take on a new light depending on what question is asked. That’s what makes them so unique for intuitive practice.

Try your hand at drawing a card and deciphering what it means. Don’t look up what the creator wrote in the guidebook. Write down all the keywords that come to mind when you look at the picture and the words written on the card. Don’t worry about whether you are right or wrong; find the meanings that speak to you.

The interpretations you develop through intuition will become integral to your oracle readings. They will never leave you.

How to Use Oracle Cards with Tarot

Despite their differences, tarot and oracle decks work very well as divination tools. It is beautiful to do just a tarot reading or an oracle reading if that’s what you prefer. However, combining both kinds of cards gives you an incredibly defined reading overall.

There are different ways to use Oracle cards with tarot cards to get the answers you or your client seek.

When using a tarot spread, you can pull an oracle card to clarify the meaning of each tarot card in the space. Their more straightforward meanings allow you to take your interpretation in a focused direction. It’s much different than sorting through all possible ways a single tarot card can be read.

Pull an oracle card to sit alongside each tarot card to give your reading a broader scope in a tarot reading with no spread.

Use a single oracle deck that shares a theme with the tarot reading you are doing. It doesn’t matter if it’s about a relationship or inner work. Or pick out a few different Oracle decks that contain different themes. Then watch as they start to connect the dots.

Some oracle decks are also numbered, which adds an extra layer of numerology to your readings.

5 Amazing Oracle Decks

Now that you know about Oracle cards, you must be impatient to get your hands on a deck or two! Here are some of our most recommended Oracle decks to check out and add to your practice. We promise you’ll love them as much as we do!

1. Wisdom of the Oracle by Colette Baron-Reid
2. Moonology Oracle Deck by Yasmin Boland
3. The Starseed Oracle by Rebecca Campbell
4. Self-Care Wisdom Cards by Cheryl Richardson
5. The Wild Unknown Animal Spirit Deck by Kim Krans

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