What are Oracle Cards?
What Are Oracle Cards?
An oracle deck can essentially be whatever the creator of the deck wants it to be; they pick how many cards are in it, what sorts of imagery it'll use, and what purpose it's supposed to serve. It is a more free spirit, less structured version of a tarot deck.
There are many different types of oracle decks that come in all shapes, sizes, and functions. The basic setup is that they have images and words, along with a book that explains ways in which a reader should interpret them.
There’s much more room for creativity and intuition with oracle decks. Oracle decks are much more unique and personalized, and they can often better represent you than the tarot can. The difference between oracle and tarot cards may seem subtle, but using them together can really improve your readings and deepen your intuition.
Unlike tarot decks which come in packs of 78, oracle decks can include any number of cards. Tarot cards include a Major Arcana and a Minor Arcana arranged into suits, oracle decks don't follow this structure. There are no rules, and the possibilities are endless.
Doing a one card pull every day is a great way to get to know your deck while also honing your intuition and divination skills. You can use traditional tarot spreads, such as a three card draws, with oracle cards. You can also draw an oracle card before a tarot card reading to set an intention, or after a reading to reinforce the interpretation.
As you explore the cards, let Spirit speak to you in whatever ways you need in the moment.
Since oracle cards are relatively unstructured, they can sometimes be a more appealing option for beginners. But experienced tarot readers also often incorporate them into spreads too.
Sometimes a person wants to step outside the boundaries of the tarot. Also, some people find oracle cards to be less intimidating than tarot, while others see oracle as an introductory way to start divining with cards.
A lot of people combine oracle with tarot to provide additional perspective to their readings. The possibilities are almost endless.
