What is an Oracle Deck and How Do I Use One?

As my oracle deck has been making its way into the world, I have been surprised to find out that a lot of people have no idea what an oracle deck is or how to use it.  So if that applies to you, you are not alone.  

Simply put, an oracle deck is a great way to connect to your intuition.  You do not have to be psychic or have any special beliefs or abilities to use one.  Oracle decks come with messages written on the back of each card, or in a booklet, so you don't have to memorize anything or have any prior knowledge to use one.  I will go into it more in a minute, but at the very least all you have to do is shuffle the deck, pull a card, and receive the message the card is giving you. 

Unlike oracle decks, I have found that most people have at least some idea what a tarot deck is.  Tarot is also a great tool for divination and for connecting to your intuition and your guides.  But a tarot deck is different from an oracle deck in that tarot has a specific number of cards--22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana.  Each tarot card also has a core meaning that doesn't change a lot from deck to deck.  So if you know enough about tarot you can pick up almost any deck and know the core meanings of the cards whether or not you have a book or guide that goes with it. (Note that the authors of each deck can and do interpret the meanings differently, and the art on the cards can vary wildly, but the core message stays more or less the same). 

Oracle decks are more free-form than tarot.  They can have any number of cards.  They can also have any theme or meaning that the author chooses.  Some decks have affirmations on them; some have messages from animal guides; some correlate with the planets, the days of the week, or astrological signs.  They could also have messages relating to numerology, creative prompts, or even marketing prompts for business owners.  

So you can see that oracle decks can have incredible variation in both the imagery and the messages.  When you're choosing a deck, there are no rules!  I have heard some people say that they have to be given to you as a gift, but that is not true at all.  Choose a deck that has a theme and artwork that appeals to you.  That's it!  Even better if you're supporting an artist and a small business when you buy it.  

Using an oracle deck is also very simple.  Like I said earlier, you do not need to have any special knowledge, training, or abilities to use one.  I think that the best thing to do with a new deck is open it up and hold it in your hands for a little bit.  Close your eyes and take a deep breath.  If you'd like, imagine that some of your own energy is going into the deck so that you are connected with it.  Set an intention to pull a card with a message that you most need to hear in this moment.  Then shuffle the cards as much or as little as you'd like.

When you feel ready, stop shuffling.  Split the deck wherever feels right; it doesn't have to be in the center.  Take the card that's on top--whatever message that card carries is your message!    

Keep it simple when you start.  If all you ever do is set your intention and pull one card, that is perfect. If and when you are ready to explore you can play around with it a little more.  Here are a few suggestions:

• Instead of intending to hear whatever you most need to hear today, ask a question and hold it in your mind as you shuffle.  
• Before reading the message for the card, gaze at the imagery and see what it means to you.  Do you have any personal associations with the subject, the colors, or anything else about the image?  That could actually be your message, or it could support whatever the author wrote for the card.
• Pull more than one card.  Sometimes the first one doesn't feel quite right and I'll pull a second or third and get a more complete message.  Other times a card will jump out as I shuffle and I will read that card as well as the one I pull and see how they support each other.
• Make up your own spreads or go online and try someone else's.  There truly is no right or wrong to this either!  You can really play with it.  Pull one card for the month ahead and another for each week of the month.  Pull 3 cards--one for the past, the present, and the future of a situation that you have a question about.  Try different variations and see how they work for you.

I have found that the more I work with a particular deck, the more accurate my readings are.  I also start to memorize some of the meanings of the cards, especially if I'm pulling a card every day.  I love to use them daily (more or less) to give me inspiration and to help guide me when I am feeling stuck.  

I hope this helps if you are new to oracle cards!  If you need a deck, you can find mine, The Sketchbook Goddess Oracle Deck, on my website.  I hope that whatever deck you choose brings you so much magic!