Most practitioners begin their divination journey with Tarot cards. And while the Tarot with its esoteric symbolism has its advantages, it may not work for all—especially for those who prefer a more intuitive, free-flowing and gentle approach to spiritual healing and self-development.
This is where Oracle decks come in, offering wisdom and insight, and guiding you to trust your gut. Whether you’re a beginner witch or looking to upgrade your psychic skills, oracle decks can be a valuable tool to connect with the Divine or your own unconscious—once you get used to them!
What Is an Oracle Deck?
When it comes to using cards to foretell the future, the options are pretty limited—Tarot decks, playing cards and Oracle sets. Tarot decks tend to be the most popular. The seventy-eight cards are usually divided into the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana, with each card loaded with archetypal symbolism. Even if you know virtually nothing about the Tarot, it’s hard to shake off the sense of ominousness that comes from drawing the Death card or the Ten of Swords.
On the other hand, Oracle decks usually contain far fewer cards (roughly between thirty and sixty cards, depending on the maker) with images and prompts that are designed to help you reflect and find your own unique meanings. Thus, while the Tarot may take months or years of careful study, Oracle cards can be used by anyone without much preparation or witchy knowledge.
Moreover, while Tarot decks, despite having different artistic styles, are united by similarities in design and meaning, Oracle cards come in a vast variety of themes, offering more fluidity, flexibility and personalization.
Best Oracle Decks for Beginners
Since there are so many kinds of oracle decks in the market, we’ve selected a few that are best suited for beginners. Above all, when you’re choosing a deck, make sure to pick one whose energy and imagery call out to you.
Whether you’re browsing a New Age store or shopping online, trust your intuition to guide you.
Woodland Wardens Oracle Deck
If you love flora and fauna as much as I do, you’ll definitely feel at home with Jessica Roux’s beautiful Woodland Wardens Oracle deck.
Each of the 52 cards features an animal-plant pairing with a thoughtful keyword, encouraging the reader to notice the small details and connect deeply with the wonders of the natural world.
The Green Witch's Oracle Deck
If you identify as a green witch or keen to deepen your plant magic practice, let The Green Witch’s Oracle Deck be your trusted companion. These cards draw upon the various tools and aspects of witchcraft, helping you to reflect on your rituals and assign your own symbolism to the elements.
The Citadel Oracle Deck
If you’ve grown up reading fantasy books and making up stories set in far-flung realms, The Citadel Oracle Deck might be the secret portal to help you access the other side.
The evocative imagery is inspired by high fantasy classics, tabletop role-playing games, and fairytale settings, and might even help you beat writer’s block.
Alchemy of the Spirit Oracle Deck
If you’re looking for an Oracle deck for self-development, the soft pastel colors and the gentle guidance in the Alchemy of the Spirit Oracle Deck will help you take self-care to a whole another level. Tapping into ancient wisdom, these layered cards might help you unlock your full magical potential.
How to Use Oracle Decks
Follow these simple tips to make the most out of your Oracle cards:
1. Choose and Cleanse the Deck: Despite what the internet says, you don’t need to be gifted an Oracle deck to start using them. Once you’ve bought your chosen set of cards, it’s important to cleanse the deck of unwanted energies using incense, sunshine/moonlight, crystals or simply by visualizing a halo of white light around it.
2. Reading the Cards: Most Oracle decks come with a guidebook and a few suggested spreads, and while you’re free to follow that, you can also assign your own meanings to the cards. The best way to “know” the cards is to pick a card everyday as part of your morning routine, and let the imagery and the thoughts/feelings it inspires set the tone for the day, and record the experiences in a journal. Once you become habituated to the “one-card-a-day” approach, try doing a simple “Past/Present/Future” spread with three cards. If you’re feeling particularly ambitious, you can even use an Oracle deck and Tarot cards together.
3. Caring for the Deck: Once you’re done reading, it’s important to thank the Oracle and carefully store your cards in a special box or bag. Ideally, try to cleanse your deck after every reading. You can even sleep with your cards or carry them around with you, so that it can absorb your energies and offer more accurate readings.
Happy reading!
Featured image: Viva Luna Studios / Unsplash
