Tarot cards are a tool of divination relying on symbols to stimulate the subconscious mind of the reader to call forth intuition.
Oracle vs Tarot
Tarot is a very formal system, very much like the playing card deck with 4 suits. It is very structured with 78 cards, four suits, a system of major and minor arcana. People who work with Tarot spend time learning the system and may need to keep their guide handy to work for reference. Multiple spreads exist to help answer questions and divine the future. The themes can vary based on the artist and their interpretation, thus allowing people to have multiple decks and enjoy a variety.
The Oracle Cards can exist in a variety of formats, themes, and messages. There is no set number of cards and messages can be single words or more complex messages. Each author and illustrator work together to create a product providing the tool you see on the shelf or website. The size of the cards can vary considerably from one deck to the next. There are even mini decks and pocket-sized versions of the full-sized decks.
Both Tarot and Oracle decks typically come with a guidebook written by the author of the deck, but there is no guarantee one will be included. Mini decks and pocket-sized versions of decks may not be exact replicas of their full-size versions and may not include guidebooks, this will vary by deck and publisher.
Purchasing Tarot Cards
Before shopping for your new Tarot Cards, either online or in person, please take the time to ground yourself and to set your intentions for a deck of Oracle Cards' to be matched with your highest good.
Grounding
When you are ready, sit or stand comfortably with your feet planted firmly on the floor or ground. Picture roots going firmly into the floor or ground while a golden cord extends into the heavens from the head. Take a deep breath from your abdomen and fully exhale. Repeat your breaths twice more.
Selecting a Tarot Deck
Online Stores
Consider the following when choosing your Tarot Deck if you are shopping online.
Search by Theme: Angel Tarot, Angel Wisdom Tarot, Guardian Angel Tarot, Orien's Animal Tarot, or general terms like Angel, Animal, Astrology, Dreams, Gendron, Goddess, Ghosts & Spirits, Herbal, Faerie, Light, Magic, Medieval, Modern, Moon, and Villian.
Search by Author/Illustrator: If a friend has a deck you like and you want to see decks by the same author/illustrator, you can search by that person. For example, Colette Baron-Reid or Raleigh Valentine.
Search for the old standard: Rider Tarot Deck, or Rider Waite Tarot
Please note, these are just some of the options available.
It is recommended you click on the photos to see what the cards look like and to check the physical dimensions of the cards to ensure they will fit your hands.
There are far more themes available in Tarot cards than listed here. If you do not know where to start, doing a general search on the term Tarot Cards will give you a good understanding of the breadth of themes for Tarot cards. Then you can begin to narrow down the possibilities.
Brick & Mortar Stores
When selecting your oracle deck from a brick-and-mortar location, it is great if you have a general idea of what you want before you go, but do not worry if you are unsure.
First, ensure you have taken time to ground yourself, before entering the store. This is important because it can become easy to become overwhelmed with the number of options available to you when it comes to selecting a tarot deck.
Scan the shelves for a Tarot Deck that catches your eye.
If it feels right, pick up the deck with your non-dominant hand. Note how it feels to you.
Look through the pictures and messages. If it still holds your interest, continue to the next step.
Take the deck in your non-dominant hand and place it up against your heart. Assess how it feels to you. Do you get a good feeling or do you get feelings of cold and panic?
Note: Positive feelings would suggest a good fit with the deck. Any negative feelings would suggest this is not a good fit for you.
Making Your New Deck Your Own
After purchasing your deck, it is time to make the deck your own.
Knock three times on the top of the box to remove the energy from the factory.
Remove the plastic wrap, and remove the cards from the cardboard container.
Unveil your new cards.
Take the cards in your non-dominant hand and bring view the card.
Move the card across your heart then repeat the process with each card.
Your deck is now connected with your energy.
Exploring Tarot Cards
The Tarot is separated into systems of classification known as the Minor and Major Arcana, with four suits, Wands, Swords, Cups, and Pentacles. There can be variations on the suits and the designs based upon the renderings and thoughts of the author and illustrator, and their intentions.
Check out A Beginner’s Guide to Qabalistic Tarot (note: this will take you to an external site).
Check out How to Use Tarot for Guidance (note: this will take you to an external site).
Preparing for Readings
Always ensure you are grounded prior to doing a reading whether the reading is for yourself or another person. If you are not grounded, it is more difficult to connect with your intuition and the Divine.
Before any reading is done, please ensure you have taken the time to familiarise yourself with your deck. If you are doing readings for someone else it is a good idea to have a general understanding of the basic meanings of each card (including the reverse meaning of each card), and at least two layouts in your arsenal you can call upon.
The most popular layouts are the past, present, future layouts and the Celtic Cross layouts. These will provide people with readings with sufficient information to get them the details they require to move forward, coupled with the messages you provide from the tarot deck you provide.
Take time to get to know your tarot deck. Look through your cards and get to know them. Look at the pictures and study the messages. Review the guidebook and the layouts.
The interpretation of cards and where they appear in a layout can be very important.
Selecting your layout is also a very important consideration. Choose the layout that best represents the situation you are trying to find information for that day. Most people select a 3 card layout or a Celtic Cross. Ultimately, the choice is yours. Go with your intuition.
Start the Reading
Giving a reading requires an agreement between you and the person that you are going to connect with their team of guides. This agreement allows you to exchange information and get insights on the other person's behalf, this also provides the person with a sense of involvement in the process.
Determine the layout being used, in conjunction with the person getting the reading.
Shuffle the cards
Place the cards, face-up on the table
Read the messages associated with each card. Remember, cards that are reversed hold a different meaning than those that are dealt in the standard position.
Provide interpretation of the messages and any additional insights of the messages and how these cards relate to the position it holds in the map (e.g. past, present, future layout).
Ensure you leave time for your person to ask you questions for clarification.
There are many books and articles on exploring the history and mystery of the Tarot, available in print, and available for download. There are also tutorials for teaching how to read Tarot cards on YouTube and other platforms. It is up to you just how much expertise you wish to develop.
Books on Tarot
You can find the following books on Friends and Gems Inc., and international book resalers including Amazon and Indigo.
The Ultimate Guide to the Rider Waite Tarot by Johannes Fiebig & Evelin Burger
The Modern Witchcraft Book of Tarot: Your Complete Guide to Understanding the Tarot by Skye Alexander
Enjoy getting to know your new Tarot Deck!
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