What Are Oracle Cards? How to Read Oracle Cards and Connect with Their Messages

Are you curious about oracle cards but unsure where to start?

Oracle cards are a popular divination tool that can offer guidance, clarity, and inspiration. Unlike tarot decks, which have a fixed structure of suits, numbers, and the Major Arcana, oracle decks are free-form.

Each deck is created by an individual artist and can feature any theme, artwork, or style, making them highly personal tools for reflection, intuition, and self-discovery.

In this guide, you’ll discover how to choose a deck that truly speaks to you, how to ask meaningful questions, and how to read your cards intuitively without relying solely on the guidebook.

We’ll also explore common challenges, suggested spreads, and practical tips for connecting deeply with your cards.

Whether you’re new to oracle decks, looking to strengthen your practice, or curious about creating your own, this guide will show you how to read oracle cards and connect with their messages in a personal, practical, and inspiring way.

What Are Oracle Cards?

Oracle cards are a form of divination deck, but they are much more free-flowing than tarot. Where tarot has a fixed structure of 78 cards with suits, numbers, and a Major Arcana that tells a universal story, oracle cards are not bound by any rules at all.

Each deck can have any number of cards, its own system of symbolism, and any method of reading that feels right.

Some decks borrow from tarot for inspiration, but many are built around themes like animals, affirmations, nature - or any other magical subject you can imagine.

Tarot is brilliant for getting a broad overview of your life or when you need a spread that applies to almost any situation.

Oracle cards work differently. They are much more like asking advice from a trusted expert. One deck might be a gentle coach, another a fierce truth-teller, and another a source of comforting reassurance.

Each oracle deck reflects the unique vision of its creator, there are often no suits, numbers, or traditional systems to learn unless the creator has chosen to include them.

Oracle cards can feel immediate and personal. They do not require memorising a structure, only opening yourself to the guidance of the imagery and words in front of you.

How To Choose Your Oracle Deck

Because oracle cards do not follow a set structure, the artwork and themes of the deck become even more important than with tarot.

Choosing an oracle deck is not just about finding something visually appealing, it’s about connecting with an artist whose work truly speaks to you. The images and words you see each time you pull a card will shape your experience, so it’s important to feel inspired rather than disconnected.

Think about the season of your life. Are you craving gentle encouragement, a voice that lifts you up, or do you need a deck that challenges you with blunt truths? The attitude of the deck matters. Some decks soothe while others push you to grow.

Consider the themes and morals behind a deck. Many oracle creators weave in ideas about spirituality, self-care, nature, ancestors, or deities. Choose a deck that will feel relevant and meaningful both now and in the future. Over time, you may find it useful to have more than one deck, each with its own voice. Just as we turn to different friends for different advice, you might choose one deck for inspiration and another for a reality check.

What Questions Should You Ask Your Oracle Deck?

Many people like to prepare their oracle deck with rituals – cleansing the cards with smoke, crystals, or moonlight, shuffling in a special way, or saying a prayer before each reading. These practices can be beautiful and meaningful, and if they feel right to you, include them.

But for me, the most important part of using an oracle deck are the questions I ask. The deck can only offer guidance if you invite it in with clarity.

Instead of yes-or-no questions like “Will this work out?”, try asking “What is present for me right now?”, “What should I focus on to move forward?”, or “What lesson can I take from this situation?”. Oracle decks shine when you allow them to tell a story, reflect your inner world, and spark insights you might not have considered.

The clearer and kinder your questions, the more meaningful the answers will be. Treat your deck as a conversation partner and let your intuition lead.

How To Read Oracle Cards

Most oracle decks come with a guidebook. This can be a helpful starting point, showing the creator’s intentions and providing a framework when you are new. Take time to familiarise yourself with it, but don’t rely on it exclusively.

In my experience, Oracle cards are at their most powerful when you start to see your own life and meaning in the images and words. The artist’s guidance is only one layer – what truly matters is what the card evokes for you: feelings, associations, or insights.

Experiment with readings without the guidebook as early as you can. Observe your intuitive responses to the colours, symbols, and words. Over time, you’ll develop a personal language with your deck, and that is where the deepest understanding comes from.

Deck Interview

So you got your first Oracle Deck - now what?

A deck interview is a playful way to get to know your cards and understand how they want to work with you. Try this 5-card spread:

1. What is your personality? – Discover the character or “voice” of the deck.

2. What kind of guidance do you offer? – Learn the type of support the deck provides.

3. What do you expect from me? – See what the deck needs from you to work best.

4. What will we achieve together? – Explore the potential of your relationship with the deck.

5. What final message do you want to share? – Receive an opening note to start your journey.

   
   

Troubleshooting Your Readings

Even experienced readers encounter challenges:

Repetitive cards – Repetition usually signals an important message. Journal or ask focused follow-up questions.

Getting vague messages – Often it’s the question, not the deck. Rephrase for clarity and pay attention to your intuition. If you’re stuck, ask a trusted card reader or join my women-only witchy WhatsApp group for support.

Feeling disconnected – If your deck feels off, set it aside or try a deck interview. Return when the energy feels fresh.

Using cards too often or not enough – Daily pulls can be wonderful, but it’s okay if a deck sits on the shelf. Oracle decks are both tools and works of art. No guilt required.

Why Not Make Your Own Deck?

If you can't find the exact right perfect deck for you - why not make your own?

Oracle cards have no fixed rules, so anyone can create a deck. I made the Agnes Adventure Deck to spark gentle conversations with my little boy. Now I’m working on a deck called Between Me & The Moon, exploring feminine rage.

This October, I’m running ORACLETOBER, an Instagram challenge where participants create a 31-card oracle deck in 31 days. It’s a playful, supportive way to bring your deck ideas to life! Check out my Instagram @fennellathewitch for details!

For extra guidance, check out my Oracle Artist’s Guidebook, a step-by-step £6 resource for making your own oracle deck from scratch.

Start Your Oracle Journey

Oracle cards are a powerful way to invite guidance, reflection, and creativity into your life. Whether choosing your first deck, reading intuitively, or creating your own, approach your cards with curiosity and openness.

Join ORACLETOBER this October to practise, create, and connect with a supportive community. You’ll gain fresh inspiration and a deeper connection to your oracle cards.