✦Introduction

There are countless kinds of oracle cards available today.

Oracle cards can act as a guide for your life's path, offering the message you need right now, and feeling like a presence that watches over you.

Compared to tarot cards, oracle cards tend to have more varied artwork and messages that are easier to interpret.

That makes them a great choice if you want an encouraging result, or simply want divination to leave you feeling positive.

We'll cover the basics for anyone who wants to start using oracle cards.

☾How Oracle Cards Are Used in Divination

Oracle cards originated in the West.

"Oracle" means "divine message" — a message from the gods.

They've long been used to help us listen to the words of a greater presence when the human mind alone can't judge a situation or grasp an intention.

Whether in the East or the West, receiving an "oracle" has taken many forms throughout history.

A familiar example is drawing an omikuji fortune slip at a shrine to receive a message from the gods.

Oracle cards are essentially a modern-day version of this, created so that people today can receive an "oracle" as part of daily life.

Another feature of oracle cards is that you can choose different decks depending on what you want to ask.

For example, if you want a clear-cut message, choose a deck whose cards spell things out explicitly.

If you want healing or want to discover your own sense of self-worth, decks featuring angels or fairies, or cosmic artwork, can bring the experience closer to your heart — matching the deck to your situation or question makes oracle cards feel more personal.

For questions that need a "YES or NO" answer, tarot cards are generally better suited than oracle cards.

Rather than expecting oracle cards to "hand you a definitive answer," it's better to use them as a way to "receive advice for a worry, or a nudge toward positive thinking."

For instance, instead of asking "Will I end up with him?" try asking "What can I do to end up with him?"

Framing your question in this more specific way makes the message easier to receive.

✧Recommended Books for Learning Oracle Card Readings

Here are three books recommended for beginners to oracle card reading.

"The Easiest Guide — Your First Oracle Card Reading" by Rie

This book clearly explains what oracle cards are, what types exist, and how to use them — exactly what beginners want to know.

It's a great choice as your very first book on the subject.

The author, Rie, also posts explainer videos on YouTube, so it's worth checking those out first.

Every page is in full color, which makes it colorful and easy to follow — another point in its favor.

"Oracle Cards from the Basics" by LUA and Kazuhiko Otsuka

This book teaches you everything from choosing an oracle deck to actually using it, covering a lot of ground in one volume.

It also includes information on reading for other people, not just yourself, so it's a great pick if you eventually want to read for others too.

✧Recommended Guidebooks for Learning Oracle Card Use

"The Oracle Card Reading Book" by Lightworks

This single book covers the fundamentals of reading.

For beginners who want to start using oracle cards, it begins with how to choose a deck. By working through the exercises and readings page by page, it functions as a guidebook that lets you build toward deeper readings over time.

It particularly emphasizes the keyword "intuition," so you can sharpen your intuitive sense while enjoying the process of building reading skills.

It also includes a variety of spreads and reading examples along with practice exercises, making it a solid choice for intermediate and advanced readers as well.

☀Types of Oracle Cards

A huge number of oracle decks are sold, and their artwork varies widely.

Every oracle deck has its own theme.

Many people picture decks themed around angels, animals, gemstones and minerals, or the cosmos.

There are also decks themed around fulfilling your dreams, believing in yourself, or sharpening your intuition, among others.

Here are a few decks we recommend for beginners.

Magical Fairy Oracle Cards

This is the 11th title in the hugely popular Doreen Virtue series.

It features adorable fairy illustrations, and because its gentle messages are easy to read, it's popular even with people using oracle cards for the very first time.

Fairies are said to be closely connected to the Earth, carrying a wonderful healing power that supports everyday concerns such as relationships, health issues, and financial situations.

Choose an "oracle card" deck based on what draws you in — whether that's a motif you love or a deck with thorough, easy-to-follow explanations — according to what you're looking for.

Angel Answers Oracle Cards

This deck was created jointly by Doreen and Radleigh, who previously earned acclaim with a tarot series.

Born from user feedback, this deck delivers the kind of clear-cut answers and advice that oracle cards are typically not known for.

It's ideal for questions seeking a "YES/NO" answer, questions with specific content, or times when your own feelings are already fairly settled.

With a gorgeous color palette of gold and purple and captivating angel illustrations, it's also a great pick for anyone who loves angel imagery.

Cards of the Japanese Gods

This deck features 48 representative deities passed down since ancient Japan, and consists of 49 cards that connect us to the gods of the Kojiki.

It was created with the intention of asking, "How can we feel close to the ancient gods in modern life?" and "How can we receive the gods' support as we go about living?"

It's a deck that resonates with the sensibilities of Japanese people living in this land of eight million gods.

Most oracle decks lean toward Western-style artwork, but this one has bold, high-contrast imagery with a different mood from other decks — worth trying when you want to shift your mindset.

☾How to Use Oracle Cards for Beginners

Now let's look at the concrete steps for using the cards.

Cleanse the Cards

First, cleanse the deck itself so that it's ready to deliver the message you need.

Hold the deck in your non-dominant hand, and knock on it with your dominant hand — a couple of light "knock-knock" taps.

Then say:

"I will use this deck for my reading today. Please support me."

Offer this small greeting to the cards.

Cleanse the Room or Space

If possible, open a window and let fresh air into the room.

Also keep the table surface clean and tidy.

Cleanse Yourself

Once the cards are cleansed, settle your own energy.

Meditate or take a few deep breaths to clear your mind.

Release the tension in your shoulders and let yourself relax.

Shuffle

Now it's time to shuffle the deck.

Silently repeat the question you want to ask in your mind, and shuffle while directing that question toward the cards.

You can riffle-shuffle like a deck of playing cards, but if the cards are too large to handle that way, use a reading mat and mix them around at random instead.

Sometimes, while shuffling, a card will suddenly pop out — boing!

This is called a "jumping card," and it's said to carry an especially important message. If a jumping card appears, set it aside separately and check it during your reading.

Draw the Cards

From the shuffled deck, choose however many cards you need.

The key point here is to trust your intuition when choosing.

"For some reason, this card catches my eye."

"This one feels different from the others when I touch it."

Trust feelings like these and let your intuition guide your card selection.

Read the Cards

Turn over the cards you've drawn.

Calm your mind and observe each card slowly and carefully.

Take in the message conveyed through the artwork, the words, and the colors.

If nothing clicks right away, it helps to refer to the guidebook or explanatory booklet that comes with the deck.

✦How to Use Oracle Cards — Spreads for Reading

The number of cards you use in an oracle reading can vary depending on your experience level and what you want to explore.

Here are a few spreads you can use for your readings.

One Card

When starting out, it's best to work with just a single card.

Silently repeat your question, then choose the one card that feels like "this is the one!"

Turn the card over, observe it slowly, and treasure whatever feeling stays with you.

Three Card

This method, using three cards, is recommended when you want insight into the past, present, and future.

Read from left to right in the order drawn, representing the past, present, and future.

You can also use three cards to examine a single matter in more detail.

Four Card

Draw four cards from the shuffled deck.

Lay the first three cards from left to right in the order drawn, then place the fourth card on top of the second card.

The first three cards represent the past, present, and future, just as in the Three Card spread.

The fourth card, placed on top, represents the overall theme or a piece of advice for you.

Nine Card

Using nine cards lets you gain deeper insight into the answer to your question.

Arrange three rows of three cards, reading left to right as past, present, and future.

The top row represents emotional movement, the middle row represents the current state of things, and the bottom row represents the outcome.

Choose the number of cards based on how deep an answer you're seeking and how you're feeling in the moment.

♡Summary

Trust your own intuition, and treasure whatever flashes into your mind!

The single most important thing when reading oracle cards is to "trust your own intuition."

Even if what you sense differs from the guidebook's meaning, or isn't written down anywhere at all, whatever you intuitively feel or sense is the message meant for you right now — so hold onto it.