Dr. Tanya B
November 22, 2022
Aren’t oracle cards for witches? Aren’t they used for black magic or satanic rituals? Ummm. No. You might have heard of tarot cards or oracle cards. They are a little different and I will admit tarot cards have more of a root in the spiritual world than oracle cards. I’ve had tarot cards readings several times – and greatly enjoyed each time! – but what I do with oracle cards is a very different skill set (basically no skill set) and for a very different reason.
So, let’s talk oracle cards. What are they, how can you use them, and how do you choose a set?
What are oracle cards? Essentially, they are a deck of cards often with beautiful or interesting illustrations. They usually have a theme such as personal growth, healing, angels, seasons, or elements. Each deck has its own unique purpose. Oracle cards can be used for any kind of exploration based on whatever the artist and author of the deck choose. They were traditionally used for predictive purposes. Now, they are often meant to be a simple tool for positive change or personal growth. They don’t have the rules and learning curve associated with tarot cards, you don’t have to interpret the cards or combinations of cards. They get right to the point.
How do you use them? You can use oracle cards for daily insight, to set an intention for the day, a week, or a year, assist in decision making, for self-awareness or reflection, meditation, or even to improve your intuition. Some say that you can use oracle cards to connect to the divine. If that is your belief system, you could research how to use cards to connect to spirits, angels, or guides.
Let’s unpack the use a little more. Personally, I include oracle cards each day in my morning routine. I use them to set the intention of the day. To do this, you set an intention or ask an open-ended question. What is the goal. What do you want to receive insight on. For example: What do I need to know today? What do I need to improve on? Where should I focus my energy? Pick your question, shuffle the cards. Take a meditative breath, pull in positive energy, and select your card. Take what you want/need from your card. I’ll talk more later about how I use my card.
Oracle cards can be a great tool to assist in guiding your decision making when your path is unclear, maybe to provide some clarity. Maybe a career-based decision – Is my career on purpose? Is this career move right for me? Etc. For self-reflection you could ask – What do I need to work on personally? What do I need to release? What lesson am I being urged to learn? If (like me) meditation is your jam, you can select a card, focus your energy and intention on it, spend time in quiet or with meditation music, reflecting on the intent and meaning of the card and how that impacts you and your movement forward. Some cards include a mantra or affirmation, you can use that mantra or affirmation as a focus for your meditation.
I happen to be highly intuitive, so using oracle cards to improve intuition can be a lot of fun. You pull the card, allow your subconscious to interpret the cards meaning to you. Basically, don’t force it. This is easier after meditation when you’ve quieted your mind and feel a little more chill. Just let the meaning come to you and accept the thoughts that rise up. It doesn’t have to be a big or tedious job. Just let it come and think about that as you move through your day.
Once you pull your card, for whichever purpose you chose, use your intuition. Notice how you feel. Where are you experiencing this in your life? Where are things more challenging?
My routine and cards. I have a morning routine that includes pulling an oracle card. I believe that if you want to live your life with intention, to be in control, rather than just letting life happen to you, you need a morning routine. A way to set yourself up with purpose each day. My typical morning might be a bit much for some, but it looks like this: a little breathwork, one or two short meditations, pull a card, a bit of journaling. I use the Sea Soul Journey Oracle Cards. They are beautiful (teal, of course) and are based on the power of the ocean. This particular card includes a wonderful ocean scene, an affirmation, a reflection, a blessing, and a mantra. Depending on the cards, and the day, I will choose one of those, usually the blessing or mantra, as a journal prompt.
Here is a card example.
Card: Enough
Affirmation: May you be exactly as you are.
Reflection: The sea tends to its boundaries. It offers ample opportunity for all, yet is beholden to none. In understanding its innate sufficiency, it releases you of any need to prove your own worth. It invites you to revel in being exactly as you are.
Blessing: May you shed impossible expectations and unhelpful comparison. May you tend to your own beautiful boundaries. May you celebrate the magnificently adequate.
Mantra: I am worthy of love, just as I am.
This is a card that I pull often. If you can indulge me for a brief tangent….This is an area that a LOT of women struggle with. Especially those who are trying to balance career, family, and friendships. It’s rough. We don’t feel like we are doing enough, let alone excelling, in any one area, not to mention all of them. And then there is the internal dialogue from thoughts planted when we were young. Maybe we weren’t good at sports, maybe a sibling got better grades, maybe your room was messy, whatever it was for you. Small, unintentional insults land and dig in without us even realizing it. We embrace those thoughts and build our lives around them. And now, we feel like we don’t do enough, we don’t give enough, we aren’t enough. No more sister! You are enough. You are amazing. Time to fix those limiting belief systems. 😊
Sorry, back to oracle cards.
How do you choose a deck? Find one that speaks to you. Look online, at bookstores, metaphysical shops, wherever you find yourself. We don’t need to self-impose rules here. Look for a theme that speaks to you. Images that resonate with you. Includes the text/information that you would like to work with. Ethnically or culturally suits you. And has energy that sits right with you. Never ignore how you feel about something. Use your intuition. You are certainly allowed to have more than one deck and use the one that feels right each day. I picked mine up on amazon: Sea Soul Journey Oracle Cards.
Word of caution: Some say that the more you use your deck, the stronger the energetic bond between you and the cards becomes. That is a positive in terms of using the cards for self-development, however, be careful about becoming dependent or addicted to the cards for decision making. As with anything, check in with yourself and be logical.
2-3-4 card spread. I shared my experience and daily pull of one card. There are other options to explore. For example, you could pull 2 cards using two different intentions. Or you could pull three cards with one focusing on the energy of the past, one of the present, and one of the future. What do I need to know about my past? What can you tell me about my present? What do I need to know about my future? This would be really fun as part of a New Year tradition and goal setting.
Wrapping Up: What you really need to know is that you don’t need to be intimidated by oracle cards. There is no right or wrong way to use them. You won’t be calling in the spirits of any witchy evil voodoo priestess that will rein down the fires of hell. I promise. Just pick up a deck, take a breath, and follow your gut. Your instincts will lead you in the right direction. It might feel a little awkward at first, but you’ll get comfortable and lean in.
Most importantly, as you get to know me you will learn that this is of utmost importance.
Have Fun!
As you work with your cards reach out and let me know about your experience. I would love to hear it!
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All the best,
Dr. Tanya B
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