Discovering oracle cards jump started my spiritual awakening and opened me up to the magic of intuition and energetics.

In 2019, I discovered the online coaching industry and with it, the world of New Age Spirituality. I came across a few entrepreneurs on Instagram who shared about their manifestation practices, journaling rituals, and magical morning routines. They shared their daily oracle card pulls on their Instagram stories and it all felt very sexy and ✨sparkly✨ to me. “What is this all about?” I wondered. Not long after being introduced to this world, I decided to dip my toe in myself.

I bought my first oracle deck—Work Your Light by Rebecca Campbell. I can still remember the feeling of unboxing those cards, spreading them out on my bedroom floor, excited like a child and ready to explore something new.

Within a few months, I was fully hooked. My practice of pulling cards for myself helped me connect to my own intuition, receive messages from the Universe, and feel more magic in my day-to-day.

Whether you’re new to oracle cards or a seasoned intuitive, here are some tips for working with them to receive messages and insights from the divine.

Oracle vs. Tarot: What’s the difference?

Both oracle and Tarot decks are cards that can be used to receive messages, intuitive insights, and answers. Oracle decks are much more varied in structure, with no set number of cards or traditional format, whereas the Tarot consists of 78 cards, divided into two main sections: the Major Arcana (22 cards representing significant life themes) and the Minor Arcana (56 cards representing day-to-day events and challenges).

Each oracle deck is unique, often reflecting the creator’s intention or theme (e.g., angels, animals, affirmations). They don’t have strict rules, which allows more flexibility in interpretation, whereas Tarot decks follow a specific structure and symbolism, with set meanings for each card.

If you’re new to both tools, my recommendation is to find a metaphysical shop near you or do some shopping online to see what kind of decks resonate with you. You’ll know it when you see it!

Ask Questions

When seeking guidance from the Universe, your spirit guides, or your higher self, the more specific and intentional your questions, the clearer the answers you’ll receive! If you are pulling oracle cards, I recommend asking open-ended questions that invite guidance and insight rather than yes/no answers.

Here are some questions you can ask before pulling cards with either an oracle or Tarot card deck. You can write your question down, ask it in your mind, or ask aloud—whatever feels most natural to you.

• What do I need to know today? This is a great question to ask if you want to get in the practice of pulling a card or two daily.
• What messages have my intuition or my Guides been trying to communicate with me lately?
• What do I need to release in order to move forward?
• What is the lesson I need to learn from this situation?
• What is blocking my progress, and how can I overcome it?
• How can I deepen my spiritual practice?

Card Spreads

Most oracle decks come with an accompanying guidebook that offers descriptions for each card. Many of these guidebooks will include recommended card spreads to offer structure to your oracle practice. Here are two card spreads to get you started, or you can create your own!

Two-Card Spread

Card 1: The call of the soul

Card 2: The next step

Four-Card Spread:

Card 1: What I’m seeing

Card 2: What I’m not seeing

Card 3: The possible outcome

Card 4: The action I’m being called to take

Keep a Journal & Notice Patterns

The more you practice, the more you’ll notice patterns and themes within your own readings. You may find that certain cards “follow you,” appearing over and over again. What does that mean to you? Remember to keep an open mind, a lighthearted approach, and trust that you get exactly the messages you need, when you need them.

You may like to keep a journal where you record card pulls and your personal intuitive interpretation! This will help you create your own intuitive language or meaning making system, which is more valuable than any guidebook you could ever find!

Find some of the CosmicRX team’s favorite decks below.

Cosmic Magic Oracle Deck by Valerie Tejeda

Sacred Feminine Oracle Deck: Divine Healing

The Wild Unknown Animal Spirit Deck by Kim Krans

Stars, Sex & Soul’s Tantric Lovers Oracle Cards

CosmicRx Notes From Your Higher Self Deck