As summer starts to come around, there seems to be an infinite amount of time on our hands. What better way to spend that time than to learn a new skill, like reading oracle cards? Not only can it help give you advice, but it may also give insight into your future.
You might be familiar with tarot cards, which are a more complicated version of oracle cards. Unlike tarot, oracle cards usually have a phrase written on them, usually with a piece of advice or guidance on reading the card. This makes it easier to interpret the cards, whereas tarot only has the name of the card and artwork. To interpret tarot cards, one must be knowledgeable about all 78 cards and their meanings.
Oracle cards come in many different types of decks, each with its own artwork or theme. For example, I own a deck of oracle cards that features a variety of artists. However, another deck could feature artwork of the moon and its phases. As the decks vary, so do the cards and their meanings.
Meanwhile, tarot cards are standardized. Like I mentioned before, each deck contains 78 cards, with specific meanings per card. Both types of cards can be found in stores and online. I personally bought my cards at a Picasso museum in Europe, but other shops like bookstores and your local Target should have them as well.
The first thing you should do when reading your cards is to shuffle them. While shuffling, you should think about the question you want to answer, and really focus on that. I usually shuffle until I think all the cards are randomized. Then I lay the cards in front of me, spreading them face-down so I can see almost every card in the deck.
This part is optional, but I usually ask my question again, focus on it, while I choose my card. I would recommend choosing a card that you feel drawn to, not just blindly picking it. When you have your card, pick it up and put it face up. The words written on your card should give you some sort of answer.
Since each oracle card deck varies, so do the words. Interpretation is usually up to you. Sometimes the deck comes with a guidebook from the author, which gives you perspective on the author’s thoughts when creating the deck. Feel free to consult those. Just remember that whatever card you draw, words are subjective and can be interpreted differently.
After this step, I put my cards away and try not to think too hard about my reading. However, I do recommend reflecting back on the card at the end of the day or after you get an answer to the question you asked. It’ll help you understand how to interpret the cards and help you become a better reader.
This is just one way to read your cards. Additionally, there are spreads you can do where you pull out multiple cards and lay them in a specific order to answer your questions. Usually, these are used to understand more significant events or situations.
A common spread is the three-card spread, which could be used for a variety of reasons. The three cards you draw can represent your past, present, and future, for example. This version usually tells you what will happen the day you draw the cards, the next day, and what happened the previous day. You can find more ideas for spreads online.
Like everything else, reading oracle cards is a skill. With enough practice, you can eventually learn to read your deck of cards. If you’re stuck on anything, the internet is a great tool for help. Once you feel confident in your abilities, who knows, you might be able to read a friend’s future!