Tarot decks
are recognized as seventy-eight cards full of wise advice and a
multitude of uses. They are so elegant in design, cloaked in the aura
of history, and filled with promises for the future. So why would a
tarot user consider an
oracle deck?
As a former tarot snob (for years I would never consider using an
oracle) who has discovered the joy of oracles, I think I can answer
this. An oracle deck is simply a deck created for a specific purpose
that does not necessarily have seventy-eight cards and does not
necessarily have a tarot deck structure. Most oracles have fewer cards
and might have no structure among those cards. They are usually used
with smaller
spreads
or single-card draws. They are unique creations and as such usually
have unique personalities. They are easy to learn and can be fun and
light-hearted—although that does not diminish their power or
usefulness. For many people, oracles are much more approachable
precisely because they are more focused and easier to get to know.
For example, if you are looking for inspiration, check out
The Goddess Inspiration Oracle by Kris Waldherr. If you want to release your inner tart and receive cheeky, fun advice, try
The Eros Oracle by Laura Tuan. If you want a guide for your journey on the
Wiccan path, definitely spend time with
The Well-Worn Path and
The Hidden Path by Raven Grimassi, Stephanie Taylor, and Mickie Mueller. For spot-on
fortunetelling, make friends with one of the
Lenormand decks offered by Lo Scarabeo.
If you want to find your inner power and fill your life with magic, you'll want the
Enchanted Oracle
by Jessica Galbreth. (I can tell you about this deck with confidence
because it was my good fortune to write the book that goes with it.)
The Enchanted Oracle is a gateway to magical goodness in a box. It comes with thirty-six cards featuring the sumptuous artwork of the talented
Ms. Galbreth—some familiar favorites and some newly created for this deck. There is a charmingly designed book full of insight, advice,
divinatory
meanings, spreads, spells, and journaling hints. And there is also a
dainty fairy charm that can be used with some of the spells, as a
talisman, and as a
pendulum.
And don't think that you have to choose between a tarot deck and an
oracle deck. They can work really well when used together. Each tarot
card, as we know, can have a myriad of meanings. Because the
Enchanted Oracle
cards focus on our personal power, actions, and responsibilities, I
love to use these cards for a position in a spread that is about
"advice" or an "action to take." For example, if you are doing a
three-card reading about a situation with your tarot cards and use the
positions Past-Present-Future, you can add a card or two. I would add
two cards pulled from the
Enchanted Oracle and place them
above the Present and the Future cards. The tarot cards describe the
energies at play in the situation. The cards above them, pulled from
the
Enchanted Oracle, can tell you precisely how to apply those energies to best effect.
There are many ways to pair oracle cards and tarot decks. Experiment,
matching decks based on complimentary art styles, themes, or overall
personality. You may be surprised at the change in your readings.
