Have you ever seen these beautiful decks called oracle cards and wondered, “How do I use oracle cards?” You might be surprised to hear that they are easier to read than tarot cards.
Oracle cards are like tarot cards because they have images and words that can help you understand the card. However, they are different from tarot cards because there is usually no structure to an oracle deck.
They are like a tarot deck in some different ways as well. Oracle cards can help you get to know yourself better, and you can manifest with oracle cards.
Starting Out: First Steps
When you decide to buy that first oracle deck, it is so much fun. You can go into a local metaphysical store, go to Barnes & Noble, or even get them online. You would be surprised at how many oracle and tarot decks Barnes & Noble have. Here are our first steps to getting to know how to use oracle cards.
- Picking your first deck (choose one you really like)-choose one that really speaks to you. You might love the theme, the images, or the messages the cards have. Use your intuition to choose your deck.
- How to clean and care for your cards-the first thing you are going to want to do after you get your oracle cards is to cleanse them. I like to put selenite on my deck. This clears the deck of any old energy.
- The best first question: “What should I know today?”-if you are unsure of where to start, this is a perfect question to start with. It is simple, and you can start your day with this question every day if you want.
- Starting a daily oracle card ritual-you can do an oracle card reading whenever you want. Some people like to pull a card every morning, while others might want to do it at night. It's up to you.
3 Steps to Manifest what you want Using Oracle Cards
Manifesting with oracle cards is one way people use them. Manifesting is believing what you want and then going for it. It's believing that the Universe will give you opportunities, but you need to be putting in the work to make your dreams come true.
Step 1: Know What You Want
Don't be shy here. You can start by making a bucket list of everything you have wanted, and everything you have wanted to do. Ask yourself, “What would I want if money wasn't an object?”
Some people might need help with this step, or want to hear what the Universe has to say. If that is the case, you can use this simple oracle card spread to get started.
Simple 3-card reading to start manifesting with oracle cards:
- What do I want?
- Why do I want it?
- How will I feel when I get it?
You can read the cards intuitively, or you can use the guidebook to help you figure out what the cards are telling you.
After pulling the card, I always like to journal about my manifestation reading. I start by writing down the card and what it means, and then I ask myself, “How does this reflect what I want?”
Step 2: Clear Away What's Stopping You
The hardest part of manifesting with oracle cards is getting past the blocks, or limiting beliefs, that are holding you back. It is worth doing the work because on the other side of the work is where your dreams come true.
You can use your oracle cards to help you answer these questions, or you can journal about the answers.
- What's holding you back? An example of a limiting belief is: I don't know enough about it to do it.
- Where does this limiting belief come from? When did I start feeling this way?
- How do I move past these blocks?
- What thoughts can I think instead? I like to use positive affirmation cards. They help me focus on what I am trying to do.
Step 3: Do the thing
- Pull one card each morning-think about how this card fits into what you want to manifest.
- Turn card messages into good thoughts-turn this card into your own positive affirmation, and repeat it throughout the day.
- Do what the cards suggest-oracle cards often give you a hint of what to do next, or how to incorporate the message into your day.
- Watch for good signs-when you are doing the thing, the Universe will send you little messages. They may be subtle, so keep your eyes open.
Daily Practice
The best way for new oracle card readers to get better at reading their oracle cards is by practicing as often as possible.
Daily practice is best, but that isn't always easy, so do what you can. It's your journey.
Here is an example of a daily oracle card ritual:
Morning Routine
- Pull a card-just one card is enough. If you have time for a 3 card reading, you can do that instead.
- Set your goal for the day-use your oracle card reading to help set your goal for the day.
- Write in your journal-even if it's just the card and they keywords, you will be able to reflect on it when you can.
- Picture good things happening-visualizing what you are manifesting helps keep you motivated and keeps your goals front and center for you. I want to spend a summer in the Scottish Highlands, and I can see them whenever I think about Scotland.
Evening Check-In
- Look at what went well-this is your chance to reflect on the card you pulled and see how the message played out over your day.
- Notice good things that happened-being grateful for what you have or do let's the Universe know that you appreciate what is being sent to you.
- Fix what needs fixing-while you are reflecting, you can think about what happened during the day that could have gone better. I know I had a tough conversation with another teacher once. I knew I had put too much pressure on the teacher, and now I am very careful about what I ask others to do.
- Get ready for tomorrow-making a plan the night before is a great way to get things done and work towards your goal.
Neither part of this ritual needs to take a long time. If you can do 5 minutes in the morning, and 5 minutes at night, that is plenty of time to get your thoughts out on paper.
If you would like to talk even more tarot, please join my Facebook Group. I would love to have you.
Real Life Ways on how to Use Your Oracle Cards
You can use oracle cards for general readings, you can also use them when you are looking to understand certain parts of your life.
Love & Relationships
One area of life that is on peoples minds all the time, it could be this. All you need to do is change the question for your daily oracle reading. You can ask your cards: “What do I need to know about love today?” The cards might ask you to be kinder to yourself or to talk about your feelings.
For self-love, try this easy oracle spread. Pull three cards:
- What I need to love about myself?
- How I can be kinder to myself?
- A gift I can give myself today?
Here are some other ideas for oracle card readings focused on love and relationships:
- Making your relationship stronger
- Healing after a breakup
- Understanding your partner better
- Finding new love
Money & Work
Oracle cards are great helpers when you're thinking about work or money. Pull a card when you:
- Have a big choice to make at work
- Want to ask for a raise
- Need to make a money choice
- Want to start something new
Try this simple money spread. Pull three cards:
- What's helping my money grow?
- What's stopping my money from growing?
- One thing I can do to bring in more money?
Growing as a Person
When you are looking to improve your lifer, oracle cards can show you where to start. Try this oracle card spread:
- What do I need to learn?
- What old habit should I let go?
- What new habit would help me?
- What's my next best step?
Remember: Your cards are here to help, but you still need to do the work. If a card asks you to be brave, you'll need to do something brave. If it says to save money, you'll need to start saving. The cards show you the way, but you have to walk the path.
Tip: Write down what cards you pull and what happens next. This helps you see how the cards are helping you make good changes in your life.
Getting Better at It
There are several ways of doing an oracle card reading for beginners. Once you feel comfortable with how to use oracle cards, there are some ways to take it up a notch.
Working with Energy
- Putting good energy into your cards-when you are shuffling your cards, thank them for their guidance. This positive energy will be reflected back to you during your reading.
- Making a special space-if you have a spot in your home to set up your reading materials, then take advantage of it. Even if it is just putting a plant there or laying a special blanket down.
- Using crystals-crystals have energy, so if you like to use crystals, you should add them to your space. Selenite is good for cleansing, and quartz can help strengthen your reading by helping to give you more clarity.
- Using sound and music-some nice soft music in the background is nice. You can find some to use on YouTube.
Making It Work Better
- Writing your wish 3-6-9 times-this is a journaling practice where you write your wish down 3 times in the morning, 6 times in the afternoon, and 9 times before you go to bed. I love how writing it 9 times before bed really helps clarify what you want before sleep. As you sleep, your brain pays attention to these thoughts.
- Making wish boards-vision boards are so fun! You can make one digitally, or you can do it the way I used to do it, (and still do)-use old magazines for images, quotes, or writing your own message.
- Working with friends-learning how to use oracle cards is so much more fun with a friend. You can bounce ideas off each other and analyze the cards together.
- Trying new things-don't be afraid to try something you haven't done before. Maybe for your daily oracle card practice, you could draw an oracle card and a tarot card to see how the energies work together.
Keeping Going
There will be times when doing a daily oracle card reading will be hard, or maybe there are periods of time that you just don't have time to do it. It's okay, that happens to all of us sometimes. The important thing to remember is to get right back to it when you can.
You can also try:
- Writing down what happens-this doesn't have to be a blow by blow of your whole day, but just a sentence or two about how your manifesting with oracle cards goes.
- Being patient-waiting for the Universe to respond can try the best of us, but the Universe gives when we need it and are ready for it.
- Changing course when needed-keep in mind that sometimes things will go sideways. Maybe it is taking you longer to reach your goal, or an obstacle gets in your way. Staying flexible and be willing to make changes when you need to. Your oracle cards can help you with that.
- Celebrating wins-this is something everyone needs to do more often. Be proud of all the little steps you take on your journey to manifesting your dreams.
Things Not to Do
There are some pitfalls in how to do an oracle card reading for beginners to watch out for. If you find yourself falling into one of these mindsets, you can change that quickly!
- Trying too hard-forcing your practice can lead to burnout and frustration. If you find yourself feeling this way, take a step back and take a break.
- Not believing it will work-we have all heard the saying around Christmastime, “If you don't believe, you won't receive.” Well, if you don't believe in yourself and the process, it's going to stop you from making progress.
- Not taking action-you need to do the work to have your dreams come true. Just having a dream without doing the work isn't going to cut it.
- Forgetting to be thankful-gratitude is a way to keep your energy and vibration high.
- Be too hard on yourself-give yourself grace. Everyone has been a beginner at one time. We weren't born walking. You had to learn to, and it wasn't perfect the first time. It takes repeated practice.
Final thoughts
Learning how to read oracle cards might take some time, but by doing these things you will be reading like a pro in no time.
- Making it a habit
- Finding other people who do this
- Learning more
- Trying new oracle card spreads
