Three Easy Steps to choose your Oracle Deck
When you are looking for an oracle deck the options seem limitless. Just like you, I have looked for that perfect new deck that would capture my attention and give me inspiration and insights. Once or twice, I picked a deck on a whim only to find it is not the one for me. Then there are the card sets that guide me on my path in ways I could never possibly have dreamed.
If you are shopping in person, often they don’t have sample cards for you to touch and feel. And online it can be very hit or miss, and it’s hard to know how big the cards are and how they feel in your hands.
Before you get overwhelmed, let’s break it down into a few manageable steps. Whether this is your first deck of oracle cards, or you are looking for something to add to your collection, here are some launching off points.
Step 1 - Choose your target
Take a breath and ask yourself a few questions to focus your search. The key here is to let your intuition do the work, and stay open to what pops into your head. The first answer is usually the correct one.- What theme or subject are you looking for?
- One that aligns with your spiritual path?
- Something to connect you to the natural world?
- Do you want a deck that makes you smile and brightens your day?
- How many cards do you want in your oracle deck?
- A small deck with 25-30 cards to draw from?
- Or a larger deck with 50 or more cards?
- Yes or no: do you want the meaning printed on each card, or do you want to learn from a book?
- Yes - Inspiration and insight at the pull of a card is just what you are looking for!
- No - You prefer to work with a spread and use the book as a guide to develop your intuition.
Step 2 - Take aim with your intuition
Now that you have gained some clarity for what you want and need from your new oracle deck, it’s time to get in touch with your feelings. That’s right, it all comes down to your emotional response and your gut feeling for the deck.
Sometimes it’s the first deck you laid eyes on, and it feels like it’s calling to you and ready to jump off the shelf or web page. That’s OK! As long as it meets your criteria you established in Step 1, you have found your deck.
Step 3 - Spend your money wisely
Did you find a deal online for a popular tarot or oracle deck at an amazing discount? Chances are, it’s been pirated and is being sold without the author, artist, or publishers ever seeing a dime. Oh, and it won’t come with a guide book either, even if it says it does. You don’t want your spiritual journey to be tainted with that kind of negativity.
My advice? Stick to your local metaphysical store, or buy directly from the author, artist, or publisher online. That way you are supporting the positive flow of energy. Oracle decks are a labor of love and works of art. Honor those who give birth to them and have worked long and hard to share wisdom with you.
One of the benefits of going to a store in person is you can tap into the expertise of the staff. I’ve been around the metaphysical and pagan community for decades, and the owners and staff know a thing or two about working with oracle decks. Listen to their advice, and at the same time, listen to your own intuition.
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So you bought an oracle deck. Now what?
Your beautiful new oracle deck is in your home, and you are so excited to start playing with it! I understand that excitement and the joy of discovery, after all I have a few decks in my own collection that I couldn’t wait to get my hands on.
But before you open the deck and start looking through the cards, I recommend doing some sort of cleansing to clear the energy of anyone that has touched it before you. There are a number of ways to do this, here are a few of my favorites.
By the light of the moon
The moon is a symbol of intuition and helps you tap into the mysteries of spirit. I’m not even going to ask you to wait until the moon is full, any phase will do. Just check and see when the moon will rise and set next in your area, put your oracle cards outside or in a window that has a view of the moon where it rises, and don’t touch it until after it sets.
Can’t wait that long? I got you.
Clear your deck with elemental energy
You can use one or more of the four alchemical elements which are earth, air, fire, and water. When you pair it with the power of your intention, it will do the job.
EARTH - you can use crystals, a favorite rock, a zen sand box or a dish of salt, even a potted plant or your garden will work just fine. Just place your deck in contact with your representation of the element, for as long as you feel is necessary.
AIR - I live on the great plains and it is almost always breezy or windy out, so I can just bring my new deck outside and ask the wind to cleanse it. Alternatively, you can light incense, a sage or herbal bundle, or sweetgrass braid to generate smoke. It’s air you can see! Also a two in one with fire in the mix.
FIRE - A campfire, wood burning fireplace, or backyard fire pit work great. As will a candle if you don’t have access to a larger fire source. Just hold your deck near the flame, close enough to feel the warmth. As with the element of air, you can use incense or burn some herbs for smoke.
WATER - No, I’m not telling you to wash your deck like you do your hands! Sprinkling with a little spring water, or sacred water from your altar will work as well. If you are a water witch, you may have a sacred spring, well, stream, lake or ocean that you frequent. Just bring your deck with you and place it as close as you want to your water source and ask the water to cleanse and bless your deck.
Ritual tool blessing
If you include rituals as part of your spiritual practice, this is a great way to cleanse and bless your new oracle deck. It is a magical tool after all. Do whatever suits you best, whether you are following a tradition, are a solitary witch, or as part of a circle, coven, grove or group. Chanting, singing, drumming, dancing all of these will help prepare you and your new deck with power and magical intention.
Reiki or energetic clearing
Last but not least, you can use spiritual energy to both cleanse and bless your deck for your use. As a Usui Reiki Master Teacher, I can use my years of experience to cleanse my own decks. But whether you are trained in Reiki or not, you can use your energy, vibrations, or frequency to clear and bless your deck.
Well, that should be enough to set the stage to work with your gorgeous new oracle deck. Now take out the deck and start playing with it! Enjoy your journey, it’s going to be magical.
Need help getting started with your new oracle deck?
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Going from one oracle deck to many
My first oracle deck is still my go-to deck and I have a great relationship with these cards. In case you were wondering, it’s the Faeries’ Oracle Deck with art by Brian Froud, and guidebook by Jessica MacBeth. Since then, I have purchased or been gifted many other decks that have given me a great deal of wisdom, insight, and inspiration.
While I do not consider myself a collector, there are those who are, and that path is full of its own wonders. Oracle decks can aid you on your journey through life, and they can be full of fantasy, silly cats, or serious subjects. Working with a deck can definitely enhance your intuition, and by reading for others you build community as well.
Good luck on your search for a new deck!
