Cartomancy is now a very lucrative business, with literally hundreds of card decks on the market offering a visual smorgasbord of artistic aesthetic, but with so many to choose from, it can be overwhelming and if we are new to cartomancy and just curious, an unsuitable deck can leave us thinking personal insight tools are a waste of time.
In this post I’m going to offer a few guidelines that might prove helpful to anyone new to the idea, as well as stimulate those already familiar.
Firstly, it helps to have the right approach
Cartomancy refers to any system of cards used for divination purposes i.e used to gain insight, perspective and new awareness on a specific aspect of life. The most well known of these is Tarot, which has a specific structure with 78 cards, based on the Kabbalistic Tree of Life model, and including numerology and astrology. Since it is a complex cartomancy system, Tarot takes time to learn, and it isn’t the best entry level system for self-development work.
Oracle decks are generally simpler, and they don’t conform to any specific system; each deck has its own design and theme. They can be used much like Tarot in complex layouts, but they are also more suited to simple questions using one or two cards only. Unlike Tarot cards, Oracle images are usually less saturated in symbolism, and for this reason they can be less confusing and easier to read. In addition they always provide a key archetype and/or a key phrase with each card. This makes them easier to work with as a beginner, but it also can limit the scope of interpretation later on when one has become more intuitively developed.
It's common for Tarot users to use Oracle cards as additional input on readings; they can add more nuance.
It's also easy to buy a deck that seems exciting and full of promise (especially online) only to be disappointed when we try to get going because the deck is either too limited and idealistic to address real questions, or the accompanying book is too thin on wisdom.
So what are Oracle cards?
A typical Oracle card deck may comprise of about 40-50 cards, each one presenting with an image and some keywords. To use a deck, we simply focus on a question we may have about ourselves or our lives, shuffle the deck, and then pull a sequence of cards. The cards present us with symbolic images and messages, which can trigger intuitive insight and awareness, and can be woven together into a clear message moving forward.
Why might this work?
We are more than our ego; we are a fractal holographic totality comprised of an ego/personality-conscious-awareness, a much larger personal unconscious awareness, and beyond that we are connected to an impersonal collective unconscious awareness as well. We can bridge into the personal and collective unconscious, using the right brain function, which communicates through symbols and images, in order to access more information held at the metaphysical level.
Within the collective unconscious dwell spirit beings we might call guides and helpers, and through the Oracle deck we can begin to cultivate an open communication with them as part of a spiritual practise. We can also generate new pathways of connection to the Higher Self, an aspect that we all have; the part of us that knows, emanating from the soul.
The use of cartomancy can be seen as training for right brain perception, and continual use of these systems can build the intuitive muscles over time, where we begin to become more and more able to receive inner guidance with or without the cards. Card decks are simply spiritual tools, but the real capacity is in us all along, and the main aim is in opening up and activating this latent capacity, often shut down in early life due to the left-brain dominant patriarchal False-Matrix-driven social reality most of us find ourselves born into.
Here are some handy tips to consider before jumping into the world of Oracle decks
There are 4 elements to a deck that need to come together to make it functional and useable.
1. Artwork
The artwork should inspire you. If it doesn’t then you are less likely to use it. The imagery should also speak to you in a clear way. If images are too complex and overwhelming, then that is how you’ll feel using it. If you are not yet symbolically literate, then it's better to go for simple imagery that makes sense to you, and take the journey one step at a time.
2. Theme
Oracle decks come in numerous themes; some are themed around deities, angels, ascended masters, faeries, light-workers etc. Each one will have a psycho-emotional ambience, which you might relate to or not. Each one will have a basis in metaphysical philosophy and tend to express certain ideals and beliefs. Everyone is in a different stage of spiritual development; for some, angels are the forefront of personal discovery, for others it's the world of Fae, and for others yet, a more Jungian archetypal theme is attractive. Always buy a deck with a theme you deeply resonate with, even if you outgrow it later.
3. Key words and phrases
I pay attention to keywords and phrases because I don’t want to feel too limited by the words, but I also want to feel activated by them in a useful way. It will depend on the level of engagement you plan to have with the deck. More literal and limiting phrases can be useful if you only want to pull one card out for some simple stimulus and input, but if you want to do more complex readings it's better to make sure the phrases are more inspirational. If you study the phrases on several cards before you buy, it will give you a sense of the orientation of the deck, and how useful it would be for general life questions.
4. The accompanying book
In a world driven by capitalism, there are many decks around that are less developed than others; they appear to be emulations of better decks already out there, but with a different theme. The less experienced can get hoodwinked by sensational art but no spiritual substance! It really helps if there is true wisdom conveyed by the card and the accompanying book, which is entirely dependent on who creates the deck. It also helps if complex images are explained, so we can learn to understand the symbology used, otherwise images can become opaque. It’s a rare opportunity if we are able to preview the book, but if possible it is worthwhile. If we study the key phrases however, it will give us a sense of the quality of wisdom imbued into the system, and some are by far, better than others.
Oracle cards offer us a simple way to begin a relationship with the personal unconscious, and although Tarot is more complex and nuanced, if we just want to dive in and get going, an Oracle deck is probably the best option, as we are more likely to have a positive and meaningful experience with them.
Here below I will offer my opinion on a few decks I think have promise as useful Oracle decks. Some of them I haven’t used, but I will attempt to model my rationale to help you choose wisely. These examples are by no means extensive - there are plenty of other options out there, my aim is to help the discerning seeker get a sense of what kind of deck is suitable for their current stage of self-inquiry.
Decks suitable for beginners
The Law of Positivism Healing Oracle
I like this deck because the contemporary images are accessible and easy to grasp. The colours are illuminated and evocative of light-realms, and depending on how one uses this deck, the positive affirmation style for the phrases on each card, can tune the observer to key lessons and insights. There’s something nice about the clean language used, and they have particular use if we want to receive guidance on how we should approach the day for example, or what the lesson of the moment might be.
Cons: The phrases could be a bit distracting in more complex layouts beyond 2 cards, and the images although relevant to the keywords, don't convey much more and so the cards are potentially limited to just the keywords.
The Healing Spirits Oracle Deck
The healing spirits oracle deck is based on the work of medium Gordon Smith, and each card represents a spirit message. The artwork is more abstract, but it's still easy to grasp and makes sense on both a mental and emotional level. The key phrases are also practical and useful for spiritual inquiry, especially if the cultivation of a spiritual life is new to you. These cards also lend themselves well to simpler 1 or 2 card readings. Rather than positive affirmations, the key phrases offer simple wisdom prompts.
The Healing Waters Oracle
The healing waters deck is a little more complex. Each card offers an archetypal theme, plus keywords and qualities. The artwork is contemporary, and evocative of spiritual light realms, and although a little more complex, the images capture the essence of the card. The keywords offer us more options, which works the intuition more, and the options don’t feel too limiting. I think the images aptly evoke inner dimensions of being and have a healing effect on the psyche.
The Angel Guide Oracle
The angel guide oracle by Kyle Gray is a good option if the imagery of angels inspires you. Angel decks have the advantage of being suitable to most beginners. Angels feel safe to many people, and they appeal to different religious conditionings. This deck offers strong symbolic images. Unlike other angel decks, where the artwork is limited to "barbie" style feminine angels, this deck is multi-racial and respectful of different cultural roots. The simple keywords are relatively useful, but they don’t suit an advanced reader so much. I find them at times a little too limiting and tend to use them more for altar-work.
The Angels and Ancestors Oracle
The angels and ancestors oracle cards also by Kyle Gray are I think more sophisticated. They offer a diverse array of archetypes both masculine and feminine, as well as warrior symbols and seasons. This wider palette of images helps readings become more nuanced and articulate. The artwork is direct and easy to grasp symbolically. Each card has an archetypal title as well as a simple key phrase. The inclusion of both makes this deck a little more versatile; they can be easily used for single card draws, but also lend themselves well to more complex layouts. They also offer clear advice, which could readily be used as additional input in Tarot readings. The accompanying booklet is suited to the beginner, easy to access and not overwhelming.
Decks more suitable for more experienced readers
The Goddess Oracle
The goddess oracle deck is an older and more advanced oracle deck, and offers goddess images from around the world to generate a collage of meaning in more complex layouts. Each card has a goddess name and a keyword. The accompanying book has useful tellings of goddess myths for each card, which when properly integrated, allows a more advanced reader to gain deeper and more nuanced insight. It is not the best deck however for a beginner, and it doesn’t deliver immediate readings like the others do. In a world moving toward the integration of the feminine principle, this deck has a lot to offer for anyone wanting to get more familiar with goddess archetypes. The artwork is also comprised of hand painted illustrations without the use of computers, which may appeal to an older generation of users.
The Goddess Power Oracle
The goddess power oracle deck has a large number of cards depicting goddess archetypes from around the world with a more contemporary artwork base. Like the Goddess Oracle, this deck offers access to feminine archetypes, and having not used the deck before, the accompanying book may or may not be useful, however it is easy enough to study the goddess myths to build ones own network of meaning. This deck is also suited to a more experienced user, and it offers a very open plan stimulus for personal insight, as well as building a stronger relationship with the feminine archetypes, which can also readily be used for altar work.
Cons: The artwork isn't particularly evocative; the format for each illustration is more or less the same - it serves more as a pictorial reference to each goddess, featuring cultural or mythic symbols, so unless we grasp the aspect of the One Divinity expressed through each specific archetype, this deck will require some preparation to use well.
The Mythic Oracle
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The Mythic Oracle deck is based entirely on ancient Greek Mythology, and you can just buy the cards on their own without the book, which is useful if you are already familiar with the myths, and have experience with cartomancy. The accompanying book is useful for those with little or no knowledge of the mythic story themes; it offers a concise overview of the mythic themes for each archetype, and some basic divination meanings to get started with. What I like best about these is that they already have well established and easy to access mythic themes behind them (you'd get ample info from wikipedia on each to compile a bespoke framework for each card). Through the mythic themes it is not only easier to grasp the essence of each card, it also enables for greater nuance in the way we can interpret each image. There is a good balance between masculine and feminine archetypes, and there is a good balance between the higher more heavenly archetypes and the lower more earthly ones, providing a richer palette for insight, which can apply to many levels of personal inquiry.
The cards themselves are less limited; each one has a mythic name with just one keyword or phrase. This makes them harder for the beginner, but more versatile for someone more experienced, and thus more rewarding. Once familiar with all the mythic storylines, there simply is greater scope for depth of meaning, which is arguably missing from more new-age decks that lack a complex mythic tapestry.
Finally...
Oracle decks are great tools for spiritual practice i.e. the personal engagement with the unseen dimensions of existence for the purposes of establishing coherence and higher meaning. Many Oracle decks are suitable for beginners new to symbolism and personal inquiry; they can be seen as teachers in their own right.
The downside is that Oracle decks can be limited to a specific spiritual ideal and aesthetic; they can focus all the answers in a similar direction i.e. aligned to a particular belief approach. It can be frustrating when looking for guidance to be constantly steered in one direction. One way to get around this is to own an array of Oracle decks offering different messages, and then choosing a deck for each question.
Some decks are more well-rounded in this sense, while others with a specific sensibility are useful if we want to get grounded in a set of core spiritual principles. For many this is perhaps their greatest potential; we ask a question from the conditioned framework of who we think we are, and the deck itself presents us with new ways of thinking, helping us to re-train the mind toward more useful philosophies and mind-sets. This is very clear to see in decks like The Law of Positivism Oracle and the Healing Waters Oracle.
Even so, despite any potential failings, the majority of Oracle decks available have something to teach us, especially if we choose the right deck for us personally, one that resonates and excites us deeply.