How to use Oracle Cards: A beginner's guide to intuition even if you are not a psychic

If you've heard whispers about oracle cards and find yourself intrigued, you're not alone. Many people are curious about these fascinating tools and how they can be integrated into everyday life. You might wonder, "But I’m not a psychic; can I really use these cards?" The answer is a resounding yes! 

Oracle cards are versatile, intuitive tools that can provide guidance and insight regardless of your level of experience with divination. Unlike tarot cards, which have a fixed structure and traditional meanings, oracle cards come in various designs and themes, each with its unique message and focus. They can serve as a mirror to your thoughts and emotions, helping you to tap into your intuition and clarify your desires.

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Using oracle cards does not require special psychic abilities; instead, they encourage personal reflection and exploration. To get started, you shuffle the deck while focusing on a question or area of your life where you seek guidance. Each card carries its energy and symbolism, which can resonate with different aspects of your life.

Incorporating oracle cards into your routine can add a sprinkle of magic and mindfulness, fostering a deeper connection to your inner self and the world around you. So whether you're looking for daily inspiration, insight on a particular issue, or simply a creative outlet, oracle cards can be a beautiful resource. Let's explore the possibilities together!

What Are Oracle Cards?

Think of oracle cards as your deck of inspiration. Each card features unique imagery and messages designed to offer guidance, reflection, and a fresh perspective on life's questions. Unlike tarot cards with a specific structure and traditional meanings, oracle cards are more free-form, allowing for a more personalized experience.

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Some decks come with an oracle card guidebook that explains the meaning behind each card, whether it is confirmation cards, inquiry cards, action cards, activation cards, or transmission cards. "People should own an oracle deck because it's a wonderful tool for connecting to your intuition and decision-making abilities! It's also a lovely way to connect with yourself and your spirituality. Oracle decks come with their own guidebooks so require less prior knowledge and interpretive skills compared to Tarot cards," Talisa Zampieri, Traditional Astrologer, Intuitive Tarot Reader and  Founder at Two Wander, told HOLA! USA. 

Do You Need to Be Psychic to Use Them?

Good news: no crystal ball is required! Oracle cards are tools for self-reflection and tapping into your intuition. They help you explore your thoughts and feelings, offering insights that you might not have considered otherwise. It's less about predicting the future and more about understanding the present. 

However, TV and radio psychic Inbaal Honigman says "that everyone has some psychic ability" as  the "psychic skill is just like any other talent."

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"Some people are naturally better dancers or better mathematicians, and some people have to work harder to get good at ballet or long division, but everyone can do it," the expert told HOLA! USA, assuring that this also applies to psychic work.

Missy Toy Ozeas, an intuitive healer with Emotion Code, Body Code, and Belief Code certifications, agrees that we are intuitive. "We often doubt ourselves. And we don't trust our innate ability to connect to our intuition and the messages from our spirit team. This is why Oracle cards can be such a powerful communication tool," the expert says. "Oracle cards are a simple and elegant way to receive messages from our guides. We can think of the cards as a tool just like a telephone is a two-way tool for communication."

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How To Choose the Right Deck for You

Oracle cards are available in multiple designs and according to Stacee Magee, Autistic Author and Creator behind the viral phenomenon, Spirit Fluent, choosing a deck is easy. "While traditionally a deck is meant to arrive at its owner as a gift, you can still select your own deck."

Magee told HOLA! USA that the easiest way to choose your deck is "to tap into your feelings" and "select the deck that resonates with you." Adding, you can look for signs. For example, if you are "someone who always sees butterflies, who might select a butterfly deck." The expert suggests that the most important thing is being guided by your inner knowing and don’t think about what you should get, but what feels right to you.

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"I own the Crystal Allies Deck (1st edition), and it's remarkably good at dealing with anything related to your emotions. It's suitable for inner healing work," says Kelle Sparta, Transformational Shaman, Spiritual Business Strategist, and Renowned Podcaster. "Lynn Andrew's Power Deck, on the other hand, is great for helping you step into your power. Its messages are all founded in a shamanic personal power approach to the world.The Sock Monkey Oracle (one of my favorites), is grounded in joy and play and is good for practical questions about life. The Faeries' Oracle Deck is utilizing the energy of the Fae and therefore can be playful, trickster-like, transcendent, nature-based, and more - just like the faeries themselves, and the Sacred Path Cards are based in a blended Native American tradition, which provides that energetic and philosophical context to your reading."

"I also want to point out is that using oracle cards can go hand in hand with spirituality," Alicia of AskAlicia Tarot, co-creator of The Creative Entrepreneur Oracle, said. "The cards are just reflecting your intuition and energy. So if you are religious, or believe in spiritual guides, ancestors, the universe. etc., you can pray beforehand or allow energy to come from that source. It doesn't replace your religious or spiritual beliefs. And if you don't believe in a particular religion or higher power, that's okay too."

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How To Use Oracle Cards

Whether used for daily inspiration, decision-making, or spiritual growth, oracle cards uniquely connect with your inner wisdom and the universe’s guidance. "Tarot can feel overwhelming at first because understanding the full meaning requires learning the cards, while oracle decks provide immediate insight without the need for prior knowledge," Alex Rainone, a professional tarot reader, Reiki Master, and intuitive healer based in Denver, told HOLA! USA.

"A simple ritual people can use is to sit somewhere quiet where you won't be disturbed and take a few deep breaths with your eyes closed. Once you feel centred, shuffle the deck whilst musing upon your question, and clear your mind about how many cards you will pull. When ready, you can cut the deck and draw your card(s) for answers," says Zampieri. "Take a moment to note your immediate reactions. You can also journal on your question and the card(s) that came up for you. When we return to our spreads afterward, more insight can often come through."

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"When I use my Oracle cards, I sit quietly and connect with spirit. This can be as simple as taking a sacred pause and connecting your feet to the ground. Then I call in my Higher Self, my guides and my ancestors. If you aren't sure who supports you spiritually, you can simply call in a power greater than yourself," shares Missy Toy Ozeas.

Adding that she then creates an intention or crafts a clear question. "This is very important. For without clarity, your answer may be muddled and unclear. For example, if you go to a restaurant and the waitress asks you what you'd like for dinner and you say, 'Bring me anything,' then you might receive escargot, a piece of key lime pie or a bowl of cereal! But if you clearly state that you are a gluten-free, dairy-free pescatarian, this information helps the cook craft the perfect meal just for you."

After stating your intention or question, close your eyes and shuffle the oracle cards. "I use my intuition to choose a card. Sometimes, a card jumps out of the deck or falls out of my hands. And I'll know that this particular card has a message for me,"  Toy Ozeas said. 

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"Any additional intuitive messages that come to you after that, is an extra bonus!" Alicia of AskAlicia Tarot adds.

Benefits of Using Oracle Cards

• Self-Reflection and Personal Growth: Oracle cards encourage you to pause and reflect, fostering a deeper understanding of yourself and your journey.
• Clarity and Insight can illuminate situations, helping you see things from a new perspective and make informed decisions.
• Creative Inspiration: The imagery and messages can spark creativity, offering fresh ideas and perspectives.
• Mindfulness and Meditation: Using oracle cards can become a calming ritual, promoting mindfulness and presence.

 Incorporating Oracle Cards into Your Routine

• Morning Ritual: Draw a card in the morning to set the tone for your day.
• Evening Reflection: Use a card pull to reflect on your day and gain insights for tomorrow.
• Creative Prompt: Stuck on a project? Let a card inspire your next move.

Remember, there's no right or wrong way to use oracle cards. They're a flexible tool designed to support and inspire you. So, shuffle those cards and see what wisdom they have to offer!