What do you know about oracle cards?
Have you ever used them – or had a reading?

Throughout my 15 years of working with oracle cards, there has been a lot of curiosity, a few misconceptions, and a whole lot of fear surrounding the issue. Of course many people love oracle cards and have embraced their gifts, but some folks question their purpose and accuracy with intense skepticism. 

Which I totally get; I can be skeptical of things I don’t understand. Many of us are. That’s why it’s important to ask questions, listen, and learn.

Or just try it out yourself and see what happens. 

My friend V. recently posted a question on social media that got me thinking about all this. Here is what she wrote:

“Can someone explain to me what oracle cards are? I know what they are used for but I’d like to know more “specifics”. Can anyone “use” them or do you need training or do you have to have a “gift” for using them? What is the “theory” behind them – if there is any? Why or how does it work? And, can you use them for anything – like any question? Or do you have to phrase them specifically or do they only apply to certain areas? I know nothing about it and grew up with the belief that such stuff is “vvvil’s work” (my grandma used to say that). I basically believed it is people ripping other people off. I am much more open now and would just like to get a bit more info.”

Wow, what a great question! I’m sure many people have these exact thoughts but never open up and ask the necessary questions. Instead they make assumptions (which we know is not a good idea). Where’s the fun in that?!

In response to V.’s question, here is my answer:

I love using oracle cards as they speak to my intuition, providing thoughtful messages that often confirm what I was already sensing. They are the perfect complement to any form of healing or self-exploration, and require no connection to the devil or anyone else. Oracle cards simply connect you to your own intuition. In a simple and beautiful format, they allow access to messages of healing and self-discovery for those who are seeking. 

Anyone can learn to read oracle cards and everyone will have their own way to do so. You can use them for any topic or question and you don’t have to phrase a specific way, although open-ended questions do work best. 

Sometimes I pull a card and it answers the question I hadn’t even asked yet! Or it answers something/gives perspective to something that just confirms what I already felt/knew inside.

I believe that we intuitively choose the cards that will have the biggest meaning for us, so there is never a ‘wrong’ card to get. Everything has a message, even the cards you don’t WANT to see.

And sometimes, I don’t understand my ‘answer’ at all, or maybe even feel confused by the card I get. So in that case, I pull another card! If the message is not clear or easy to understand, I keep going until it feels complete.

As for ill will or ripping people off? I’ve never suffered unfortunate circumstances because of something I encountered in an oracle card reading. The worst that has happened is I pulled a card I didn’t want to see; you know the ones. The cards with the messages that are so true they’re painful to accept. Since I’ve had nothing but pleasant and accurate experiences with oracle cards, I continue to use them in my life and work, with great results every time. 

If it walks like good advice, and talks like good advice, and feels like good advice, guess what? It’s probably good advice. In other words, the proof is in the pudding. 

And on that note, let’s take a look at some ‘proof’. Here are two separate oracle card readings that I performed on myself while completing my Reiki Master certification. The first reading uses Steven D. Farmer’s Messages from Your Animal Spirit Gudies cards, and addresses my question: 

What can you tell me about my Reiki path? 

• Wolverine. “You’re a lot tougher than you think you are.”
• Camel. “Trust that you have the resources to get through the challenges before you.”
• Chameleon. “Stay in the background and adapt to the situation rather than being conspicuous and attempting to direct the course of events.” 
• Penguin. “The period of darkness that you’ve been experiencing is now passing.”
• Platypus. “Stop complaining and focus your attention on the blessings in your life.”

And more specifically for this last card: What can you tell me about my Reiki path and life in general?

• Rattlesnake. “The experiences that you’re presently going through are an initiation into fulfilling your purpose as a healer.”

So…yeah. This is exactly what I needed to see, hear, and feel. I couldn’t have chosen more appropriate cards if I’d tried. The signs are too obvious for me to ignore, so why would I? There are positive messages and seeds of personal growth in these cards. They resonate with me. That’s what counts.

Immediately after this reading, I did a second reading using Doreen Virtue’s Goddess Guidance oracle cards. It’s not that I felt the first reading was incomplete or untrue; I just simply felt like doing another reading with a slightly different (but related) question. Just for fun.

While thinking of a particular (exciting!) new venture I am about to start, I asked:

What guidance can you give on my new project-in-the-making?

• Yamanya. Golden opportunity. “Important doors are opening for you right now. Walk through them.”
• Mother Mary. Expect a miracle. “Have faith that your prayers have been heard and are being answered.”
• Kuan Yin. Compassion. “Release judgments about yourself and others, and focus on the love and light that is within everyone.”
• Aeracura. Blossoming. “You are just getting started, so have patience with yourself and the process, and do not give up.”
• Maat. Fairness. “This situation will be handled in a fair and just manner.”

Yep. Ok. Good. Great. Got the message. Say ‘yes’. Have faith. Be kind. Keep going. Trust. Everything that I needed in one 5-oracle card self-reading. Pretty cool, right?

As mentioned above, sometimes when a reading seems unclear or feels incomplete, I keep pulling cards until I feel satisfied. I don’t keep pulling cards because I dislike what I get; I pull more cards so the message becomes very clear.

No one else can determine how a message will sit with me, or what it might feel like, or how many more cards are necessary. This comes down to trusting my own intuition. With both of these readings, I just kept choosing cards until I felt like I’d chosen enough. I listened to that tiny whisper that said “Keep going – there is more for you to know” and “Stop – those are all the cards you need.” And I trusted in the messages before me. Easy peasy. 

Learning to trust, develop, and use your intuition is an ongoing process including many tests and hurdles. That is the point; the more you use it and challenge it, the stronger it becomes.

So don’t feel held back by your uncertainties or skepticism; use that energy and challenge yourself to investigate the unknown. Maybe you will begin to better understand, or even benefit from the knowledge. Oracle cards may help you fine tune your intuitive strengths and discover new realms of possibility, not to mention how fun they are! 

In the event that after all this exploration, learning, and experimentation, you still don’t like oracle cards, or haven’t been impressed with what you’ve personally experienced – cool. Go with it. Maybe oracle cards are not for you. It’s no big deal. Just move along and find something that does resonate with you.

Remember: The world would be a pretty boring place if we all liked the same things. Be YOU and find what feels good – oracle cards or not.