If you feel a special connection to the other realms and believe that you are being watched over by benevolent beings beyond the visible world, you may have considered using oracle cards as a tool to communicate with your angels, fairy friends, or spirit guides.
Maybe you've looked at oracle or tarot decks at your local metaphysical store many times, or you've received a reading from a psychic or wise guide you trust. And you've been feeling the nudge to try reading oracle cards yourself—but you're not quite sure how to get started. You may wonder if you have what it takes, or you're worried about doing it wrong.
While a traditional system like tarot can be more complex and take time to learn, working with oracle decks is much more simple. Anyone can learn how to read oracle cards—even without previous experience or "special gifts." All you need is an oracle deck you resonate with, a quiet space for self-reflection, and your intuition.
Keep reading to learn my best tips for reading oracle cards as a newbie.
Oracle of the Magical Fairy Forest & Companion Journal by Anna Frolik, illustrated by Anna Babich.
How and Why Oracle Cards Work
Oracles like fortune telling decks, runes, or other divination tools have been used by humans to communicate with the invisible realms for centuries. Since ancient times, people of many cultures sensed that there was more to life than what we can see with our physical eyes alone.
In indigenous tribes and more advanced civilizations throughout the millennia, shamans, oracles, priests and priestesses, wise men and women, and leaders have sought ways to receive insight about the past, present and future from beings they perceived as gods, goddesses, angels, spirit animals, or other guides. Receiving spiritual guidance through divination could seem like magic—or like a sacred gift available only to a special few.
But: the reason why divination systems like oracle cards work is actually not that mysterious or "out there." Divination relies on gifts and innate qualities that we all posses:
1. Oracle Cards Reconnect You With Your Own Intuition
Firstly, oracle cards (or any divination tools for that matter) help you connect with the wisdom that's already inside of you. When you draw a card and study its image and messages, you'll naturally resonate with what you already feel as truth. Your intuition will highlight the guidance that most benefits you on your journey of healing and growth. The most important thing is to listen, trust your inner knowing, and not let fear get in the way.
(The latter can be a practice—and a beautiful part of using oracle cards as a tool for healing and spiritual growth.)
2. The Law of Attraction Brings the Right Oracle Messages to You
Most people who have worked with oracle cards before will likely recognize this: You draw a card (or a few), and each time, the message you receive is so spot on it feels like magic! And it is, in a way, but it's also a science of sorts.
Maybe you've heard of the Law of Attraction before. According to the law of attraction, everything in this universe resonates at a certain frequency, and like attracts like. This applies to our inner state of being (our thoughts, emotions, energy) as well as anything physical, including oracle cards.
When you shuffle your oracle cards with a certain intention in mind—for example, a question you want to answer, a problem you want to solve, or an outcome you want to achieve, you'll naturally receive the cards that guide you towards what you envision.
In order for this to work, it's important to read your oracle cards when you're in a relaxed, focused state, which allows you to connect with your intuition, higher self, and spirit guides. (More about this in a moment.)
How to Read Your Oracle Cards for the First Time
I always like to say that there's truly no right or wrong way to read oracle cards. First and foremost, always trust what feels right to you intuitively. However, if you're just getting started, some guidelines can help to inspire you. Over time, you'll develop your own practices and learn what works best for you.
1. Clearing Your Oracle Cards Energetically
When you open your oracle deck for the first time (and periodically after that), I recommend cleansing it energetically before using it. Your cards may have picked up outside energies on their way to you, which can interfere with the clarity of the messages you receive.
Clearing your oracle cards is not rocket science. Your focus and intention is what matters most. Some people like to knock on the cards, imagining that all outside energy is leaving the deck. You can also use sage, a crystal such as selenite or clear quartz, or ask your angels to clear your deck for you.
Using a purifying crystal such as the clear quartz crystal shown above can be an easy way to cleanse your oracle decks—but most importantly, it's your intention that matters.
2. Infusing Your Oracle Deck With Your Energy and Intention
Next, you may want to say a short prayer to infuse your oracle cards with your intentions. Fan your cards out in front of you, and touch each card one by one to imprint them with your energy. Then, hold the cards near your heart, and speak your intentions quietly or out loud. Some people like to invoke the presence of their angels or an archangel such as Archangel Michael to help guide their readings. This could be something like:
"I call upon my higher self and angels to bless these cards. Thank you for helping me hear my intuition and higher self clearly while working with these cards, so that I may receive the most beneficial and divinely aligned guidance for the highest good of everyone involved."
3. Preparing for Your Oracle Card Reading
Before each reading, prepare a quiet space in which you'll be undisturbed for the duration of your reading. Take a moment to close your eyes, relax, ground, and center yourself.
(Make sure you're not reading your oracle cards when you're in emotional distress or fear, as this can make it difficult to hear your inner guidance clearly and without attachment.)
4. Set an Intention and/or Ask a Question
Once you feel relaxed, present, and grounded, set an intention for your reading and/or ask a question. Avoid asking yes or no questions, questions to predict the future (hint: you are creating your future!), or setting intentions about a specific outcome you're feeling strongly attached to on an emotional level. Approach your reading with openness to receiving the guidance that points you towards true healing and growth.
Some examples of questions you could ask:
- What will help me heal __________?
- What's my best next step forward in this situation?
- What guidance do you have for me about my relationship with __________?
- What will help me find a more fulfilling and prosperous career?
- What action steps should I take to step into my highest potential in my soul-led business?
- What will help me manifest __________?
- What does my higher self want me to know about __________?
- What do my spirit guides want me to know today for my highest good?
5. Shuffle Your Cards
While holding your question or intention in mind, start shuffling your cards using your preferred method. Keep shuffling until you intuitively feel it's time to stop. If any cards jump out while you're shuffling, feel free to use them as part of your reading.
6. Draw One or Several Cards
Intuitively pull as many cards as you like to help answer your question.
For your first reading, it may be easiest to pick just one card. Or you may want to pick a few to highlight different aspects of your question. As you become more comfortable working with your oracle cards, you can explore more complex spreads with five cards or more. Here are some examples of simple card spreads:
Card for the Day
In the morning, take a few minutes to sit in stillness, connect with your inner voice, and ask: What do you want me to know today for my highest good? Pick a card and interpret it intuitively (more about this below).
Quick One-Card Answer
You can pick one card for a quick answer to any question. Sometimes this is all you'll need. If the message isn't totally clear, feel free to pick one or two additional cards as clarifiers.
Three-Card Spread
One of the most popular three-card spreads is the past-present-future spread. I don't particularly like recommending this spread because I believe that we create our own future. So rather than asking for predictions, I prefer to ask open-ended questions that guide me towards creating a beneficial outcome I envision (while being open to things turning out even better in unexpected ways).
Here's a three-card spread you could try:
Card #1: The theme of your question or situation.
Card #2: Your soul lesson. What this situation is teaching you.
Card #3: Advice from your spirit guides or higher self. (Your best next step forward.)
Simple three-card spread using the Messenger of Spirit Oracle by Whitney McNeill. (An oracle card deck I helped design and bring to life several years ago over at Wonderland Publishing.)
Four-Card Spreads
For even more detailed guidance, I often like to use a four-card spread such as the following. (In fact, this is my favourite and most commonly used spread.)
Card #1: The theme of your question or situation.
Card #2: Your soul lesson. What this situation is teaching you or what needs to be healed.
Card #3: Advice from your spirit guides or higher self. (Your best next step forward.)
Card #4: What will help me achieve the best possible outcome? (Seen or unseen support that is available to me.)
Create Your Own Card Spreads
After reading your oracle cards for yourself for a while, you'll likely start to gravitate towards spreads that you find particularly helpful. You can modify spreads you've learned from other readers, or you can make up your own.
7. Interpreting Your Oracle Cards
Now, let's move on to the fun (and most important) part: interpreting the oracle cards you've pulled.
Every person connects with their intuition in their own unique ways, so you'll want to experiment and see what works best for you over time. But here are some easy ways to get started:
Look at the Card
Take some time to study the image and message on the card. Is there anything that stands out to you? First, notice what's obvious to you. (It may seem too clear and straightforward to be a "magical message from your higher self," but what strongly resonates is exactly what you need to hear right now.)
You might notice some symbols, numbers, or other details that jump out at you. Ask what these might mean for you. The answer might spontaneously appear in your mind. You can look up the meaning of the symbol or number in a trusted book or guide. Or sometimes, the answer might come to you through a dream or in unexpected ways later.
The Eternal Souls Oracle by Ancestral Annelle. (A favourite oracle deck I helped bring to life over at Wonderland Publishing several years ago.)
Notice What You Feel
Are there any feelings or emotions coming up for you as you study the card? What are you feeling in your body? Listening to what you feel is one of the best ways to discern your inner guidance, as your intuition often speaks through feeling and body sensations.
In our modern-day life, many of us have been trained to ignore what our body and emotional guidance system is telling us. If you want to learn to work with your intuition in any context (including working with oracle cards), remembering to be present with what you're feeling is one of the best ongoing practices I can recommend.
Words, Sounds, Smells ...
This is a more advanced practice, and it's totally okay if you're not receiving any messages in this way, but some people connect with their intuition through hearing, smell, or other senses.
You might "hear" words or a specific sound in your mind. You might get the scent of a flower or something else that is significant for you. Often, you'll know immediately what the message means for you. If not, allow the answer to come to you naturally in its own time.
Remain Open to Additional Messages and Inspiration
As I mentioned above, some answers will be obvious to you immediately while others might come to you later. Questions and prayers can be answered through dreams, synchronistic meetings and events, or even sudden inspired ideas.
Don't for an answer if something doesn't feel clear. Be open as you go about your day, and you might receive unexpected guidance as your life unfolds over the next days, weeks, and months.
8. Closing Your Reading
Once you feel complete, give thanks for the guidance and support you've received through your oracle card reading, and close your session for today.
If you like journal about your insights for self-reflection and to unlock deeper meanings.
Cards from the Oracle of the Magical Fairy Forest by Anna Frolik, illustrated by Anna Babich.
Helpful Resources
Looking for an easy-to-use oracle card deck to start your journey as an oracle reader?
Check out my recently published Oracle of the Magical Fairy Forest, the Magical Heart Healing Cards, or if you love fairies and elemental beings, find my top favourite fairy decks in my recent blog post over at Wonderland Publishing: 11 Favourite Fairy Oracle Decks for Your Magical Practice
