How to Use an Oracle Deck: A Beginner’s Step-by-Step Guide
You’ve just picked up your first oracle deck, maybe it caught your eye in a boutique, or a friend gifted it to you, but now you’re left wondering: how do I actually use this? Whether you’re curious about what oracle cards are, nervous about doing it “wrong,” or simply unsure how to get started, this beginner’s guide walks you through it all. From cleansing your new deck to performing your first oracle card reading, you’ll learn how to use an oracle deck with confidence and care.
What Are Oracle Cards?
Oracle cards are intuitive tools for insight, reflection, and guidance. Unlike tarot, which follows a set 78-card structure, oracle decks are freeform in theme, style, and number of cards, each shaped by the vision of its creator. They can draw from mythology, folklore, nature, or pure imagination, allowing every reading to feel personal and expansive.
I Just Bought an Oracle Deck, Now What?
Opening your first oracle deck can feel like stepping into a quiet ritual, part wonder, part mystery. Begin by unboxing it slowly, letting each card’s imagery wash over you. Turn the cards in your hands. Notice colors, symbols, and shapes that stir something within.
Begin by unboxing it with intention. Sit quietly, flip through the cards, and absorb the artwork and symbolism. If you’re using a deck like the Dreamscape Oracle, allow the ethereal illustrations and animal archetypes to guide your first impressions, each card a quiet invitation to dream deeper. Let these first impressions speak before you reach for the guidebook. There’s no need to immediately “master” it or understand every card's meaning. Simply observe, breathe, and let the deck introduce itself to you.
How to Cleanse and Connect with Your Oracle Deck
Cleansing your oracle deck is a ritual of reset. It's a way to clear any lingering energy from handling or manufacturing and open space for your own intentions.
Popular cleansing methods and why they work:
- Incense or Sage Smoke – Smoke carries intention and disperses stagnant energy.
- Moonlight – Soft lunar light imbues the deck with reflection and intuition.
- Sound – A singing bowl or bell vibrates through the cards, resetting their energy.
- Crystals – Stones like selenite or quartz naturally cleanse and charge objects.
Once cleansed, shuffle slowly. Hold the deck close to your heart, or rest your hands upon it while breathing deeply. This simple act begins the energetic exchange between you and your cards.
How to Set an Intention Before Reading
Before your first card pull, pause. Close your eyes and decide what you want from the reading: clarity, comfort, creativity, or courage. Speak this intention aloud or silently in your mind. Setting the tone in this way focuses your energy and invites the deck to respond with purpose.
How to Shuffle, Pull, and Read Oracle Cards as a Beginner
You don’t need a special ceremony to begin your first oracle card reading. Here's a simple step-by-step:
- Ground Yourself: Take a few deep breaths to center your energy.
- Ask a Question: Try something open-ended like "What guidance do I need today?"
- Shuffle your Deck: Let the cards move freely until you feel a natural pause.
- Pull 1-3 Cards: Place them face up in front of you.
- Read Intuitively First: Observe colors, symbols, and your emotional reaction.
- Then, check the Guidebook: Read the message and blend it with your impressions.
Common Mistakes Beginners Make
- Overthinking – Trying to “get it right” instead of listening to intuition
- Over-pulling – Drawing too many cards when uncertain about a message
- Skipping connection – Not taking time to familiarize yourself with the artwork
- Ignoring the question – Asking something unclear or too vague
Oracle Cards vs Tarot: What’s the Difference?
While both are tools for introspection, oracle cards and tarot cards serve different purposes.
Tarot |
Oracle |
78 cards, structured suits, and archetypes |
Flexible number of cards, open themes |
Based on the Rider-Waite tradition |
Often themed (goddess, moon, nature, etc.) |
Requires more symbolic study |
More intuitive and freeform |
When and How to Use Oracle Decks in Your Daily Life
Oracle cards can slip beautifully into your everyday spiritual or mindfulness practice.
Ideas to incorporate them include:
- A morning card pull for daily intention
- End-of-day reflection or gratitude reading
- Journaling prompts
- Energy check-ins before meditation or yoga
- Gifts for spiritual friends
Other recommended oracle decks for themed guidance:
Lady Stirling's Wicked Garden invites seekers into a lush world of floral mystery and intuitive healing.

Inspired by Victorian gardens and the delicate balance between beauty and danger, this deck offers soft yet stirring messages wrapped in botanical elegance, perfect for introspective readings that bloom with personal meaning.
Mother Mort's Carnival of Souls unveils a delightfully eerie carnival universe where each card serves as a stage for surreal archetypes and inner shadow work.

Crafted with theatrical flair and intuitive depth, it speaks to those exploring the liminal spaces of identity, emotion, and transformation.
Oracle Decks as Companions on Your Journey
Oracle decks are more than illustrated cards. They’re conversation partners for the soul. They can reflect the truths you already hold, uncover hidden feelings, and inspire you to see your path in new ways.
Your first reading is not about perfection; it’s about relationship. Let the cards speak, trust the symbols, and over time, the language of your deck will feel as natural as an old story you’ve always known.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Read Oracle Cards for Myself, or Should I Have Someone Else Read Them for Me?
Oracle cards are designed for personal reflection. Many users pull cards daily as part of their own spiritual or self-care practice.
How Often Should I Pull Oracle Cards for Guidance?
As often as you feel called. Daily draws are common, but you might also use them weekly or during full/new moons.
Are Oracle Cards Accurate if I’m a Beginner?
Oracle cards respond to energy, not experience level. Trust your intuition and let the messages speak for themselves.
How Do I Know What a Card Means Without Using the Guidebook?
Start by observing the imagery, emotion, and symbols. Your first impression often carries the deepest insight.
Are There Specific Oracle Spreads for Beginners to Use?
Try a 1-card pull or a simple 3-card spread (past, present, guidance). These are easy to interpret and build confidence.