Tarot + Oracle Deck Info
-learn about the different decks I use!-
Photo by Teresa Marie @releasetheclam on IG
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You may be asking yourself here:
But Lindsay, why should *I* choose a deck for a reading? Should it really matter? Is it possible to choose the *wrong* one??? Fear not, gentle client- I've made this page to help you out a little with some basic info! But first let me say something that I'm probably going to reiterate a lot- there's no such thing in my mind as the 'wrong' deck for a reading. The decks that I offer as choices for your reading all function the same way, even though they may look quite different from each other. I've done a brief write-up of each of the decks I use for you to peruse, but in case you are absolutely brand new to the world of Tarot, then let's give you the basics: |
- For the most part, all tarot decks follow the same structure: 78 cards total, split into the 22 Major Arcana cards [they're the cards with the fancy titles- starting from The Fool and ending with The World] and 56 Minor Arcana cards [which are further divided into 4 suits: Wands, Cups/Chalices, Pentacles/Disks and Swords- just like a pack of playing cards has Hearts, Diamonds, Spades and Clubs!]
- Some independently-made decks may feature a 79th card or even a whole new Minor Arcana suit- but again, these are pretty uncommon changes.
- Some independently-made decks may feature a 79th card or even a whole new Minor Arcana suit- but again, these are pretty uncommon changes.
- Most of the time, the names of the individual Tarot cards will stay the same, following the naming conventions of the Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot tradition that most people are familiar with.
- There are of course, some exceptions to the rule: some name changes happen due to the deck tradition [such as Thoth/Golden Dawn decks using 'Prince' and 'Princess' instead of 'Knight' or 'Page' respectively] or because the deck creator wanted to use another term.
- There are of course, some exceptions to the rule: some name changes happen due to the deck tradition [such as Thoth/Golden Dawn decks using 'Prince' and 'Princess' instead of 'Knight' or 'Page' respectively] or because the deck creator wanted to use another term.
- All that being said, there's vast variety of art-styles and influences present in Tarot- especially with modern tarot creators drawing from their own lived experiences, cultures and once-lost ideas of spirituality.
This means that even if the overall meaning of a card doesn't change, there's enough stylistic nuance to ensure that the message has that something *extra* to communicate!
I personally feel that the choice of deck isn't something you have to over-think. You are going to feel a certain draw to the deck you'll ultimately choose. It might be because you were drawn to the art style, the color palette, or something else you can't quantify... and that's okay! Follow your gut, and pick the deck that personally resonates with you- I guarantee that it'll be the right one~
These are the decks I tend to use the most- learn more about them!
Well, what about Oracle Decks?
Oracle Decks aren't quite the same beast, as they are meant to be more intuitive and personal an experience. Even with different deck traditions and artist intentions, the 2 of Cups will almost always be the 2 of Cups.
But an Oracle card is both more straightforward and infinitely more complex. The intended affirmation or words of encouragement may often be printed be printed on the cards themselves, but their internal impact to the reader can go much deeper.
The imagery on an average Oracle card tends to get a reputation for being overtly cheerful, fluffy, and thus devoid of depth. I don't agree that such imagery is devoid of depth on principle, but I don't find personal inspiration from endless depictions of angels, unicorns and the like.
As such, the 3 Oracle Decks that I work with as supplemental elements to your reading, instead mirror the sources of my own personal power- the Archetypes and Modalities of the Human Experience, The Cosmos above us - and a certain Magical Girl series very dear to my heart.
Read more about each Oracle deck below!
Oracle Decks aren't quite the same beast, as they are meant to be more intuitive and personal an experience. Even with different deck traditions and artist intentions, the 2 of Cups will almost always be the 2 of Cups.
But an Oracle card is both more straightforward and infinitely more complex. The intended affirmation or words of encouragement may often be printed be printed on the cards themselves, but their internal impact to the reader can go much deeper.
The imagery on an average Oracle card tends to get a reputation for being overtly cheerful, fluffy, and thus devoid of depth. I don't agree that such imagery is devoid of depth on principle, but I don't find personal inspiration from endless depictions of angels, unicorns and the like.
As such, the 3 Oracle Decks that I work with as supplemental elements to your reading, instead mirror the sources of my own personal power- the Archetypes and Modalities of the Human Experience, The Cosmos above us - and a certain Magical Girl series very dear to my heart.
Read more about each Oracle deck below!
