A BEGINNERS LOOK AT ORACLE CARD READING
If you follow me on Instagram you know that every now and then I offer a general card reading for my followers. Usually just a single card because I reserve more cards or bigger card spreads for clients who have specific questions. A question I might ask for a general group reading for that day might be something like, “Is there anything we need to know or anything that can help us on our journey today?”
I begin by choosing from one of the many amazing decks that I have in my Metaphysical Library. Many times I choose crystals to accompany my readings. Before beginning to think about my question I light Tibetan incense or candles and carefully hold my cards and crystals over the burning incense smoke or candle’s light to clear any past energy.
I sit quietly, ground myself, ask my spirit guides to help me as I meditate and ask for my work to be for the highest good. I hold the cards over my heart until I feel my heart Chakra opening and then I begin to shuffle the cards.
As I shuffle the deck I’m formulating a question for the day. Shuffling oracle cards is a very personal technique. I keep it simple or at least I think I do. I shuffle until cards start to fly out or things begin to get lively and then I fan the cards out on my table. I finalize my question while scanning the cards and pull the card or cards that speak to me. In other words, cards I am being drawn to.
A card can speak to me in many ways. I often use the jumping card. If any card is that intent on being seen then perhaps that is the card that has the message for me. Sometimes I’ll choose a second card and read whichever card makes the most sense to me for that day. Many readers use the jumper cards and many do not. Personal choice.
Every card reader has their own personal style and approach to working with oracle cards.I believe clearing the cards is important. Working for the highest good is important. Delivering messages from a place of love and with great respect for all concerned is without question one of the most important aspects of delivering a message to others. If you are a beginner you might want to just read for yourself until you have established a symbiotic relationship with your deck. You’ll know when you are truly connecting with your oracle deck. It is quite an epiphany.
Oftentimes I will hold my hand over the fanned deck and feel which card my hand responds to.
Or I will visually choose a card that calls out to me. Sometimes I use an amethyst pendulum and hold my pendulum over various cards to see if there is a sign of either an up and down movement or a swinging motion in a circular direction. My pendulum is quite accurate and is one of my favorite tools in my metaphysical toolbox. If you do not have a pendulum you can use a necklace or any object on a light chain.
If you are new to oracle decks you will love the books or booklets that come with most decks.
The companion books are great at explaining in detail what the cards are all about. In time you may create your own card interpretations. I enjoy asking a specific question and pulling 1-3-6 or 10 cards. I look at each card and study what that card is saying to me based on the question I asked then I refer to the booklet to pull detailed interpretations. 3 card draws are fun and often very informative…try past, present, and future. Think about the types of questions you ask. Simple yes or no questions do not give you a lot of options in the answer department. Go beyond yes and no as you develop your oracle card questions.
There are many card spreads to work with and each deck offers a few or more card spreads to try. I won’t get into that today because this blog is very much an overview for beginners or people wanting to revisit oracle decks.
It can be so exciting to research and choose a special oracle deck. Local metaphysical stores, some book shops, and crystal shops are often a good way to view decks. I prefer to shop locally but when that is not an option Amazon does carry a good selection of oracle card decks. However, nothing replaces walking into a shop and with any luck they will have a few sample decks so that you can feel the quality of the card stock, look at the art or photography, see and feel how the images, messages, and affirmations speak to you. There are so many fascinating oracle deck choices out there with a wide variety of themes. What a fun day you’ll have researching and finding the deck that will set the tone for the beginning of a very cool relationship and journey.
One last point, if you like to sew you can make a cool velvet or satin pouch for your cards. You can choose crystals that will hang out with your cards and bring crystal energy into your reading. I work with grounding stones and often use rough red jasper, black tourmaline, and hematite. For communication I like to work with lapis, angelite, blue calcite and blue lace agate.
A little pyrite or jade is fun for good luck. After all, we can all use a little good luck. Oh yes, and of course clear quartz crystal for clearing and clear thinking.
Any questions or comments you can email me anytime.
Until we meet again, enjoy discovering and getting to know your oracle deck.