Tarot and Oracle Cards: What’s the Difference?
Louise explains the difference between tarot and oracle decks, and how both can be used for personal reflection.
People sometimes ask me whether tarot and oracle cards are the same thing. They’re related, but there’s a difference.
How tarot decks are structured
A traditional tarot deck has 78 cards, divided into the Major Arcana and Minor Arcana. The cards have a shared structure, with familiar archetypes and imagery, although the artwork and interpretations can vary from deck to deck.
Oracle decks offer more variety
Oracle decks are more varied. They can have different numbers of cards, themes and ways of working with them. Some focus on affirmations, animals, nature, symbols or particular ideas, while others take a very different approach.
I enjoy the fact that there isn’t just one way to explore a question. Sometimes you might want to spend time with the layers of a tarot card. At other times, a single oracle card might give you an interesting thought to carry through the day.
Neither needs to tell you what your future will be. They can simply give you something new to reflect on. The important thing is finding an approach that feels useful and meaningful to you.
Which do you feel drawn to, tarot or oracle cards? Or have you never tried either?
Louise