If you're new to the world of tarot and oracle cards, you might be wondering: What's actually the difference?
At first glance, they can look quite similar. Both come in beautiful decks of illustrated cards, both can be used for readings and reflection, and both can help you explore your intuition.
But tarot and oracle cards are actually quite different, and understanding those differences can help you decide which deck is right for you.
What Are Tarot Cards?
Tarot has a traditional structure that has remained consistent across tarot decks.
A standard tarot deck contains 78 cards, divided into two sections: the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana.
The Major Arcana contains 22 cards, beginning with The Fool and ending with The World. These cards often explore bigger themes, experiences and turning points in life.
The remaining 56 cards make up the Minor Arcana, which is divided into four suits.
- Cups: Emotions, relationships and feelings
- Swords: Thoughts, communication and challenges
- Wands: Passion, creativity and action
- Pentacles: Money, work, stability and the physical world
While different tarot decks can have completely different artwork and interpretations, the underlying structure remains the same.
And this is one of the things I personally love about the tarot.
Once you become familiar with the traditional tarot system, you can pick up a new tarot deck and already have a foundation for understanding the cards.
What Are Oracle Cards?
Oracle cards are a little different.
Unlike tarot, there isn't one standard structure for oracle decks.
I've seen oracle cards contain anywhere from 20 cards to 80 cards. There are no required suits, Major Arcana or Minor Arcana.
Each oracle deck is created around its own theme and system.
You might find an oracle deck focused on animals, crystals, spirituality, affirmations, astrology or just about anything else you can imagine.
This gives oracle cards an incredible amount of variety.
And honestly, this is one of my favourite things about oracle decks.
The artwork, themes and ideas can be so wildly different from one deck to another. There really is an oracle deck for almost everyone.
Which is Easier to Learn?
This is where my personal opinion comes in.
I find Tarot easier to learn as a beginner.
That might sound surprising because tarot has 78 cards and can initially seem like there is a lot to remember. But once you understand the structure of tarot, you have a framework to work from.
The meanings of the cards can change depending on the question, the spread and the surrounding cards, but you are still working within the same overall system.
With oracle cards, every deck can be completely different.
One oracle deck might have a card called Trust, another might have 'New Beginnings', whereas another card could have completely different imagery and terminology.
Because of this, I personally find that you're often more reliant on the guidebook or the meanings created by the deck's author when you are first learning an oracle deck.
However, as you become more comfortable with your cards, you may find yourself relying less on the guidebook and more on your own intuition.
Tarot or Oracle: Which Should You Choose?
There isn't a right or wrong answer.
If you enjoy having a structured system to learn and want to develop your understanding of traditional card meanings, tarot might be a great place to start.
If you love beautiful artwork, specific themes and having more freedom in how your cards work, you might fall in love with oracle cards.
And you don't have to choose just one.
Many readers use tarot and oracle cards together. You might use tarot for the main reading and pull an oracle card at the end as an additional message, affirmation or piece of guidance.
My Take
For me, tarot and oracle cards each have their own kind of magic.
Tarot gives you a system. Oracle gives you freedom.
Tarot's structure makes it easier to move between different decks once you've learned the fundamentals. Oracle decks, on the other hand, offer so much room for creativity and individuality.
And perhaps that's what makes exploring cards so much fun.
You don't have to find the "perfect" deck straight away. You can explore different styles, artwork and systems until you find the cards that speak to you.
Whether you're drawn to the traditional structure of tarot or the endless possibilities of oracle cards, the most important thing is finding a deck that inspires you to trust your intuition and enjoy the journey.
After all, there's no single right way to connect with your cards
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